On The Road

I am on the road again, heading south as fast as my old RV will go. Even though I have travelled some of these interstates many times, there is always something different or new to see. I like best to watch for birds and make a list for each state through which I travel. (yes, I am a lister)

Birds are hard to identify while traveling at 60 miles per hour. Rest areas and re-fueling stops (food or gas) are the hot birding spots but surprises do happen.

Just a few miles from home at a gas stop, some Horned Larks searched the snow covered field for food. I checked The SIBLEY Guide to Birds and saw that the larks are at their northern edge of their winter range.

(Photo by John of a lark without snow)

My second surprise was a Red-shouldered Hawk at a rest stop in northern Indiana. This bird, too, is at the northern edge of its winter range. (I have learned a new birding detail)

As I travelled south, I can't wait for signs of spring. Sure enough, at my first rest area in Illinois (there are so many), there was a flock of American Robins and Cedar Waxwings eating crabapples, probably not their favorite fruit but good in late winter.

Its good to be on the road again and birding along the way.