A picture of a bird in the hand ...

... is worth a thousand words about the two in the bush.

Random photos from banding at Springville Marsh this morning. Words to follow.

Least Flycatcher

Brown Thrasher

Swamp Sparrow

male Common Yellowthroat

male Baltimore Oriole

female Tennessee Warbler

female Canada Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Swainson's Thrush

male Northern Flicker

Tree Climbing (and baby owls)

None of this baby owl cuteness would be visible if a brave soul didn't climb up the tree and send them down to the earth-bound owl fanciers on the ground.

Enter Jeff, RAPTOR's resident tree climber and bander. Being a certified acrophobe, I can only marvel at the courage and skill it takes to do this. Here are a few of the dozens of photos I took while watching Jeff in action.

Starting at the bottom.

Already too high up for me.

Now it's getting really scary.

(That multi-colored bag hanging off his left hip is the official Owlet Transfer Device.)

Don't look down!

Owlet acrobatics on high {shiver}

What goes up must come down.

Thanks, Jeff, for letting us have a glimpse into your world.