At 2:00 p.m. this afternoon, I took my parents' crippled dog to the back
(Heming Ave.) entrance to Lake Accotink for a quick walk. I did not take=
my binoculars to this usually barren area. You know what's coming next..=
.
there was an explosion of birds in the trees on your left as you drive up=
the driveway, particularly in the area around the grassy semicircle
(overrun with invasives like Oriental bittersweet). Although optic-less,=
I
was nevertheless able to hear--and see--a wonderful pair of Pileated
woodpeckers hammering studiously on a dead tree near the railroad tracks.=
=
This tree is missing its top and is noticeably lighter colored because it=
's
missing several large strips of bark. In addition, a spectacular male
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker landed on a small tree maybe 7 feet away. Even =
my
poor eyes could see his exceptionally yellow stomach and the almost velve=
ty
red on the head and chin. I don't know what other bird treasures I misse=
d
seeing, but since I started taking my spare binoculars to work for
hummer-watching, I think one spare pair may no longer be enough!
Laura Farron
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