Losing track of time while tracking birds

Unexpectedly, I had a transformative experience while birding in the woods today. I had intended to drive to Trenton marsh but mistakenly took an early exit off Interstate 295 and decided to drive to Veterans Park in Hamilton.

Once there, I skirted Martin’s Lake and headed onto the trail that runs along the lake’s south end. I spotted plenty of Canada geese and a dozen common mergansers on the water, but nothing special appeared. I followed my usual path on the lake’s edge and crossed over a cement bridge at which I usually turn to the right and head back on a paved path connects with the levee path on which I entered the park from the western entrance parking lot.

I noticed a slender path beyond the bridge that I’d never taken before and decided to follow it. What a good decision that was. I didn’t realize how far back into the woods the trail would take me, and once I passed the lake I was walking along Pond Run. Several mallards were plying the waters, and although I spooked a few I managed to grab a few shots.

After a short while along the trail, I came to a clearing. I spotted a large number of birds flitting about the trees and foraging on the ground. A red-bellied woodpecker (depicted in the setting atop this post) drew my interest, flying from tree to tree.

In short order I spotted a yellow-rumped warbler, a white-throated sparrow and a couple of chickadees. There were also several tufted titmice, flitting about the smaller trees and foraging on the ground.

As common as tufted titmice are in central New Jersey, it’s rare for me to spot more than one or two in an area. But there were at least five and probably more at this spot in the woods.

I took several shots but only a few would be in focus as the birds were moving rapidly, in the air, in the trees and amid the leaves and logs on the ground. At one point, I trained my camera on a pair of titmice that flew into one of the larger trees about 50 feet away. One of the birds cooperatively came to my side of the tree at eye level, giving me my favorite shot of the day.

The photo almost seems like an overhead shot, but it was straight on. The bird tilted its head so I could pinpoint focus on its left eye, and I’m happy with the image.

American robins also flew into view, and as I walked a little farther on the trail I spotted several dark-eyed juncos. I turned around and went back to the clearing where I’d seen the titmice and decided it was time to head home.

As I returned to the lake, I checked my iPhone and realized I’d lost track of time. I’d been in the clearing probably 20 minutes, with my thoughts immersed in the presence of the birds.

I had lost all sense of the usual thoughts running through my head — work obligations, how my new knee is holding up, stuff to do at home. It all disappeared as I inhabited the birds’ space as a quiet interloper. What a treat that was. 🦅