A Birder's Thrill

Thanks to the Nat. Geo. Soc. Field Guide to the Birds
of North America

The feeders are all a-squabbling-scramble with birds.  They are common birds, but birds nevertheless:  House Finches, Pine Siskins, Sparrows, Scrub Jays, Mountain Chickadees (east of the Cascades version of the Black-Capped Chickadee we've seen commonly on the other side).

The freshly leafing tree off the kitchen window holds momentarily a flash of brilliant ruby. Years of absorbing images from the Field Guide to the Birds of North America (National Geo. Society), longing to see something other than all the LGB (little grey birds--or brown birds) of the Northwest had somehow tuned me to respond, "Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll."  I am quite certain I've never actually seen a Redpoll.  Later, with bird book in hand, several of us agree that it is definitely not a House Finch.  Toward afternoon the ruby darling reappears.  I confirm with thumping heart that this brand new bird on my list is a delightful, glamorous Common Redpoll.  New land. New birds!