Day 6 - Day Off

This is technically my day off and truly I should be out exploring the great wilderness of Wisconsin but honestly I have been enjoying my morning upstairs just relaxing. I have had my door open so I am getting plenty of fresh air and rather then wasting my morning on the internet doing nothing I have actually been studying some bird calls. Particularly those found in wisconsin, or migrants through Wisconsin.

So far I have been able to add at least two birds to my Life Checklist, the Northern Parula and the Yellow-rumped Warbler. I have heard both the Parula's morning song and afternoon song which made me originally believe I was listening to two birds rather than one. I have also been able to hear more calls from the Black-capped Chickadee which is outstanding because normally we only hear Carolina Chiakdee's in Ohio. At least where I have been anyway. I was able to take the time and update my life list too. Adding Louisiana Waterthrush and Eastern Wood-Peewee from previous dates that I was able to dig up from facbook (pictures and what not). Other species heard today include an American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Gray Catbird, and I believe I heard said Peewee in the distance but cannot confirm 100%. I would say I heard a Red-tailed Hawk and Barred Owl today as well but these are our resident birds at the center so I do not count them! If I could my owl and hawk section would be completed.

I have kept my ears peeled for more birds and hope that I get the chance to add some more lifers. I have been looking up bird hot spots that I could visit sometime Monday or on another day I am off. I am about to start reading Aldo Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac" while enjoying the sunny and simply beautiful weather outside. Nothing wrong with relaxing with a good book right?

After reading of course I realized something I feel ashamed of forgetting; Aldo Leopold's shack is in Wisconsin!!!! Who else is in Wiconsin? Well me of course. So it is rather obvious where I will be going with my camera on my next day off. I have address and hours to both the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. I will do my best to leave here as early as possible, since it is a 3 hour drive, so that I may walk all of their trails and take as many pictures as possible. All I can say is AHHH I am so excited!!! A special treat this will be indeed!!!!!!

PS. I recommend this book to absolutely everyone; especially anyone in natural resources people.