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Messages 1 - 9874 of total 9874 in this topic

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 11, 2007 - 12:44pm PT

ID 101 whats what???

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 12:50pm PT

Hmmm, you got me on that one.

(photo would help).

:)

dmalloy

Trad climber

eastside

Jun 11, 2007 - 01:30pm PT

falconus americanus var. invisibilus

John Moosie

climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 01:37pm PT

Definitely var. invisibilus, but I am leaning towards Robin. The would explain Ouch's missing birds.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 01:39pm PT

Hmmmm. Invisiblilus is a good call. I thought perhaps it was a snowy egret in a snow storm. However, not being able to make out his 'golden gloves' sort of had me wondering. I think you guys are on to something...

TradIsGood

Happy and Healthy climber

the Gunks end of the country

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:01pm PT

Actually, it is a Road Runner. (I theenk.)

But the photo is seriously over-exposed.

Beep! Beep!

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2007 - 02:01pm PT

doh!!!

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:05pm PT

Instant thought is the bobolink:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bobolink.html

Though that doesn't seem quite right. Let me study some more...

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2007 - 02:08pm PT

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:08pm PT

Looks like some Cinnamon Teals (the ducks)

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cinnamon_Teal.html

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2007 - 02:09pm PT

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2007 - 02:09pm PT

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:10pm PT

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bullocks_Oriole.html

Beautiful Bullocks Oriole there too.

This is great fun!

John Moosie

climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:10pm PT

The second picture is not "doh". Its ducks.

Don't know what kind.

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2007 - 02:11pm PT

Crimpie,

Think smaller. I've never seen a bobolink, but i'd love to!!!

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:13pm PT

Sharp-tailed Grouse:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Sharp-tailed_Grouse.html

I did not know this one. Took some looking. Cool looking bird. For what ever reason, I'm not good with owls. Let me dig some.

Anyone else? Curious about the first bird. Bobolink? Some sort of black bird given the conical bill, eh?

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2007 - 02:13pm PT

bullocks for sure..:-)

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:13pm PT

smaller than a bobolink?

Hmmm.

I have only seen one bobolink - very exciting!

Did you go bird watching this weekend? How fun!

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2007 - 02:15pm PT

Fringillidae

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2007 - 02:17pm PT

Crimpie,

I get paid to go birding...It's a pretty sweet gig. These are some older photos, but I was out looking for goshawks this weekend...happy birding!!

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:17pm PT

Oh you devil! The torture... more digging... :)

John Moosie

climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:18pm PT

dang crimpie, you are too fast. I had the grouse but you beat me too it.

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 11, 2007 - 02:20pm PT

hee hee! It's a male in breeding plumage

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:21pm PT

Oh man! Paid to do it... you are a fortunate one. So it's a grosbeak of some sort? His beak looks more slender it the photo.

My bird id skills are so rusty. I need to get out more. The group I used to go with dissolved. Bummer.

Am I correct on the others?

Did you see this great photo I posted recently. Common, but still to see the new recently fledged babies was so cool!

Wes Allen

Boulder climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:32pm PT

Backyard birds are fun!

more at http://www.knowchaos.com/photos

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:34pm PT

ack... begging for small hint... gack...

:)

Quartzite - you ought set up a birds + climbing weekend a la sushifest style. There are so many bird enthusiasts here on the taco. That'd be most excellent fun.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:35pm PT

Hee hee!

Wes, as usual your photos are great. The first is a baby Starling isn't it? Like how you caught him in the midst of a good scratch.

The American Goldfinch looks to be inspecting his feet. Checking out his callouses no doubt. haha.

Pretty birds.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:37pm PT

Here Malachi is giving the eye...

John Moosie

climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 02:53pm PT

Baby Owls= great horned ?

Wes Allen

Boulder climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 08:00pm PT

CG, not sure - we have a nice variety of birds, and I have been lazy about trying to figure them all out. The sorta red headed one - is it a house finch?

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 08:28pm PT

Yup Wes, the red one is a House Finch. The yellows are American Goldfinch, and the first one - the one scratching appears to be young European Starling. All lovely birds (of course, I think all birds are lovely).

flash5twelve

climber

Fort Collins, CO

Jun 11, 2007 - 09:03pm PT

The first pic is a lark bunting.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 11, 2007 - 09:06pm PT

Doh. So obvious.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Lark_Bunting.html

Thanks for the relief!

Ouch!

climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 09:24pm PT

john hansen

climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 10:48pm PT

Floyd Hayes

Trad climber

Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Jun 11, 2007 - 11:11pm PT

Piece of cake for someone who does a lot of birding. Here they are: (1) male Lark Bunting; (2) male Gadwall (left) with two male and one female Cinnamon Teal; (3) male Bullock's Oriole; (4) male Sage Grouse; (5) juvenile Great Horned Owls; (6) juvenile Cedar Waxwings; (7) Black Phoebe; (8) male American Goldfinch; (9) male House Finch; (10) male American Goldfinches; (11) Blue-and-yellow Macaw; (12) Long-eared Owl; (13) two nerds with a Great Horned Owl; (14) dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk; (15) Great Blue Heron; (16) Marbled Godwit; (17) Brant (foreground) and Marbled Godwits; (18) Western Grebes.

john hansen

climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 11:26pm PT

Very good Floyd but I tricked you on # 14... Its an Hawaiin Hawk, also known as an I'o. Sub spiecies of a Sharp shinned hawk.

You know your birds thou..

John Moosie

climber

Jun 11, 2007 - 11:37pm PT

I am fairly certain #4 is not a sage grouse but a sharp-tailed grouse as evidenced by the yellow comb over the eye.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 12, 2007 - 12:17am PT

Floyd - wow!

I don't think 7 is a Black Phoebe. The photo was taken in Kentucky and Black Phoebe are not out here - only Eastern Phoebes. Plus, the tail is too short.

Could be wrong, but I think it's a juve European Starling.

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 12, 2007 - 09:08am PT

lark bunting it is.

flyod. definitely a sharpie

Crimpie,

A supertaco birding expo could happen...:-)

I have some more pics I'll post later

mcreel

climber

Barcelona, Spain

Jun 12, 2007 - 10:06am PT

I think it's a Clark's Nutcracker, probably on acid. Where was the photo taken?

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 12, 2007 - 10:43am PT

Mcreel - hhahahaha! Aren't Clark's nutcrackers great birds? I saw some at Crater Lake in Oregon and they were as funny as could be. And, as guides say, 'strangely tame'. I really enjoyed them.

Ouch!

climber

Jun 12, 2007 - 10:57am PT

That's a sharptail fer sure. I once lived two weeks on sharptails boiled and broiled. Sage hens are bigger and darker. Look kinda like a buzzard strolling around. Eastern Montana used to be swarming with them.

I didn't eat peckerwoods.

Kevin Calder

climber

Bishop

Jun 12, 2007 - 01:09pm PT

This thread is fer the birds!

G_Gnome

Trad climber

Knob Central

Jun 12, 2007 - 02:06pm PT

White pelican
Kestrel or Prairie falcons
Hummer - maybe male annas
bald
magpie
baby
?
red tail
baby ?
raven
barn owls
merganser
osprey
scrub jay
baby owl ?

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 12, 2007 - 03:16pm PT

Gnome: I think your question mark is an Altamira Oriole.

Got some American Kestral bird sex going on there it looks like.

The Magpie is a Black Billed Magpie. I actually got to see a Yellow Billed Magpie in CA two years ago. Very exciting!

I think the that is in the second to last photo - the one flying off the fence post - may be an Indigo Bunting. Edit: now I'm doubting myself. Almost can see a necklace on that bird. Pretty guy.

And the hummingbird - yeah, it's a hummingbird. Hummers are east over in this part of the country. Only one kind.

The baby raptor in that series is adorable!

G_Gnome

Trad climber

Knob Central

Jun 12, 2007 - 05:35pm PT

I figured it was an oriole but didn't have the time to look it up. All the rest were off the top of my head. But I didn't know there were 2 kinds of magpies, just that it is what I see here in Cali all the time.

Floyd Hayes

Trad climber

Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Jun 12, 2007 - 05:41pm PT

Dang--missed the phoebe (must be Eastern Phoebe if from Tennessee, shape and color wrong for European Starling), grouse (I concur it looks Sharp-tailed) and hawk (tricky tricky!). Without looking at a guide earlier or now, the more recent photos are: (1) White Pelican; (2) American Kestrels "fighting" (as we used to tell our son when he was young); (3) female hummingbird (tough to identify; the two apparent rings on the throat/foreneck are odd); (4) Bald Eagle; (5) juvenile Great Horned Owl; (6) Hooded Oriole (might be wrong); (7) Red-shouldered Hawk? (not much to see); (8) juvenile hawk; (9) Common Raven; (10) Barn Owl; (11) female Common Merganser; (12) Osprey; (13) Mountain Bluebird? (hard to see true colors); (14) juvenile Great Horned Owl.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 12, 2007 - 06:07pm PT

Floyd: I'm certain it is not an Eastern Phoebe either. They are everywhere out here. The young just-fledged Starlings I see all over are mocha colored like that fella is. Plus, that he is doing an over-the-wing head scratch which is starling-ish. The area is crawling with youngsters right now.

Check out these photos of young starlings:

Here is an Eastern Phoebe:

Anyone else have thoughts on that bird we are discussing?

Bwahaha. I am cracking up regarding the Kestrels who are "fighting". :)

Wes Allen

Boulder climber

Jun 12, 2007 - 06:07pm PT

Cool shots! Here are a few more...

Kevin Calder

climber

Bishop

Jun 12, 2007 - 07:31pm PT

This is pretty fun . I missed the earlier set. G_Gnome nailed most of my shots.
The Oriole is like Quartziteflights oriole, a Bullocks Oriole.
Crimpergirl...you know your Magpies. Can you tell what it's eating?
Floyd got most the rest of em' . Yep that's a Mountain Bluebird and I know the hawk head shot shows little of the bird, but it's not a chicken like Russ claims it's a Sharp Shinned. The juvenile hawk is a Coopers.
Wes...nice shots.Barn Swallow, Sandhill Crane?, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Golden Eagle
Crimpergirl, beautiful waxwing shots and you even make starlings look pretty!
Blinny...got anymore from the Grand?
Great shots John and Quartziteflight and everyone, I think my favorite though is Ouch's bird in the center....wow!
Here are a couple more.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 12, 2007 - 07:45pm PT

Ha! I'm not falling for the dreaded flycatcher trap there!! I stick with FLYCATCHER and offer no more information. :)

What an adorable shot of the hummingbird in the next. SO CUTE! I know this - it is not a Ruby Throated. haha. Given I have nothing but Ruby Throated here, I know almost no hummingbirds.

