Winter Wren
I went on a short hike here in Stoney Creek on 12/14. It was late afternoon, and cloud cover made it fairly dark, but I still saw a few good birds, including a pair of Winter Wrens (my first of season) in the Allen Creek Nature Preserve, and a few birds at my feeder.
Winter Wren
Tufted Titmouse
The weather was better on 12/15, and I hiked on the Rockfish Valley Trail, and saw 21 species there, bringing my two day species total to 31.
Song Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Goldfinch
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Purple Finch
Rock Pigeon
When I got back to Stoney Creek, I went over to Lake Monocan to see if any migrating ducks were there, but didn't see any. As I passed Sawmill Creek pond #3 on my way back, I saw a Great Blue Heron on the far side of the pond - about 400 feet away.
Great Blue Heron
I stoppped to take a few photos, and then noticed a second Great Blue Heron walking down the east side of the pond as it stalked a fish.
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron