We banded a third year female Pileated Woodpecker this morning. We only get one every other year or so, so today was a real treat. I ended up holding the bird so could not take any pictures.
Looks like a female Purple Finch to me except for the yellow tint on the eyebrow and beak stripe. I have banded several female Red-Winged Blackbirds over the years and it does not look like a RWBB to me. The bill is all wrong as shown in JohnnyDW's picture above.
Looks like a Eurasian Collared Dove from this angle.
As an RV owner, I understand the "holding tanks are full" dilemma.
My wife and I used to drive out there in the mid-60's to oh and ah over the lights of Albuquerque. Many years ago but it was cheap entertainment back then.
Just don't get wiped out!
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRiSTMAS 2020
Twas the year 2020, and all through the house
every creature was stirring, from Human to Mouse.
The stockings were tossed on the chimney, who cares,
it's been months since we entertained, would Saint Nick even dare?
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
as visions of rubber gloves danced in their heads.
and Mama in her gaiter and me and my mask,
had just settled our brains for a long cleaning task.
When out on the roof there arose such a clatter.
I sprang from my mop to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
I peeked through the shutter, barely touching the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
gave me faith that someday we'd have somewhere to go.
When what do my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh, and eight spotless reindeer.
With a little old driver decked out in full gear,
I knew in a moment we'd have Christmas this year!
More safely than Hazmat the reindeer they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Now Clorox! Now Pine-Sol! Now Lysol and Purex!
On Comet! On Purell! On Top Job and Germ-X!
Wipe the top of the porch! Then the top of the wall!
Now wipe away! Wipe away! Wipe away all!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they finished and then took a jump to the sky.
So up to the housetop the reindeer they flew.
With a sleigh full of masks, and Saint Nicholas too!
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof,
the pawing of each little rubber gloved hoof.
As I pulled up my mask and was turning around,
Down the chimney a big bucket came with a bound!
It was covered in plastic from bottom to top,
and the contents were sterile, despite the long drop.
I missed seeing his eyes and his dimples so merry.
But this virus prevents that, these times are so scary.
I imagined his face and his little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like hand sanitizer jelly.
but I saw him outside though, as he stood near his sleigh,
and I laughed when I saw him, from six feet away..
With a wink of his eye and a wave of his hand,
I felt warm inside, Santa too understands.
And without a word I went right to my work.
I filled all our stockings, then turned with a jerk
And laying a finger aside of his mask,
The reindeer rose up, they had finished their task.
He waved to me then, to his team gave a shout,
and socially distancing, quickly flew out.
But I heard him proclaim as he drove out of sight,
Merry Christmas to all, we will all be all right.
Beautiful pictures. However, not to nit-pick, but how did you determine female vs male? In my experience, both sexes appear the same at every age except for size, with the females being larger than the males.
That is my favorite bird. Even got to band one several years ago at the banding station where I volunteer.
Cape May Point has a wonderful Hawk watch platform that is accessible (or was the last time I was there).