I do love the Magpies. I watched some parents with their newly fledged youngsters while I was at Smith Rocks one year. They are very demonstrative. The way their tails stream behind them in flight is so beautiful. They actually remind me of macaws in flight.

I'm afraid to find out what the Magpie is eating. Hopefully not a baby! What is is? (Enlarging the photo didn't help me)

And your Oriole is a Bullocks? Is it young? Seems so different to me. What I am missing?

Floyd Hayes

Trad climber

Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Jun 12, 2007 - 11:28pm PT

Never thought I'd be entertaining myself with birds (my vocation) on a climbing (my avocation) website! Nice combination, though.

The mystery bird has a flycatcher-shaped head rather than the flatter head of a European Starling (compare the photos), so I still think it is an Eastern Phoebe, but it's tough to identify it from a single photo in which we can't see all the pertinent details.

The second oriole indeed looks like a 1st alternate plumaged (= 2nd calendar year) male Bullock's Oriole, but it's rather bright on the belly so I still suspect it's a Hooded Oriole, but we either need to see the wingbar detail to be certain or rely on Kevin's word since he apparently studied it in more detail than what we can see in the photo.

The last set of photos: (1) Barn Swallow; (2) Sandhill Crane; (3) Osprey with a filet-o-fish sandwich; (4) Osprey; (5) Common Raven; (6) Golden Eagle; (7) Say's Phoebe; (8) female hummingbird (bill looks straight and long, maybe Black-chinned).

If you're into challenging bird identification problems, you might be interested in the Frontiers of Bird Identification discussion group at:

http://www.virtualbirder.com/bmail/idfrontiers/

And be prepared for some polite disagreements, especially when it comes to gulls (my favorites, by the way). Of course the biggest identification controversy of 'em all is the Ivory-billed Woodpecker...

Floyd Hayes

Trad climber

Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Jun 12, 2007 - 11:29pm PT

By the way you guys are posting some nice bird pics. What equipment are you using?

Wes Allen

Boulder climber

Jun 13, 2007 - 12:32am PT

Floyd, mine are with a canon 20d, 400 2.8 IS, and many also with a 1.4 TC added. So, that gives me a film equivalent of right around 900mm, and I still have to crop the smaller birds photos, though I am working on getting closer, and geting a 2x TC. Have some more in flight shots that I will try to get up soon.

nita

climber

chico ca

Jun 13, 2007 - 01:05am PT

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/
This is a site my husband goes to, it's cool- listen to the bird songs and sounds.

john hansen

climber

Jun 13, 2007 - 01:12am PT

Radical,,, first pic "Apapane"?

Third Pic... Cactus Wren?

Second pic,, not that good with Hummers..no idea

Iv'e seen about 300 spiecies in the wild, hope to see many more.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 13, 2007 - 09:09am PT

This is great info! Riley, why is that Oriole not an Altamira?

Floyd, thanks for the cool website as well.

We need to do a ST birders weekend for real. Dang, I'd learn soooo much!

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 13, 2007 - 10:33am PT

Okay dokey. Thanks for that. Gotta grab a pile of books off my shelf now...

scuffy b

climber

Bates Creek

Jun 13, 2007 - 11:01am PT

Riley, isn't your first bird a Rail? Virginia? Clapper?
About your accipiter...isn't it strange that you got your
Cornell genius to commit to anything, based only on that photo?

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 13, 2007 - 11:22am PT

Sibley is good no doubt. But I hate carrying it with me. It's big and I can't bear fouling it up.

The Kaufmann book is a good traveling book. It's small and lightweight. I have several that live around (in the car, in my room over looking field and bird feeders, etc.). It's inexpensive enough I don't mind replacing it when it gets lost (like in Snow Canyon a couple of years ago, doh) or ruined.

As far as the gulls - heck, even with guides I'm generally at a loss. I find it interesting that what most people find as the most common boring birds (e.g., gulls, sparrows) are the most challenging for birders.

THANKS Floyd for that birding url. I will be preparing my letter of resignation here at work since my firing for goofing off online is now imminent. :)

climber

East of Seattle

Jun 13, 2007 - 12:28pm PT

New Species discovered in China...

Gigantoraptor. Double overhead at the shoulders!

From Reuters...

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2007 - 01:39pm PT

Radical,

I need to be able to see the tail to make a positive ID on the mystery bird. It's nearly impossible to tell an adult female sharp-shinned hawk from and adult male cooper's hawk with out seeing the tail.

Kevin Calder

climber

Bishop

Jun 13, 2007 - 01:41pm PT

Here are a few better views of the Oriole in question.

Crimpie......Magpie is having a lil baby snack! It's just a "part" of a baby rabbit,from the one the raven has on the post.

Riley, I'm still a greenhorn with the ID stuff, but if I had to bet...I'd guess that's a Coopers Hawk?

Blinny...Yes, doing great here in Bishop, still at the Gallery. I'll visit out there someday. You guys will be at the Tamarack reunion in Mammoth right? Say hello to Mark for me!

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2007 - 01:56pm PT

The wren is a bewicks. The only wren I haven't seen...

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2007 - 02:03pm PT

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2007 - 02:06pm PT

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2007 - 02:11pm PT

Kevin Calder

climber

Bishop

Jun 13, 2007 - 02:36pm PT

Riley...Thanks for the correction. I've been calling those Bullocks for a while now. I'm a pretty novice IDer, and had told a friend that is really good that I'd seen an Altamira and he had said it was probably a Bullocks.I actually get a kick out of telling him I've seen birds that could't possibly be around here!
The Bewicks photo was taken above Round Valley in the Eastern Sierra as was the Oriole.

Quartzflight...Merlin in the net?
Beautiful yellow headed something or other?
Juvy raven?
Awesome photo....Prairie Falcons?
No idea...?

Kevin Calder

climber

Bishop

Jun 13, 2007 - 02:58pm PT

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2007 - 04:14pm PT

1)black chinned hummer(I'm pretty weak on my humming birds)

2)SNEG

3)AMKE

4)That's some sapsucker I don't know

5)GREG

6)GHOW chics

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2007 - 04:14pm PT

Kevin,

Good guesses, but wrong on all..

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 13, 2007 - 04:43pm PT

Quartzflight, I'll give it a shot:
Kestrel in the net?
Golden Crowned Kinglet
Ani (forgetting fully name right now)
Merlins (guessing here)
Black throated grey warbler?

edit: now that i *think* about it, my last guess is silly. doh!

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 13, 2007 - 05:29pm PT

Good job crimpa girl.

wrong on the last two.

Clues:

THe falcons are ultra rare in the US. Most of the birds were hacked by the pergrine fund in the SW.

The warbler's call is like a souped up black-throated blue warblers call.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 13, 2007 - 05:44pm PT

I saw a bunch of the Golden Crowned Kinglets at Hawk Mountain one year. Beautiful little birds. Let me go back to the drawing board on those last two.

**this has been such fun!

Edit: A Cerulean? I'm not even sure it's a warbler now. Sort of have a flycatcher head...

edit edit: I see Radical posted Cerulean at the same time!

Apocalypsenow

Trad climber

Cali

Jun 13, 2007 - 05:47pm PT

I have been studying Humming Birds...in my feeder. "Aggressive" little bastards they are!

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Hell on earth wondering what I did to deserve it

Jun 13, 2007 - 05:59pm PT

*this is the one that Quartzite posted above that was not working...

Kevin Calder

climber

Bishop

Jun 13, 2007 - 06:32pm PT

Aplomado Falcons....nice
Yep, Red Breasted Sapsucker.
What's in the net?

Blinny's..I'll email some reunion info I got from John and Leslie.

Floyd Hayes

Trad climber

Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Jun 13, 2007 - 07:23pm PT

Glad to know other climbers are into birds. I don't own fancy equipment but I often "digiscope" birds--mostly rarities for documentation--by holding up a digital camera to a telescope. Here's my birding webpage:

http://www.geocities.com/floyd_hayes/birding.html

And climbing webpage:

http://www.geocities.com/floyd_hayes/rockclimb.html

Radical, Brant are fairly common along California coast during winter. I often see large flocks at Bodega Bay. As I recall they're less common along Atlantic coast.

Here are my takes on the photos since I last looked: (1) King Rail?; (2) dunno; (3) male Black-chinned Hummingbird; (4) Cactus Wren; (5) Cooper's Hawk?; (6) prehistoric imagination; (7) definitely Hooded Oriole; (8) Bewick's Wren; (9) American Kestrel; (10) Golden-crowned Kinglet; (11) juvenile Smooth-billed Ani (living 12 years in South America helps!); (12) Aplomado Falcon (again, helps to have lived in South America); (13) Cerulean Warbler; (14) not showing; (15) male Costa's Hummingbird; (16) Snowy Egret; (17) American Kestrel; (18) Red-breasted Sapsucker; (19) Great Egret; (20) fledgling Great Horned Owl; (21) Great Egret; (22) Rock Wren; (23) Steller's Jay.

hossjulia

Trad climber

Eastside

Jun 13, 2007 - 07:34pm PT

I got to help out a fledgling Cassin's Finch the past coupe of days.

3 of them wound up on the ground, in danger of being trod on, so I put them all in a willow bush out of the way. Not 5 minutes, and 2 of them are gone and dad is feeding the remaining chick. Cute little buggers. Didn't know what they were till I saw the finch's feeding them. But that remaining chick didn't just fly off like his siblings. He spent all day yesterday pathetically calling , making his way up stream some. I spied on him, trying not to interfere, and saw him/her getting fed on occasion by an adult, and apparantly trying to feed himself by lunging at bugs.
But I could hear the flock of Cassins singing across the creek, so I moved him over there, where he was instantly attented to by a female bird. After she had fed him a bit, she brook into one of the Cassins trademark songs.
It was breaking my heart listening to him cheep endlessly. I usually try not to interfere, the parents will find them and take care of them on the ground.

Wish I had gotton pictures, he/she was about the cutest thing I've seen, and very trusting of being handled.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Jun 13, 2007 - 11:20pm PT

Oh Hoss, that's awesome! I've been lucky enough to help several birds over the years. Mostly blue jays. I raised a Mockingbird that was adorable once. She hung out with me for months before she decided to stay gone (broken heart on my end there). They are such amazing little critters.

john hansen

climber

Jun 13, 2007 - 11:37pm PT

this ones pretty easy

I would be willing to bet there is an eared grebe out ther somewhere.

