The Bird from Ecuador

I know it's not much of a photograph, but you can tell what it is: a Scarlet Tanager. Three days ago, while I was sitting on Neighbor Jeff's side porch having a glass of wine, he mentioned that he had seen a Scarlet Tanager only once in his nearly 64 years, and the same was true for my 57. The very next day, I heard a bird's call I did not know, had never heard. He was high overhead in the Aspens, which are almost fully leafed out now, making birds difficult to see but offering them many more insects and spiders. In an instant, I saw movement in the leaves and then the flash of scarlet and knew who it was, come all the way from Peru and Ecuador.

I was quiet and kept a respectful distance, but he would not return the favor by showing himself and posing; he was feeding among the leaves and moving frequently. But I am glad to know to look and listen for this delightful species now. I called Jeff to let him know, and he asked me to call if the Tanager remained, but he seems to have moved on. But now I know a new song.