#2

From a “human aesthetic” standpoint, the Erie County, PA “top 3 winter birds” might include: (i) Bald Eagle (cool/badass/majestic), (ii) Northern Cardinal (a welcome splash of colour), & (iii) Black-capped Chickadee (cute). (Substitute Tufted Titmouse, Mallard, Blue Jay, Red-tailed Hawk, etc. at your preference.) The ‘real’ list is more like: (i) Ring-billed Gull (literally everywhere), (ii) Canada Goose (literally everywhere), & (iii) American Crow (literally everywhere).

Here’s #2. Appropriate for so many reasons.

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Several Canada Geese in for a backlit/overcast landing:

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One Goose landing:

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All shots @ South Pier.

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[Editor’s note: BirdingPI.com management apologies for the use of ‘badass’ in this post.]