Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Birder-Bloggers and Friends

Although my first post focused on the birds I saw at Cape May, some of the best memories I will carry with me are of the people I met. Here is just one story about them.

The Flock and company descend on the C-View Inn

The Second Annual meeting of the Flock, fall migration, convened at the C-View Inn in Cape May on Saturday night. Founding members Susan (Gets Native), Laura (in NJ), and Delia (of Beginning to Bird) welcomed new Flock members Lynne (Hasty Brook) and myself. Conspicuous by her absence was Susan from Lake Life. (Do you have a doctor's excuse,
Susan, or at least a note from home?)

Invited guests included John from A DC Birding Blog, This is the best view I could get of shy John

birdJam founder Jay,
and the original party animal herself,
Sharon, aka BirdChick.

Just try to catch a candid, un-posed shot of the BirdChick.
I swear, it can't be done.

A wonderful surprise was meeting Beth. You've never heard us mention Beth, have you? That's because Beth is our groupie, a lurker who reads our blogs every day and never leaves a comment.
Lynne and I met her on a 7:30am bird walk at Cape May Point State Park when she called out, "You're Hasty Brook, aren't you?" We invited her to dinner, and she fit right in with the rest of us. (I'm not sure if this is a compliment or an insult.)

You've been outed, Beth. We will all be expecting comments now, followed by your own blog some day.

Isn't this a lovely group of ladies? from left to right: Delia, Sharon, Beth, Susan, Lynne

I handed out lucky buckeyes to the group, hoping to assure an Ohio State victory over the Nittany Lions. (Alas, it was not to be.)

One of these buckeyes will never be the same
(and you know what I mean!)


When the table of Penn State fans behind me noticed my scarlet and gray sweatshirt, I gave them a buckeye, too. I thought perhaps a gift of a poisonous nut might be appropriate.

Some candid shots of the evening (and some not so candid):


Laura, looking relaxed, contemplates stealing John's fries.

Ever hear the phrase, "Eat like a bird", Sharon?


Susan showed off her talents, among other things:




Our waitress looking shocked, Delia looking bored, and Sharon looking for that lost buckeye.


All too quickly, it was time to wrap up the evening.


Delia, sad to leave so soon

Reminder to all current and future Flock members: Spring migration happens at the New River Birding Festival in West Virginia in just six short months. Have you made your reservations?

13 comments:

Beth said...

Okay, okay, I admit it. I'm a groupie. I know there is a 12-step prgram somewhere to treat this addiction! Thanks for including me and I look foward to staying in touch and seeing you all in West Virginia. Sorry about the Buckeyes. No, really. I am.

Beth

NCmountainwoman said...

I am so loving the blogs from the flock. I feel as if I know all of you. Thanks for the great pictures.

Susan Gets Native said...

Holy Poop On Toast.

You actually posted that video.
For those of you who have no idea what that vid was about...I was tying a cherry stem with my tongue.
What, no buckeye-taking-the-dive picture? Do I have to post it myself?
O M G.

Kathie Brown said...

I have never attended a birding festival. You make it sound like fun. I've been going around reading all the blogs of this flock and it IS SO MUCH FUN! I would love to meet all of you someday. I know Mary from Mary's View will be in WV with you also and I would so love to meet her. Thanks for sharing this experience vicariously with all of us!

Kathi said...

Hi, Beth! [KatDoc stands on table, waving at Beth] You actually commented - I'm so honored. There is no 12 step program for groupies. I want to encourage all the readers and commenters I can. It can get lonely out here in the blog-o-sphere.

Carolyn: You are welcomed to join us any time, any place. Maybe we need a festival in the mountains.

Susan: Nope, the buckeye photo won't make it onto my blog - I don't want to get that X rating.

Kathie: You totally have to do a birding event of some type. They are both fun and educational. I started with an Audubon bird ID class (3 consecutive Sunday mornings, half indoor lecture/half outdoor field trip), moved to one day and weekend seminars put on by the OOS, then did the week-long WVa festival at New River. Cape May was 3 days, but I think the next time I do this one, I am going to go a day or two early or stay a day or two later. I missed so much. Next, I want to do Potholes and Prairies in ND and Space Coast in Fla.

~K

RuthieJ said...

The candid photos and stories are the best Kathi. Thanks for sharing.
P.S. You would love Potholes and Prairies--I sure did.

Thanks for the clarification Susan, I wondered what was going on!

Anonymous said...

Ha! I knew what Susan was doing even before I read the comments!

birdchick said...

LOL! My mom is a KD blog lurker. I was just on the phone with her and she told me all that went down.

Too funny.

I have photos...but they're incriminating to Jay and Susan!

It was great seeing y'all again.

Kathi said...

Wow! BirdChick's mom lurks here? Sweet!

Nobody has commented on Sharon's conversation in the background of Susan's video.

Play it again, and listen to the story of the Red Knot.

~K

Mary said...

Wow, Katdoc. These photos made me grin from ear to ear. Is that our sweet, delicate Laura picking her teeth? Is Sharon so lovely? You captured the best photos of our favorite gals... I'm so ready to meet ALL OF YOU a short six months.

Maybe Beth will be out from hiding by then :o)

Thanks for sharing a glimpse of what it's like beyond the life list :o)

Hugs,
Mary

Anonymous said...

I've listened to it 3 times and I get bits of pieces of the conversation but the only thing I can clearly make out is

"That's why I was popular in high school".... :)

Dog_geek said...

Sounds like y'all had a great time! My dad is a Buckeye, but my husband and in-laws all went to Penn State. I mostly just hid during the game.

dguzman said...

OMG, not only does Birdchick's mom lurk on your blog, but you got a comment from Birdchick! You're the coolest, KD!

I'm not sure whether that's a sad face or an "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" face on me there. Oy vey.