I first saw this hawk late Tuesday afternoon, but wasn't certain of its ID
-- it was growing dark and raining steadily, my binocs were fogged and the
hawk was perched at an odd angle. But I was convinced when I saw it again
late this afternoon, perched on an oak limb and displaying its rufous
breast and belly. On my return pass on the trail, the hawk flew up from the
ground to a perch, showing off its beautifully patterned back and banded
tail.
The red-shouldered was hanging out on the slope side of the Oaks Bottom
trail, between the southern trailhead and the lake observation deck. Both
sightings occurred around 4:30 p.m.
Other Oaks Bottom attractions: a big band of yellow-rumped warblers,
including a few Townsends; hooded mergansers; male common mergansers
standing out like candlelight on the lake; several great egrets close to
the trail, unperturbed by humans; male wood ducks flashing their gaudy
spring glamor; and musical entertainment from red-winged blackbirds.
Oaks Bottom is such a wonderful, nature-filled gift!
