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zoom 1 Here is the same bird from an angle that better shows how dark the back and wings were.
zoom 2 In terms of head and throat pattern, this Hermit Warbler is pretty typical for an after second-year male. That said, the mantle and wings of this bird were as black as I've ever seen. The yellow on the head is clean and unmarked by dark feathers. The throat patch is constrained with little bib effect and the flanks are clean whitish with essentially no streaking.
zoom 3 Here's a third angle of the same adult male Hermit Warbler. Again note how black this bird is on the mantle and the wings and the absence of any dark feathering on the yellow face and head and absence of any obvious flank streaking.
zoom 4 Here's a final shot of the first-summer male Hermit Warbler. Note the absence of flank streaking and the lack of any black feathers interspersed in the yellow face.
zoom 5 Here's a dorsal view of the first-summer male Hermit Warbler. The back is paler and grayer than that of a after second-year bird.
zoom 6 The shading on the face better shows the dark in the auriculars and you can also see the yellow below the throat patch from this angle .
zoom 7 This is a first-summer (second-year) male Hermit Warbler. Its back and wings were much paler and grayer overall and the throat patch is slightly reduced. If you look closely you can see the brownish alula feather at the shoulder, which helps age this bird.
zoom 8 With a quick glance this bird could easily be passed off as a Hermit Warbler, but if you look close you can see yellow below the black on the throat and some streaking along the flanks. This lighting in this shot is less than ideal, somewhat obscuring the darker auriculars, but you can see a bit of dark under the eye on this bird.
zoom 9 Presumed first-year male Hermit Warbler X Townsend's Warbler hybrid. This shot best shows the yellow on the breast and the fine points of the face pattern. Note the rather conspicuous dark auricular patch and the streaking on the upper flanks.
zoom 10 Presumed first-year male Hermit Warbler X Townsend's Warbler. Note the slight bit of yellow below the black throat patch and minimal flank streaking.
zoom 11 This Hermit Warbler X Townsend's Warbler hybrid is a presumed first summer male. It shows the tell-tale yellow below the mottle black throat patch, which is not shown by a pure Hermit. The next four images are all of the same bird.
zoom 12 This individual is a poster child for not using bill length to ID dowitchers. The bill of this bird looks short to me and this bird was photographed at Trestle Bay in Fort Stevens S.P. (Clatsop Co., Oregon) at a time when northbound Short-billed Dowitchers outnumber Long-billed Dowitchers along the Oregon coast. If not for seeing this bird on the ground and hearing it call, I would have thought this was a Short-billed Dowitcher, but it is a Long-billed.
zoom 13 This is a classic "fooler." Birders commonly misidentify birds of this appearance as golden-plovers due to the amount of brown on the back, nape and crown, but this is in fact a transitioning Black-bellied Plover. This bird was photographed on Clatsop Beach 23 April 2016. Within a few weeks this bird will loose the brown feathering on the crown nape and back and look more like the bird in the next image.
zoom 14 During the third of April many of the Sanderlings still remained mostly gray above and looked to be in winter plumage. This bird was on Clatsop Beach 23 April 2016.
zoom 15 Here's another Sanderling, also photographed on Clatsop Beach on 12 May 2016. It has essentially completed its molt and is fully in alternate plumage.
zoom 16 Within about three weeks time many of the Sanderlings had gone through a major change in appearance, having attained nearly fully alternate plumage. This bird was on Clatsop Beach 12 May 2016.
zoom 17 Here's another group of Red Knots–on Clatsop Beach 12 May 2016–showing a fair amount of individual variation. The front bird in this image still shows mostly winter plumage feathers on its upper parts, but has already acquired quite a bit of red feathering below. The two righhand birds have already replaced nearly all of their basic feathers above with fresh alternate feathers. Photo taken on Clatsop Beach 12 May 2016.
