Hermit Thrush
Mid-December the family were planning a trip to see the lights at Olgebay near Wheeling, west Virginia. I had a van in place for pick up, but cancelled the trip and van upon hearing of snow building up that very evening. I couldn’t take a chance to travel in potential conditions.
However, the following day had about six or seven inches of pure snow. the roads weren’t bad later on and I decided to go for a hike and take some photos. The 
woodlands were quite beautiful as the snow held close to limbs and tree bark.
Deer tracks were quite numerous as I walked along. I saw four throughout the jaunt. I managed to get a photo of, what I believe to be, a Hermit Thrush. I always see and hear these birds in the spring and seeing one didn’t quite seem right for mid-December.
I left the house on December 22 on a rainy and gloomy day. The rain was light initially, but later became more moderate. I went to a local game lands and was surprised at the amount of vehicles at all parking places. the Pennsylvania game Commission must have stocked pheasants and the word was out.
Mountain Laurel
I went to one parking place and pulled in. I was alone for now. My hike would only be a couple of miles as I began hearing human activity over the side of a hill. I elected to pull out and allow the hunters all space. 
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
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