The chill of a winter morning creeps into crevices of back decks, swing sets, laundry rooms and old joints while most of us welcome the sun slowly from behind a cup of coffee, fluffy robe and slippers. Before the day’s tasks set into motion, a hot shower, email check and bowl of oatmeal might take a front seat to dressing, makeup, car warming and hair brushing.

While many of us operate in some such order, exotic hobbies such as bird watching and banding often require adaptable, agile schedules.

One such opportunity happened for birding enthusiasts in Spanish Fort, late December.

Satch Sampson and P.T. Paul spent a relaxing morning overlooking their backyard when they noticed a photogenic bird. It turned out to be a Black Headed Grosbeak—a rare bird for the east during late September to late May, according to Bill Summerour, wildlife photographer and retired university professor of biology.

Summerour was one of several birders to visit the Spanish Fort residence to photograph the fortuitous siting.

He said that his years of interest in biology, including teaching at Jackson State University and working as a visiting professor at Virginia Military Institute, have established his retired years as a wildlife and bird photographer.

“It’s a photographic expression of that interest,” he began. “When documenting you can’t just describe—you need documented proof of a siting.”

“We’ve got a committee which screens sitings. Plus, I like artistic things, too like painting and photography.”

He said that others with an interest in birds could partake in any range the hobby offers.

“It can be pursued at any degree that people want,” he explained. “…anything from watching in your backyard to looking for rare gulls at oil fills, cities or in the middle of ocean.”

Fred Bassett’s fascination also led him to Spanish Fort.

Bassett has been a birder for more than 20 years and is a full-time hummingbird bander for the Hummer/Bird Study Group, he said. He is a hummingbird bander in south Alabama in the winter; in April and October, he is on the banding crew at Fort Morgan, banding all types of birds. Then, in the summer, he bands hummingbirds in Idaho.

“I band many hummingbirds each winter that are considered rare in the Southeast,” he explained. “This winter, I have banded over 300 hummingbirds of eight species including Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Rufous, Broad-tailed, Allen's, Calliope, Buff-bellied, and Broad-billed.”

“I drive 40,000 miles a year, banding ,and work long hours for no pay and love every minute of it. It is a privilege to get to learn about such wonderful creatures.”

Paul said she was thrilled to be a part of such an occasion and was glad to meet such interesting people as Bassett and Summerour.

“Turns out, the Black Headed Grosbeak is the first one seen in this area in 10 years,” she mused. “So, for the last three days, I've had members of the Alabama Ornithological Society camped out at my kitchen table, waiting to get a glimpse of this rare bird!”

“And they called Fred Bassett, a hummingbird researcher, so he shows up this morning to catch and band my hummingbirds. He banded his 200th bird this morning, and banded 6 immature male Rufous Hummingbirds in one hour—which is some kind of record!”