Red-eyed Vireo

Red-eyed Vireos are among the noisiest of singers, drawing constant attention to themselves with a sweet song that is usually translated as "See me, here I am, over here...." You can't miss those three phrases that ring, often dawn to dusk, in the woods, but spotting the singer is another story. If there was a birding award dedicated to the species most likely to induce apoplexy—the SMLTIA Memorial—it would, I have no doubt, feature a replica of a Red-eyed. These birds are expert at singing up a storm high in the shelter of the tree canopy; you know they're up there, but there's absolutely no chance you'll ever see them. Sometimes, however, a Red-eyed decides to show itself to its admirers. Perhaps this is a reward for good behavior, perhaps it's just luck. Whatever the reason, the object of my patient listening quest dropped down to a low branch at the top of the Babcock Ridge Preserve and provided a delightful concert... in full view of this concert goer. I didn't even need a spotlight.