Eastern WA Trip Day 2

Ferruginous Hawk taking flight today on Wilson Creek Loop Road

If the best photos yesterday were of the Short-eared Owls, my photo-highlights today were of this Ferruginous Hawk. First FEHAs are tough to find in Washington, there are estimated to be only about 50-60 breeding pairs. These are the largest species of Buteo in North America, and are stunning. They are much lighter color than most buteos, with feathers that extend down onto their legs, and a whitish tail and head. In Washington they breed in shrub-steppe habitat, and prey on ground mammals, especially ground squirrels, but also on reptiles and birds.

Here is a photo of the bird perched.

I started the day after a night sleeping in my Subaru Outback, with the seats folded down and double yoga mats for a pad. Note-to-self: Get a better pad before doing this again. Just before I went to bed I took this shot of the moon.

The Short-eared Owl was again flying at daybreak, and the meadowlarks and quail were singing everywhere. I headed back to Lion's Park in Ephrata hoping to relocate the Bay-breasted Warbler, but no luck. It was a bit more birdy in the AM than last night, but nothing really exciting at all. From there I decided to try for Long-eared Owl at the Ephrata Nature Area where I did hear at least two Yellow-breasted Chats and a MacGilivery's Warbler singing, but no owls in the Russian Olive grove and lots of cheat grass stickers in my socks. These are miserable to get out and tend to keep appearing until you change your socks. They even go through the laundry and show up another wearing sometimes.

Black-necked Stilts at County Line Ponds

American Avocet

Wilson's Phalarope also at the County Line Ponds

I stopped on the drive home to look for Gray Catbird at the Teanaway River Bridge in Cle Elum, but it was very windy by that time and had no luck.

Here are a couple of other photos I likes from today:

The birds everyone loves to hate, our brood parasite Brown-headed Cowbirds, two males here.

American White Pelicans and Western Grebes

After the hawks, this Lark Sparrow might be my favorite photo of the day. They are one of our more colorful sparrows.

Home safely after two long days of driving. If the Mariner's hold on and win (they lead 2-1 in the 7th inning) it will be a perfect end to a nice day.

I like that this photo shows one upper wing and one underwing of the Ferruginous Hawk.

Good birding. Steem on!