Quick note, the shell of this post was written a couple of days ago. A status has changed, but rather than rework the post, just added an addendum. Now back your regularly scheduled programming.
Par for course this year, the month of June is flying by. Really not sure what the reason is for that other than I am keeping busy, which is keeping my eyes off the clock. Linda assures me there are still 24 full hours in every day. I do know a chunk of time is being spent training. Per last post, it has been a grind with the ankle injury and now the arrival of Mr. Heat Miser. The lemonade out of lemons is the reduced mileage with the injury is allowing me to ease into the heat conditioning. After 4 consecutive Short 5 to 6 mile outings the ankle was feeling good, so added back in one of the many large climbs that are staples for my usual runs. Ankle held nicely – I decided it warranted a Philadelphia Museum of Art celebration. Yep, put my arms up and did some small circles – pretty sure I heard trumpets in the background. To those that know me, yes, I did look around first to make sure NOBODY would see me hehehehe.
At that moment it occurred to me I had the perfect topic for the next post. I just needed to get back in the digital darkroom when I got back home as this series is fresher than Pepe Le Pew.
Hit the jump to read more about our specimen originally discovered in the City of Brotherly Love.
Introducing the latest addition to my life list. I bring you today’s featured feathered friend, the Philadelphia Vireo. Let’s put a song in your head for the rest of the day shall we…
‘Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom
From the day that I was born, I’ve waved the flag
Philadelphia freedom to me knee-high to a man
Gave me peace of mind my daddy never had
Trivia question – what bird is referenced in that song? No Google cheating allowed and I’ll spare you a guess, it is, unfortunately, not the Vireo. Thanks to the prep for this post, learned something about this song I didn’t know. The name of the song was requested by Elton to honor Billie Jean King (she coached a tennis team with that name). Although the title had meaning to Elton, Bernie Taupin was really writing about the sound coming out of the Philadelphia soul scene. Now you can impress your friends and family when they ask you why you are humming that song after reading this post ha!
Our specimen comes to you courtesy of a birding trip to Chicago. Ron had gone to the Montrose Bird Sanctuary earlier in May and found some Warblers still hanging around. Canceling our Dauphin Island trip put a huge dent in our expected Warbler counts for our “Average Year” (link here). This would allow me to claw a few of those checks back from the abyss. Ron was gracious enough to pick me up while camping at Chain ‘O Lakes State Park and drive me into the heart of Chicago to the beach that following weekend. NOTHING annoys me more than having to drive anywhere near that city.
The minute we stepped out of the car we started adding checks for the current year. We made our way inside the sanctuary and noted the large number of people hanging around a tangle. Spotted numerous American Redstarts (link here), a few Black and White Warblers (link here) and a Thrush that refused to give me a shot from the front so I could get an official ID. The Thrush did lead me right to where our Vireo, here, happened to be hanging out “people watching”.
When it comes to birds that hang out in our broke state of Illinois, I can usually hold my own IDing them in the field. Add in Ron’s acquired knowledge from the field we could probably go toe to toe with most of the other birders that happened to be there that day. After pointing out the find to Ron, we both stood there dumbfounded. It clearly had the Vireo profile, but lacked the blood eye of our dominant variety the Red-Eyed. This one also had a yellow tinge on the breast that isn’t present on those. That left us with the possibility of a Warbling Vireo. Those have some yellow, but not at the density our new specimen possessed. We politely asked a couple of ladies standing near us if they could help us confirm the ID – “We believe it is a Philadelphia Warbler”. Blink twice, stow your trays and bring your seats to their upright position – it’s lifer time. Ron and I immediately went to work making sure we had this new bird in the tin.
For those like us that could use the extra help in the field, the adult breast plumage of the Philadelphia is a brighter yellow than the Warbling and although they both have the white eyebrow, the Philadelphia’s will extend all the way to the bill where the Warbling will stop a bit short. I’ve been working on a new prop for the haunted trail and just realized what a great set of pumpkin eyes these Vireos have from the straight on perspective. According to Cornell, these are high canopy migrants so to have one this accessible was quite a treat. This one managed to get so close to us The Beast couldn’t focus – kept having to back away to get a decent shot – something that rarely happens! Would be wrong not to comment on the naming based on my previous tidbits. This bird was named by John Cassin back in 1851 based on the city where it was discovered – sorry Billie, 92 years before you were born.
Figure out the bird in the Elton song yet? If you guessed Whippoorwill you are a winner (will also accept Nightjar).
Take care everyone, I need to go conquer a few more hills.
Update: Well, folks Murphy has struck again. From the high point earlier in the week with the Rocky dance, I am now back at square one with the ankle injury – actually probably even further back than square one. While working at my mother’s house yesterday I managed to Frosted Flake my bad ankle (pain scale link here). Simply turned my torso a bit to grab something on the floor slightly behind me and “crunch, crunch, crunch” as the tendons were strained anew. Immediate physical pain and mental anguish knowing I had to start rebuilding it from scratch. On the bright side, there will be another Rocky celebration on the way.
