New Birding Area

This is a Northern Flicker I took a photo of this afternoon while birding in an area that has suddenly become our new favorite.  It’s a ridge of Hancock Hill that can actually be seen right off our front porch on the other side of Elk Creek.  It’s private property and posted so we have never ventured up the gated road.  A few days ago Jeanette received permission from the owner to walk up the road.  We have walked up the road the last two days and much to our amazement have spotted a good number of not so common birds, like Black-throated Gray Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Common Yellowthroat, and Orange-crowned Warbler. It turns out to be a good aerobic work-out for us, a fun walk for Buster (there are several good culverts to explore), some great birding, and it's close at hand.