Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve this year fell on a Sunday and my usual afternoon to volunteer at Reifel. There was not much of a crowd and it was fairly quiet on the birding front as well. Fortunately some of the regulars were cooperating.

House Finch
House Finch

Such as this House Finch,

Purple Finch
Purple Finch

… and Purple Finch. Later in the day while trying to track down a woodpecker I could hear drumming on a tree,

Brown Creeper
Brown Creeper

… this Brown Creeper made a brief appearance next to me. And to finish the day of was the source of the drumming,

Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker

… a Downy Woodpecker.

Merry Christmas!

Creeper & Saw-whet

Another Sunday afternoon volunteering at Reifel. The skies were a little overcast at first, but there were still a good number of visitors. While still on the cool side, there were definite signs of spring in the air with the Marsh & Bewicks Wrens singing, Swallows flying overhead and even a Bushtit nest under construction. The American Bittern was still showing along the outside dyke, although a little more hidden when I saw it. Back along the east dyke trail,

Brown Creeper
Brown Creeper

… I managed this shot of a Brown Creeper as it foraged along the tree line. But, once again, the highlight of the afternoon for most visitors was a Northern Saw-whet Owl. It was not too far off the trail in some overhanging branches and in plain sight. While it spent most of its time sleeping,

Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl

… there was a moment when something got its attention briefly.

Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl

Then it was back to sleep again. A winter visitor, The Northern Saw-whet Owls are usually gone from the sanctuary by the end of this month.