Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus

At Lake Solano Park, a gorgeous spot along widened portion Putah Creek where Pleasants Valley Road hits highway 128 (about 4 miles east of Winters, CA) we spotted our first bird as we exited the car, a brown spotted thrush (genus Catharus) foraging on the ground near the base of a tree:

The red tail confirms this is the Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus. But the identification is straightforward simply knowing the date, as Sibley writes regarding the Hermit, "This widespread and variable species is the only spotted thrush to be encountered in North America, Nov-Mar...". In April we'll see Swainson's Thrush, arriving in full song.

The bird seemed unconcerned at our presence, feeding openly not 10' away. The thin pale orbital ring was easily seen, and when it turned a bit we were able to see a few spots on the throat and breast: