I was back in the woods this morning, just as the sun “officially” rose. Although that really meant nothing because the low clouds and some storms in the distance still had the woods looking like 50 shades of well-used granny panty.

But I dodged any storms, got 6+ miles in my feetz, and after 19+ miles of lumbering this week, I finally got a couple of shots I like, and as a bonus, it is of one of my top 5 birds, the Northern Flicker.

Just like yesterday, I wasn’t seeing much, but around the 5.5-mile mark, I saw a couple of birds take off. One was definitely a robin, which I immediately cursed (TURDUS!!), but I noticed the other bird clung to a tree, and that is not something a robin really does.

Then, as I gingerly walked under the canopy of trees with my camera ready, it took off and landed in an old tree that has been well pecked and hollowed out. Finally, it poked its head up, and I was able to get a few shots. Then, as it became more at ease, it climbed the whole way out from the hollow tree and looked around for a bit before taking off.

The only downside to the encounter was that at some point in between taking the crap photo of some B.E.S.’s and the Flicker, I accidentally turned off the Continuous Shooting, so rather than risk missing a shot whilst looking at the menu, I had to manually press the shutter for each frame. I really don’t know how I changed it, but it all worked out.

The day was busy, with a 6.20-mile lumber, making breakfast, a spa day for Lola, and a trip to the post office to inquire about a package they lost, some house duties, making lunch, a long overdue appointment with the OG Mindbender, and finally ending the day with PSG v Villa in the UEFA Super Cup (Champions League winner vs Europa League winner) to kick off the return of European football. I’m feeling a 4-1 PSG win, but I could be wrong.

Hoping for more lumbering tomorrow, and then I need to get home and tidy the house before Wifey gets home from a few days of dropping Union knowledge at a meeting in Baltimore. I have no idea how I’m going to get those stains out! But alas, I’ve said too much.

Later.