I recently joked with a fellow birder about driving long distances to see birds…only to see them when you get home in your own yard. Well that happened to me today. I went snow shoeing this morning at HLG but didnt see any new species. On my way home I bought a new shovel at ACO Hardware. Of course I had to try it out when I got home. While shoveling I heard some birds fly over that I’ve never heard before. They landed in the field next to my house. I ran inside, grabbed the camera and walked right up to these guys (after identifying them from a distance with binoculars).
The Heron 
…not a bad species to see from the yard. I actually had this as a yardbird when I lived in Tecumseh too.
I have to admit that I probably would have never “seen” this bird before had I not started paying more attention to bird song first. I’m glad I did. It’s like wearing new glasses for the first time…..and seeing everything you missed for so long.
Nice to see “my” Horned Larks are doing fine down south. I can’t wait for their return.
It appears the Horned Larks rode in on the COLD Artic winds that were experiencing. I had a great time watching them. They’re funny little birds to watch. I can see how you can grow attached to them.