Northern Jacana Puts In Rare Appearance

I was holding my binoculars to my face searching for the fabled Northern Jacana hoping a stray golf ball didn't hit me. That sounds odd, but this rare bird chose a golf course in Casa Grande, Arizona as his temporary lodging. This bird has only been seen in Arizona about three times in the last 50 years. It's hanging around a golf course water trap foraging along the bank for food as golfers chip up to the green oblivious to the VIP visiting their links. The Jacana is about the size of a large pigeon with stilts for legs. His feet are spread wide so that he can easily stand on top of water plants while foraging. He is also unique because of spurs in his wings. He uses them for self defense and showing off for girls. He has yellow under his wings and a bill like an Oyster Catcher. Now there's a name for you - just how hard is it to "catch" an oyster anyway? This rare bird still has golfers wondering why people with spotting scopes and binoculars keep showing up. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing