Junco hyemalis oreganus

Perhaps it is fitting that this will be the last post of the year. We are finishing out 2010 with a decent cover of snow on the ground, and temperatures will fall below zero (F) tonight. These attractive "snowbirds", as they are often called, seem to do quite well in the snowy conditions. This Oregon Junco, probably a male based on the very dark black hood, is foraging on the ground for seed knocked out of the feeder above him.

I will continue to post bird pictures next year, but will not post as often, or else we'll get too big a fill of Sparrows, Juncos, Pine Siskins, Finches, and Doves. Over the course of this year, I have posted well over 70 different species of birds, with several races (for example the various types of Juncos) for some of them. It has been a fun year doing this.