Happy New Year!   Can you believe this century is a quarter over?   I remember partying like it was 1999 in the '80's.   And, the farce that was Y2K when it actually was 1999.

With the new year at hand, the pursuit of 500 birds in a single year is about to kick off.  We're headed to Sanibel, Tampa and Miami this week.  We will be birding from Fort Lauderdale to Daytona the following week and I will be in South Texas later in January.  

Then comes the first major trip of the year as we are planning a northern loop that will take us from Charleston, SC to the outer banks where we hope to do a pelagic trip about 40 miles out on the Atlantic Ocean in search of seabirds that are rarely seen from land.  Then it's on to Barnegat in New Jersey and Algonquin Provincial Park north of Toronto. From there, we may head west to Minnesota or south depending on how we fare and to what extent we can tolerate the cold.

Toss in a few Key West locals and the January / February target bird list exceeds 250 species which would be a great start toward the goal of 500.

Also, by March, we'll be completing the back yard landscaping.  Or, rather paying for it to be completed.  My wallet is in better shape than my back.  I'm not sure if that is a plus or a minus.

Otherwise, it has been a rough and tumble holiday season with the man cubs keeping all of us busy almost every minute of the day.

'Tis the season to be jolly!

As such, I offer up a few looks at traditional winter birds.

The Northern Cardinal prepares for its next sortie to the bird feeder.

The Blue Jay has already been there.

The Black-capped and Boreal Chickadees are always busier than bees on clover.

While the Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows prefer foraging on the ground.

And the Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers look for the suet feeders and the peanut butter.

The Grey or Canada Jay says, "I got me a suet cake, eh!"

Carolina Wrens are quickly on the scene when the feeders have been filled.

Evening and Pine Grosbeaks can go through a feeder full of sunflower seeds faster than Judson can grab his cell phone.

All while the White-breasted, Brown-headed, Red-breasted and Pygmy Nuthatches happily show off their acrobatic skills.

Sometimes you get a chance to see the Bohemian Waxwings eat berries until they are drunk.  That is, if you're willing to go to Minnesota in January to see them.  Brrrr.

I'd like to wish everyone a very jolly Christmas and a happy New Year!  We're looking forward to our first Key West Christmas.  Last week we put up the Christmas tree one day and planted eight palm trees the next.  Whatever.  

Yesterday, Henry gave his unconditional stamp of approval to grandma's peanut butter fudge.  Owen is crawling under, around, over and through the Christmas tree.