I am reluctant to walk at this time of year in places that are open to
hunting. I tend to look a lot like a deer and wearing orange wouldn't help.
Antlers can't be hidden that easily. Consequently I have been winding up at
the same places a lot lately. This is about my 5th trip to Piney Run in the
last 2 weeks. The only people I have to duck there are dog owners, but so
far the dogs haven't eaten me.

Today I had a nice selection of ducks, that included:

Ringnecks
Wigeon (spelled correctly this time)
Hooded Mergs
Buffleheads
Ruddies
Black Ducks
Gadwall
Mallards
Shovelers (my first this fall)
2 female Canvasbacks (also first for year)
Something that looked like a grebe (not pied billed)

My looks at the last one were fleeting and I couldn't relocate the bird.
Probably a Horned, but Eared would be more fun. That one down in S. PG
county must be getting tired of looking at people. Canvasbacks were near the
nature center.

Also had a 4 woodpecker day - Hairy, Downy, Pileated and Sapsucker with a
very nice look at the last one.
Also had some Fox Sparrows.

Jerry Tarbell
Shoveled out in Carroll County