Summer is Oficially Over With!

I decided to do a little birding around my house this evening to get a little exercise as it was too wet to run this morning. I went to a place I go on occasion where there are overgrown power lines and two small ponds birds frequently visit. The foliage on the trees have changed drastically since the last time I was there, but it was so pretty to see. Such vibrant colors.
I could hear a familiar one note call so I decided to pish a bird into view. Sure enough out it popped and confirmed my suspicion. A Dark-eyed Junco. Yes that's it people, my annual sign that summer is gone and winter is near! Yes I know I saw one at Watatic a couple of weeks ago, but that's near the NH border, Millbury is further South so when they make it here, say goodbye to sunscreen and hello to mittens soon!
I also heard one of my favorite winter birds which is the White-throated Sparrow. I heard this bird in town for the first time a two Saturdays ago while trail running and it literally made me come to a full stop in the middle of a run. I didn't have my camera, but the sun was just starting to come out so I wouldn't have gotten a decent shot anyways. Anyhow, there were a couple of them singing their fabulous song and instead of running, I spent most of my time trying to pish them out for my first of the season sighting. They wanted no part of me so I ventured on, disappointed I never saw them, but happy to know they were back in town. There is nothing like running on a dirt path and hearing that song, better than an IPod any day. Anyhow, I pished this one out and sure enough, out it came for one picture, before it went back into hiding.
After a while the wind started to pick up and the Turkey Vultures and Blue Jays were flying around. The TV's seemed to enjoy every minute of it, but the Blue Jays seemed ticked as they flew into cover while crooning loudly! I looked directly above my head as a Double-crested Cormorant went by. Lucky Shot! I never noticed what strong wing beats this bird really has. The wind was brutal but he took it with stride. Pretty impressive for a juvenile no less!
I was also treated to watching a Great-blue Heron hunt for fish. It was so absorbed in getting a bite to eat before bed, it didn't even notice me.
And just a comment about the weather today. Was it screwy or what??? I go into work and its pouring rain, an hour later the sun is out and the wind is fierce, two hours after that we get a sun shower! If you look at the picture the sun is reflecting on the rain drops and it almost looks like snow! No migrating birds flying by today. The only birds I saw were the Ring-billed Gulls taking advantage of the winds. Mr. Peregrine spent most of his time on the ledge in view from my office. He doesn't care for foul weather at all.
A rainbow taken at the end of the day from a co-workers window. That was my sign to get outside as soon as I got out of work!

Take care all!