Green heron

Northern flicker spotting ants

@Jgbird Love the T-shirt Jerome. Be careful—stacking too many birthday celebrations too close together can accelerate the aging process.

Western meadowlark

Diminutive Oak titmouse, one of the early season’s most prolific singers.

The Acorn woodpecker, clown of the picids, shows how to cool off during the heat wave. They have so much personality. Or birdality?

Woke up too excited for the chance to be with the ravens later today. Hopefully I can fall asleep for a few more hours.

As I close out my 46th trip around the sun in a couple of days, I realize it’s hard to know while it’s happening that something is coming to an end. Which is probably good, because when it’s something you love, it’s not necessary to try and enjoy it as much as possible; you just drink it all in. You might know my health has taken a turn, and it’s looking like traveling will have to be limited for awhile. It’s okay—it’s been a good run and there’s plenty of birds left close to home.

Loggerhead shrike

Taking Friday off for my birthday. And birds. Can’t wait!