The Northern Mockingbird is a common bird in this part of the USA, they sing beautifully and as the name suggests, immitate other birds.  They perch in conspicous places aand are therfore often seen and enjoyed. Whenever I photograph them I am always pleased with the results and so it proved today.  My photographs this last few days have been taken  hand held because of a problem with my tripod so it has pleased me no end that I have been able to get anything like sharp pictures in this way.  I knew that this was going to be a good one because the background is in actual fact the painted side of a building just behind.