Josh Spots Summer Tanager, Lives to Tell About It
May 17th, 2009 · 4 Comments
Josh just got back from a 20-mile run (yes, I said 20 miles*) at Chinqua Penn. He saw a summer tanager on a fence just at the margin of the woods and one of the cow pastures. He describes it as “all red, sorta maybe bluebird-size, with a light-color beak.” Yep, that’s a summer tanager, the only all-red bird in North America. Have I mentioned that I have never seen a summer tanager? Yep, I’m jealous. But that’s what you get for running 20 miles. What you don’t get is a photo, because it’s hard to focus and run simultaneously. (And there’s little room for a camera in running shorts.)
*Josh is preparing himself for the Grandfather Mountain Marathon this July, hence the ridiculous mileage. He ran more than 100 miles in April. I ran at least a half-block or so. This will be his second marathon; his first was the 2003 New York City Marathon, which he ran with P. Diddy/Puff Daddy/Sean Combs.
Tags: Summer Tanager
4 responses so far ↓
1 Sir Inkalot // May 17, 2009 at 2:11 pm
And Diddy beat me. I hope to someday become very fast, and I shall run to his recording studio and call him out. “P. Winkle!” I shall cry (I’m guessing that shall be his moniker some day), “Rematch!”
Oh, he might not pay any attention. But wherever he goes, I’ll be there, gently trotting by in my sporty Tarahumara sandals, quietly yet persistently goading, “rematch…”
He’ll finally give in. He’ll send his goons after me, from whom I’ll have to run. Quickly.
That’s why I’m training so hard.
Oh, and it was 150 miles in April. I mention this only because I know you’re a stickler for fact checking.
2 Mary // May 18, 2009 at 11:19 am
I admire anyone who runs. I think those who run are totally in love with it, almost to the point it becomes an obsession. But that’s OK – it’s a wonderful obsession to have!
I’d rather walk and now it is becoming obsession. Walking is the rain is proof.
Summer Tanager! I saw my first one in West Va. two weeks ago. Striking. You can’t mistake that ID!
3 Lynn // May 18, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Thanks for linking the photo. I had no idea! Now I’ll be looking for one.
Lynn
4 jan m // May 19, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I’d be jealous too. I hate it when my husband describes some bird he’s seen that I probably won’t come across for another decade.
Best wishes to Josh on Grandfather Mountain. My daughter, Rebecca, did the bike race there a few years ago. She said it was grueling.