And how about these guys..

healyje

Trad climber

Portland, Oregon

Jun 14, 2007 - 04:20am PT

My wife and I planted our backyard garden for Hummingbirds (which we know nothing about other than they're amazing and beautiful) and I've hung out in the past with some Cornell and International Crane Foundation ornithologists in a different context, but I've never been into the whole birding thing. Except now over the past three years I've done progressively more intensive and formal monitoring of Peregrines at our local crag and I must say I'm beginning to pick up on the idea of it.

Our crag and it's immediate surrounds are a complete riot of birds. There are Eagles, Ospreys, Hawks, Owls, Vultures, Ravens, Herons, Cormorants, Geese, lots of different Ducks, bunches of Woodpeckers, Hummingbirds, a seemingly endless variety of smaller birds of all colors, and of course Peregrines. There is usually a virtual sushi-train of Gulls going up and down the river due to the dams and the huge garbage dump at Arlington out in the desert. Between the drive out and monitoring it isn't unusual to see 20-30 Osprey and a half-dozen Eagles. Both fish in the slough right out in front of where I monitor.

The Osprey are almost like rats these days. Watching their recovery over twenty years of driving the Gorge for climbing and windsufing has been a gift. Now there's one of their nests on about every other barge navigation aid, cell tower, or freeway interchange light bank. In fact, a pair of Osprey have a nest in the trees behind my monitoring spot so I see their antics everytime I'm out. The other day one of our Peregrines that is so tiny - like barely bigger than a big Jay - I call him the 'Chickenhawk' entered the primary thermal out in front of the crag and spent a while harassing the sh#t out of one of the Osprey from the nest. It would respond by inverting, back-pedalling, and baring its talons at the little guy each time he took a pass at him. He did manage to eventually force the Osprey into bailing from the thermal.

All that action is augmented by dining Otters, enormous leaping Sturgeon, and of course our highly problematic troupe of huge Sea Lions who make the 125 mile trek up the Columbia River to the Bonneville dam to feast on the Salmon queued up at the fish ladder. Last year one of them actually figured out how to get up into the ladder and so visitors inside the dam at the fish ladder window were treated to the sight of the big guy snacking away for the crowd. That forced the Corps. to spend about a million bucks trying to figure out how to deal with them before he taught all the others how to do it. They were still at it the other day when I drove by, however.

And despite having been a commercial photog I don't really have the gear for this - I should have thought longer before dumping the teles and mirrors. Now I'll have to cogitate on it all after reading your great thread and seeing all your fantastic pics. Thanks...

Floyd Hayes

Trad climber

Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Jun 14, 2007 - 11:42am PT

Oh, I just looked again at the colorful one which I initially dismissed as some Asian thingy and now I recognize it: Lewis's Woodpecker. Irruptive indeed in CA.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Jun 14, 2007 - 12:02pm PT

Radical - agreed about Kingbird Highway. It is one of my favorite books. I've read it many times. I recommend it to all people, not just those interested in birding.

Kevin Calder

climber

Bishop

Jun 14, 2007 - 01:33pm PT

healyje

Trad climber

Portland, Oregon

Jun 14, 2007 - 03:16pm PT

Interesting... http://www.digiscoped.com/

Ouch!

climber

Jun 14, 2007 - 04:41pm PT

Wes Allen

Boulder climber

Jun 14, 2007 - 07:38pm PT

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/41 is a great source for bird (and other wildlife) photography.

Wes Allen

Boulder climber

Jun 14, 2007 - 07:43pm PT

Kevin Calder

climber

Bishop

Jun 14, 2007 - 10:19pm PT

Awesome photos Wes! I'll take a crack...
Bald Eagle(shackled)
Osprey
American White Pelicans
Osprey
don't know
again..don't know but love that shot!
Annas? (I'm as good with hummers as with ducks)
great Great Horned Owl shot!
Snowy Egret
Obviously a peacock...What kind?
beautiful parrot...What kind?
Thanks for that link, man those are fantastic bird photos on that site!

Healyje, Yeah..cool post and I try to plant for hummers too, but mostly, the hoards just funnel sugar water from 4 feeders till empty everyday! That digiscoping site is cool,I'd love one of those set ups!

Floyd, I enjoyed checking out your climbing and birding sites. Two great passions. Hey, have you ever heard of another prominent birder Jon Dunn? He's my neighbor and I just wondered if any of you expert birders (quarztflight,radical,etc.) have heard of him.

and John ,cool shot of the grebes ? on Mono with Morrison in the back,
and yeah...how bout those eagles?...nice!

Hossjulia..You did a good thing!

Ouch...nice eagle crash!

Come on ya'll...I even need help to Id my own bird photos, I am especially curious about #2(Bushtit maybe?) in my last post. Taken in th Inyo range east of Owens Valley

Looks like I need to check out this "Kinbird Highway"

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Jun 14, 2007 - 10:20pm PT

Kevin - the parrot you ask about is a Rainbow Lorikeet.

Edit: I'll give a try on your photos Kevin -

1.Hummingbird. I know, I am bad with these IDs!
2.California Quail
3.Blue-gray knatcatcher
4. Female American Goldfinch
5. Clearly that is a puffer fish in a tree. haha
6. Great Blue Heron
7. Another dreaded hummingbird
8. Red winged black bird
9. Black crowned night heron

As far as Wes' photos. Is that duck a female American Wigeon? And I think the flock flying are Common Mergansers. The peacock is just a regular ol' beautiful female Peahen.

healyje

Trad climber

Portland, Oregon

Jun 15, 2007 - 12:14am PT

Now I would have guessed a lot of things about Crimpie after our brief meeting, but -

"Is that duck a female American Wigeon?"

wouldn't have been one of them - go figure...

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Jun 15, 2007 - 08:55am PT

Haha! :)

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 15, 2007 - 01:54pm PT

Hey all,

I have to say I was caught off guard by all the positve responses to the bird thread. Sometimes it's dishearting how some climbers view the natural world. Not to mention society as a whole. Thanks for the good vibes..

Ouch!

climber

Jun 15, 2007 - 02:19pm PT

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Jun 15, 2007 - 02:30pm PT

Quartzite - too bad you aren't going to sushifest. It was clear there that there are many bird lovers among us. I always take my binoculars and guide with me. There may still be time for you to join us!

I found a photo on my hard drive here. It's an easy one, but still...

Here are some of my favorite birds. I know these are repeated, but they are as cute as Ouch's chicken above.

That is Stalker (rip) up front and Cappy the duck that thinks he's a goose in the back.

Chickens need love too:

And look at what this nutty bird was doing. He swam around repeatedly doing this:

Tahoe climber

Trad climber

a dark-green forester out west

Jun 15, 2007 - 06:45pm PT

I was just in Idyllwild for the last 5 days, and was pleasantly surprised to see TONS of birds at this remote campsite that I stayed at.

I'm not a birder, and I don't have pics (which makes me dumbass on this thread!) but I did see three bird species that stood out: some cute little hooded finches of some sort begging for food and tons of what I'd call purple martins swooping around and dining on black flies (thank goodness!)
The third, and my favorite, was a couple of really nice looking red-tailed hawks shopping for squirrels and mice.

I also saw a white-tailed deer right in camp, and a grey fox!

Cool weekend, even without the epic climbing!

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Jun 16, 2007 - 01:30am PT

It is fun to just start noticing how many types of birds there are around us everyday. Before I started birding I was simply blind to them. So many sparkling gems twinkling all around.

quartziteflight

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 18, 2007 - 10:01am PT

That's true. Birds are amazing they seem to brighten up daily life. There were a couple pine siskins twittering at me this morning. Or at least I though they were twittering at me...

Crimpie,

There is now way I can make it to sushi fest, but I'm going to be at the vedauvoo bunguloo. If you're coming bring your bino's I've heard rumor of a couple nest pairs of nothern goshawks around the voo.

cheers

mcKbill

climber

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Aug 14, 2007 - 12:35am PT

We've been blessed with many humming bird visitors this summer. I'm impressed with how bold they are towards each other not to mention humans.

When I sit on the porch to watch them some fly within arm's reach. This one tollerated me getting closer and closer to the feeder until I could get the shot.

mcKbill

climber

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Sep 4, 2007 - 09:36pm PT

Really enjoying the humming bird show this year.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Sep 4, 2007 - 09:56pm PT

Great photos of those pretty little Ruby-throated hummers!

Sparky

Trad climber

vagabon movin on

Sep 4, 2007 - 10:13pm PT

Real purdy birdy.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Sep 4, 2007 - 10:25pm PT

Wood Storks? I likely. :)

Wes Allen

Boulder climber

Sep 4, 2007 - 11:44pm PT

Nice to see this thread get bumped back up! A couple from the last few days...

nita

climber

chico ca

Sep 4, 2007 - 11:46pm PT

http://besgroup.talfrynature.com/?p=1678

The archives on the site are pretty interesting.

Edit: Wes, Love your pics!

mcKbill

climber

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Oct 2, 2007 - 04:29pm PT

Chip collector

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City, SD

Oct 2, 2007 - 07:49pm PT

rufous-morph red tailed hawk

nita

climber

chico ca

Oct 15, 2007 - 09:07pm PT

western bluebird admiring him/herself. (Andy's work truck). Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Oct 15, 2007 - 09:11pm PT

More awesome photos. I hadn't seen the chip collector before. That is absolutely a riot.

nita

climber

chico ca

Oct 16, 2007 - 12:05am PT

No doubt.

nita

climber

chico ca

Oct 16, 2007 - 02:00pm PT

Crimpy, This is the story that goes with the -chip collector.
....

A seagull in Scotland has developed the habit of stealing chips from a neighborhood shop.

The seagull waits until the shopkeeper isn't looking, and then walks into the store and grabs a snack-size bag of cheese Doritos.

Once outside, the bag gets ripped open and shared by other birds.

The seagull's shoplifting started early this month when he first swooped into the store in Aberdeen , Scotland , and helped himself to a bag of chips. Since then, he's become a regular. He always takes the same type of chips.

Customers have begun paying for the seagull's stolen bags of chips because they think it's so funny.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Oct 16, 2007 - 04:03pm PT

I totally adore that gull video!

And true about the bluebird - I can almost hear him saying "I'm gonna kick your ass!!!"

edit: Hey - I said ass.

climber

A chartreuse glider in an azure blue sky...

