Aveschapines

I would NEVER make a joke about it unless I was sure it was spell check! I am deeply committed to keeping my inner pendant inside at all times 😄

Bird rights activist??

An Ovenbird would have black stripes on the crown and an orange crown patch between the stripes that you won't always see, and much heavier black streaking on the underparts; and yes, no reddish tail. It would also likely be more secretive than the Hermit Thrush.

I think we all need to agree to agree to disagree...

Spotted Sandpiper: And a sunset on the beach where I found him!

Pelicans (Brown)

Magnificent Frigatebird

Kiskadee, Great feeding babies

I have some good Ys, but I keep having to do X.... 😞

Black-Vented Oriole

Zontrichia capensis, getting a snack from Mom/Dad (Rufous-Collared Sparrow).

And I present - An X-shaped House Sparrow!

I think @Seattle beat you, @lonestranger! You got a W??

Haven't seen one yet so no pic (someday!) Upland Sandpiper

That's exactly what I did. My current one is the second version; I didn't like the first one so I knew what to do differently the second time around! It's cotton sheeting, lightweight but with enough body to hold its shape. It's a green jungle print with birds; I cut the pockets so they each have a full bird on them. It's loose-fitting but has elastic at the waist so it won't flop all over. Front closes with three snap clasps (like the ones on backpacks) but with a gap, again to allow for airflow. Plenty of pockets, inside for money and valuables, and outside for phone, iPod, snacks, notebook and pen, etc. Back has a large pocket that can hold two 2-liter bottles of water or a camelback. The water provides a counterweight to keep the vest from riding up in the back when the front is full of stuff. I found the right position for the back pocket so I can reach it to get water bottles in or out without taking it off; I am thinking about a flap because if I bend over too far the bottles fall out, but that would complicate taking them out with the vest on. It has rings on the shoulders, one of which has a combination compass/thermometer/whistle attached to it. The other one is to clip my camera up out of the way when necessary. I use small carabiner clips for this. I don't wear it for quick jaunts around the neighborhood, but for day-long birding excursions I do, and usually don't use a purse or backpack. I can put all the essentials in and it's cooler than a full backpack, and easier to get stuff in and out of than a backpack. I don't usually carry field guides into the field anymore, but one pocket is large enough for one if I do. If I'm out for a marathon session, like a Christmas Bird Count, and I am taking full meals, I have a small shoulder bag I use for that. I often bird in very hot areas so cool is important, but the vest will fit over a jacket when needed.