I wasn't happy with my previous Olive-sided photos so I decided to give it another try. It still wasn't sunny, but the filtered sun was an improvement over heavy overcast. Fortunately, the Olive-sided was still in the area.
There's probably a nest close by as it showed up as soon as I got close to its favorite snag.
There was also a Willow Flycatcher in the same area.
It's interesting to see the difference in colour based on whether the bird was in the sun or in the shade. Tis is in the shade.
This is in the sun.
1 out of 3 - I was looking for the singing Black-throated Gray Warbler high in the trees when out popped a Townsend Warbler. I just missed the Townsend photo when along came a MacGillivray's Warbler. I didn't have time to up my ISO but managed to get one almost-in-focus picture.
Follow the Robins - As any experienced birder will tell you, the best way to find an owl is to listen for the robins. On two occasions that worked for me in the past week. It is always a treat to catch a glimpse of these magnificent, mysterious creatures of the night.
With the constant harassment of the robins, one has to wonder why the Great Horned Owl would bother trying to sleep during the day.
I was in luck as the Great Horned Owl was hunting during the day.
I did see it swoop down and grab a mouse or some othe critter, but it happened too quickly for any photo.
Fortunately, it landed in a tree on the edge of the forest where I had clear view with the camera.
Two days later the robins marked another owl. This time it was a Barred Owl. However, it remained in the shade of the trees deep in the forest.
There's always White-crowned Sparrows around if you need a picture.
While pappa White-crowned was singing, a juvenile White-crowned popped out of the bushes.
I was actually trying to get a picture of a House wren but had to settle for the little White-crowned.
Vireo Visit - Everywhere I go I am serenaded by the beautiful voices of the Warbling Vireos.
It's funny how one year varies with another. In past years I've only had fleeting glimpses of a few Warbling Vireos. This year they seem be in every tree and bush.
On one of my walks I spotted a nest hanging from the small alder tree. I had no idea who owned the nest so decided to wait and see. Within 10 minutes a Warbling Vireo showed up with some food.
It then proceeded to settle onto the nest like a down blanket.
A distant shot of the male American Kestrel was all I got in 12 visits. I saw the female twice but never got a picture. This is the first year in four that I haven't seen the juveiles.
The Swainson's Thrush is another bird that is easier heard than seen. I hear them in the forest all the time, but I still haven't gotten close to one his year.
The adult Red-breasted Nuthatch is a regular visitor to my feeders. There's also a few new juveniles hanging around. I'll have to spend more time at home and try to get a photo.
Here's my annual juvie junco photo. They're one of the first new spring maternity arrivals.
It's nice to see a juvie Pine Siskin after their one year disappearance. There was also a juvie Hairy Woodpecker on the feeder pole with its father.
The Common Yellowthroat can almost pass as another bloom on the broom plant.
