thoughts on the ivory gull "invasion". Carrion feeders. Large carrion. This implies a crash in either seal or Polar Bear pops(or both) in the arctic.

Painted Bunting

During an afternoon walk in Flamingo, Everglades National Park i fortuned apon this Painted Bunting bathing in the a puddle in the parking lot by the cabins, which may have been destroyed by Hurricane Wilma.

violet sabrewing

This Violet Sabrewing was filmed at La Mirador restaurant north of Vara Blanca Costa Rica, at the epicenter of the recent earthquake. It is doubtful the restaurant still exists.

pileated woodpecker

This Pileated was extremely cooperative on the Old Sleepy Hollow Road trail in Rockerfeller Sate Park. For a large bird they can be very stealthy and often people walk by them without knowing they are there.

Wilsons Warbler

When I look back as to what bird turned me from a birdwatcher to a birder, this was it. I was probably 13/14.I remember being pointed out a Wilsons in Central Park in the tops of the trees at Warbler Rock(Wilsons in the treetops?) and not being able to get on it. The next day walking down to Nature Study Woods, my birding homefield as a kid, in my neighbors yard was this charismatic bird at the proper eye level, and it blew me away. Many years later on my first trip to Costa Rica. We were at Hotel Chalet Tirol. Like a good birder i awoke before dawn (despite one cognac to many) and the first bird to greet me outside my window was my old friend Wilsons. I missed this bird this fall. I'm losing my touch.

Magnificent Hummingbird

This Magnificent Hummingbird, all bill and attitude, was at a feeder behind the amazing Volcan Poaz Lodge, Vera Blanca Costa Rica. No word as to its condition since the earthquake

Very Cold

Took a short drive around the snow and ice covered Tarrytown Lakes and Rockerfeller State Park to see who's around. The lakes are frozen except for a small hole in the large reservoir, occupied only by three Ring-billed Gulls. Along Old Sleepy Hollow a sizable Pine Siskin flock enjoyed eating rock salt in the road. Siskin flock size can be very difficult to size estimate, but my best guess is 40. Also at this spot were one each Eastern Bluebird and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The shock of the day were two Northern Ravens croaking above my house in downtown Tarrytown, headed south. A yard first. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker