The Fork-Tailed Flycatcher

Many may recall that Crumby was, many moons ago,  a birder.  Before that, prior to his conversion to Druidism, Crumby was a Christian.  But Crumby was never, Praise the Goddess,  a Christian birder. 

Then, over the course of time, Crumby metamorphosed into a NEPA biologist which meant he got paid to observe the antics of federally listed or category avians of Class Aves.  Crumby could still do that maybe, but the fun and money aint worth the hassle.  Plus, there is the personal honor thing to consider. 

So Crumby has contented himself with backyard birdshit. Yet when word went out that a fork-tailed flycatcher (Tyranus savana) had bumped its noggin, then flown too far north;  that was too much for Crumby.  Yes it was.  Within days of hearing the news, Crumby headed east, toward the general vicinity of the fork-tailed flycatcher habitation. 

This is the equipment Crumby took along:  Nikon Superior Elite, 10x42 bins, Lomo 95mm catadioptirc scope with Lomo 25mm plossl, Celestron 32mm plossl, Celestron 40mm Kellner Japan, retardo Celestron tripod,   a wrench for the tripod, Canon 6od with 400mm 5.6, flash and Better Beamer attached,  water bottle. 

In hindsight, a 20mm telescope lens would have come in handy.  Plus, Crumby could just as soon have left the camera plus accouterments behind.   That's becasue the dang bird which we are now discussing stayed off too fer away.   But an average birder may not know how close he or she may approach some random member of Class Aves, beforehand, only in hindsight.  So it's better to have it and not need it. 

All righty.  The dang bird we have been discussing up 'til now is pretty easy to identify to species even over a great distance provided some optical aid beginning with spectacles.  Which is why Crumby considered going after that particular bird in the first place.  If the bird was not a fork-tailed flycatcher, but instead,  say, an immature pipit, Crumby would have most likely stayed home.   Again, we are considering the fun versus hassle dichotomy.  So it took a fork-tailed flycatcher to turn Crumby back into a birder. 

Upshot.  Crumby had fun, balancing out tolerable hassle, espying the fork-tailed flycatcher in his Lomo.  Uncharacteristically,  Crumby allowed other birders present to look through the Lomo.  Praise the Goddess!

Mercy though!   Crumby frets over the fate of these prodigal avians.   There that fork-tailed flycatcher is, all alone, with only scissortails for company.    Will it ever see its sunny home and friends again, alas?