This was sent earlier and didn't make it. I noted that someone else has mentioned Cedar Waxwings today. I do not see them often and when I do they are in flocks. So the lone bird was unusual to observe, I thought. But perhaps they were nesting since the second one joined it and they flew away together. I hope so. I have no idea where they nest... habitat, etc. The more one learns about birds, the more there is to learn. You may quote me. Too bad it is not an original. Tess Cumbie Buladean, NC ----- Original Message ----- From: THCumbie To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2003 9:40 PM Subject: Cedar Waxwings The location was the Roan Mountain coming off Carver's Gap on the North Carolina side. Journeying down the steep slope and into the upper part of the valley I identified a lone Cedar Waxwing calmly sitting on a slender branch of a very dead tree... This bird was alone for a while, as I observed, it was joined by another. After greeting each other by moving into a position very close together, the two flew off together. At the top, the mountain had seemingly just cleared from a cleansing rain. The air felt clean and especially warm for this area. (Usually even in July there is a chill in the air.) There were birds everywhere. Towhees, Juncos, and American Goldfinches were easy to identify at Carver's Gap. There were others I could not be sure of since there was so much moisture in the air and they were situated in the tops of the balsam firs. I have neglected my birding for a while and I realize whatever skills I had have become rusty. Driving on up toward the toll booth, I heard a warbler like song. One time. Impatient I left, it was getting late... But I was pleasantly surprised at the number of birds I saw, the songs I heard and the warmth and the clean air of the mountain. Late in the day around seven pm. There are always lots of cars in the parking lot but even though there was some movement and talk, there was quietness. Tonight I counted 15 cars. Hikers could be seen coming down off the trail with their backpacks on and their sweaters tied around their waist. A place to just take a few moments to relax and to become aware of this special place.. and along with every thing else enjoy the birds. Tess Cumbie Mitchell County Buladean, NC =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958 =========================================================