Downtown LA is sprinkled with a number of small parks – one of which was just up above Sally’s nephew’s home. So early Sunday morning I took a long walk up to Elysian Park – the city’s second largest (600 acres) park which while dry and dusty, is filled with runners, dogs, and birds. Here’s the first one I saw (and was a little unsure on identity but believe it’s a Hutton’s Vireo.)

There are also nice views of the city although the visibility was limited by smoke from the fires to the north.

There were many juncos and several towhees along the paths.

In a section with more greenery, I saw a dozen Black Phoebes, including this one which looks very light in the morning sun.

Four Acorn Woodpeckers were making their rounds.

I saw a couple of Western bluebirds, many yellow-rumps, and a host of other species. What a treat to find a great birding in downtown LA.