{"id":175,"date":"2021-06-13T23:12:57","date_gmt":"2021-06-13T23:12:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michiganrootsbirding.com\/?p=175"},"modified":"2021-06-13T23:33:37","modified_gmt":"2021-06-13T23:33:37","slug":"modeling-mockingbird-of-benton-harbor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michiganrootsbirding.com\/2021\/06\/modeling-mockingbird-of-benton-harbor.html","title":{"rendered":"Modeling Mockingbird of Benton Harbor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I had a little early morning free time on Saturday, June 12th. I wanted to bird, but also needed to beat the heat to do a routine brake and rotors replacement on my vehicle. I scanned through my email, looking for a a potential bird of interest nearby. My eyes fell on an email alert for a Northern Mockingbird being seen less than 30 minutes from home at the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport in Benton Harbor. This bird was an ideal distance from home and in a location that was relatively easy to access. I hopped on I-94 West until I hit Exit 39, and took Red Arrow Highway until I reached the airport. Red Arrow makes a funny jog at the airport and intersects with Territorial Road. The easier route off Exit 33 is currently closed for construction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It only took me a few moment to locate the two decrepit buildings described in the email and only a moment longer to find the Mockingbird, perched on the powerline between both buildings. I waited patiently to see if it would come closer, or better yet sing. Mockingbirds are notorious for learning and imitating a wide selection of birdsongs from other species as well as other noises they hear around them. I imagine the more birdsongs they learn, the more attractive they are to a mate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I only had to wait a few minutes for a better look. From the wire, the Mockingbird flew closer, perching on the chimney of the closer of two buildings. Only for moment to scratch itself though, as it’s next move was to fly straight across the road to sing on the chain-link fence of the airport. The bird was sitting in perfect lighting, at eye level and close enough to rely solely on the optical zoom of my Canon Powershot SX540 HS. I slowly inched out of my car, careful to not disturb the Mockingbird, who didn’t seem to mind the attention in the slightest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n