I have a new visitor, a winter muse, outside my kitchen window.
The lizards, who prefer basking in the sun and skittering along the patio and backyard walkway, have gone for the winter. (See 9/22/09 post)
In their stead, a Black Phoebe has arrived. It has come for several days in a row.
I relied on the knowledge of my dear friend, Gloria, an avid birder, for identification. When I noticed this new creature hopping around outside, I tried to take its picture. Apparently skittish by nature, or at least wary of humans, she flew away as soon as she heard the door open. When she returned a few minutes later, I jotted down the best description of her that I could -- small, mostly black, white belly and striped wings --and sent it off to Gloria. She responded within less than an hour, making her best guess based on the information I sent her. She also included a link to some photographs, which confirmed her answer to my query.
The bird has aroused my curiosity. I know she has a purpose here, an Advent angel of sorts. I'll keep watching.
