WAVI and WPWA

Warbling vireo

I started this post with an eye catcher for the title.  The two species of warbler are a warbling vireo and a western palm warbler.

western palm warbler

Peregrine Falcon

I was lucky enough to be volunteering at Hawk Ridge this past season when not one but two adult peregrine falcons were banded.  This female was really breathtaking.  She was released at the overlook.

Broad-winged hawk

Young broad-winged hawk in these photos.  There is usually just a few week window to see this species migrate through the area to South American wintering grounds. Look at the young tail - the adult will have short black "stripes" in between more broad white "stripes."

American kestrel

Fierce for their size, kestrels like this male are always a treat to have in hand. 

Northern Goshawk

 What an amazing species!  Northern goshawks have to be some of the most intimidating of all the raptors in hand.  Such strength and presence.  And nearly all the pics with a mouth open - that's true.

In Celebration of Merlins

Not much else to say.

And Other Notables

  Migration always brings a window of opportunity to encounter some great species of birds that might not be breeding in my area.  Interesting to note on a given day when there are multiple individuals of a species in a single day, perhaps traveling together.  Different sexes and ages of same species, too.

Brown creeper

Blue-headed vireo

Blue-headed Vireo

Golden-crowned kinglet