November 20th. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata).

 

Reflections.

 

 

 

 

 

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) in low light, high ISO and digital noise. :-(

 

 

 

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis).

 

The flock of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) appeared by about 8:15.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ice formations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 21st. Seventeen degrees. At least 12 Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) in this photo and more perched outside the frame.

 

 

 

November 22nd. Pretty sure this is False Turkey Tail (Stereum ostria group).

 

 

 

 

 

Note the dark cavity near the base of this dead tree.

 

Someone placed a painted rock inside.

 

The Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) are still flocking at the marsh.

 

I've taken far too many pictures of them over the past few days to post them here so I've gathered all the late November Bluebird pictures into a FlickR Album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72177720303952255

 

 

 

There's also a small flock of American Robins (Turdus migratorius) hanging around. This is a male.

 

And this is the pair.

 

A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

 

 

 

Lousy picture of a Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus). Last year, I photographed a flock of them at the marsh on Novenember 21st.

 

A female Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus).

 

 

 

November 23rd. White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).

 

The female Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus) again in exactly the same spot... but down on the icy surface.

 

 

 

 

 

November 24th. Today a male Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus).

 

 

 

Another, or the same? Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus).

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, the Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) are still flocking. A reminder to go see the FlickR Album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72177720303952255

 

Contrails.

 

 

 

November 27th. Nifty sky at the marsh...

 

...but a far cry from the pre-dawn color in my backyard 45 minutes earlier.

 

 

 

November 28th. A few Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) at the marsh enjoying the thaw.

 

With cold returning tonight, the marsh will refreeze and the ducks will retreat to open water elsewhere.