Humber river Trail- RC Kinglets

[Ally]

I stalked it for like an hour. Only if it'd remain still for one second!
There were a couple of them, and one Golden Crowned; I also saw a brown creeper, which I never did in my trail.

[Shortsighted]

Way to go. Persistence brings results.
Frisky ... isn't he.
The few times I witnessed such a demonstrative display from a RCK
I either didn't have camera, or was situated in the worst possible position
to photograph it. In fact, once it occurred I had just arrived at Ashbridges
only to discover that I left the battery in the charger (back home). I think
the red semaphore display was just the kinglet telling me that I was an idiot.
I don't suppose you were one of the throng that visited Thickson on the weekend
to celebrate the Hermit warbler.

[Ally]

Way to go. Persistence brings results.
Frisky ... isn't he.
The few times I witnessed such a demonstrative display from a RCK
I either didn't have camera, or was situated in the worst possible position
to photograph it. In fact, once it occurred I had just arrived at Ashbridges
only to discover that I left the battery in the charger (back home). I think
the red semaphore display was just the kinglet telling me that I was an idiot.
I don't suppose you were one of the throng that visited Thickson on the weekend
to celebrate the Hermit warbler.

Nah, with my luck, I don't think I will find it. It happened to me with the Blue Grosbeak in High Park. I migt go look for the meadow larks though.

[Shortsighted]

I know what you mean. I went all the way out to High Park last year to try to find the
White-eyed Vireo even though I didn't have the slightest idea of where to look for it,
although I had a hunch at the time that it might be located in the northeast corner of
the park near Bloor St. I don't now recall what meager evidence supported that hunch.
Often enough the bird's location is heralded by the collection of birders standing around.
Such was the case when a Glossy Ibis was spotted at Sobey's Pond (more of a flooded
field). It was like being at a rocket launch. I've never seen so much long fast glass in one
place before. $5,000 cameras, $10,000. lenses, $1000. tripods. One guy brought his golf
clubs ... don't ask. I had half a mind to turn around and leave but someone just pulled away
from the curb so I filled the vacuum. Got down on the grass trying not to knock anyone's
tripod leg and shot a few frames at 200mm. I'm surprised someone wasn't selling tickets
or asking for parking permits. Like being at the midway but with less candy floss. Rare
migratory birds are like famous rock stars and chasing them is a special kind of insanity.
I need a drink. A toast to crazy. By the way, where do you plan to look for meadowlarks?
Are you taking the advise I've recently been offered by visiting the Carden Alvar?

[Ally]

I know what you mean. I went all the way out to High Park last year to try to find the
White-eyed Vireo even though I didn't have the slightest idea of where to look for it,
although I had a hunch at the time that it might be located in the northeast corner of
the park near Bloor St. I don't now recall what meager evidence supported that hunch.
Often enough the bird's location is heralded by the collection of birders standing around.
Such was the case when a Glossy Ibis was spotted at Sobey's Pond (more of a flooded
field). It was like being at a rocket launch. I've never seen so much long fast glass in one
place before. $5,000 cameras, $10,000. lenses, $1000. tripods. One guy brought his golf
clubs ... don't ask. I had half a mind to turn around and leave but someone just pulled away
from the curb so I filled the vacuum. Got down on the grass trying not to knock anyone's
tripod leg and shot a few frames at 200mm. I'm surprised someone wasn't selling tickets
or asking for parking permits. Like being at the midway but with less candy floss. Rare
migratory birds are like famous rock stars and chasing them is a special kind of insanity.
I need a drink. A toast to crazy. By the way, where do you plan to look for meadowlarks?
Are you taking the advise I've recently been offered by visiting the Carden Alvar?

Maybe, or the one location in Hamilton. Are you planning to go?

[Shortsighted]

I haven't been to Hamilton in this century.
Both locations are just too far away. It takes too long to get there and back
and then costs too much in fuel. Also, I can't be away for that many hours. A few hours
here and there is about it. Even going out to CSS from the east end is too
far. It takes about an hour and a half to two hours by transit. A few times
I tried to drive there but the return trip (in traffic) was insane. I'm never going through
that again. When I go out to Hall's road the traffic is fine but then when I return
(westbound) the eastbound traffic is stop and go for miles. To think that these
people deal with that frustration EVERY day!

I might try East Point Park a few times and the fields of the Rouge but it is not
very likely that I will see a Meadowlark. I saw one at the Beare wetland a few years
ago but it was too far away to photograph with the point-and-shoot camera I was
using at the time. I also saw one off of Meadowvale Rd at about the same time.
Cruising the fields north of Finch or Steeles is just a waste of gas. My luck is an
offspring or your luck. They are both bad.

[Axeman]

Thanks for stalking it....now I know what to look for....better than a field guide.