Closing Out the Old Year With a New Toy

On this final day of 2013 (how is that possible?), I made a quick stop at Southford Falls State Park to try out an extremely generous holiday gift: an upgraded telephoto lens for my camera. It's a strange and exciting change. Things are now a little closer (300mm instead of 200mm) and a little clearer (vibration reduction technology is amazing).

So on this cold, overcast day, and from a distance that would have been too far just a week ago, I'll let this handsome Song Sparrow in what I'm pretty sure is a Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) close out the year:

Here's to another year of interesting sights and exciting events. Happy new year!

(And thank you, Grandpa!)