Pic of the Day

Veery, Catharus fuscescens:  Magee Marsh, Ohio

     Back in spring of 1976, I was backpacking in the Great Smoky Mountains when I heard a beautiful thrush song that I could not identify.  I believed the bird to have been a Veery, but as hard as I tried to find the source, I just could not find the bird.  When I returned home I got my Roger Tory Peterson LP's on bird songs and listened to the thrushes on the record player.  As soon as I played the Veery's song I discovered my initial guess was correct.  I was mesmerized by the song and have listened for veerys every spring since.  
     Earlier this week I was at Magee Marsh, Ohio during the "Biggest Week in American Birding" when I came across a pair of Veerys feeding on the forest floor.  The birds paid little attention to me and allowed me to get great close-up photographs.  As much as I enjoyed photographing the Veery,  I would have much more enjoyed a serenade of its lyrical song.  

Follow this youtube link to hear the Veery for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1gaTqBRRk 

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4 with 20mm of extension tubes, 1/320 second @ f/7.1