Old friends return, Columbia, SC

[Jerrold Griggs <griggs@math.sc.edu>]

On Monday, November 4, our gloomy day at home near Columbia was brightened 
by the appearance of a Brown Creeper working its way straight up a large 
Red Oak in the back yard.  We used to see them regularly in the winter, but 
this is the first one since two winters ago.

Today's weather was sparkling.  The deep blue sky made a nice backdrop for
the changing foliage of the trees.  I spotted a certain White-throated
Sparrow for the first time this season.  It has a tail feather that is
pure white, and we have seen it each winter since we moved to this home
four years ago.  We are always excited and relieved to see that it
made it through another summer far away!

Jerry Griggs
Columbia, SC