Loggerhead Shrike

I said I would tell you more about the Loggerhead Shrike, and this seems like as good a time as any. It is the bird that is responsible for my interest in all birds and in birding as a life-long pursuit.
In high school I had a biology teacher, Al Schwan, who was interested in birds. He was my favorite teacher, and when I had taken all of the classes from him that were available, he made up a research assistant position for me so I could spend more time with him. During that time, while I was growing bacteria in agur and learning about mutations, he gave me a bird field guide. It was the Birds of North America, A Guide to Field Identification and I devoured it as soon as he gave it to me.
For some reason, the Loggerhead Shrike just seemed to jump off the page at me. I have no explanation for it. I was obsessed with seeing that bird. The book called them uncommon and declining. They stored food for the winter, for heaven's sake! Birds do that? What else didn't I know about birds? What do you mean they migrate? How do they know to do that? They sing too? Different songs in different places and at different times of the day? I need to know more!
Shortly after I got the book, a flock of Pine Grosbeaks settled in a cemetary next to my school. I was able to identify them! And they were migrating - I read about them in my new book. This was like magic. A new world opened to me when I found out that there were so many beautiful birds all around me and I could know them.
Since then I have always been aware of the birds around me, even when I couldn't "go birding". Now that I can be a devoted birder again, I have fallen in love with the birds all over again.
And my first Loggerhead Shrike? I have Camille to thank for that. I saw him on my birthday field trip to Pace Bend Park on April 24, 2004.