The debate continues

16 Responses to The debate continues

1. Jennifer says:

   2 June 2008 at 10:54 am

   Upon your initial posting of his picture and throughout the “debate”, my vote has always been that it’s a Phoebe, even without the tail bobbing – but the fact that he’s a tail bobber as well, just knocks it out of the park for me….but then again, I’m a novice birder. Have you heard him? What’s his song? I’m loving all your pictures – really beautiful! Have you yet stated what lens and camera your using?
2. Eric says:

   2 June 2008 at 11:18 am

   It’s a Phoewee.
3. Scott Smith says:

   2 June 2008 at 11:31 am

   It would seem to be a Phoebe according to http://www.birds.cornell.edu

   for what it’s worth
4. Victor says:

   2 June 2008 at 11:54 am

   Perhaps it is a product of cross-pollination?
5. Trad Tom says:

   2 June 2008 at 12:24 pm

   I know nothing about birds, but I do know that the sun-dappled shot of the chapel altar is beautiful! Thank you, Father Z.
6. Cornelius says:

   2 June 2008 at 1:28 pm

   It’s a Pebe.
7. georgeaquinas says:

   2 June 2008 at 1:30 pm

   Fr. Z, You are correct it is a phoebe. Useless triva fact of the day: the Eastern Phoebe was the first bird to have a bird band put on it. John James Audubon started bird banding in his youth and the phoebe was his first bird he put a band (actually a silver wire) on. Phoebe’s commonly nest near humans (especially barns). The Easter Pewee is a more of a forest bird—it hangs out in the branches and sallies forth in search of its prey. By the way, is there a patron saint of bird watchers?
8. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf says:

   2 June 2008 at 1:31 pm

   Victor: Perhaps a gravity defying pull?
9. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf says:

   2 June 2008 at 1:32 pm

   Trad Tom: A little something for everyone.
10. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf says:

    2 June 2008 at 1:38 pm

    georgeaquinas: Interesting note about the Phoebe. Thanks. We are pretty much surrounded by forest here on two sides. There are 800 acres untouched behind us here.

    Patron saint of bird watchers? I would propose, off the top of my head, St. John the Baptist, and perhaps also St. Benedict.
11. Chironomo says:

    2 June 2008 at 2:08 pm

    I can’t get the combox to work for the posting about St. Conleths Society. The blog address (I think) is below.

    http://catholicheritage.blogspot.com/2008/04/aims-of-st-conleths-catholic-heritage.html
12. Joe says:

    2 June 2008 at 5:20 pm

    Fr. Z, Bless!

    Why do I enjoy more the talk of the great photos of birds than the oddities found in our churches? (Sigh)

    Keep them both coming even if the mason lays bricks slowly!

    Oremus pro Invicem!

    Joe
13. Anne says:

    2 June 2008 at 8:35 pm

    It looks like a Phoebe and I watch one just like it near my yard here in San Diego. I talk to him all the time:) Yes, they must be on the West Coast also.

    Glad the comments are working again!
14. Brian C. says:

    3 June 2008 at 7:07 am

    Patron saint of bird watchers? I would propose, off the top of my head, St. John the Baptist, and perhaps also St. Benedict.

    …or St. John, the Beloved Disciple? I remember a story about St. John in which he was discovered relaxing and stroking a pet falcon–which shocked his visitors (who were expecting the famous and beloved St. John–the faithful disciple from the foot of the Cross–to be on his knees in prayer, evangelizing, or something else more apparently evangelical). Seeing their shock, he asked one of them:
    “Do you happen to have a bow, for hunting?”

    “Why, yes,” the man replied.

    St. John asked further: “Do you leave your bow strung all the time, when hunting and when resting?”

    “Why, no,” the man answered, “since the constant strain would ruin the string.”

    “Then why are you so surprised that I do not leave my bow always strung?”

    :) Just a thought…

    In Christ,
    Brian
15. pseudomodo says:

    3 June 2008 at 1:59 pm

    One is an Eastern Phoebe and one is an Eastern Wood-Pewee. They are very similar. The Pewee has more distinctive wing bars.

    http://sdakotabirds.com/species/eastern_phoebe_info.htm
16. pseudomodo says:

    3 June 2008 at 2:05 pm

    From a birding website:

    “The Eastern Phoebe is about 6 to 7 inches long, and weighs about 16 grams. It has olive brown upper parts, a blackish crown, white throat, black bill and buff-white under parts. Its habit of tail bobbing and tail wagging are a sure sign that you are observing a Phoebe.”

    So… you have a Phoebe!!