Last August on the Hebron Trail

Lisa Rest

February 9

I started this post 7 days ago. A lot has happened in the past week... But I've had time to go back through some of last year's photos because it's been noticeably bird-less lately. There were not so many birds on the Hebron Trail on August 5, 2023, either, but by comparison it was a lot more than I've seen lately.

August was too late for Yellow-headed Blackbirds that breed there, which is the big draw, but last year was difficult whenever I ventured that far due to drought conditions. On this visit, the landscape became dominant. In particular I found the abundance of Great Mullein interesting.

It was cloudy. I just checked my journal notes from that day and I was disappointed that I had not seen more birds for suitable photographs. Maybe the cardinal below wanted to give me something to look at.

Northern Cardinal

Later on I noticed a Downy Woodpecker having a good time with the Great Mullein.

I saw a Field Sparrow that sat still long enough for a few photos.

There was a young, disheveled-looking Gray Catbird.

I always see American Crows here, but there weren't many that day. I managed one photo.

Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle

Red-winged Blackbirds were predictably abundant, but for the most part distant as well.

An Indigo Bunting provided some color.

A Song-Sparrow sat for me in the gloom.

There was also a small group of House Finches, which I was surprised to see.

Cedar Waxwings are always interesting, and I did not expect to find them here.

I always look for Willow Flycatchers. I barely managed to capture the one below.

It was while photographing this group of birds that I inadvertently captured a female Blue Grosbeak.

Blue Grosbeak (female) and 2 Cedar Waxwings

Some closer-cropped photos of the Blue Grosbeak are below.

The male House Finch below and the female at the very top of the post were in the group I encountered.

So that's about it for a not-too-spectacular blast from the past. I look forward to getting up to the Hebron Trail this spring. There has been enough rain and snow over the past few months, maybe it will be a better year to see the Yellow-headed Blackbirds.

I will be back with something more local (and brief) soon.