This northern flicker is just one of the 1,550 birds counted around the Columbia Valley on Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26th) in this years version  of the Christmas Bird Count. The valley tradition, which just wrapped up its 36th year, sheds light on changes in bird populations while giving local birders  and photographers a chance to capture some great shots  over the holidays.  Photo by Larry Halverson

This northern flicker is just one of the 1,550 birds counted around the Columbia Valley on Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26th) in this years version of the Christmas Bird Count. The valley tradition, which just wrapped up its 36th year, sheds light on changes in bird populations while giving local birders and photographers a chance to capture some great shotsover the holidays. Photo by Larry Halverson