Goldfinch and willow

The willows at the north end of Golden Gardens were full of trilling American goldfinches,the state bird of Washington, Iowa and New Jersey. It ties with the robin (Connecticut, Michigan, Wisconsin) for the fourth most popular state bird, coming in behind the Mockingbird (Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas), the Western Meadowlark (Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, Wyoming), and the grand champion state bird, the cardinal. (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia.)
I'd prefer if each state would have a bird to itself. There are 888 species to choose from in the country, after all. So, let's give the goldfinch to New Jersey, let Iowa take the indigo bunting or something, and find another bird for Washington. My first pick would be a corvid. British Columbia has the Steller's Jay, so I consider that taken, but the raven is up for grabs.
Still, even the most playful raven isn't as endearing as these fluffy yellow things trilling in the pussy-willows.

And for more morning cheer: brant in the waves.

Barred owlet, Golden Gardens Park

Most months, I participate in Seattle Audubon's monthly bird count in Golden Gardens Park. This month, the count organizer suggested we show up early and check on the barred owl family breeding in the woods there. They have three owlets, all fledging and fluttering awkwardly between the trees.

The youngster was low on a maple next to the trail, constantly giving begging calls.
After a while, it hopped to the trail.

And into another tree.

Eventually, Mama owl arrived with something to eat. She passed the food to the owlet, and sat with it for a little while, before flying to a nearby branch.