A Few Beach Sights

This past Saturday, when it was ridiculously warm (high 50s) and feeling like spring, I decided to go take a walk on the beach. I wasn't the only one to have that idea, though, and Silver Sands State Park was hopping -- I haven't seen this many people here since summer!

It was a quick walk, and I have two brief things to share.

First, this immature Cooper's Hawk, who was perched in the trees right next to the path:

Not shown: the small herd of Pugs waddling by on the path below. The hawk was absolutely watching them with interest -- I don't know if it was seriously considering going for them, but in any case, it flew off when the Pugs' people made some noise.

This Northern Mockingbird on a bare Multiflora Rose is probably the most wintery scene I've encountered so far this year -- strange, considering how little it felt like winter on the day I took the picture:

It's fun to take advantage of the nice weather when it shows up!