As mentioned in the last post, the (very sad) circumstances of our visit back to the family homestead meant that birding was far from a relevant part of the agenda, but there's always wildlife to enjoy on the doorstep out there, and a indeed little further beyond when the opportunity came. A lovely afternoon with Ammie and my wonderful bro-and-sis-in-laws Ned and Anna took in the Rock House reservation and the Quabbin reservoir (both within a half-hour of the house), where we stumbled on various birds and beasts, including (from above) this Belted Kingfisher, noisy and friendly Great Northern Divers, and a fly-by Bald Eagle......
... in the garden, meanwhile, were various common species, including (pictured) Chickadees, Mourning Doves, American Goldfinches, Purple Finches, Cardinals and Tufted Titmice.
