While on a jaunt with the dog down the ravine behind Kubota Gardens, I heard a number of FOY birds: ?Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Cassin's Vireo. ?Then a loud, very unmusical and very unfamiliar call drew me into the gardens to search out the source. ?Eventually ?I found it in dense Portugal Laurels along the eastern maintenance road: ?an apparent hybrid Golden/Lady Amherst Pheasant! ?Striking male with golden crown, black throat, scarlet breast and mottled black-and-white capelet. ?Not countable, of course, but, like a painted bunting, something that just seems like an artist's rendition of a fairytale until you see it with your own eyes.
jeff bryantseattlejbryant_68 AT yahoo