To wrap up a marathon birding week Karah and I met up with Ryan and Chelsea at John Heinz NWR. John and Heather offered to watch the kids for the afternoon/evening. We started the day off at Green Lane Reservoir with a beautiful flock of Ring Neck Ducks and American Wigeon and then dropped off the kids. We knew that there wouldn't be too much action at John Heinz but had heard reports of a Norther Shrike.When we got to the visitor center a few birders were about to go see a Great Horned Owl that had just been discovered sitting on its nest that morning. Later we met up with a volunteer who took us to the spot. The mother owl was just sitting there watching us, peaking out from her nest. With our new scope it was a nice treat to just relax and watch her. I brought my moms little digi-cam and snapped a few photos through the scope.

Next we watched some Norther Shovelers roosting on the water and some GBH's roosting above them on the far shore of the lake. Ryan started getting a bit rowdy and taking his social birding too far yelling "bye!" and waving at the roosting Owl so we started walking out. We had pretty much given up hope on seeing the Shrike. As we rounded a corner Karah started screaming profanities and pointing up at a bird on the topmost branch of a nearby tree. "Its the Shrike" she said.

And that it was. I still get butterflies when I think about it. Our trip was a success. I also want you guys to know that I am going to try and take pics of significant birds to share with you. I am clearly not shooting for high quality but I just want to share these birds with you guys. Peace, Love, and bubblegum.