Late-day owl sighting helps avoid the strikeout — Winging It

WALLKILL — Being a birdwatcher is a lot like facing a big-league baseball pitcher. No matter what you bring to the plate, sometimes you’re going to strike out.

It’s common knowledge — sort of a Murphy’s Law — among birders: If you go into the field pursuing a specific bird you will not see it. The bird knows you’re coming. It will have moved on, roosted early or will remain silent for the duration of your search.