Velociraptor, or at least one of their descendants a Hermit Thrush, visiting our yard.
There is consensus among many scientists that today’s birds are dinosaurs. Fossil evidence points to the theropods, a family of three-toed predators that included Velociraptor mongoliensis and Tyrannosaurus rex as the evolutionary lineage. Theropods share hinged ankles, swivel-jointed wrists, wishbones, and forward-facing toes. with modern birds. Theropods were also feathered & not covered with reptilian scales. What theropods do not share with birds is flight. Their arms were too short & they did not have the spring-like breast bones needed to flap.
The exact evolutionary path(s) from theropods to birds is still being unraveled, but it is fun to watch our own little backyard Dinosaur Land.
Steve , I am happy you embarked on this second career as teacher. Keep posting . June Bishop