Diario de reallifepokemonwatcher

I went to Descanso Gardens today. For the evening time it was still very hot - 86 degrees. But it was a nice change from being in the low to mid 90's this week. There were not very many people, mostly lone walkers strolling through the Rose Garden and the occasional young couple giggling on a bench together. My Merlin ID app detected the sounds of a House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. I knew they were here somewhere but since I didn't bring my binoculars I could only see so far with my naked eye. I paced around the roses, and then walked slowly trying not to make a sound, which did not produce any fruit in seeing any birds. Disappointed, I sat on a bench in the shade to recover and to give my shoulder a break from carrying a 10 lb. camera lens. Once I got up I decided to check out a tree where a red-shouldered hawk was perched last weekend. Lo & Behold there was no hawk, but there were the House Finches I was looking for. The sun was in my eyes and the birds were in dark shadow, so I walked around the tree to get a better angle when I noticed a yellow bird was with the House Finches too. I took out my "Birds of California" field guide and originally thought it was a yellow House Finch which the guide explained happens due to a poor diet. Upon closer examination of my photos, I suspect it is a Lesser Goldfinch, which my Merlin ID detected earlier by its sound. These must be social birds, they were perched in close proximity to each other. Upon leaving the gardens, my Merlin ID picked up a Raven. I was disappointed I couldn't see it, because I have only seen crows before and I really wanted to see a Raven. I noticed it did not caw like a crow, it was more of a croak. This trip had small wins, perhaps once the weather cools down the birds will be more active in the open.