Oct 16, 2007 - 04:12pm PT

Crimpie,

You're being corrupted! Run awayyyyyyyy!

nita

climber

chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy

Dec 18, 2007 - 03:13pm PT

In case you miss this story, it's well worth a view.
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3624186n

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Dec 19, 2007 - 06:05am PT

I am glad this thread resurfaced. I have some mystery shots. The first one is easy.
This one is a little harder.
The next two are hard as babies are always difficult. By the way these kids grew up to be big birds.

scuffy b

climber

Stump with a backrest

Dec 19, 2007 - 11:12am PT

"this one is a little harder" hahaha.
Because key details are unseen?
Well, that one and the young'uns are all
photographed at the same nest.

TradIsGood

Recently unshackled climber

the Gunks end of the country

Dec 19, 2007 - 11:33am PT

2nd - Cooper's?

Based on position of eyes in heads.

TradIsGood

Recently unshackled climber

the Gunks end of the country

Dec 19, 2007 - 11:38am PT

Riley,
Grossbeak, cowbird, scarlet tanager?

scuffy b

climber

Stump with a backrest

Dec 19, 2007 - 12:30pm PT

TIG,
Are you saying you use eye position to differentiate between
Cooper's and Sharp-Shinned?

TradIsGood

Recently unshackled climber

the Gunks end of the country

Dec 19, 2007 - 12:43pm PT

I hit this link

somehow looking for whether the red eyes in adult Cooper's was distinctive from Sharp-Shinned. Wish I could recognize the leaves to get size info. But the flatness of the head and hint of a crest, plus an uninformed guess on the leaf size...

led me to Cooper's.

But basically, to my untrained eye, size seems to be the most distinctive.

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Dec 20, 2007 - 06:30am PT

Damn Riley those birds you posted are cool. I am going to research them today.

The raptors I posted are:

1-Eastern Red Shoulder. I took it in late March in a swamp in suburban Reston, VA. I There are remains of a frog at her feet so I had time to get a picture while she ate.

2, 3, 4, -The accipitor is a Coopers Hawk that built a nest behind our house. She is the mother of the babies next under. Scruffy caught it that it's the same foliage. The identification clues are hidden. You can't tell from the photo but, she is much bigger than a Sharpie. Her mate was tiny and I couldn't tell him from a sharp shin. At this point only she was tending the nest. However, he'd bring food to this transfer tree and she'd bring it in to the nestlings. My wife Laura and I watched this family every day for a couple months last year. The nest was hidden pretty well and people walking by had no idea what we were looking at. I used a Nikon 4500 through a telescope.

Geno

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Dec 20, 2007 - 06:50am PT

Riley,

My best guesses on your birds are:

1. Ladderback woodpecker
2. Hooded Oriole
3. Brown Jay
4. Male scarlet Tanager

I am pretty sure you are going to school us on these though. Tell us where and when you took these photos. Great ones.

Geno

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 20, 2007 - 12:59pm PT

Alrighty, I'll chime in on a few of these. The woodpecker is a Red-cockaded. Note the clean white outer rectrices. The oriole looks like a straightforward adult male Baltimore to me, but there's not much to go on. Any oriole having that much blue-gray in the upper mandible is pretty classic Baltimore/Bullock's, and between that and the very orange underparts, I think we can discount Black-vented and Black-cowled (the latter of which I don't believe has reached the U.S.). I think I'm also seeing a little white lower wingbar, maybe some white below that (which would be the white edging to the primaries) and maybe some orange tail feathers. Just looks like a classic male Baltimore unless you can convince me otherwise. Another thing to note with Geno's nesting accipiter is head shape - flat-topped is good for Cooper's. Here's a few shots I took in my yard this summer, playing with exposures and natural light. Not an ID quiz (which if you're interested, this one's often good (http://www.americanbirding.org/photoquiz/);, just some fun shots:

adam d

climber

Dec 20, 2007 - 01:58pm PT

like the hummer shot, here's another. The neutrino of the bird world!

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Dec 21, 2007 - 07:30am PT

Willoughby-Excellent exposures on those hummers. You froze the motion like a Winslow Homer painting of a jumping trout!

Adam. Beautiful. Calliope, right? You guys out West are lucky to have so many wonderful humming birds.

Riley, Please confirm that woodpecker and tell us about the mystery oriole. I gotta agree with Willoughby it looks like a Baltimore to me now.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Dec 21, 2007 - 08:50am PT

I'm back in internet range and can see threads again. What a great thread to come back to! Great photos. Beautiful birds.

Euroford

Trad climber

chicago

Dec 21, 2007 - 09:48am PT

WOW, those hummer shots are amazing!

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Dec 21, 2007 - 10:02am PT

Crimper,
Glad you popped in again on this. You got Laura and I inpired to look at birds in the first place a couple years ago. Thanks! We are still novices but we see so much now. Wish you were still out here.

Last Saturday we were on a boat cruise on the Potomac with folks from my office. Laura had the binos in her pocket. As we cruised by Old Town Alexandria, Laura scoped out a Great Horned Owl roosting on the top of an office building. It was great. I love seeing birds in unlikely places. Like you said earlier: "these little gems are all around us!"

Here are more examples of that.

Red shoulder after eating some creature on a roof in our neighborhood this morning.
Even common birds are cool.
This big Barred owl was at the beggining of a driveway in New Paltz last Christmas. All we could get was this snap shot, but it's a great memory.
In Feb 06 a Snowy Owl was hanging around Dulles Airport. We went there 5 times and saw it only once at a distance. But this guy caught it sitting on the ail of this plane. Great photo I think. The bird was obviously unfazed by all the air traffic.

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City, SD

Dec 23, 2007 - 10:48am PT

nita

climber

chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy

Dec 23, 2007 - 12:57pm PT

Nita's husband, Andy here,

I can't resist a bird thread.

Looks like some Lower Rio Grande specialties. In no particular order;
red cockaded woody, Brown Jay, Altimira oriole, scarlet tanager.

I just did the Chico Audubon Christmas Bird Count. 118 species total for the group. Some personal highlights; 19 Hooded mergansers, Prarie and peregrine falcons, rufous crowned sparrow and lots of wood ducks.

Next Saturday is Oroville's CBC

good birding all, Andy

Brock

Trad climber

RENO, NV

Dec 23, 2007 - 01:08pm PT

One of the prettiest birds in the Sierras is the Western Tananger...Rarely see them any more.

Climbing up in Tahoe I had a black-capped Chickadee follow me around and landed on my arm & head several times...Cute & friendly liitle bird.

Like the speed & acrobatics of the peregrine falcon while climbing the Captain. Several times I thought they were rocks whizzing past me.

Can somebody post some pics of these birds please.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 23, 2007 - 01:13pm PT

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Dec 23, 2007 - 01:57pm PT

Geno:

So happy to see how birds have become part your your life. They are beautiful aren't they!?!? Speaking of, I'm heading to Costa Rica in a week. 850 species of birds to be had there. I am hoping for a Resplendent Quetzal and other amazing birds. Bob - are those photos from CR?

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 23, 2007 - 02:09pm PT

Crimp...some are from Ecuador.

I saw Resplendent Quetzal in Nicaragua...one of the few times I didn't have my camera. You need some beta on CR...give me a call.

Geno...miss you guys...have a good holiday season.

My son and I spend a few days birding in Mindo, Ecuador...walking up along the Rio Mindo this deer was fighting for his/her life...I snap a few quick shots and thought the thing was going to drown..he somehow made it to the bank, shook himself off and headed back into the woods.

Crimp...bag CR and go to Ecuador for birding over 1500 different beauties to be had there.

r

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 23, 2007 - 06:20pm PT

Radical - look closely at the extent of black on that bird; it's a complete hood. Crimson-collared Grosbeak has a crimson collar (in the ad. male), which would be vis. in this shot. Females, and juvs have even less black, and they're greener also. Plus, no age/sex combo should be this orange. Regarding your quest for all the woodpeckers, have you seen the Ivory-billed? Yeah, me neither.

Brock - no Black-capped Chickadees in Tahoe; they're Mountain Chickadees. I'll dig for some photos of those three species you mentioned.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 23, 2007 - 06:35pm PT

Caught this pair in the San Luis Valley.

Riley...not a c*#k of the rock. I think of the name when I check my notes.

Sun Grebe is right.

Riley...Whooping Cranes???

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Dec 23, 2007 - 07:46pm PT

Bob: Ecuador looks awesome. Dave has been already so we opted to head somewhere he hasn't been. Not a small task. I think we have our itinerary hammered out for CR. Starting NW (Samara) and heading south along the coast to Corcovado, then to Chirripo, and finally to San Jose to fly back to the real world. Less than 12 hours after arriving home I teach the first class of the Spring semester. Hee hee!

My camera took a digger (three inches onto the dining room tables????) a few days ago and is now en route to the Canon hospital. So photo duty is all Dave's. Actually that is a good thing given I can't take a focused photo to save my life!

Any MUST DO'S along that trail Bob? I so can't wait. :)

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 23, 2007 - 07:53pm PT

Crimp...Samara is beautiful little beach town... rent a horse and go look for monkeys...Corcovado is one of the best National Parks in the world...so enjoy. Manuel Antonio is close to San Jose and lot's of wildlife..Ricon de Viejo near Liberia is great for hiking and wildlife. Climb up the volcano and you can see both coasts on a clear day.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Dec 23, 2007 - 07:59pm PT

Dave is a birder too! He even used to have one as a pet. I already have in hand the Stiles and Skutch (17$ new!! from Amazon) bird guide. Cool birds in there.

Bob - I'd heard that Rincon de Viejos was a great place. We also heard that Monteverde is worth a visit so we'll head that direction post-Samara. I'm psyched that we got such a nice place in Samara given it is "Gold" week (i.e., Christmas or Easter).

In Monteverde, there is a place to stay that has views of the erupting Volcano Arenal. Cool. Doubt we'll stay there, but what a cool view from a room.

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City, SD

Dec 23, 2007 - 09:20pm PT

Theres a really nice white crowned sparrow earlier, and I know I posted this recently on another thread but it should be here...

nita

climber

chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy

Dec 23, 2007 - 10:49pm PT

Andy again, Enjoying the bird thread. Went out today after posting this morning. Got these shots of Sandhill Cranes just south of Chico. They're poorly focused but that never stopped me. Amazing variety today including Eurasian Widgeons, Tundra Swans, Bald Eagles and Rough Legged Hawk among 70 - 80 more.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

St. Looney

Dec 23, 2007 - 10:59pm PT

Awesome Andy! I see fields of these cranes in the South-of-Houston area when I visit during the Holidays. Hopefully I'll get an eyeful of them this next week.

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City, SD

Dec 23, 2007 - 11:19pm PT

The Gray Jay may have been posted earlier.. Sorry.. The immature owl.. Near Bradock ND.

