April 2, 2008--I was sitting in my office this afternoon reading Kris Purdy's newspaper column
(Ogden Standard Examiner) on the Saw-whet Owl, wishing I was out taking
pictures of birds. Decided to check out a jobsite in Syracuse. While driving, a
gray and white bird flew right in front of my truck...I had to brake pretty
hard. It was immediately apparent by the size, coloration and white wing
patches it was a Northern Mockingbird. I got off the road without
crashing(whew) and relocated the bird in a Russian Olive across the street.. We
played "follow the bird" around the olive tree for about a minute. I never
really got an unobstructed view before he headed north, but it was a lot of fun
and a great surprise.