
A Bonaparte’s and a Ring-billed Gull at Fulton Pond in southern Howard County on December 11. This is the last Bonaparte’s I saw in 2014 at this location.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet eating suet at our home feeder in Columbia, Maryland on December 18. I have never seen a kinglet eat suet before.
A Merlin, a small but pugnacious falcon, perches on the top of a tree in Columbia.
A Winter Wren pops up for a very brief view at Font Hill Park in Howard County

A female Purple Finch- the heavy streaking and white eye line distinguishing it from a House Finch- perches amid natural Christmas ornaments in western Howard County on December 20. Purple Finches arrived in larger than usual numbers this year.

Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (white throat instead of red) poses in western Howard County on December 20