POMFRET, CT - Yesterday marked the official start of winter and the shortest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere. It's also the time that I like to start the spring countdown. But even with the diminished daylight hours, the opportunity for birding exists. I spotted this red-tailed hawk while driving by Duck Marsh Preserve. The patient predator sat atop a bluebird house and allowed a number of photos from across the meadow before flying away with its hunting partner.