Even on this mixed rainy/snowy Thanksgiving Day, always have to check out the feeder birds. While getting dinner prep done, keeping an eye out on the feeder from the kitchen window. In the midst of dozens of House Finches, one bird just looked “off” from the rest. Binocs revealed a first-winter Harris’ Sparrow! Haven’t pulled my backyard records yet, but it’s been many years since my last yard sighting of one. A nice Thanksgiving surprise.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot