[EBB Sightings] Phainopepla just outside of Del Valle

Hi all:

I went looking for Mt. Bluebirds this morning along
Patterson Pass Rd., but dense fog made what seemed
like a good idea into a silly one.  Fortunately,
conditions around Lake Del Valle were considerably
clearer. Thanks to Steve Huckabone's encouragement I
was able to pick out  a male Phainopepla on top of a
mistletoe choked oak tree half way up the entrance
road to the lake.

No common mergansers on the lake, nor Bald Eagles, but
three American White Pelicans were a bonus.  A
Red-breasted Sapsucker posed for photos; sort of.

A few photos from the morning can be seen at:
http://flickr.com/photos/14935921 at N00/

Good birding,

Bob Power
Oakland, CA