Afternoon in Spokane County

Being back home is hard to beat. My dad and I got out for just a couple hours this afternoon, and in no time at all I picked up a county lifer and a year bird! A Trumpeter Swan has been hanging around on a friend's property down along the Little Spokane River, and it was still present today among a nice flock of waterfowl.

Trumpeter Swan

Little Spokane Natural Area, Spokane Co, WA

December 30, 2013

As we continued along the Little Spokane, some robins in a subdivision caught our attention so we decided to investigate. As we were leaving the area, a huge flock of waxwings flew into a nearby berry tree. It turned out to be a pure flock of about 75 Bohemian Waxwings! #367 for the 2013! The rich, rusty undertail coverts and brilliant red and yellow that accent the wings and tail make these surprisingly colorful birds in a winter landscape.

Bohemian Waxwing

Little Spokane Natural Area, Spokane Co, WA

December 30, 2013

Bohemian Waxwing

Little Spokane Natural Area, Spokane Co, WA

December 30, 2013

Bohemian Waxwing

Little Spokane Natural Area, Spokane Co, WA

December 30, 2013

We wound up with 13 species of ducks while we were out, a nice count for winter in the county. As usual, the Barrow's Goldeneyes stole the show:

Barrow's Goldeneye

Little Spokane Natural Area, Spokane Co, WA

December 30, 2013