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Dec 24, 2007 - 06:53am PT

Bob, Wow. Great shots. What does that Golden Eagle have in it's talons? Those things are amazing. A buddy sent me a picture of one tangling with a fox. Laura said she talked with you yesterday. Hope you, Laurel and the kids (relative to us) have a great Xmas. Looking forward to when we see you again. We may get out to Boulder this Spring. Otherwise it'll be at the Gathering.

Crimp, Yeah I am always looking now. It goes well with climbing. Hope you guys see some good ones in CR.

Riley, I think you posted a scarlet tanager at a feeder? Also Curved Bill Thrasher and Bob White Quail? If you come East, come during Spring migration. Birding in the New River Gorge, Blue Ridge or in Shawangunks is awesome then. We have some good places in Northern VA, too. I believe I have heard a Swainson’s Warbler at Great Falls Park. There’s a couple other good spots nearby (Montecello Park, Alexandria, VA).

Here’s some shots from Great Falls Park:
Some buntings near Skytop:

scuffy b

climber

Stump with a backrest

Dec 24, 2007 - 11:54am PT

Speaking of Swainson's...
There are Swainson's Thrushes nesting in and near my yard,
apparently.
We hear them, and can tweak them by whistling their single note
that they sing in addition to their full song (or Especially by
playing their song on the Audubon CD) but I've never seen one
(knowingly) over four nesting seasons now.
I've tried to spot Hermit Thrushes that are singing, but no luck.
Last month I had my first sighting of a Hermit Thrush (silent) up
in the Trinity Alps foothills.

Wes Allen

Boulder climber

Dec 24, 2007 - 08:32pm PT

Some fun flying things to ID, if you are a bit bored...

nita

climber

chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy

Dec 24, 2007 - 10:17pm PT

Wes, That last picture is Frikking amazing!!!! The two ducks swimming- also great! Were those pictures taken at a Zoo?

cool,a bat thumb.

Wes Allen

Boulder climber

Dec 25, 2007 - 09:46pm PT

Yep, they were at the wild kingdom thing at disney. So, some are not from here. Here are a couple more, some from a wildlife rehab park, some non-captive...

ghand

Sport climber

Golden,Colorado

Dec 26, 2007 - 01:55am PT

The Kiwi.
OK, so this one is stuffed:
but I did see two live on a trip I just took to New Zealand.
You just cannot take a picture because there are no lights
and you cannot use a flash.
A beautiful, wierd bird to see.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 29, 2007 - 03:22pm PT

A few more.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 30, 2007 - 05:00pm PT

Trying to keep this tread going. This little guy about to take off.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Dec 30, 2007 - 05:04pm PT

hey there bob... say, can you find a picutre of a CHACHALACA... and put it up----these birds usually are only seen in south texas, and perhaps that near part of mexico...

it has a great noise, making a real "clatter" in the morning... and looks very impressive to see in a tree, if you happen to get lucky and spot it...

one thing great about being in the great outdoors--is spotting birds... (actually these chachalacas can even be seen in town, as the south texas towns are pretty much rural.. but sadly, their birdy-homes may go, too, someday)..

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 30, 2007 - 05:07pm PT

Neebee...these are all of my own shots. Don't have what your asking for.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Dec 30, 2007 - 11:41pm PT

Here's an ID challenge. No fair poking around my Photobucket album before guessing. He's a local celebrity at Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Dec 31, 2007 - 04:56am PT

hey there bob...say, thanks anyways.. say, sure love those birds here, even so... :)

sween345

climber

back east

Dec 31, 2007 - 08:37am PT

nee,

Your cha cha can be found here [url] http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Plain_Chachalaca_dtl.html#sound [url/] along with the pictures there is recordings of the racket that fella makes. Doesn't say if he can do the dance though.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 1, 2008 - 04:03pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 1, 2008 - 04:12pm PT

Tony,
I guess that's too easy for those who already know (any WFO member has seen that bird on the back cover of Western Birds), but allow me to at least drop the hint that it's a hybrid.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jan 1, 2008 - 06:18pm PT

Good work Radical. It is a Hooded Merganser x Barrow's Goldeneye hybrid. I just went to view it again the other day, since I had heard it was back. It has been showing up since 2004. If I hadn't known about it ahead of time, I would have also assumed it was some Asian vagrant. It was odd watching him chowing down on mussels with his merganser-like bill.

Willoughby, I suspected some pros out there already knew about this guy.

Here are photos of the parental species:

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City, SD

Jan 18, 2008 - 10:27pm PT

Got to baby-sit some peregrins that were being raised on a high-rise building- many years ago.

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City, SD

Jan 18, 2008 - 10:40pm PT

In winter of 2000- 14 miles E of Hazelton ND

john hansen

climber

Jan 18, 2008 - 10:50pm PT

The elusive Snowy Owl.. nice shots.

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City, SD

Jan 18, 2008 - 10:54pm PT

Here's a better one of that old timer.

Todd Gordon

Trad climber

Joshua Tree, Cal

Jan 18, 2008 - 11:23pm PT

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 19, 2008 - 04:01pm PT

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City, SD

Jan 21, 2008 - 12:46am PT

swill

Social climber

Colorado

Jan 21, 2008 - 01:51am PT

Man eating Osprey giving me fair warning

His foul breathed opportunivore friends the Turkey Vultures two doors down

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 24, 2008 - 01:30am PT

Been stalking this guy all winter...getting close to the shot I want.

Mighty Hiker

Social climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jan 24, 2008 - 01:56am PT

Title: "Raven at Curry Village"
(Ravens are one of my favourite birds.)

Mighty Hiker

Social climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jan 24, 2008 - 01:58am PT

This one just likes to watch, and dream wicked dreams:

Mighty Hiker

Social climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jan 25, 2008 - 12:46am PT

This one would probably eat Loki, if it got the chance.
Note that it's a Canadian raven - probably wearing skates.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 3, 2008 - 11:18pm PT

Owl in the San Luis Valley.

Wild Turkey on Shelf Road.Cactus Cliff in the background.

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Feb 4, 2008 - 12:35am PT

Raven in Yosemite

Jaybro

Social climber

The West

Feb 4, 2008 - 12:38am PT

Just a straw pole, What's the farthest north any Tacoan or affliate has seen a Ca Condor in the wild?

axlgrease

Mountain climber

Santa Cruz, CA

Feb 4, 2008 - 05:54am PT

Not too far north, but at the Pinnacles a couple of years ago we were climbing on the high peaks. I topped out to look up and see two _gigantic_ birds with wing tags soaring about 40-50 ft overhead. There was no mistaking they were condors. Hiking out that eve we saw 14 of them roosting in a snag right next to the trail. Too bad I forgot my camera...

Really cool, since I grew up down in the S. San Joaquin valley and heard my grandmother and dad talk about them. They captured all the remaining wild ones in 1987 when I was in college. I never got to see one down there.

I read some of the Pinnacles population have been ranging as far north as Livermore.

scuffy b

climber

Stump with a backrest

Feb 4, 2008 - 02:35pm PT

Pinnacles. Spring 04, 5 juveniles.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 16, 2008 - 11:09am PT

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Mar 9, 2008 - 07:29pm PT

So it doesn't belong in the same thread as fine photographs of fine birds, but just
to bring those back ...

I've been writing all day, alone in the house, my neck hurts and I'm tired of this
but I can't stop yet. Downstairs, Jack starts barking like crazy so I look out
the window to see four wild turkeys sashay down our road. That was worth grabbing
the pocket camera and running out for a quick, fuzzy photo as the turkeys looked
at me and decided maybe they'd better move into the woods.

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Mar 9, 2008 - 07:47pm PT

MH, Bobby, Ghost, Chloe,

Great birds. Nice shots all. I enjoy the settings too. Lot of diversity. Birds are such fantastic creatures. Great you guys are taking pics of them.

Gary

climber

Desolation Basin, Calif.

Mar 9, 2008 - 09:54pm PT

Some very nice photos here. No pic, but Friday afternoon we saw four red-whiskered bulbuls in the backyard. Nice looking crested birds with a very sweet song.

Crimpergirl

Social climber

So on my way outta St. Looney!!!

Mar 9, 2008 - 10:50pm PT

Gary! So lucky! I drove around once for two days in Florida with the express purpose of seeing some red whiskered bulbuls. I never saw them. :(

That's Papajoto to you son!!!!!

Social climber

Oatmeal Arizona

Mar 9, 2008 - 11:07pm PT

I thought I was the only Geek birder under 68 in the western United States!!!!!!!

PJ

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 9, 2008 - 11:24pm PT

I am going to Panama with my wife in a month to go birding and look for some land to buy. Pipeline Rd near the canal is world famous...close to 500 different birds were recorded in a 24 hour period.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Mar 9, 2008 - 11:27pm PT

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Apr 10, 2008 - 11:50am PT

Spring seems a good time for birdwatching, and even fuzzy photos.

This is either a "magnificent frigatebird" or a pterodactyl, I'm not sure which.

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Apr 10, 2008 - 11:53am PT

Brown boobies, once rare but now doing better.

climber

If only I could remember....

Apr 10, 2008 - 02:41pm PT

Nice boobies Chiloe!

(Sorry, couldn't resist!)

tolman_paul

Trad climber

Anchorage, AK

Apr 10, 2008 - 03:09pm PT

Black capped chickaee. I was mowing the lawn and found this poor fellow that had gotten into some long wet grass and wasn't looking too good. After getting in the sun and warming up a bit he seemed ok and flew off.

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Apr 10, 2008 - 04:33pm PT

tolman -- Somehow the huge size works well for that big-hearted picture.

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Apr 10, 2008 - 04:36pm PT

L -- heheheheheheheheheheheh she said "boobies"!

Todd Gordon

Trad climber

Joshua Tree, Cal

May 6, 2008 - 09:52am PT

Crimpergirl

Social climber

On my way to Boulder

May 6, 2008 - 11:50am PT

True - nice boobies! And a pretty California Quail (right?) too!

climber

The salty ocean blue and deep

May 6, 2008 - 12:23pm PT

Chiloe,

More boobies please. :-)

Those guys are so cute!

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

May 6, 2008 - 02:20pm PT

Do Not Disturb the Boobies.

Mtnmun

Trad climber

Top of the Mountain Mun

May 6, 2008 - 02:38pm PT

A Grouse on the UPP Moab.

