First Bird of 2009

After having my first bird of the year be a common species, like Song Sparrow (2007) or American Goldfinch (2008), I vowed to work a little harder at getting a more interesting First Bird for 2009. And here it is:

Great Horned Owl

No, not this owl. This is RAPTOR's GHO, from a program at the Cincinnati Nature Center last year. No, mine was a "heard only" bird, hoot-hoot-hooting at me at 7:15 am on Jan.1, in the Crooked Run Nature Preserve. (More on my New Year's Day birding adventure next post.)

And, for my sister, who complains that I only rave about first birds, the LAST bird of 2008 was a Red-bellied Woodpecker, who was watching me fill my bird feeders on New Year's Eve, and complaining that I was taking too long about it.

"The service at this diner is terrible.
Well, at least the food is good."
mmph, snarfle, gulp