[EBB Sightings] Re: An Effusion of thrush

I received a lot of recommendations regarding where to try to photograph 
Varied thrushes, and thanks to everyone. This morning I walked some of the 
Tilden Nature Area trails , and I saw and heard many, MANY thrushes, 
particularly up on the hill slopes along the Upper Packrat Trail. However, 
they are incredibly uncooperative when it comes to posing for photos. They 
tend to flush at a frustratingly great distance (at least forty feet, 
usually more), and then they fly up into the canopy and skulk behind 
foliage. I had a couple of quick chances at photos but failed to make the 
most of them, sigh.  The one bird that posed nicely for a photograph was an 
immature Sharp-shinned hawk.  There also were some lovely Common mergansers 
at Jewel Lake.

After completing my nature area circuit, I went over to the Tilden Botanic 
Garden.  Along the way I noticed a very large number of Varied thrushes in 
and around the Fern picnic area.  At the Botanic Garden there were, indeed, 
several thrushes which seem somewhat accustomed to human presence, and I got 
a few photos of these individuals. However, there were so many people 
walking the paths and talking loudly [darn them! :)) ] that I couldn't get 
that "best shot" I was hoping for.

Oh, well, there are other days ahead and many thrushes yet to stalk.
--Doug Greenberg