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

May 6, 2008 - 07:10pm PT

More boobies please. :-)

How about a booby bird story? There's a climb on the Brac, a good one, that once was named
Booby Eggs for Breakfast. That alludes to the fact that booby bird eggs were
a traditional staple of islanders' diets. Well the birds got more scarce and a bird-lover
got wind of this route name, and objected -- so out of respect it's now simply called
Bird Eggs for Breakfast.

A lifelong islander reported that in olden days, what they'd do is take just one egg from
each nest. Boobies generally lay two eggs, but unless food is plentiful,
the parents will only feed the largest chick -- their strategy has a built-in redundancy.
The islanders' custom of taking just one egg thus seemed to fit with the birds' natural
adaptation, and so both coexisted for centuries. More recently, tradition must
have broken down because the birds declined steeply, until the islanders protected them
legally. I am happy to report from my own observations that with this protection the
booby population appears to be thriving, with fat chicks in abundance. They favor
nesting areas with grand views over the sea.

divad

Trad climber

wmass

May 6, 2008 - 07:14pm PT

Photo credit: JMalik

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

May 6, 2008 - 07:23pm PT

Falcon with glue-in bolt at Rumney -- nice catch, what's the route?

divad

Trad climber

wmass

May 6, 2008 - 07:42pm PT

Don't know the route. The picture was taken from about 175 yds away. It was a closed area, perhaps Yellowknife or Prudential.

climber

The salty ocean blue and deep

May 7, 2008 - 12:55am PT

Great Boobie photo, Chiloe. Got to be one of the cutest chicks in the bird kingdom...right up there with baby penguins.

Nice little story too...see what that 600 page monkey-on-your-back is doing? It's forcing you to write about anything and everything else just to get away from it! LOL!

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

May 7, 2008 - 08:19am PT

Too right, L.

goatboy smellz

climber

colorado

Jun 14, 2008 - 09:46pm PT

Hawks high up over Eldorado.

john hansen

climber

Jun 14, 2008 - 11:36pm PT

A couple I took in May. Got a new 70 / 300 mil lens ,, so i am still learning. Main thing I am learning is ,,taking bird pictures is hard. Those little guys dont like to stand still!

A Rock Wren at Hetch Hetchy

And a Violet Green Swallow on a tufa at Mono Lake.

Jaybro

Social climber

wuz real!

Jun 16, 2008 - 12:13pm PT

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 16, 2008 - 12:34pm PT

Near Boquete, Panama

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 16, 2008 - 01:38pm PT

A Kissadee Bob? Very pretty!

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 16, 2008 - 01:58pm PT

Crimp...yes it is.

How is Boulder treating you??

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 24, 2008 - 01:06pm PT

A couple of shots from Ecuador.

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Aug 24, 2008 - 02:11pm PT

A backyard friend
Fuji S5 Nikon 180mm f2.8 ED MF

Another member of the backyard wildlife

At Tioga Lake, Steller's Jay juvenile (?)

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 24, 2008 - 05:03pm PT

Nice shots Ed...how you liking your new camera setup?

Captain...or Skully

Big Wall climber

up Yonder (someplace else)

Aug 24, 2008 - 06:46pm PT

Across my street, in my neighbors yard....The Hunter!!

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Aug 24, 2008 - 07:14pm PT

I'm still learning, but Karl was right about shooting, with a digital I generally shoot about 100 images whenever I start, I'd be a lot more deliberate with film.

I also find I'm shooting a lot of manual mode, or aperture priority.

And I'm not using all the various exposure metering options. It'll take a year or so to have it dialed.

The camera seems ok at this point, I'm the limit, not it...

Crimpergirl

Social climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 24, 2008 - 07:16pm PT

Bob - Boulder is awesome! Love all the hummingbirds here. :)

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City, SD

Aug 24, 2008 - 09:38pm PT

Captain, All right! I'm calling it - immature light intermediate morph Swainson's Hawk.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 24, 2008 - 11:17pm PT

Radical....cranes??

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Aug 24, 2008 - 11:33pm PT

hey Capt. where you be? West Coast or Southwest?

Debbie thinks
Rough Legged Hawk...

Captain...or Skully

Big Wall climber

up Yonder (someplace else)

Aug 24, 2008 - 11:53pm PT

Boise....

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Aug 24, 2008 - 11:58pm PT

Ferruginous Hawk
could be Swainson's...

if recent, the Rough-legged's are all up in the arctic (apparently...)

Captain...or Skully

Big Wall climber

up Yonder (someplace else)

Aug 25, 2008 - 12:12am PT

I thought he was a rough legged hawk.......young one, too.
I got to within 5 feet away...

scuffy b

climber

Elmertown

Aug 25, 2008 - 02:00pm PT

juvenile red-shoulder

scuffy b

climber

Elmertown

Aug 25, 2008 - 03:05pm PT

Kath, that is just too much.

Isn't anybody going to tell me I'm full of Bull on that Hawk ID?

scuffy b

climber

Elmertown

Aug 25, 2008 - 04:41pm PT

Radical

Do you have White-Faced Ibis in that shot?

john hansen

climber

Aug 25, 2008 - 10:41pm PT

Ok,, I've heard of a 'flock' of seagulls, and a' covey' of quail, and a 'gaggle ' of geese,,

I think I have even heard of a 'murder' of crow's or something..

But a 'kettle ' of kites?

Some how ,,it sounds right..

scuffy b

climber

Elmertown

Aug 26, 2008 - 11:31am PT

John, kettle is commonly used to describe flocks of soaring
birds that use thermals to migrate. It's not species-specific
like "gaggle of geese."

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 4, 2008 - 01:16am PT

john hansen

climber

Sep 4, 2008 - 01:21am PT

nice Avocet Bob.

MisterE

Social climber

My Inner Nut

Sep 4, 2008 - 01:23am PT

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Sep 4, 2008 - 05:50am PT

Riley,

Great sighting of those kites. There have been reports of them near our house in Virginia. I have been on the look out for them. Take care. Geno

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 4, 2008 - 09:53am PT

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 5, 2008 - 01:00am PT

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 6, 2008 - 12:46pm PT

Delhi Dog

Trad climber

Good Question...

Sep 6, 2008 - 02:27pm PT

Weaver Bird nests.
Baharatpur, India

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Sep 9, 2008 - 08:35am PT

We have decals on our front door but this little Common Yellow Throat hit it anyway. Thankfully he recovered and flew off.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 15, 2008 - 11:34am PT

trying to keep this thread alive...this morning on way to get coffee.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 26, 2008 - 06:20pm PT

Saw this little guy on my way to climb in the flatirons today.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 11, 2008 - 01:12am PT

Near Progresso, Mexico

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Nov 11, 2008 - 09:25am PT

Got no photos to add from out here. Now's the season you see big V's of geese flying south.
And watch out for turkeys in the woods.

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Nov 11, 2008 - 10:40am PT

Golden Eagle over Sunol Regional Park...

guido

Trad climber

Santa Cruz

Nov 11, 2008 - 12:30pm PT

Sometimes identification is just too easy-there are some advantages to sailing, you can carry your Ornithology library with you.

Geno

Trad climber

Reston, VA

Nov 11, 2008 - 02:18pm PT

Excellent humor Guido!

Bobby D glad you are still taking bird pics. I wish we had a photo of those falcons buzz bombing the vultures at the Trapps during the Gunks Reunion.

This is one of my favorite threads. Keep taking photos everyone.

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Nov 11, 2008 - 03:50pm PT

Okay, here's a ID problem for all you bird freaks:

What is this?

bwancy1

Trad climber

Here

Nov 11, 2008 - 05:21pm PT

I think this is a Myna Bird...

Post Google edit - yep, Myna Bird!

sandstone conglomerate

climber

sharon conglomerate central

Nov 11, 2008 - 06:10pm PT

bob, nice pic of an immature redtail.

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Nov 11, 2008 - 06:13pm PT

I think this is a Myna Bird

Damn! I had no idea, but a google check confirms it. I took the picture last week in a park in downtown Kuala Lumpur. There were hundreds of them running around on the lawns there.

D

Jaybro

Social climber

wuz real!

Nov 11, 2008 - 06:16pm PT

How about this one?

Crimpie must recuse, I'm curious how wide you birder's knowledge is.

bwancy1

Trad climber

Here

Nov 11, 2008 - 06:54pm PT

Muscovy Duck.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 11, 2008 - 07:55pm PT

Too easy. Alrighty, what's this? (Hint: My proudest birding "send," it was a first for California)

If you guys like bird quizzes, try the ABA's monthly quiz, here; there's prizes!!

Jaybro

Social climber

wuz real!

Nov 11, 2008 - 07:58pm PT

I guess Muscoveys are mainstream, look unusual to me, but I was a geologist.

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 11, 2008 - 09:27pm PT

Nice Golden eagle shot.

bwancy1

Trad climber

Here

Nov 11, 2008 - 11:21pm PT

Willoughby,
looks like you have an Olive Tree Pipit there?...rare indeed!

EDIT-in fact, so rare I am now wondering if it is an American Pipit??

bwancy1

Trad climber

Here

Nov 11, 2008 - 11:44pm PT

bwancy1

Trad climber

Here

Nov 11, 2008 - 11:55pm PT

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 12, 2008 - 02:13am PT

A few more from the yucatan...

Great thread...what a beautiful world we live in and how these creatures add to our lives.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 12, 2008 - 04:48am PT

Bwancy nails it, though the AOU currently calls it Olive-backed Pipit. Anthus hodgsoni by any other name, and California's first and only (so far). One record for Nevada, one for Baja, plenty for Alaska, but mostly it belongs on the other side of the Pacific. Consequently, you won't find it in most North American field guides. We caught this bird on Southeast Farallon Island (~27 miles out of Golden Gate), and I'm quite proud to say I identified it correctly before we herded it into a mistnet. Ten points for Bwancy!

bob d'antonio

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 16, 2008 - 01:35am PT

Somewhere in the Yucatan...

scuffy b

climber

On the dock in the dark

Nov 17, 2008 - 11:02am PT

First, I apologize for the lack of photo.

Yesterday, as I was sitting , reading, a small bird flew
through the sliding door into my living room. After bouncing
off a wall or window or two, it landed on the floor behind a
table, at the base of a wall.
Pussycat immediately went to pay her respects. Fortunately,
she's not such a mighty hunter, and as long as the bird didn't
move they were just staring each other down.
The bird evaded my grasp and took another tour of the room,
landing on a book in the bookshelf--face level, about 2 feet
from the Sibley guide.
So--nice curved beak...hey, it's a Creeper!!
so there I am, like the guy on Guido's boat, but closer to the
subject. I get to check the little cutie from a 6" distance,
with guide in hand.
After a while, I moved the Creeper outside and nudged it onto
a limb of our plum tree, whereupon it hopped over and perched
on my finger for a couple more minutes, then flew off into a
Filbert bush.

