djringer's equinox birds (Mar. 2009)
Who: djringer
Where: Dallas, Texas, USA
Bird list: March Equinox 2009
Report:
The Trinity River flows over 700 miles -- all of them in Texas -- cutting through Dallas and on southeast until it finally empties into Trinity Bay east of Houston. On the south side of Dallas, there are still stretches of forest along the river, and it was there that I decided to spend a couple of hours on the morning of the equinox.
Trees wore shades of bright spring green as new leaves emerged. It was chilly, but they didn't seem to mind.
A White-eyed Vireo sang from the opposite bank, remaining hidden in the tangle. He is back from his wintering grounds, ready to make new life. Cardinals and titmice sang; they never left. A chickadee fed its mate.
Spotted Sandpipers bobbed on snags sticking out of the river, and Lincoln's Sparrows, juncos, and a House Wren skulked. They are all on their way out, heading north.
Though I didn't hear a hoped-for parula, I did get two other spring firsts: Cliff Swallows and Cattle Egrets.
In some ways, it wasn't so different from the day before, or the day before that. The world changes very slowly, but the closer we look, the more we become aware of small changes, of signs, of wonders. And perhaps awareness can lead to knowing.
Text and photos copyright © 2009 David J. Ringer, used with permission.
