Day 11 Birds

This morning at the Granite Dells we hiked around.  I saw quite a few Bushtits, another Gambell's Quail, a Western Scrub Jay and a life bird - a Phainopepla!  I was so surprised to see it perched atop a tree!  I played its call and it came in a bit closer.  

This is a Bushtit and they fly around in small flocks making pipping 
sounds. They look kind of crabby to me and it makes me smile 
when I see them. This bird was a life bird at the Arches NP in Utah.

While hiking I saw a black bird post up on a distant bush.  I 
continued on and then I remembered my plan when the trip 
started...don't assume I know what the bird is.  Look at every bird.  
When I looked I was shocked!  I'd only seen this bird in field guides, so 
I was really happy to see it and I'm so glad I took that second look!

The Phainopepla was a life bird!  It is a sleek, glossy black bird with 
a red eye.  Brad say it reminds him of a black cardinal.

I was happy to see another Gambel's Quail on the trip.  I was tipped 
off to his whereabouts by the sound he was making.  This one was 
perched in a tree.  What a cool looking bird!  The males have
 the larger plume.

This is not a bird, but a really interesting statue of 
a person with wings.  We saw it at the Hoover 
Dam.  I wish I had wings!