zoom 18 The first prealternate molt for some shorebird species results in a plumage that looks mostly like winter plumage with virtually none of the color or pattern displayed by breeding adults. This individual, photographed on Clatsop Beach 12 May, was presumed to be a first-spring bird that will not breed this year. Some aspects of its plumage are much like those of a juvenle (hatch-year) bird.
zoom 19 Here's a mixed flock that includes a number of the most expected migrants one can find during spring migration on Oregon's beaches. This group includes Red Knots, Dunlin, Sanderlings and a Ruddy Turnstone. Missing from this group is Western Sandpiper, the most abundant migrant shorebird along the Pacific Coast.
zoom 20 During April, many of the northbound Dunlin along Oregon's coast have barely started to acquire their alternate or breeding plumage. This bird, photographed on Clatsop Beach 23 April 2016, has barely started to get rufous feathers above and black on the underparts.
zoom 21 This Red-necked Phalarope appears to be an adult female still transitioning into full alternate plumage. It was at the South Jetty ponds near the mouth of the Columbia River on 12 May 2016.
zoom 22 This alternate-plumaged Black-bellied Plover was along Clatsop Beach on 12 May 2016. Compare the appearance of this bird with that of the individual in the previous photo. Note the absence of brown on the crown and nape and how the mantle, scapulars and coverts now look mostly black and white with very little brown in the plumage.
zoom 23 This Red Knot (left) and Ruddy Turnstone (right) were among the thousands of northbound shorebirds on Clatsop Beach in Clatsop County, Oregon on 8 May 2016.
zoom 24 From early May through early June migrant Whimbrel are conspicuous along Oregon's beaches. This bird was along Clatsop Beach on 8 May 2016.
zoom 25 This adult male Red-necked Phalarope was at the South Jetty ponds near the Columbia River mouth on 12 May 2016.
zoom 26 Adult Marbled Godwit on Clatsop Beach 8 May 2016.
zoom 27 This adult alternate-plumaged Ruddy Turnstone was on Clatsop Beach in Clatsop County, Oregon on 12 May 2016.
zoom 28 Few species show a more spectacular pattern in flight than a alternate-plumaged Ruddy Turnstone. This bird was along Clatsop Beach in Clatsop County, Oregon on 12 May 2016.
zoom 29 Here is a nice comparative shot of an alternate-plumaged adult Western Sandpiper (right) and an after hatch-year Semipalmated Sandpiper (left). Note the shorter more blunt-tipped bill of the Semi along with the lack of any rufous in the plumage.
zoom 30 Cinnamon Teals taken by Dan Mitchell in Cook Park, Oregon on 5/22/2016.
zoom 31 Mallard Ducklings taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/19/2016.
zoom 32 Ruby-crowned Kinglet taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard Oregon on 3/6/2011.
zoom 33 European Starling taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/14/2013.
zoom 34 Neotropic Cormorant taken by Dan Mitchell from kayak on Patagonia Lake, Arizona on 3/29/2013.
zoom 35 Mallard Duckling taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/5/16.
zoom 36 Mallard Female taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 4/13/2016.
zoom 37 Great Horned Owl taken by Dan Mitchell at Flying Demonstration at Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona on 12/26/2016.
zoom 38 Red-breasted Sapsucker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/7/16.
zoom 39 Steller's Jay taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 4/11/2016.
zoom 40 Band-tailed Pigeon taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 4/17/16
zoom 41 Sharp-shinned Hawk taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 3/21/16.
zoom 42 Red-winged Blackbird taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 3/2/16.
zoom 43 Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 2/27/16.
zoom 44 American Crow taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 3/2/16.
zoom 45 Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 1/22/2016.
zoom 46 Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 1/9/16.
zoom 47 Northern Cardinal taken by Dan Mitchell at Koko Crater Botanical Garden, Oahu, Hawaii on 3/17/2014.
zoom 48 Spotted Towee taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 1/04/2016.
zoom 49 Western Bluebirds taken by Dan Mitchell in Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/23/15.
zoom 50 Hermit Thrush taken by Dan Mitchell in Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/23/15.
