A rare Northern Shrike has been seen frequently since late October at Sully woodlands in Centreville, Virginia. Although that location is only 110 miles from my home in Crozet, the drive up to the Washington, D.C. suburbs is not fun, and the traffic close to this area can be a nightmare. I would have gone there sooner, but Alice and I had plans to visit her son and his wife over the holidays, and they live only 5 miles from Sully woodlands. So I waited patiently, and hoped for good weather and that the Northern Shrike would still be there.

I had some time mid-afternoon to go and look for it, parked off the road, and hiked in about 100 yards. A few other birders were already there, and had just seen it. As soon as I got to the old barn/stable, I saw it on a powerline there, and got off a quick photo just before it flew. I then realized that I had retracted my new zoom lens for travel, and had not yet zoom it out to telephoto settings.

Northern Shrike