We are delighted to post this series of pictures by prize-winning wildlife photographer Janet Kessler. They were taken a few days ago in Glen Canyon, where nesting season is in full swing. (We wish SF RPD would take cognizance of this – pesticide applications and removal of thickets and habitat continues.)

“I found the tiny little Bushtit — 3.5 inches from tip of the beak to tip of the tail — searching for, finding, and testing building materials for its nest,” she writes. “The materials did not pass muster and were abandoned. Birds have very high standards.” [These pictures have also been posted on the San Francisco Forest Alliance website, HERE.]

Stringy lichen? Anyway, nesting stuff – maybe

Gotta run a quality check

Pulling the ball apart

Hmmm. Maybe it’ll do.

Get some more

Still testing -dubious

Abandoned stuff

Nah. I don’t think so.