One of my favourite things about hiking through wild spaces is the potential for unexpected interactions, the possibility that I could cross paths with someone I was unprepared to run into. More often than not that doesn’t happen (that’s not to say seeing everyday birds and animals is any less appreciated) but a pleasant surprise is always welcome. Enter, the Hooded Warbler in Burlington. On this walk my birding app had heard a Hooded. I was doubtful so I stopped to listen. Soon enough I heard him clear as day singing in the treetops. I stopped to try and see him but then he stopped singing. I figured that was it! However I couldn’t pull myself away from that spot and eventually my patience paid off. I stood in the cool spring air basking in the the greenery and listening to birdsongs I saw something swoop over my shoulder and Lo and behold, it was the Hooded Warbler. He sat on a branch not far from where I stood, and he was unbothered by my presence. We had a moment, I got some photos he flew to the forest floor and got a snack. We then parted ways. Wonderfully unexpected.