Thanks Joel...we're still 6 to 8 weeks away from HB sightings. We still have a few inches of snow on the ground, so other than looking at new plantings and trying to anticipate how the increased light will affect the HB garden....its just a waiting game for now and shooting the backyard birds.
I've been pretty much confined to the house for the past 8 weeks....we're fostering a family of Chow Chows; i.e. mother and 7 pups...now down to 4 pups; 3 have been adopted w/a 4th possibly adopted this wkend. Flickr link to see some puppy shots; http://www.flickr.com/photos/29409592@N03/
Backyard Grackle, attached, showing off iridescence.