Escaping Ottawa Winter
January 12th, 2011

I know I'm not in Canada anymore when I get 30 species in one day in January!

I'm on vacation in Virginia this week, visiting my folks and birding away. The theme of the trip is shaping up to be "Red-Shouldered Hawks." I didn't realize what common winter residents they are here, or that many of the buteos I've previously dismissed as Red-Tailed Hawks were probably this species. I've seen three of them today, and photographed one. The lighting was not my friend--I would have had to go into someone's yard to get the sun in the right place for him, and I don't do that unless invited. But I did get a nice flight photo, even though it's mostly in silhouette. Hermit Thrush, Bluebird, Turkey Vulture, Mockingbird and others also presented for the camera.

With the storm past, we're having beautiful sunny weather here, and while my parents complain about the cold, I'm practically basking in what is to me autumn-like weather (5C, crisp and dry.) I expect to be outdoors a lot!

Odd Man Out ←

→ Surprise appearance at Dutch Gap