[Don Boose]

Both excellent images, Wayne. Thanks for posting.

Our pileated was back a couple of days ago. In a day or two I will post an image, along with a few others that I have taken over the past few months.

I see mallards and a blue heron almost every day in my walk along the Conodoguinet, and today a belted kingfisher was swooping out over the water and over the banks at low level. Last week, a golden eagle soared overhead. An eagle nest has been reported a few miles from our house.

The white-throated sparrows and northern juncos are back, so winter is definitely on the way.

I have never seen a towhee of any sort, although rufous-sided and eastern towhees are said to be summer visitors to this area. I will keep on the look-out.

Meanwhile, please keep on sharing your Phoenix-area birds.

Don