December Moving In

Suddenly dark days, colder nights. Early on, not much to see. Woodpeckers come around to tap the food I provide on the suet that hangs off a branch of my Japanese maple tree.  I take to the woods, but little is there.

I hop in my car and drive up north. Passing alongside a lake that sits adjacent to the highway, I notice the water rippling suggestively. I pull up onto the shoulder and see a pair of black ducks materialize in the distance.

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Later, southband,  bluebirds on high

                                                

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And (below) what appears to be a ruby-crowned kinglet

 

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Afterwards, I head north again toward the Ashokan Reservoir. There, all I see are seagulls aloft, being whipped along by an abundant breeze. When one flies right above my head, I point and shoot and succeed in getting one great photo.
                           

 

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   Back on my homeground

Carolina Wrens

Downy Woodpecker

    

A pileated woodpecker inching his way up a tree

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 Not a bad day!