Scram!

We always have a good number of these small woodpeckers around and so it is not uncommon for little skirmishes to break out.  In this instance, two females were jockeying for position near the suet feeder.  The one on the left made an attempt to unseat the other, which failed as you can see.  Not a great technical shot, but the bird on the right is reasonably well focused and I like the motion it all conveys.

I'm still testing out the rental 70-180 f/2.8 lens and I have to say that I am really liking it.  It would not be my go-to for birds, but it does well enough if I can be close to the subject (as here).  I am very pleased with the way it renders backgrounds (see yesterday's image for another example) and I am very eager to really put it through its paces at tomorrow's dog sports event.  

We put our tree up today and I've got the lights on it.  Not sure if we will decorate it today or not - we'll see.  It's a 6-ish foot Frazier fir so perfect for ornaments.  Also took a couple of pics of Jax in front of it to see how it handled the bokeh on the lights (perfectly!). Test shot in Extra.  

Biggest news of the day is that I received my new Cochlear BAHA device!  Unfortunately, I was not able to get in to see the audiologist to get it programmed until the 11th so it won't be of much use until then.  But this gives me time to read all the documentation and consider what programs I want to have the audio activate on it.  Best news is that Medicare covers it as it is classified as a prosthetic device rather than a hearing "aide".  

Hubs and I watched "Million Dollar Baby" last night.  It's a well acted and produced movie (and multiple Academy Award winner) but a little too sad for our liking.  We will be looking for something lighter tonight.  I think movies that feature death hit a little too close to home these days as we all get older ourselves.  

Off to start reading my BAHA manual...

xo
Debbi