Hundreds of perusals through the bird book have really paid off — though I only saw the bird out of the corner of my eye, that crested outline silhouetted against the sky screamed ‘cedar waxwing.” For years I’ve been coveting the waxwing for my bird list, and I happened to step outside just in time to see it hopping in the neighbor’s tree. After getting a good look at it, I ran inside for my camera, knowing it might not be there when I returned. I was happy to see it was still around, although it paused in a visible location for only seconds before again vanishing into the heart of the leafy branches. Here’s the best picture I was able to take, though it doesn’t do its beauty justice:
Here’s a better picture from another site, so you know why I’ve been wanting to see one
Not long after I had gotten my camera and brought the entire family out to see the new species, a repetitive, screeching, “Keekeekee!” was heard and a new bird swooped onto the tip of our fir tree. This outline definitely was that of a raptor, though I wasn’t sure if it was a Peregrine Falcon or an American Falcon. I got such good pictures I was able to identify it later as an American Falcon.
Two amazing birds in just five minutes!
Good eye, Sarah. I would not have been able identify the bird from that silhouette.
How exciting to see the birds.