December 10, 2007 [LINK / comment]

To "shoot" a mockingbird

In spite of the gloomy overcast skies, the weather was surprisingly mild today. So, I went for a walk behind the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad for the first time in a couple weeks, and saw a fair number of interesting birds. A Golden-crowned kinglet came very close at one point, but it was too quick for me to get the camera ready. A Mockingbird was more cooperative, so I obliged by "shooting" a picture of it. (See below.) I also took a quick video of a male Bluebird examining a woodpecker hole, no doubt scouting prospective nesting sites for next spring. "The early Bluebird gets the hole." Today's highlights:

Yesterday afternoon, Jacqueline and I took a quick drive to Bell's Lane, but just about all we saw was a Red-tailed hawk and a dozen or so Ruddy ducks. While there, we happened to see Jo King and two other bird enthusiasts. Sadly, my preoccupation with end-of-semester tasks got in the way of my plans to attend the Augusta Bird Club's Christmas Party this evening.