May 31, 2004 Lauderdale Co. TN This afternoon while winding my way back toward Memphis on the blue highways, I ran across a Western Kingbird on highway 19, just west of Open Lake. Over the years, I have had this species in this area along the river and their presence in the spring and summer always pointed to the fact that they were probably nesting in West, TN. I have never found a nest anywhere but in Memphis but I would not bet against them nesting in other remote and unbirdied areas along the Mississippi. I have a special fondness for Gray Fox and after having one spend some time around my barn after the land was being developed in the area and getting to watch it for quite a few days going about making a living, I feel blessed anytime I get to view this elusive animal. On highway 87 near the Lower Hatchie NWR, this afternoon, something on the side of the road caught my eye. I backed up and found myself looking at a very small Gray Fox hunkered down and doing a poor job of hiding behind a tuff of roadside grass. As I fumbled with getting my camera out, I heard a sharp, squeaky bark. When I looked out into the field, I saw an adult Gray Fox heading my way and another adult standing farther out in the field, yelping. I took one photo of the barking adult. When I looked back for the pup I saw it running toward the other adult which had now changed direction with youngster in tow. I got off one photo as they ran into the woods. They sure are special and exceptionally beautiful animals. The photos are not great but I'll share if you will drop me a line. Good Birding!!! Jeff R. Wilson OL'COOT / TLBA Bartlett, TN =================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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s) endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ========================================================