Finally! I finally saw the Yellow-breasted Chat at Oakland Nature Preserve! But I didn’t get a photo. That bird is very good at hiding in the vegetation. I thanked him for being so elusive, since he forced me to visit often and explore the surrounding area. I found a mixed flock of birds that was such fun to photograph!

As the chat rustled in the trees, I heard another bird rustling closer nearby. A few minutes later, this Downy Woodpecker popped out very close to me. He posed for a moment to say hello, then continued to search for his breakfast.

I found a mixed flock of warblers and sparrows at the end of the Red Trail. They darted in and out of the trees, giving me lots of opportunities for flight shots and quick focusing. This was my favorite Pine Warbler image of the day.

An Orange-crowned Warbler peeked out from between the acorns.

Then I spotted the Blue-eyed Vireo across the trail. He blurred a little in my photo as he darted from branch to branch. The light was very low that day, making it harder to focus. But since there was limited sunlight, I could point the camera in any direction I wanted without getting harsh shadows.

Off in the distance, a House Wren sang from his perch on top of a pile of brush. This is a great “bird in environment” viewpoint.

I saw at least three Eastern Bluebirds that morning. Their happy chortling calls echoed as they went from electrical line perches to hunting for worms in the grass. One pair of birds seemed to be a mated pair. It won’t be long till they are nesting.

The last bird of the morning was a Red-bellied Woodpecker. He flew into his favorite tree carrying an acorn, which he proceeded to stash in his little hole. Then he posed for the camera and told me not to post the location of his stash on the Internet! A bird has to have some privacy, you know. ;-)