Post by Nittro on May 26, 2016 14:59:00 GMT -5
Thank you for checking this post.
I thought I would share this experience as it added a pleasant element to my morning fishing on Lake Ontario.
While trolling, I noticed a particularly small bird fluttering like a butterfly in the off shore breeze. It was struggling and approached my boat in an apparent search of a perch to rest. After circling the boat it belly landed in the lake with wings spread out. My first instinct was to rescue the little creature, but as I started my turn it was able to take flight and landed on my downrigger outfit. Look closely at the photo and you will notice that the bird is perched not on the rod, but on the thin fishing line!
With the boat bouncing in the light chop and the wind blowing, the bird was bobbing like a drunken sailor. I approached slowly, whistling softly in hopes of calming it's fears. When I reached out the bird placed it's head under it's wing and I carefully picked it up. For me, that was a strange response from a "wild" bird. After a couple of quick photos I placed it on the carpet. The bird soon explored the interior of the boat and began eating the Gnats which have been swarming anglers on the lake with warming temps.
About an hour later, well rested and fed, the bird did a couple of short test flights before continuing it's journey.
I believe I have correctly identified my passenger as a female Chestnut-sided Warbler
