Ah, winter birding. This weekend I will be participating in the Christmas Bird Count. The thought of getting up so early in the morning is a little terrifying but it only happens once a year… In the meantime, I have been out walking and looking, listening for birds, which is quite different this time of year. Sometimes the birds are easier to see, but there are fewer of them.

Last week, before winter got serious and the cold set in, I was treated to some birds I don’t see all that often. On November 29, I was walking along the paved trail in Riverside when I spotted a Bald Eagle sitting in a tree.

I got a little bit closer and took more photos. Then the eagle started to get restless and I was feeling guilty for paying it so much attention.

But then no sooner did it take off across the river than another one flew up behind it. I could feel better now that I knew they were together and the first one had just been waiting for the second.

As it flew overhead I got a closer view.

It’s been so long since I’ve had a close encounter with a Bald Eagle, let alone two. Here are three more photos.

I also had a Belted Kingfisher, however briefly, that day. I have since heard and/or seen one – likely the same bird – a few times since.

This was the second-to-last time I saw a Great Blue Heron on the river. Yes, we had some snow the day before but it didn’t last long.

A Northern Cardinal was enjoying the sunshine that day.

I don’t see Song Sparrows too often, but they’re still around here and there.

Even the Mallards were showing off.

On December 4, the sunshine was less abundant. The first bird I captured was a Great Blue Heron, and this was the last time I would see one.

Walking along the paved trail, a couple birds made themselves available. A White-breasted Nuthatch…

and a White-throated Sparrow.

Riverside Lawn was quiet, but I did see a Brown Creeper.

And when I got back to my car, I noticed a few Canada Geese. One of them was 64H. He was banded on July 7, 2015.

On December 6, there was even less light. About all I was seeing were Canada Geese.

But while I was in Riverside Lawn, a Sharp-shinned Hawk arrived and remained faithful to its perch for quite a while, looking for prey. I have never observed this species so closely as I did that morning.

When it returned to its perch it was obscured by branches a bit, but still visible.

So you never know what you will see this time of year. Often, there are no birds to photograph or the light is so poor it’s not worth even trying. But the individual birds one sees are made that much more special by their infrequency.

I am still coming down from participating in a beautiful Choir Sunday at Unity Temple on Sunday the 10th. We sang the Saint-Saens Christmas Oratorio with five stellar soloists. It was such a gift to be in that beautiful space singing with those wonderful voices. I have not gone back to watch the video of the service yet, I am still savoring the live vibes. We sing for a candlelight service on Christmas Eve and then we don’t sing again until January of next year. It’s hard to believe the year is almost over.

After the Christmas Bird Count, I will be busy baking Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Breads for a couple days. It’s therapy, it’s meditation, it’s fun and I look forward to doing this every year. I hope you are enjoying your holiday traditions, whatever they may be.