The Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) is one of five North American thrushes in the genus Catharus, and the only one that winters in the United States. We in the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia are fortunate to have them as our residents during that time.

This one is enjoying the berries of Smooth Sumac in January.

And here, doing its impression of a 747 about to take off, a Hermit Thrush, in one of my favorite photographs, that I’ve taken over the years.

Good bye sweet Hermit Thrushes. Looking forward to see you in late autumn, next year.