These two dudes were locking horns earlier this week behind the marsh warden's house, a hefty stone's throw from the Celery Farm.

   They didn't really have their hearts in it, and eventually wandered off with two other White-tails.

   Good for pix, not so good otherwise.

   Click "Continue reading ..." for a couple more pix. One of them isn't too bad.

  If you are in the neighborhood of Wild Birds Unlimited on Thursday evening between 6:30 and 8 p.m, stop by and say hi. I will be hanging out (and binocular shopping).

   The nice people there are selling "Hawk Mountain" books, Celery Farm coffee-table books, and Jerry Barrack's "Birds of the Celery Farm."

   Also for sale, with the proceeds going to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands: Celery Farm calendars, "Swan Babies" and "Icky the Hungry Heron."

   I can sign and inscribe any or all -- nice holiday presents,  locally written and photographed.

   Thanks to all who have supported the scholarship fund thus far!

    This red-phased Screech Owl was photographed by Lucy Shoup, who writes: "We live in 5 acres in Tennessee...my husband startled a screech owl and we have 2 photos......are you interested?  I found your site trying to find more information.  Oh my.  The screech owl is really something!"

  Oh, my indeed.

    You probably can find the bird in this photo, but you'll never guess where it was taken.

   Answer, and a close-up, tomorrow.