A Carolina Wren squawks at me from outside the window to my right as I
write.

Went fishing this AM. Could not have had a nicer day for that. I chose one
of my very secret streams that only me and 2,514,678.38 other fly fishermen
know about, not to mention maybe some folks at DNR that stock it. I don't
usually fish streams like this - it's too big for me and it's not on a
mountain and it's stocked and others fish it and you get the idea. Needless
to say I did not do well and the one I did get on played the old swim-at-me
trick to get some slack in the line and got off. I have not fished the
Gunpowder in about 20 years and now I remember why. At least I was alone on
the part I fished.

As usual the little Eagle bins were in my shirt pocket and I got them out a
few times. First 3 WINTER WRENS of the fall. Had a 4 woodpecker day  with
one of them being YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. Others were DOWNY, RED-BELLIED
and FLICKER. BELTED KINGFISHERS zipped up and down past me and I was
serenaded by many WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS that didn't realize they weren't
in the Adirondacks any more and that this isn't breeding season. At one
point I heard a RUBY-CROWN KINGLET sing one. Also think I had  LINCOLN'S
SPARROW while I was walking back on the trail. Poor look.

Biggest surprise was the OSPREY that circled downstream and if it hadn't
made it's noise I wouldn't have noticed it.

And to close and old chapter: remember when I asked about River Otters last
year? Today I had the best look at one that I have ever had. It was taking
some leaves into a hole near the bank so it must be denning up for the
winter. It might also explain why I didn't catch any fish. I'm sure the
regulars on this stream probably want to get rid of them. Let 'em be. I can
handle the competition. Usually my competition is the local Black Bear.
Must be time for me to go back to my mountain streams where I KNOW I will
catch some.

Got home to find a PRAYING MANTIS about 4" long on my deck.

Jerry Tarbell
Fished out in Carroll County