Veery or Hermit?

John and I spent hours debating the identification of this bird. I took these photos on July 31 in the apple orchard about 8 AM. I was (and still am) learning how to photograph birds with the 250mm lens outside. I finally e-mailed the Stokes and asked them. They helped me out once, years ago. I was all excited one winter and thought I had found a new species in Vermont that shouldn't be here. I was chagrined when the Stokes told me I had photographed a goldfinch in winter's clothing!

My photos here are not clear enough for them to identify, but Mrs. Stokes did say this was either a juvenile veery or a juvenile hermit thrush (at least John and I knew it was a thrush!).

The Stokes photograph their own birds. I just recently found a copy of their Stokes Field Guide to Birds: Eastern Region (Stokes Field Guides)at Agway and immediately bought it. Unfortunately, sometimes no book will help you unless the bird you saw was clearly visible. Click here for the Stokes hermit thrush photographs and their veery photographs here. They are both gorgeous birds. Be sure to visit their blogs: Stokes Birding Blog and Stokes Birds at Home

Thank you, Mrs. Stokes!

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