Ouzel! perched bobbing on a branch in the current (American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus) I had been seeing glimpses of this guy lately here, darting off in their characteristic fashion, fast and low, tracing the stream course, with their joy buzzer call. And now I have a confirmed sighting. Ouzels are one of my (& John Muir’s) most favorite Sierra characters, and not just because they are so elusive. But I have never seen one on my home creek here before. Unfortunately, this is because it’s not adequate habitat, as the exposed creek will likely get frozen over and buried in snow. Sorry buddy. Guess you’ll have to fly out of the stream channel after all, to go find a proper free-flowing Sierra cascade. Ouzels know just what they want.