Despite my father's wide knowledge of birds, I came to adulthood knowing
perhaps a half dozen species. I thought almost all birds around here were
grey like the snowbird. Well, that was his name for this species, a
traditional name; today most people I know call them juncos.

Like so many adults, about so many things, I wish now I'd paid more
attention then.

This picture was taken through the blinds in our kitchen door, thus the
hazy bars across the picture.