The skies were almost completely overcast, but with little wind and temperatures around 50, it wasn't too bad to be out birding this morning. There weren't a lot of birds, but I did see a few good ones, and ended the hike with 22 avian species. A female Common Merganser, for more than a month now, continues to hang out with Canada Geese in the golf course pond, and this morning was the "leader of the pack."
Female Common Merganser and Canada Geese
Female Common Merganser
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Flicker
Field Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
The hawks were the highlight of the hike for me. I saw both a juvenile and an adult Red-shouldered Hawk.
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
Adult Red-shouldered Hawk
And I encountered a very cooperative, juvenile Cooper's Hawk.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Not a bad morning hike for January.