Fowl Play, Episode 77, transcript
Nate Chase’s YouTube channel
[Shot of birds flying over a lagoon.]
[Nate enters scene wearing jeans, dark-brown leather hiking boots, dark-navy fleece, green glasses, binoculars strung around neck.]
“Hey, Fowl Friends, hope you liked my reports from across the pond! England’s got some gorgeous birds. The kinds with feathers and also the kind with legs! Ha! I landed last night and headed out to Jackson Park super early—thanks, jet lag—because I saw some chatter about a bald eagle sighting here.”
[Begins walking through wooded area, down narrow path.]
“Now, I know you’re thinking Bald eagles in Chicago? And, yes, it’s extremely rare, but we usually get one confirmed sighting in Chicago every winter. Sometimes two if we’re lucky. The ponds and lagoons in Jackson Park are stocked with bluegills and black bass, which are eagle favorites. Sushi on the hoof! Yum!” [Laughs to self.]
[Sounds of birds in background. Nate looks up.]
“Sounds like winter finches. But we’re not here for them today.”
[Turns phone camera so it’s no longer on selfie mode, and films group of birders entering wooded area.]
“Looks like we have some company, but we’re going to steer clear of groups. Too noisy. Instead, I’m going to take you to a part of Jackson Park no one ever goes to. I’ve never seen a single person there. Shhh. It’s my secret. A place only I know. I’m turning off my camera now because I don’t want to share how to get there. I don’t want my secret spot overrun. Sorry.” [Turns camera off.]
[Camera comes back on. Nate’s face fills screen. Speaking in almost a whisper.]
“Okay, gang. Here we are.” [Pans camera around to reveal pond surrounded by trees.]
“And do you see that spot over there?” [Turns camera to the left; finger appears in shot, pointing to embankment near crumbling bridge.]
“Not sure if you can see it clearly, but that’s an old stone culvert there that’s falling apart, by that embankment. They say that spot is haunted. Some say there was a Mothman sighting around here years ago. I don’t believe in ghosts. But the stories sure do keep the people away. Still, wouldn’t come here at night. You never know what you’re going to come across on the South Side of Chicago!” [Laughs.]
[Turns camera back on himself.]
“No one comes here because there is absolutely nothing to see. Or they’re too scared of the things they think might appear. But I’m not afraid of ghosts. As my dad always says, fortune favors the brave.”