As we set out for a walk on a rainy Monday morning we decided to just carry a lightweight macro lens on the camera as the birds would be hunkered down as it was raining slowly and steadily.

For most of the walk it was one of those very calm and silent mornings only a walk in the rain can bring. However on the way back down the hill we heard the beautiful song of several Swainson’s Thrushes echoing in the distance. As we walked towards the trailhead the songs became closer and more frequent. Much to out surprise the Swainson’s Thrushes were out from the tall trees and perched singing in branches down low. It was nice to get a glimpse of these reclusive forest dwellers and to get a few photos but most of all hearing  that amazing song.

How do they get it to echo like that?

We have had the opportunity to visit with these small guys up close this summer and they are a joy to have around.

From the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, “This is the smallest bird in the United States, yet this tiny hummingbird breeds in meadows and open forests high in chilly Northwestern mountains, and travels more than 5,000 miles each year to pine-oak forests in Mexico and back again.”

3 inches of spunkiness and color that is hard to forget.

Perhaps the most colorful of the summer visitors to our local tree-tops is the Western Tanager. Although the male sports conspicuous bright colors we hear him much more often than we see him. However, once or twice per day, we are treated to an occasional streak of color passing through the tress and every now and again a nice long view of these colorful birds of the summer forest.