Out and about in Van Buren County yesterday. Passed an abandoned house, and stopped to take a look at it. Then noticed this Turkey Vulture sitting on the chimney with its wings spread. (The road to the house was gated, so didn't get a close look.)

Exciting walk tonight -first saw several Goldfinch and then this Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Barely snapped this photo before it flew off.

Made a stop at Maskunky Marsh while out and about last evening. Spied this Great Blue Heron in the reeds. There were quite a few other Herons as well as Canada Geese, Killdeer and over 20 Egrets.

Saw this Katydid as I was mowing tonight. I never see one when I am just out walking around so I got my camera and we had a "photo shoot". (Looking forward to having an actual Macro lens again some day, but the macro feature is fun to use.)

Tonight was Damselfly and Dragonfly night at the pond at Belva Deer. Saw so many different kinds. I'm not overly proficient at Dragonfly identification, but I'm thinking this one might be called a Whitetail Skimmer.

First evening walk in awhile, following several days of extreme heat. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the slightly cooler weather. Spotted lots of the usual birds, and was very excited to spot this American Redstart. (There were actually two, but hard to get them in the same frame.)

Blue, blue, blue... another Indigo Bunting photo... from this evening's walk.

Two Catbirds in the backyard this evening. This one was kind enough to pose without a branch in front of its face.

Yet another favorite... the Common Yellowthroat. Usually hear them, but have a hard time photographing them.

Also spotted on my evening walk - a female Redwing Blackbird. She's keeping an eye on me.

One of my favorite birds - the Indigo Bunting. Spotted two on this evening's walk, but only this one "posed" out in the open.

Feed me! The fledgling sparrows are hungry...

After days of watching the Oriole through the leaves on the far side of the Flowering Quince bush, it finally came into view. I also saw a Hummingbird, but it was waaaay to fast for a photo.

A couple of male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks waiting their turn at the feeder this afternoon. Saw a female earlier in the afternoon, too.

Today was the day of the Yellow-rumped Warbler. Saw several on my afternoon walk at Belva Deer Lake.

A sighting of another backyard bird I haven't seen before. This elusive little bird has been flitting around the pussy willow bush for a week or so. I finally got a photo with it in full view. After looking through a couple of field guides, I am thinking this is a female Ruby-crowned Kinglet. It's wee tiny and does a lot of "flitting" like a flycatcher.

Surprised to spot this passing through the back yard yesterday morning....

Kingfisher

Went for a walk this afternoon at Belva Deer Lake. Heard a distinct bird chattering (for lack of a better term) as it flew across the pond. Thrilled to see it was a Kingfisher. (Also saw some ducks, but haven't a clue what kind they were... will have to look at photos and the field guide.)

Spent the afternoon at Lake Red Rock. Saw several Eagles, Mallards, Gulls AND a pair of Bluebirds! What a surprise!

A sun-shiny day AND a male Cardinal at the birdfeeder! By the way, looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the Great Backyard Bird Count. http://bit.ly/XKQ22O

Busy backyard this morning - Blue Jay, Cardinal, Robins, Starlings, Juncos, Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Flicker, Finches, Cowbirds and Sparrows. How many can you spot in the photo?

I thought I heard a Robin a few days ago, and yesterday I looked out and saw this Robin in a tree in the backyard. It was about 8 degrees and lots of snow on the ground. Brrrrrr.

Busy day at the bird feeder once the snow let up a bit. Hadn't seen a Nuthatch visiting the feeder in awhile - a nice surprise!

Bald Eagle at the North Tailwater Recreation Area, during Lake Red Rock's Bald Eagle Day. Also saw Canadian Geese, Mallards and White Pelicans.

New year. New camera. Longer lens. Learning curve. Purple Finch or House Finch (after looking at other photos) in the Ponderosa Pine near the bird feeder. Through a window. Happy New Year!