So, in the face of my inevitable return to the mountain strongholds of Missoula, I now have one bird that I can count on being with me, country or city. Any habitat, any season, any continent, any time.

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus

By Su Houston at Venus Modern Body Arts, NY, NY.

Written by Carrie
Carrie Laben, after years of writing and birding in New York, moved to Montana to pursue her two great passions more effectively. She recently graduated with an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Montana in Missoula. When she is not cranking out essays and speculative fiction stories, or wandering around on mountains failing to see the birds she is looking for, she is likely to be drinking one of the many fine local microbrews or attending a potluck with something from the local farmer’s market in hand. On Mondays from 3 to 3:30 Mountain Time you can find her answering questions about birds on live chat at DaysAtDunrovin.com.