Today I finally got my first Mt. Rainier hike in, getting to Sunrise about 8 AM and hiking up the top trail to Frozen Lake, going a bit toward Burrows Mountain until snow stopped me, then going about half way to Fremont Lookout until entering a cloud and turning back.
Highlights were great looks at Hermit Thrush in the picnic area first thing:

Overall not much in the meadows down low, but a singing Cassin’s Finch male was on one of the first trees as I started up the trail to Frozen Lake:

Soon I had close up looks at a Mountain Chickadee who came right in to a Pygmy Owl imitation whistle:

When I got to Frozen Lake a Horned Lark popped right up close in:

Then just a little ways up the trail to Burrow’s Mountain a bird was singing loudly in flight. I managed to get on it and saw an incredible flight song of American Pipit. It went on for over a minute, the bird circled up and up, then “parachuted” down a bit then landed. It came right up close and I managed photos:


I heard several Clark’s Nutcrackers calling from over the hill on the left heading up toward Fremont Lookout. On the way down overall less birds and lots more people.
On the drive down I got nice looks at Townsend’s Warbler, a singing male at one pullout, and at the next stop has at least 6 MOCH, 2 YRWA, DEJU, and HETH all come in to a Pygmy Owl whistle, and the mobbing action was fun. A safe ride home, and 5 FOY Pierce county birds made it a good day. Still have MOBL, GRJA and woodpeckers to try for next.