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Nov 24, 2008 - 12:51am PT

Scuffy was worrying that he'd killed this thread, so I thought I'd better take him off the hook.

This lady posed for me late one day as we were descending from a gardening session on Zeke's Wall (about 45 miles east of Seattle, and about five miles west of Index):

Don Lauria

Trad climber

Bishop, CA

Nov 24, 2008 - 01:33am PT

I'm not much of a birder - for years TM Herbert had me believing that a Junco was a Mountain Chickadee.

My entry from the porch at Royal Robbins cabin in Pinecrest:

Trad climber

Claremont, CA

Nov 24, 2008 - 02:19am PT

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk visits my birdbath.

MisterE

Trad climber

My Inner Nut

Nov 25, 2008 - 11:18pm PT

bump

snakefoot

climber

cali

Dec 16, 2008 - 08:39pm PT

At the devils backbone. what a horrid area(rock quality)..and ran into a local

goatboy smellz

climber

Nederland

Dec 30, 2010 - 12:55pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 30, 2010 - 01:03pm PT

California gulls at 11,000' Desolation Lk:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 30, 2010 - 01:30pm PT

Snow Geese, Bosque del Apache, NM

Bald Eagle, Lone Pine, CA

Sandhill Cranes, Monte Vista, CO

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Dec 30, 2010 - 01:49pm PT

Ok That first bird looks like an eastern Kingbird. Fairly common, same shape (including slight crest) as bird you have there and the habitat is about perfect for where they would be.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Dec 30, 2010 - 01:52pm PT

I was just in Kauai and shot lots of photos of birds.

For those of you who are interested here are the links.

http://alasdairturner.blogspot.com/2010/11/some-birds-of-kauai.html

http://alasdairturner.blogspot.com/2010/12/more-hawaiian-birds.html

And hey while im at it here are some bird photos from Bolivia.

http://alasdairturner.blogspot.com/2010/06/wildlife-of-bolivian-andes.html

and then some marginally climbing related bird photos. this is some climbing work I did earlier this year on eagle nests.

http://alasdairturner.blogspot.com/2010/07/golden-eagle-nest-work.html

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 30, 2010 - 01:58pm PT

Awesome shot but methinks you owe us an explanation of how you done it!
'course if you're wary of getting tooled then that's ok.

edit:
OK, I checked your blog and you're free to go! :-)

Very cool!

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Dec 30, 2010 - 01:59pm PT

Dont worry I was there with permission. It was work for the WDFW.

dirt claud

Sport climber

san diego,ca

Dec 30, 2010 - 07:03pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 30, 2010 - 07:11pm PT

All beautiful!

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Dec 30, 2010 - 07:28pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 2, 2011 - 08:51pm PT

Hey Ghost, that's no lady. And don't let him hear you calling him that, neither.

As usual, lately the chickadees in my yard have been showing me what icicle climbing is all about, and I am humbled:

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City

Jan 2, 2011 - 09:59pm PT

Buteo Regalis

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 2, 2011 - 10:01pm PT

Willoughby! Awesome shot! This is just a thread that keeps on giving. :)

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 2, 2011 - 11:28pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 2, 2011 - 11:30pm PT

Red Crested Cardinal Cragman - so pretty!

I just love that Flicker sticking his tongue out!!

DonC

climber

Jan 2, 2011 - 11:32pm PT

BrassNuts - beautiful images. What lens do you use for your bird pictures?

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Jan 2, 2011 - 11:45pm PT

A few from my walk in the park yesterday...

Still love this thread-thanks for sharing!

cheers,
DD

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Jan 2, 2011 - 11:48pm PT

Oh forgot these...

veritable apartment living...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 2, 2011 - 11:48pm PT

Cool DD! Tell me about the Hoopoe please. He looks like quite the rascal. Just read that the Hoopoe is the Israeli National Bird.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 2, 2011 - 11:54pm PT

DD - cool bird 'apartment' complex!
DonC - Glad you enjoy the pix :-) I use a Canon DSLR and a 100-400mm lens for most shots. Here are a few more from this last year...

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Jan 3, 2011 - 12:18am PT

Crimp- that Hoopoe is one of my favorites.
He's has this crown that he spreads out on top, kinda like woody wood pecker in the cartoons. Spends a lot of time on the ground. This dude was getting into it with a squirrel. Unfortunately I missed capturing the action...

Here's a few more-not as good a shots as I'm seeing above but still gives you an idea...

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City

Jan 3, 2011 - 12:43am PT

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Jan 11, 2011 - 09:22pm PT

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Feb 6, 2011 - 12:26am PT

This seems like a good thread to bump. Lots of photos, natural history, etc etc.

So apparently there are about 700 species of corvidae - crows, ravens, and so on. And the smartest of them all is the New Caledonian Raven, which makes tools and does all sorts of clever stuff. Probably there are a bunch of youtube videos showing them doing their stuff.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/science/01angier.html?scp=1&sq=caledonian%20crow&st=cse

Mimi

climber

Feb 6, 2011 - 12:35am PT

While putting out a new seed block for the chickadees today, a falcon or small hawk crashed the scene and landed above my head in a mimosa tree. The bushtits, sparrows, and chickadees fled from the suet/seed feeders to the nearby shrubs for cover. They lucked out. The raptor stayed on its perch for a minute or two while I froze watching it. It finally flew to a nearby tree and then flew away. The small birds split. Wish I could stake out some fresh meat for the raptor. Beautiful bird.

Amazing pics everyone! Flying lizards. Gotta love them.

john hansen

climber

Feb 6, 2011 - 12:37am PT

Incredible shot's everyone.

Here is one from a few weeks back, fishing off the Big island.

A Brown booby, on a buoy.

tuolumne_tradster

Trad climber

Leading Edge of North American Plate

Feb 6, 2011 - 12:42am PT

Acorn Woodpecker

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 6, 2011 - 10:42am PT

BrassNuts is head to SoCal next month. One destination is the Ranchos Palos Verdes. Do you have suggestions for bird chasing in that area? (He's dictating!)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 6, 2011 - 06:07pm PT

Oh I want a bulbul! I all direct BN to your helpful ideas...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 6, 2011 - 06:48pm PT

There are always peafowl at my parents home - normals and white ones, adults and babies - so those are easy (though not checked off).

Just too SEE a Bulbul would be cool. I actually stopped keeping a life list a few years ago. With my aging memory, many birds are new birds. :)

Still, I don't go on this trip so no Bulbul (checked or not) for me. Boo. But hopefully BN can see one. They are cool.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 6, 2011 - 09:13pm PT

Sandhill Cranes, Bosque del Apache, NM

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 15, 2011 - 12:21am PT

Spent some time yesterday bobbing around with Pt. Arena Cove's (winter) resident Laysan Albatross. This year marks the 18th consecutive winter for this friendly beast.

A short video clip: http://vimeo.com/19951817

PS - Incidentally, afterwards I paddled out to watch the surfers in the N. break. The surf was LOUD, and I was so busy watching the action and looking over my shoulder for big sets that might clobber me, that I never noticed the small gray whale surfacing a very short distance behind me. I was only told about it after I came back in.

Additional perspective edit - big bird:

guido

Trad climber

Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific

Feb 15, 2011 - 02:27am PT

Nothing like a giant fish boil to bring out the birds and dolphins-Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Feb 15, 2011 - 03:48am PT

hey there say, all... it is very hard for me to get pics of birds... but say, i have a very clear shot of this one, of recent:

:)

john hansen

climber

Feb 21, 2011 - 12:33am PT

Went up to the 6,000 to 8,000 foot elevation up on Mauna Kea today. Got pictures of four Hawaiian honey creepers. Sorry for the quality and over saturation on these photo's,, getting crisp shots of birds is really hard. I still have a lot to learn.

Looking up at the slopes of Mauna Kea from about the 5000 foot level The Mamane forest can be seen in the distance.

An Amakahi

An O'oma, I saw him doing the shivering thing that identifies them so well.

An out of focus shot of an Elepio..

And last, two photo's of the elusive Palila..

I actually thought I was taking pictures of another Amakahi until I got home and tweaked the pictures and could see it was a Palila. Only about 3000 left in the world.

Next time I will get an alpine start and get up there early morning instead of 10AM. Lots of birds up there. I really need to work on focus and lighting .

Aloha

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 21, 2011 - 12:37am PT

Blurry or not, love the photos!! Thanks for sharing them.

john hansen

climber

Feb 21, 2011 - 01:16am PT

I've seen that Brassnuts posted that he got most of his shot's with a 300 mm lens. I was using a 400 with a extra lens to double it to 800.

I think I need to become a better stalker and be willing to wait longer for them to show them selves and for the shot to present itself..

Auto focus is really hard when you are trying to shoot through branch's and leaves for a narrow field of focus on a bird.

Any tips?

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Feb 21, 2011 - 02:44am PT

hey there john... wow, thanks for the share... i wish i could take bird pics... but i dont have enough pixels per zoom... etc...

the cameras, as now i have two, from two different friends, BOTH do have a screw for some kind of telephoto lense, but so far, none from older days, has been found to buy for it....

someday, though, something will open for me and i will get mmy try at birds, too... :)

thanks for the share, once again...
:)

john hansen

climber

Feb 22, 2011 - 12:39am PT

That would be a Turkey Vulture...

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Feb 22, 2011 - 01:40am PT

John Hansen - I'm not a skilled 'stalker', but I do get out a bunch and that seems to work for me. Also, I shoot almost entirely hand held, so I'm more portable and quicker on my feet than the tripod gang, so I can squeeze off more shots per hour than some folks. That said, I do have to shoot at least 1/200 or so to keep things clear for the most part, 1/800 is even better if I have the light... I shoot a lot with a 400mm on a Canon 7D, which is an ASPC sensor, hence the crop factor is 1.6, so the 400 is really a 640mm on that body, so that helps. Regarding the autofocus issues with birds hiding in branches, I have a couple of tips that perhaps you are already using:

1) If your camera lets you pick your autofocus point(s), choose a single center or upper center point and get that puppy on the eye of your bird subject. This method gives me the best tracking, keeps the all important eye in focus and gives reasonable composition for quick on the go shooting.

2) If your camera has detailed function settings, you may have an option under the auto focus menu that speeds or slows the autofocus reaction to new objects introduced into the composition field. For example, if you have focus locked onto the head of a bird and he moves a bit such that a branch is now near his chest, this custom adjustment can delay or speed the camera's tendency to focus on that new object - with it set to less sensitive/slower, hopefully the bird stays focused longer...

