Excuses, excuses. Seems I'm having to come up with a lot of them lately.
And here's the most recent -- I haven't been birding lately because I've either been poked away in my office or jet-setting around the world. Not bad, eh??
Truth be told, I just got back from a trip to Washington DC for a conference. Despite my having made a mess of my travel plans, it was a very worthwhile venture. The conference itself was great, and I walked away having learned lots and picked up some new ideas. Even better, I had the chance to see and spend some time with my friends and colleagues from back home in Newfoundland.
In the bit of spare time I had, I did manage to take in some Washington sights -- including a number of beautiful memorials, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Art Gallery. And while I didn't get birding (unless Starlings, Pigeons, House Sparrows and one Mockingbird count?!?!), I did get to see something just as spectacular ...
Fortunately, my visit to the National Art Gallery coincided with an exhibition of some of Audubon's original "Birds of North America" prints ... a selection from one of only two full collections known to exist!! It was nothing short of awe-inspiring to see these oversized paintings -- the detail and time that Audubon put into his work, the methods he used to combine art with field identification, and how his skill and quality improved over time. An absolute treat for me ...
I'm going to get out birding soon. Honestly. I mean it this time ...
Posted by jaredclarke at November 20, 2005 05:09 PM