I thought it would be fun to introduce a new recurring theme at Birder’s Lounge, and I have just the thing. I have accumulated a number of photos that I have not included in posts for one reason or another. Since Birder’s Lounge hatched (ha-ha) in May, 2008, this first edition will include photos from May through August. This will be a monthly series, on or about the last day of the month, and will include birds, wildlife and native (to North America) plants. To make it even more fun and interesting, it will also include an identification contest.

“Contest?”, you say, ears perking up? Yep! Here’s the plan: I will post the Birder’s Lounge ID Challenge on or about the last day of each month, and it will include a variety of photos I have taken during that month. None of the photos will have appeared at Birder’s Lounge before, and the only hint will be the city and state where the photo was taken. The first person to identify all of the birds, animals, or plants correctly will be the winner. Each photo will be numbered, and you can simply send an email to: idchallenge AT birderslounge DOT com, listing each photo number and your best shot at identification. As time goes on, I may get fancy with this and provide a form that you can fill out within the post and submit.

You can send multiple emails if you like, and if no-one gets them all correct, the first person to get the closest will win. The contest end date will be the 10th of each month, and I will post the winner within two days.

Prize? Did someone say, “What’s the prize?” The good news is that there WILL be a prize…but it will be just a “little something.” I will announce what the prize will be with each month’s ID Challenge. It may be as simple as your pick of a high-res, professionally printed 8×10 of your favorite original photo from any part of Birder’s Lounge, a field guide, a package of native wildflower seeds – whatever I can manage that month!

And now, here is the inaugural (can’t help it, it IS election season!) edition of Birder’s Lounge ID Challenge! (Prizes begin with the first regular, monthly challenge, on September 30, 2008)

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