Hello tweets,

yesterday's mystery bird was indeed, a Reddish egret, Egretta rufescens. the reason for the excessive white in the bird's plumage is not something i can answer definitely. I sent an email to Joseph Kennedy, the photographer, to learn what he thinks about this color variation, but since he was in the path of IKE, it might be awhile before he responds. let's all hope that he (and his camera equipment!) survived without incident.

today's mystery bird was photographed from an angle that most of us have become familiar with when we spot our birds -- why don't field guides publish images of birds' belly buttons? -- but i still think you can ID this bird easily;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/09/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to.php

I am also wondering if it is proper of me to suggest a possible Tweeters' meet up sometime during the last weekend of September when I am in town? I'd really like to see you all again, if it might possibly work out for you. I am (hopefully -- still looking!) couch-surfing near the U-District or Seattle Center, so a meeting place near one of those two locations would work best for me, since i'll be transportation-challenged.

cheers,

GrrlScientist
Devorah
http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/
Roosting high up a tree somewhere in Central Park, NYC