Wildlife Intrigued 
Beautiful little bird. That’s a big “sucks” on the ankle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life of a runner I guess – never have time to get it fully healed before having to be back on it in order to make it to the starting line of the next race. The true suck part is I reinjured it doing a non-running task (although it is nice not to hear my wife giving me the told you so talk because I went running against her recommendation ha)
LikeLiked by 1 person
She told you so!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very pretty little bird. Subdued colors, understated beauty. Yes it is rare to have to back up with The Beast; usually I am sure it’s quite the opposite.
Sorry to hear the ankle isn’t cooperating. The Dr. did say to take it easy, right? And by easy, that doesn’t mean “only” 5 miles per day. Soft tissue injuries take FOREVER to heal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are correct, very understated, but this Vireo possesses a soft beauty about it. I can only think of a handful of times I’ve had to back up in the field with The Beast since I got it – one was a strong willed snake which will not be relived for Linda’s sake. I find the doctors tell me a lot of things I don’t fully agree with “getting staples in head without number doesn’t hurt”, “you will have no issues with the shingles shot”, “you can’t get COVID if you have the vax” (oh, sorry, that was our current administration) and my favorite “I’m sure you knew exactly when you broke your rib in two places”. I will agree they are probably right way more than I am hehehehe! The problem is I have a nasty hill race in less than a month or I’d probably be willing to give a bit more time although I can’t imagine what the definition of easy is if it isn’t just 5 miles a day ha! Thanks for dropping by Brad – appreciate the voice of reason.
LikeLike
Not sure how much reason is involved. As my doctor keeps reminding me ” you are at that age when . . . “. I asked are these things like a light switch, happening all at once? He said some things certainly seem like that.
Heal quickly. And completely for a change. Remember, you are at that age . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, since I am only 35 I have along way to go before the “you are at that age” conversation. Luckily my doctors, chiro, physical therapists and of course Linda know they all have ONE job – to put Humpty back together again and they will be rewarded graciously with future visits (except for Linda, she gets payment with just my exceptional kindness and admiration hehehe). No, time for me to go out for a run….
LikeLike
I don’t even have to imagine that sort of ankle pain! Ouch! Hopefully it will be recovered before your trip up North. You may need your running capabilities to escape the mosquitoes.😂 Loved the bird shots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed my new addition/ I’m sure you understand what a nagging pain this is – kind of like a toothache – a constant reminder on every step. Just told Linda it is good training in case the ankle gives out again like it did during last year’s ultra – a mere 3`1 miles into it (19 painful miles from the finish). I sure hope it is better by the Minnesota trip, by the sounds of your post I’m going to need every ounce of speed to evade those Hummingbird sized Mosquitos up there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This adorable little bird gave you lots of precious shots! Hate to hear about the ankle, B. Injuries really mess us up, don’t they?! 🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was surprisingly accommodating in light of the fact there were lots of people standing around with with glass pointed right at it ha! I hate injuries, but due to the amount that have occurred over the years, I’ve grown to simply embrace them as “refocus point” – I still cuss a lot at whatever the damaged part is ha! Appreciate you dropping by Lisa .. oh, and I’ve made it through the acceptance point of my sweets addiction for years now … its the other steps where I get hung up hehehe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a beautiful little bird in a very nice environment that complements the bird’s colors. I am so sorry what happened to your ankle but eventually you will get better.
The photos are incredible!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked the shots Kaya. If it wasn’t for him moving around, I might have completely missed him as he blended so well into the setting. As I mentioned to Lisa above, I find it easier on me if I just accept injuries are going to happen and establish interim goals so I can make it to the next starting line. Unfortunately, the older I get the longer it takes to reach those goals ugh. I got 6.5 miles on it tonight with two major hills so I’m definitely on the path to recover – race is 4 weeks from today so a lot of sweat investment will be made in the coming weeks. Appreciate you coming by and for the encouraging words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on your lifer, fabulous captures! Hope you and your ankle are on the mend real soon!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Donna! Ankle is progressing quite nicely – far from full strength yet, but should be able to get through a hilly test run scheduled for tomorrow in prep for the real thing the last weekend of July. Appreciate you dropping in and the words of encouragement.
LikeLike
Aack, sir, your crunchies are definite stomach-churners! We are home, but on reduced activity, as we picked up one of the many touring viruses, and are only just now winning the battle against that so-and-so. Love this Philly Warbler, such great colors!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear about your virus issues – keep after it and take heart in knowing your body will learn from it and help defend in the future. Although it sounds worse (the crunchies and all), I’d rather have to deal with something physical than something virusy – at least I know what I have to do to get past it and I still do other things in the meantime. When you feel sick, everything seems to come to a standstill. Glad you liked the Philly, it had such subtle coloring that all played nice with each other!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on this life bird. I was lucky to see one of these handsome vireos when one strayed far into Colorado a few years back, but not lucky enough to get any photos. Yours are lovely.
LikeLike
Thank you Tanja. I went back and checked the region maps and your specimen definitely strayed a few states out its range – must have wanted to check out the beautiful scenery you have there! I have to admit, this one was pretty accommodating – even stayed put while I dialed in the manual setting – wish more birds were like that ha. Appreciate you coming by and joining in the conversation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems that many eastern species are developing a taste for the West, which is good for birders’ life lists, of course. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great point… now I just need some of those western species to come visit me here in the Midwest!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope they will!
LikeLiked by 1 person