Pine Warbler Visit
While working on my laptop this morning . . . . I had phoebe (my cat) sitting next to me purring! She learned that if I ignore her long enough that by tapping my shoulder is enough of a reminder for me to continue petting her again (normally it works). Although our pet/owner bondage was disrupted when I had been a little too focused with the computer. As always phoebe would tap my shoulder . . . . I would ignore her and she would tap again. I said “Ok phoeobe” and as I turned around . . . . I saw this adult male Pine Warbler looking right into my window!!
Pine Warbler photo from September 2006.
My jaw just dropped and was in awe of this amazing bird peering into my window. Of course both of my cameras were in my backpack and no where within hands reach. I quickly ran outside with my Nikon and found that the bird was gone! I could not find it anywhere and looked all around the house (on every branch). I came inside to find phoebe all stretched out on the couch as if to say . . . . “Please brush me now, I showed you that good bird”!!
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
It does seem to work out that way, great picture waiting to be snappped and no camera, or bad timing.We were hiking in the Shawnee Forrest a couple of years ago and came across a Bobcat and her babies in a hollowed out tree. If she wouldn’t have ripped my face off with her claws I would have taken a picture of her. But we were like a foot and a half away from her, we had to back away very slowly. ~nita~
23 September 2007 at 8:13 pm
The moral of our story is “Listen to your cat.”
23 September 2007 at 9:06 pm
Ah, Phoebe the wise. I bet she loves the birds.
23 September 2007 at 10:00 pm
@ Nita – I so agree that it does happen that way! You are kidding about the Bobcat! O my goodness! What an experience!
@ Wren – she tells me that all the time!
@ Trixie – she sure does!
23 September 2007 at 10:09 pm
Phoebe is a treasure. She deserves to have her requests fulfilled!
23 September 2007 at 10:45 pm
Dear Tom,
It happens all the time! Perfect photo no camera!
Thank you for letting me know I had posted a photo of a Viceroy. I thought the “Monarch” looked different. I have never had a Viceroy in my gardens. They are mimics! Even nectaring in the same Butterfly Bush. Thank you again.
Sherry
23 September 2007 at 11:09 pm
Too bad you couldn’t train Phoebe to carry a camera. 🙂
23 September 2007 at 11:18 pm
My cat does the same thing almost. If I am on the computer to long she will bump my arm off the mouse or keyboard. And she loves to watch the birds from the window and lets me know when one is near.
So I guess we better listen to our cats.
23 September 2007 at 11:19 pm
When I walk into the room and see my cat crouched down with his ears sticking out sideways from his head, I know there is a bird up on the deck. Luckily for the bird, there is always a screen or pane of glass between them. Cats just know these things. People don’t. I’ve spoiled many a “stalking” session by aimlessly walking into a room and scaring off the bird. They will look at me with disgust. However, mine don’t come tell me ahead of time. You’ve one smart cat!
24 September 2007 at 12:11 am
I think you should buy her a field guide as a reward for such good birdwatching.
24 September 2007 at 5:55 am
I am looking forward to seeing the Pine Warblers again. I got some really nice shots last year and they hung around all winter/early spring.
24 September 2007 at 6:47 am
Heehee ~ what a great story, and a divine picture!!
24 September 2007 at 9:28 am
LOL I wish I could see a picture of Phoebe swatting you to get your attention! Nice of him to look right in your window-you know he was really saying “nyah-nyah-I know you don’t have your camera!”
24 September 2007 at 11:45 am
Our cat lets us know when there are interesting things in the yard that warrant our attention. When he sees a bobcat in the yard, he slinks off on his belly into the spare bedroom and hides under the bed. I’d say that’s pretty smart behavior. I must say though he often alerts us to things that only he can see.
24 September 2007 at 12:04 pm
Good cat – and it’s great to see pine warblers. Saw one this summer in breeding plumage and they are quite impressive.
24 September 2007 at 1:32 pm
Good girl Phoebe!! So. . . did you brush Phoebe or go back to the computer and ignore her some more?
24 September 2007 at 4:26 pm
@ Mary – thanks and both of them get their share!
@ Sherry – Thanks and glad to have helped.
@ Chicago – I bet she would get some strange angles with it!
@ Toni – we do need to listen, thanks
@ Erie – You should have seen my cats when I had turkey out the window! That really get’s their attention!
@ threecollie – she would rather have catnip for sure!
@ Jayne – our breeding pine’s head south each year!
@ Lisa – thanks!
@ Marg – its funny for sure! Maybe one day I will film it!
@ Robin – bobcat! How awesome and don’t blame you cat for hiding!
@ Marty – they sure are! Thanks
@ Pam – She got a petting, actually I cute a few snarls out and she left!
24 September 2007 at 6:38 pm
Never fails, camera in hand nothing shows, put it away and Elvis walks by. 🙂
24 September 2007 at 7:07 pm
Boy-what a great bird to have show up in your yard!-Especially to see it right in your window!-Not getting the picture happens to me most of the time.
24 September 2007 at 7:22 pm
The big decision….sit and watch – or – run for the camera? I think I would have done just what you did but I had a moment recently when I had just finished filling my hummingbird feeder but still had my hand on it when a Ruby-throat came up to feed, I just froze and watched in awe as this tiny bird hovered and fed less than 12″ from my face!
Moments like that make it all worthwhile!
24 September 2007 at 10:47 pm
That is a spectacular shot Monarch I love it! What a pretty bird! (the very words were still trying to teach our cockatiel. 🙂 Maybe we can train him as well as your cat is trained.
24 September 2007 at 11:00 pm
@ Bernie – tell me about it! Guess I can never leave without a camera by my side!
@ Larry – I get many great birds but not looking in my window like that!
@ Matt – I agree, if I had a moment like that again, I for sure would have enjoyed watching it . . . . but video of the event would have been nice!
@ aullori – thanks but I don’t think you want my cat teaching your bird!! I am more than 100% sure my cats have taught me when to do everything!
24 September 2007 at 11:15 pm