Flocking songbirds, Discovery Park

At the north edge of the south meadow, a big flock of cedar waxwings filled the branches of a tree. They took off. I looked up, and saw a northern harrier, followed by three crows. And then the noise was over.

Near the lighthouse, a mixed flock of song sparrows and golden-crowned sparrows hopped around the grass and shrubs. Golden-crowned sparrows winter here. They breed in the mountains of B.C., the Yukon and Alaska.

One of the golden-crowns was singing. I find the sound endearing. It seems slower and more easygoing than other sparrows. And they're handsome too. Here's a profile.