identification

What caught my eye about this bird was the striking two toned bill. It also seemed to have darker plumage than I am used to seeing around here, especially at the end of its wings. My inclination is to think this is a California Gull in first winter plumage. However, I am not knowledgable enough … Read more

Near the end of May, I was able to photograph two Dowitchers at Swan Lake. At the time I remember noticing that one bird seemed darker than the other, but I think I attributed it to different stages in their transition from winter to breeding plumage and did not really think much about it beyond … Read more

I observed this bird at Swan Lake today.  I suspect it is a Lesser Yellowlegs, but I am uncertain.  When it flew off, it did have the white patch above its tailfeathers that is characteristic of yellowlegs. It also seems to lack the up-turned bill of a Greater Yellowlegs. My uncertainty arises from the shape, which seems different than what I have seen on Greater Yellowlegs … Read more

Last fall I photographed a warbler that was flitting about in the neighborhood alders. I was not sure what it was, but at the suggestion of another local bird enthusiast, concluded it was a MacGillivray’s Warbler. Indeed, it does look somewhat like a female MacGillivray’s Warbler with a gray hood and white arcs above and … Read more