Many birders keep lists of the birds they have seen; I don't. Half the time, I don't know what it was I saw, just that it was beautiful; half the time, I only saw a smidgen of bird, anyhow. Was that a wren? Or a sparrow? Or maybe a mouse?
My lists would be made up of "maybes". So I am sure that the black-headed grosbeaks we saw on Sunday were not lifers; I'm sure I must have seen some before. I just didn't know what they were. Now I do, and I know what their song is like; "a drunken robin", says my guide book, and that describes it perfectly. Next time, I'll actually remember! (Thanks to
Hugh, who does know these things.)
So here are two grosbeaks, and a handful of other delights from Sunday's outing at Reifel Island, in no particular order:
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| Black-headed grosbeak at a feeder. Male. |
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| Another one, overhead. |
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| Brown-headed cowbird. |
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| Silverweed |
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| Reflections in shallow water, with bird seed. |
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| This Canada goose was standing guard near a large gathering of goslings and parents. |
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| I love those "socks"! |
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| Comfy |
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| A mallard duckling struggling up a dusty bank. |
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| Tree swallow atop his house. |
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| Not a bird. |
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| Wood duck pair. Look at that purple head! |
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| Reflections in still water |
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| Fluffy cattails |
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| Sparrow. House, I think. |
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| Cedar waxwing. I cheated here; in the original photo, the top of its crest was cut off. I cloned the bit that was missing, plus some leaves for the background. |
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| Cow parsnip, against the light. |
We missed seeing the sandhill cranes; one of the paths is barricaded, because they are raising their families in that area. We'll have to go back soon, to see the chicks when they start wandering.
those are all beautiful photos! popped over to read about manky mallards too. :)
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