Day 35: hooded swooner

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OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT!

a hooded passes through

The staff here in the NCN newsroom almost went moth-crazy over this one. We were unloading a few paltry pantry provisions from the staff car when we heard it by the driveway. Could it be? A song you here briefly, maybe only a few times a year. 

It's a sneezy song. Reminds us of "Ah-ah-ah-Ah-chew!" Or some folks prefer the mnemonic, "the red, the red t-shirt!"

Whatever, we grabbed our 'nocs and walked slowly down the driveway and in the understory by the mailbox, there he was low to the ground as they often are.

Hooded warblers (Setophaga citrina) only pass through our woodland here in the foothills briefly on their way farther north or up into the Smokies where they nest in the understory, rhododendron thickets, etc. This is a New World warbler you almost always see eye-to-eye because their happy place is in the shrubs, but the "I see you" is brief. Still, it is breathtaking. Such a jewel to honor us with a peek. The yellow face is so intense,

“O, he doth teach the torches to burn bright!

It seems he hangs upon the cheek of night

Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear;

Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!" 
to steal from the Bard. 

Now, go on and claim your territory and find a mate dear Mr. Hooded.

Concern #1: We have yet to hear a wood thrush in our woodland even though we know they are back in town.

Concern #2: We have yet to hear chimney swifts fly over even though we know they too are back. 

These two species are on the decline because of habitat loss or alteration. We are concerned.  

Stay-at-homers be safe. 

Ob-la-de, ob-la-da. 

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