Clark's Nutcrackers

Well, I'm happy to report that we're getting pretty good at this hiking thing! Last week we hiked a trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park to Terrace Lake and Shadow Lake. Boy, was it beautiful!

Terrace Lake

We saw (and heard) so many more birds on this hike than the ones to the waterfalls. (You can read more about the Kings Creek Falls Trail hike and Mill Creek Falls Trail hikes on my travel blog Vaughn the Road Again.) I guess, as a birder, I should already have figured out that you can find many more birds near a lake than a waterfall!

There was a large group of Clark's Nutcrackers flying from tree to tree above the rocks, and they sure were vocal. Some of the noises they were making sounded like a kookaburra!

These birds are always on the move and we had a heck of a time getting any to sit still to have their picture taken.

 And here's Shadow Lake, a little further down the trail, and well worth the walk...

Once again, there were quite a few Nutcracker's hanging out around the lake.

Finally, there's the shot of the day!