This Morning Outside

by Diane Porter

July 7, 2009
In the grassy field near Birdwatching Dot Com
Fairfield, Iowa

The bobolinks are gone already from the grassy field near Birdwatching Dot Com. Their season here is brief. They arrive in early May, fill the air over the grassy field with their bubbling song, raise a family down in the grass, and by the time summer really gets going, they are gone. Back to South America, 6000 miles away.

I miss them already. Picture is of the male, who is stunning with his jet black front and the pale yellow cap. He also has striking white on his back and wings. Female is much plainer and looks rather like an oversize sparrow.