Summer Solstice Birding…and more!
Inspiration Point, AR
Wednesday 10 July 2024
86 °F
THURSDAY, JUNE 20:
This afternoon, I walked out Blue Springs Rd again with my friend Boone from the opera company. We saw a number of birds along the way out including EASTERN PHOEBE:
And RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD:
And NORTHERN PARULA:
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER:
Male INDIGO BUNTING:
CAROLINA CHICKADEE:
We made it to my favorite overlook by the bend in the White River by about 7:30pm and admired some distant WOOD DUCKS:
BELTED KINGFISHER:
GREEN HERONS flying over:
And we did a bit of wildlife spotting on the hill across the river from us — first, a White-tailed Deer:
And a pair of WILD TURKEY!
Along the walk back, it started to get dark and we saw a dark figure cross the road in front of us. I was hoping it would be a bobcat, but it turned out just to be a house cat, AKA bird killer.
Once we got back to Opera in the Ozarks, we noticed the beautiful moon, brightly shining in the east:
My friend Taylor pointed out a NORTHERN CARDINAL that was still singing away in the darkness at the top of a tree snag and had the wonderful idea for me to photograph it in front of the moon. I thought this turned out particularly well!! Thanks, Taylor.
Then, our stage director Ben Smith invited me to take photos of the third act of Ward’s The Crucible which was having its dress rehearsal that evening. I obliged and was happy to get photos of my friends in action. I am also in this show; however, every opera here is double cast meaning we have on and off nights. This was, obviously, my off night — I would open the season singing La Traviata the following night!
It was wonderful to capture my colleagues doing what they do best. Enjoy these photos from their captivating retelling of the Salem Witch Trials!
More to come! It has been an exciting summer so far.
Happy birding,
Henry
World Life List: 1303 Species
I love when they stand side by side and sing with no big showcase distraction. They still in song alone move the show along vividly. television Ch DuPage Comm College " Cultural Arts Cinima or sumpin like that had a piece og a German Opera, with just the side by side singers so I associate it with the German style !!
by stephen fluett