QotD: Best Photo of '07

While taking photos of some goldfinches, I noticed this robin from a distance.  I whistled and made noises at it and it would run closer to investigate.  I decided to move to the other side of this feeder and whistled to him/her once more.  It flew up and perched for a closer look.  It would make little chirpy noises at me from time to time as I snapped shots at it.  You may find yourself wonder "what's with the funk on it's beak?"  Well along with ensnaring worms, I would occasionally find this guy flying up close to the camp and snagging spiders and their webs.  Would you believe they did it if I didn't tell you?  it was pretty neat to watch and quite cool to have this bird take interest in me form time to time.  I hope he/she's warm and well fed.

We saw this guy sunning itself while I drove by.  I stopped for a closer look and to keep it from getting run over.  When we tried to move it, it decided to warn us by striking this pose.  We did get it out of the street and later I learned that it is a type of water snake whose venom contains an anticoagulant ... Fun!