Harris' Sparrow

Hi All,
Last Wedneday, 12/28/16, an immature Harris' Sparrow was found on the local (Dallas ) Christmas Bird Count.  This is only the 9th county record, and also the first since January of '07.  I went to the location the next day twice, but did not see it.  It was seen the next day and this morning, so this afternoon I went to the place and it was there.  It is a first year bird, but spiffy none the less.  Included here also is a pic of a white-throated sparrow at the same place - a difficult bird to get sometimes also.

White-throated Sparrow with Golden-crowned Sparrow in the background.

Harris' Sparrow

Sheridan Long-tailed Duck

Wednesday morning I met Paul Sullivan at 0900 and, as Paul had permission to enter the SSP, we began walking around the dikes there shortly after. It took close to an hour to finally find it.  He spends more time under the water than on top.  This was the first county record in almost 30 years!

Long-tailed Duck at the Sheridan Sewage Ponds 12/21/16

Long-tailed Duck at the Sheridan Sewage Ponds 12/21/16

Long-tailed Duck

About 3 PM today I found a female Long-tailed Duck on Lucky 99 Pond, south of Monmouth.  I have been wondering when the next Long-tailed Duck would be found in the county since the last one was on 4/24/2002 at MSP, 14 years ago.  It was fairly close to the road when I pulled over, but in the process of rolling down the window, it and the mallards with it took off, which I when I snapped the first pic.  "Luckily" it flew only to the far side of the pond instead of leaving the area altogether, which is when I got the 2nd pic.

Female Long-tailed Duck at Lucky 99 Pond, South of Monmouth 12/17/16

Female Long-tailed Duck at Lucky 99 Pond, South of Monmouth 12/17/16

Short-eared Owl Pics

I thought I’d get out yesterday before the snow kept me cooped up in the house.  I was going to do some walking, but it was cold and windy, so I stayed in my truck.   Best bird was a Common Goldeneye at the farm pond just east of the junction of Rts 99 and 20, in Polk County.  There were 2 imm Thayer's Gulls along Livermore Rd.

Another fun sighting was a Short-eared Owl along Frizzell Rd in N Polk Co. He was only 10 feet off the gravel road, so pictures were maybe 25 feet away.  In showing them to my wife this morning, in some close ups, I can actually see the reflection of my truck in his pupil!   I guess I never would have thought that possible, so if you can enlarge these to full screen on your computer, you should be able to see such.  If not, you can still make out the form of my truck in/on his pupil.

My auto focus zeroed in on the grass in front of him, or I'd have some better shots.