Celebrating the birds of 2020

We have been considering back again on our 1st calendar yr of birding and have started setting up our birding excursions for following yr. We’ve been at this now almost nine entire months. We’ve viewed 101 distinct identified species of birds. It is been an intriguing, enjoyable, aggravating, disappointing, and incredible journey.

So, to celebrate our first calendar year and our initial 100 species, Bob and I set together our leading ten listing of the birds we noticed that had been important to us in our journey. These are not numbered in any unique buy, apart from for the way we thought of them. Our hope is that viewing the incredible selection and hues and structure of these birds will give you a glimpse of what attracts us to birding.

Scarlet Tanager: I observed this bird from the back deck and the vibrant crimson colour was noticeable from a extensive length away. This bird has turn out to be just one of my favorites–maybe simply because of the UGA black and crimson coloring?

This Scarlet Tanager was photographed in Decatur, Ga. Its coloration is very similar to the Summer time Tanager, but much additional hanging in my impression. (Photo by Craig Taylor)

American Bald Eagle: An American Bald Eagle life up the mountain from us. We have not seen it normally, but when we do, we equally stop what ever we’re performing to look at it. The bald eagle really is majestic in flight.

This photo of the American Bald Eagle was taken in Nova Scotia. They are also discovered in Northeast Ga. Photograph by Craig Taylor)

Blue Grosbeak: Virtually as thrilling to see as the vivid red Scarlet Tanager was the Blue Grosbeak. We very first observed the Pink-breasted Grosbeak at the feeder and it was gorgeous. But it didn’t make this record. The Blue Grosbeak has these kinds of lovely coloring that the Crimson-breasted Grosbeak pales in comparison.

This Blue Grosbeak was photographed in Georgia–we’ve noticed in at the Clarkesville Greenway and Smithgall Woods Point out Park. Seem how the deep blue coloring sets of the intricate wing markings. (Image by Craig Taylor)

American Redstart: We noticed this hen for the initially and only time near Blairsville. He was deep in shrub and tree branches. We went back for three days hoping to see him all over again. His coloring of black and dark orange-crimson is distinct and stunning.

This American Redstart was photographed on Jekyll Island and reveals the bird’s unconventional coloration. (Photograph by Craig Taylor)

Indigo Bunting: On the similar day we noticed the 1st Blue Grosbeak, we saw the Indigo Bunting. The two have been in trees all over the Clarkesville Greenway. It was intriguing to see how quite a few persons walked inside of a few yards of them and hardly ever saw them. The Indigo Bunting is an additional superbly coloured bird, lighter in blue than the Blue Grosbeak but every single bit as gorgeous.

This Indigo Bunting was photographed in Rhode Island. The deliver teal-blue shade makes it possible for it to be very easily viewed in the tops of trees. We’ve noticed this chicken at the Clarkesville Greenway. (Picture by Craig Taylor)

Cedar Waxwing: We saw the only two Cedar Waxwings we have seen at the leading of Bell Mountain, east of Hiawassee. I had no strategy how beautiful they really are until eventually we noticed them up near. They are delicately colored and search correctly place jointly.

This Cedar Waxwing was photographed in Tucker, Ga. Each picture I’ve witnessed of the Cedar Waxwing includes berries. (Photograph by Craig Taylor)

Excellent Blue Heron: We saw this chook fly above early on in our birding, but it was not until we ended up at West Issue Lake close to LaGrange that we have been ready to see them up close. They have attractive tall, regal bodies. When they fly, they are distinct simply because of how their legs stretch out driving them.

This Wonderful Blue Heron was photographed in Florida, but we’ve observed various in the Clarkesville location. The shape of the fowl in flight is very easily recognizable. (Picture by Craig Taylor)

Green Heron: The Green Heron is not as massive as the Great Blue Heron but its coloring is even additional lovely and just as outstanding. We observed the Green Heron at West Level Lake as properly.

This Eco-friendly Heron was photographed in South Carolina. The coloring of the chicken is lovely. (Image by Craig Taylor)

Killdeer: The Killdeer has just one of the much more unconventional markings of any birds we observed this 12 months with black bands that circle its neck. We observed this fowl the initially time in a parking large amount in Braselton. I was so enthusiastic that I was leaping up and down. We later on observed a feminine Killdeer watching in excess of her eggs that ended up on leading of a cement masking above a grave. When we experimented with to get a minimal nearer to her, she ran from her eggs and acted like she was lame to draw notice absent from her eggs. She was amazing.

This Killdeer was photographed in the Virgin Islands, but they are found all over Ga. Notice the exclusive bands all around the neck. (Photograph by Craig Taylor)

Pileated Woodpecker: The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the bigger woodpeckers with putting markings of black, white and purple. Bob place it on this checklist. I had only seen just one from afar until past week, and Bob was proper. It is a spectacular bird to watch.

Even though this Pileated Woodpecker was photographed in Florida, we observed a person just off our deck and we have seen just one at Unicoi Point out Park. (Photograph by Craig Taylor)

Honorable Point out: While in the parking good deal at the leading of Brasstown Bald, we noticed a Cockatiel (that’s a type of parrot). The Cockatiel was really on a leash, but we counted it on our yearly record simply because we’ll most likely hardly ever see one more a single yet again that is not in a pet store or an owner’s cage.

Birds we considered about but didn’t consist of were being the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, the Fantastic Egret, the Hooded Warbler, the Pink-headed Woodpecker, the Goldfinch and the Purple Finch. All of these are wonderful and all are distinctive. It’s possible following 12 months . . .

It’s been a fantastic calendar year of birding. We have found a lot, realized a good deal, and liked it all. On January 1, we’ll start off around counting the birds we see. I seem ahead to looking at what God will instruct us in 2021 about His birds and about Him.