Bachman's Sparrow

During the storm I learned that my trailer had a leak on the roof. I put a container under the leak, just like in the movies, and went to bed. In the morning I borrowed Bill's ladder and some caulking and crawled up and caulked every crack in sight. I hoped I fixed it but I will not know until the next storm so I will keep the container handy. I am as far east as I am going this trip. I am 20 miles from the Georgia border in the Tallagada National Forest. It is 60 miles east of Burmingham off of highway 20. It is beautiful but thick forest and for a western girl just a bit to close. No long views. There is an invasive plant here called Kudzu that grows over everything it can reach. It is very aggressive and looks like a heavy green blanket covering fences, trees, fields and even buildings if not kept in check.
I have decided I have become spoiled. I have got such great close up views and pictures of most, if not all, of the sparrows so far that I have forgotten what birding can be like. I got great sounds of the Bachman's and just fleeting views of it. Put all together it makes a Bachman's but not very satisfying. I also made some errors in my plan of attack. I played tape before I got recordings of it and the tape shut them up. Not smart. I will get another chance with the bird after I pick up Jan Wilson on Sun. Hope I am smarter. :)
The storm and I played leap frog all the way from Kentucky to Alabama. It beat me to the campground near the Bachman's sp and knocked out the power so I decided to leave Alabama. It was going to be hot and I needed power for the air. I am in a great campground at the edge of the Arkansa river. I overlook the flooded river. (All those rains you have been hearing about) It is at least three feet higher then normal which is a lot of water considering how wide the river is. I plan to stop and rest tomorrow, Sun. My speedometer says 7,300 miles. I am going to have to change my header. :)
The Crows here say Ha Ha ( to me) not Caw Caw like in Calif. They are Fish Crows and look very much like ours. Their call gives them away. I like hearing them in the trees above my campsite. It sounds like they are laughing.
Yesterday, when I headed west from Talladega I got a little home sick. It was the first time in a long time I have looked for signs that said anything but east or north. It is south or WEST from now on. It will be a long way south though. I am planning to go to Brownsville in Texas. It is the farthest south you can go and still be in the USA.
Take Care, Donelda
Doneldaw@gmail.com
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