They are all lovebirds today

What's better than a bird walk with AMNH on Valentine's Day?  Not much!  We started with the goal of finding the Iceland gull that has been hanging out on the lake.  First we got distracted by some other birds though.  Like this gorgeous woodpecker.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

And this nuthatch, who was moving so fast I barely got a picture!

White-breasted Nuthatch

 See?  He was in quite a hurry.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Paul spotted the gull from the bridge and we decided to go over there.   Making our way we passed this raccoon who was attending to personal business.  I haven't seen one in a while so I was happy.

Raccoon

 So, this is what an Iceland gull looks like.  Yep, it's a gull all right!  Apparently its big distinguishing feature is that there is no black on the wing tips.

Iceland Gull

 Confirmed - no black!  Also, this guy is pretty feisty when there's bread to be had.  He's a little bigger than the other gulls on the lake (I think they were all ring-billed gulls) and liked to throw his weight around.

Iceland Gull

 Once the bread ran out, this gadwall walked away over the ice rather quickly.........

Gadwall

 ......until more bread appeared!  It was hilarious seeing her run back.  :-)

Gadwall

 How gorgeous is this gull?

Iceland Gull

 Okay, here is the Iceland gull flying with some others.  Pretty easy to spot, right?

Iceland Gull

 We eventually left the gull and headed over to the feeders, and found that this Cooper's hawk had basically the same plan.  Hanging out at the feeders is fun for both birders and hawks.

Cooper's Hawk

 This downy was not impressed.

Downy Woodpecker

 There were plenty of little lovelies at the feeders.  This house finch looks delighted that the titmouse is leaving.

House Finch, Tufted Titmouse

We even got to see the European Goldfinch that's been hanging around!  I saw one of these a few months back, I wonder if it's the same one.  They sometimes end up in the park after escaping from someone's house or an aviary.  It must be discouraging to finally escape and then not be able to find any of your own kind.  Gorgeous to see though!

European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch