Yesterday morning, I took a hike up the Westberg trail to Manastash ridge,
south of Thorp. Near the car park, I saw a mountain bluebird that left me
wondering about its gender. The head, back and wings of the bird were all
vivid blue, like a male. The breast, belly and flanks were the uniform grey
of a female. Would a first year male go through a plumage transition where
he might look like this, or did I just find an unusually bright female?



Up near the top of the ridge, multiple grouse were booming from the
sagebrush just beyond the ponderosa pines. I flushed one male, but didn't
get to see any displaying - I suppose at this location, it would be
impossible to call sooty or dusky without seeing air sacs. I also flushed
three grey partridges (I'm very thankful for those distinctive chicken
tails. If only more birds were so helpful from the rear view!)



A pair of American kestrels were getting cosy on a snag, and western
meadowlarks were up and singing from the sagebrush tops. It's a little early
for the wildflowers still, but they're getting started.



For the turkey vulture count, one soaring around MP 74 of I-90, and another
at 85.



Louise Rutter

Kirkland