zoom 51 Black-throated Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell at Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/25/15.
zoom 52 Rufous-backed Robin taken by Dan Mitchell in Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/28/2015.
zoom 53 Rufous-backed Robin taken by Dan Mitchell in Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/28/2015
zoom 54 Mourning Dove taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/26/2006.
zoom 55 Female Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/7/2014.
zoom 56 Gadwall taken by Dan Mitchell in Cook Park, Tigard, Oregon on 3/4/15.
zoom 57 Mourning Dove taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/05/2015.
zoom 58 Red-winged Blackbird taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/5/2015.
zoom 59 Dark-eyed Junco - Oregon Junco Race taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/5/15.
zoom 60 Red-breasted Nuthatch taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon, on 12/21/2012.
zoom 61 Bewick's Wren taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/19/2015.
zoom 62 American Robin taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/5/2015.
zoom 63 Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/6/2011.
zoom 64 Slate Colored Junco taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/24/13.
zoom 65 White-throated Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/12/12.
zoom 66 Yellow-rumped Warbler taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/25/2015.
zoom 67 Townsend's Warbler taken by Dan Mitchell in our Backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12-5-2012.
zoom 68 Spotted Towhee taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/23/2015.
zoom 69 Yellow-rumped Warbler taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 1/16/2011.
zoom 70 Western Scrub-Jay taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/19/2014
zoom 71 Golden-crowned Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/10/13.
zoom 72 Red-winged Blackbird taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/24/2013.
zoom 73 Bewick's Wren taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10-30-15.
zoom 74 Dark-eyed Junco taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10-29-15.
zoom 75 Black-capped Chickadee taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10/27/15.
zoom 76 Pine Siskin taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10/27/2015.
zoom 77 Bald Eagle taken by Dan Mitchell from kayak on Columbia River in Wahkiakum County, Washington
zoom 78 Band-tailed Pigeon taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10/3/15.
zoom 79 White-breasted Nuthatch taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10/3/15.
zoom 80 Great Blue Heron taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10/5/15.
zoom 81 Pileated Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10/8/15.
zoom 82 Spotted Sandpiper taken by Dan Mitchell in E G Simmons Park, Ruskin, Florida on 9/28/13.
zoom 83 Fox Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/18/14.
zoom 84 White-crowned Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell in Mahleur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon on 4/22//13.
zoom 85 American Wigeon taken by Dan Mitchell on Mill Creek in Walla Walla, Washington on 10/11/15.
zoom 86 Dark-eyed Junco taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10/5/15
zoom 87 Red-winged Blackbird taken Oct 3, 2015 at Fernhill Wetlands, OR
zoom 88 Cackling Goose taken Oct 3, 2015 at Fernhill Wetlands, OR
zoom 89 Long-billed Dowitcher taken Oct 3, 2015 at Fernhill Wetlands, OR
zoom 90 Wood Duck Taken by Dan Mitchell in our Backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 9/30/15.
zoom 91 Great Blue Heron taken Sept 26, 2015 at Broughton Beach, Portland, OR
zoom 92 Horned Lark taken Sept 26, 2015 at Broughton Beach, Portland, OR
zoom 93 Horned Lark taken Sept 26, 2015 at Broughton Beach, Portland, OR
zoom 94 Horned Lark taken Sept 26, 2015 at Broughton Beach, Portland, OR
zoom 95 Wood Duck taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 9/23/15
zoom 96 Great Blue Heron taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 9/26/15
zoom 97 Horned Taken Sept 26, 2015 at Bruoghton Beach, Portland, OR
zoom 98 Lapland Longspur taken Sept 26, 2015 at Broughton Beach, Portland, OR
zoom 99 Lapland Longspur taken Sept 26, 2015 at Broughton Beach, Portland, OR
zoom 100 Lapland Longspur taken Sept 26, 2015 at Broughton Beach, Portland, OR