It was a sunny day here so I decided to ride my bike out to Smith & Bybee Lakes to try to add some more birds to my motorless list. I was able to find eight more birds for my list, though still a few easy ones missing.
I was hoping for Varied Thrushes, which I usually find easily there, but instead came up with quite a few Hermit Thrushes. One in particular posed nicely for me...
Kinglets were abundant and I was finally able to add the Golden-crowned, though no good photos. Most of the kinglets I've seen this winter have been Ruby-crowned, and I swear last year it was the opposite.
At one point I was standing still and an Orange-crowned Warbler flew right by my face and landed in a bush next to me.
I saw a few Purple Finches while I was there, including these guys that looked kinda weird and yellow (if they're not actually Purple Finches, let me know!)...
It was a great chilly afternoon... Also added to my motorless list: Belted Kingfisher, Bald Eagle, Common Merganser, and Canvasback. I was stoked to discover a much easier way to get home from that area too- I had no idea this one bike path connected to this other bike path... Anyway... Good times!
I was hoping for Varied Thrushes, which I usually find easily there, but instead came up with quite a few Hermit Thrushes. One in particular posed nicely for me...
Kinglets were abundant and I was finally able to add the Golden-crowned, though no good photos. Most of the kinglets I've seen this winter have been Ruby-crowned, and I swear last year it was the opposite.
At one point I was standing still and an Orange-crowned Warbler flew right by my face and landed in a bush next to me.
I saw a few Purple Finches while I was there, including these guys that looked kinda weird and yellow (if they're not actually Purple Finches, let me know!)...
It was a great chilly afternoon... Also added to my motorless list: Belted Kingfisher, Bald Eagle, Common Merganser, and Canvasback. I was stoked to discover a much easier way to get home from that area too- I had no idea this one bike path connected to this other bike path... Anyway... Good times!
Hi Jen, lovely series of birds and photos. I just love your Orange Crowned Warbler. What a great sighting. The kinglet is an awesome shot too, always neat to see their ruby crowns. Great post and photos. Happy Birding and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat bird/berry pics. I heart the Hermit Thrush.
ReplyDeleteNice set of photos Jen. I haven't been out to S&B Lakes for a long time. Great shots of the Hermit Thrush and the OCW. Looks like we're going back to cloudy weather!
ReplyDeleteThat ruby-crowned is cuter than a flying squirrel!
ReplyDeleteThe thrush/snowberry (is that what those are?) shots are WINNING.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the berry in the throat - and all the other pix too! What a fun day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thrush n berry series..LOVE IT-reminds me of a yogurt raisin yum..
ReplyDeleteTerrific day out!!!
I also love the thrush snowberry series! Years ago there was some debate amongst my birding group as to if those snowberries were a food source for birds. I had never seen a bird eat one - until now!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Love the motorless birding! Ride on!