Jim's posting reminded me that I saw an ermine at my house a couple of weeks ago.  I first spotted it when it was across the road, and I thought the wind was blowing something around in the snow.  As it came closer, I saw that it was carrying something relatively heavy in its mouth and that's why its movements were so fluttery.  I think it had a red squirrel, but I'm not sure.

Most of the birds are spending their time at my neighbors' feeders, which are more numerous than mine and also located in a more sunny spot than mine, so it's nice to have other wildlife to watch when there aren't birds ;-).

Lynn
Plainfield, NH

----- Original Message ----
From: Jim Block <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 11:34:01 AM
Subject: [UVB] Pine Grosbeak and Ermine

Saturday while leading a Photo Field Trip in Woodstock, VT we came across a
group of 10 female and 2 male pine grosbeaks feeding in a low tree along
River Street.  I didn't have my "bird lens" but fortunately I really didn't
need it; we could get quite close.  A few photos are at 

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzes1eww/jimblockphotography/id26.html



This morning just before sunrise I spotted an ermine (short-tailed weasel)
in my yard.  It was most likely a male based on its size.  I could readily
determine its length because it posed on my calibrated 13 inch diameter
tree.  It spent a bit of time harassing a resident red squirrel before
suddenly departing.  Photos are at

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzes1eww/jimblockphotography/id28.html



Jim Block


****************************************************************
To post messages, send e-mail to:  [log in to unmask]
Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages.
To contact the list owner:  [log in to unmask]
----------------------------------------------------------------
Web based archives and subscription management are available at:
http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html
****************************************************************


      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

****************************************************************
To post messages, send e-mail to:  [log in to unmask]
Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages.
To contact the list owner:  [log in to unmask]
----------------------------------------------------------------
Web based archives and subscription management are available at:
http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html
****************************************************************