Day of the Junco

It may have been a nice, shirtsleeve day here in the Piedmont (high of 69F today) but it was essentially the first day of winter.  Because today I spotted the first "snow bird"---Slate Colored Junco---of the season.  In fact, I observed a group of at least six birds early this morning combing the front lawn in search of whatever a bird can find in a lawn.  What a marvelous start to the day!  And now we have our second official winter bird (having already picked up the White Throated Sparrow.)  There are more to come...I hope, soon!