After reading posts on this site and doing some other reading, I am almost convinced that this color difference could be a product of the wear on the female who does all the sitting on eggs in that confined space. Haven't run into any studies on it. I would expect the mottling to disappear after the next molt if it's true. I wonder whether the lack of consistency in the ID books on the California race may mean that the there is no real north/south difference? Food for thought and always willing to listen to varying opinions.

Check out the image of the couple at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125370117 at N08/



David Gluckman
Pt. Townsend, WA
David 360.531.3325 Casey 360.531.3359