I arrived at the parking lot at 0645 then walked to the summit to wait for sunrise. The winds seemed to be stronger than the forecasted 25-35 mph when I got out of the car - but since there was no one else in the parking lot, I was more excited about the possibility of having the top of the peak to myself to photograph an unusual species or two than I was concerned about how the wind might effect my day.    

As luck would have it, when I turned away from the views of the sunrise to begin my search for birds, there was a Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch foraging in the gravel just 50 feet away.  This was the second time in a week that I had the chance to photograph a really-tame lifer. I am getting spoiled.  

After laying in the wet grass for nearly 40 minutes getting close shots of the finch under varying light, I heard what a I thought was the call of a Pine Grosbeak which I took as a sign that it was time to get out of the wind. Fortunately for me most reports of the grosbeak came from the leeward side of the peak near the "bench". It took three trips around the peak before finding a single female calling from the top of a distant noble fir. Back to the reality of photographing most birds from a long way away and under back-lit conditions. 

Looking north from the parking lot:

Looking south from the road near the summit:

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch:

The Bench:

I found the Pine Grosbeak in the top of a tree on the left side of the road near the apex of the corner.

The trail to the summit through the trees.

Pine Grosbeak:

Looking west towards the parking lot on my way out:

INTERACTIVE MAP BELOW

Satellite View of the peak (click the icon in the upper left to see the map pin menu):

If you plan to visit you may find the following links helpful:  Mary's Peak Weather Forecast | Windfinder - Mary's Peak