Have fun out there!

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

Feb 28, 2011 - 02:03am PT

Just an Egret, but I was having fun with a 400mm 2.8 and 1.7 tele on my D3 this afternoon.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 1, 2011 - 09:03pm PT

the Bandurria Austral aka Black-faced Ibis

Ed Bannister

Mountain climber

Woodcrest, CA

Mar 1, 2011 - 09:15pm PT

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Mar 1, 2011 - 10:08pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 1, 2011 - 11:22pm PT

Snowy Egret Jerry?

Beautiful photos everyone.

I don't think any bird is mundane - Turkey Vulture or not. Imagine the carnage we'd be living in without Turkey Vultures. I once went to a place where TVs who'd been injured spent the rest of their lives. They are lively curious little stinkers. They had me laughing the entire time.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 2, 2011 - 12:11am PT

juvenile Black-chested Buzzard Eagle...can you imagine those claws
gripping the back of your neck?

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

Mar 2, 2011 - 01:53am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 3, 2011 - 06:11pm PT

Saw this really weird crow in Argentina.
Somebody said they like tango music.

the museum

Trad climber

Rapid City

Mar 5, 2011 - 10:47pm PT

During our recent snowy and cold weather, our resident Gray Partridge went into some kind of hibernation and buried himself in the snow for about 7 days. Yesterday - it cleared up a bit - and he came out and found a patch of grass and had some grub...

It's cold again today and he buried himself - again!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 6, 2011 - 12:50am PT

Museum,
Nice observations and story!

"Dood, Mom is gonna be sooo pissed! That shirt was clean when we left!"

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Mar 6, 2011 - 11:08am PT

Ok here are a few more from my collection.

guido

Trad climber

Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific

Mar 6, 2011 - 11:06pm PT

From a recent excursion to the Rob Roy Glacier in Mt Aspiring National Park, South Island NZ.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 6, 2011 - 11:11pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 7, 2011 - 01:51am PT

Excellent recent additions by several Tacos! Keep 'em coming. I'll post up a few from a SoCal trip soon...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 8, 2011 - 12:01am PT

StahlBro,
Did you measure the wingspan? Probably a Great Horned judgeing by the
apparent wingspan.

Here's a couple more from Patagonia.

The Yal Austral aka Black-throated Finch. This is the missus.

This is Missus Carpintero Negro Gigante aka Magellanic Woodpecker.
I was getting frantic after three weeks of seeing their endeavors
everywhere I went without seeing them. On our last day about 1/2 mile
from trail's end there was a whole family merrily pecking away mere feet
from the trail!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 8, 2011 - 12:58am PT

A-friggin'-mazing stuff! Awesome thread that just keeps giving.

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

Mar 8, 2011 - 01:06am PT

Man Reilly, you've got some nice ones.

Here are some nervous ducks...

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 9, 2011 - 12:04am PT

Here are pics of a few small guys I spotted this weekend in SoCal... maybe more later as time allows.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 9, 2011 - 12:06am PT

Nice Reilly. Great Horned it is!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 9, 2011 - 12:08am PT

So I've had the benefit of having seen the last three photos numerous times in the last 24 hours, but it doesn't matter. They are still awesome.

Radical - I understand your feelings about the woodpecker. Birds have always done that to me. They crush me. These pictures are awesome everyone.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 9, 2011 - 12:15am PT

Old photo

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 9, 2011 - 12:49am PT

StahlBro, are you sure? See the bird? I've seen the exact same sorta thing when a grouse plops down into the snow, and it looks to me like your alleged owl walked off out of the top of the frame. Or maybe, it walked into the frame, and then lifted off. Here's a photo of a grouse track, where it took off.

Here are some White-tailed Ptarmigan from the Red Lake Peak (Carson Pass) area last week:

Reilly, I'm diggin' on the Argentinean bird pics. I was there towards the end of November 2009, and really loved the birds there.

Keas kinda give me the heebie-jeebies. Any parrot that has figured out how to kill sheep is not to be trusted.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 9, 2011 - 01:10am PT

"Hey, it was dark when I got up and put 'em on!
They felt like they were on the right foot!"

(Rock Cormorant)

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Mar 9, 2011 - 10:58am PT

How about some more South American birds. I am feeling way too lazy to upload these again so I am just adding links to where I already posted them.

http://alasdairturner.blogspot.com/2010/06/wildlife-of-bolivian-andes.html

Enjoy.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 9, 2011 - 12:22pm PT

Alasdair,
I did enjoy and I tried posting some comments but since I don't exist
according to the confines of the profile choices I guess my comments didn't 'take'.

To wit, I prefer the Arg/Bol name for the Rufous-collared Sparrow: Chingolo. :-)

Your mystery coot shall likely remain so although it looks big enough to be a Giant.

Nice shot of the Puna Ibis!
The "some type of waterfowl" are more Crested Ducks.
The 'mystery hawk' looks a White-tailed.

One thing I noted down there is that the various caracaras are so bloody tame!
They strut around many places like blooming crows! Just try and get close
to one in the US southwest or Mexico!

Here's a crappy shot of three Chimangos on a light pole in Ushuaia...

A Crested at Tierra del Fuego NP...
Dood has it goin' on! I sooo need to change my look!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 9, 2011 - 12:53pm PT

Man, there are some really talented people here! Radical, BrassNuts hopped another plane early this morning and is skulking around the Boston area for a few days for work. Perhaps he'll get on and let you know about his equipment. All I know is Canon and big lens. :) Not helpful.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 9, 2011 - 01:02pm PT

Willoughby,

I'm pretty sure it was rabbit tracks leading up to the wing prints. My bro took the picture and said there were great horned owls in the area. Our assumption was the owl nabbed a bunny based on the tracks and wing prints, but we have been wrong before :-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 10, 2011 - 06:38pm PT

This boat looks close to overloaded to me!

(Black-necked Swans)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 10, 2011 - 06:52pm PT

Took these at the Monte Vista NWR in the San Luis Valley yesterday.

The cranes are heading north.

Nailing a bird in flight handheld is a real pain in the ass.

dipper

climber

Mar 10, 2011 - 07:05pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 12, 2011 - 05:37pm PT

Great pics everyone! Keep this most excellent thread alive :-) Here are a few more from a recent SoCal trip...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 12, 2011 - 05:41pm PT

Gotta disagree BrassNuts. They are all good photos!

Mad

Social climber

Mar 12, 2011 - 07:15pm PT

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Mar 12, 2011 - 07:45pm PT

Hey Brassnuts, pretty sure that is a coopers and also a black phoebe.
Here is my black phoebe.

The Alpine

Big Wall climber

Mar 12, 2011 - 07:51pm PT

Another Cooper's:

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Mar 12, 2011 - 07:52pm PT

Man I'm glad My camera cost a lot.
I love these pictures & think I should give mine away cause it ain't the camera.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Mar 12, 2011 - 08:28pm PT

I was going to post some photos of South America birds as requested by Alasdair, but ran across this remarkable record:

Oldest Known wild bird returns to Midway Atoll to raise a chick

This Albatross is not only alive and well at the age of least 60, but is raising yet another chick. As I result I was prompted to dig up this not-so-high quality photo of a Laysan Albatross from the Western Pacific as we were approaching Yokohama Bay. There was a a Northern Royal Albatross that was known to be over 61 years of age before she was presumed to have died.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 12, 2011 - 08:43pm PT

Thanks for the confirmation Alasdair. The Phoebe was so, well, not black! Still, nothing else comes close that I know of. The Orange Crowned Warbler is a new bird for me (in a photo). Very cool one can see the orange on his crown!

We went out tonight to see a flock of Mountain Bluebirds who are hanging around. Saw them, but with terrible lighting he wouldn't photograph anything. Maybe tomorrow...

Love all these photos. Hope they keep coming.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Mar 12, 2011 - 09:30pm PT

More Laysan Albatross

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Mar 12, 2011 - 09:51pm PT

Alasdair,

Where we these photos taken? This species is very far-ranging. I've also seen them on Kauai (breeding) and in Monterey Bay. The same holds true for Black-footed Albatross.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Mar 12, 2011 - 10:20pm PT

My wife made me take a vacation to Kauai. I managed to entertain myself by shooting photos of birds in places I probably should not have been. Im not really a beach person.

justthemaid

climber

Jim Henson's Basement

Mar 13, 2011 - 01:46am PT

Great pics everyone. Thanks for posting up!

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Mar 13, 2011 - 03:35am PT

Alasdair,

I'm also not much of a beach-tropical person, but the opportunity to see all of these pelagic birds up close was a pretty good consolation.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 13, 2011 - 04:16am PT

StahlBro - certainly could be. When I look at it again, it seems the wing pattern is sorta the opposite as in my photo. And Great Horned Owls are EVERYWHERE.

Brassnuts - that's an adult Red-shouldered Hawk, just so you know.

Okay, all the Patagonian/Argentinian pics makes me want to post up some of my own. Here's a big ol' batch:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 13, 2011 - 10:34am PT

Noted Willoughby. Red-shouldered hawk. For educational purposes, can you note why it is a Red-shouldered? Not doubting you, but would love to learn more. Same goes with any other birds. For example, one person mentioned that the Rufous Hummingbird was just so Western Rufous and I was curious what marks he was looking at.

The photos just get better and better!

john hansen

climber

Mar 13, 2011 - 11:22pm PT

Great pic's everyone,, Willoubhy that White sided Hillstar looks a lot like a hummingbird

I finally got a nice sharp photo of an Amakahi. Used the "single focus area" setting and shot at 200 of a second.. (thanks Brass Nuts.)

And another Palila

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 13, 2011 - 11:30pm PT

Superb! I love seeing this thread back at the top.:)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 14, 2011 - 02:19am PT

Crimper - What Radical said. Red-shouldereds are a very Accipiter-like Buteo, and the young ones are more likely to fool you. In this photo, however, a couple of things should jump out:
you can see the red shoulders; Coop would be slaty blue-gray
Coop would have a dark cap
Adult Coop would have a red or orange-reddish eye, versus the dark brown visible here
Coop would have a proportionately longer tail

John - two things:
1. The hillstar is a hummingbird. It's a cousin of those crazy Andean Hillstars that basically go into a deep-freeze hibernation every night.
2. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your recent Palila is actually a House Finch. Note the streaking on the flanks and breast. And the earlier Palilas look like Amakihi to me.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Mar 14, 2011 - 02:51am PT

We were struck by the color of House Finches on Kauai. They had a rather yellow-orange, instead of the red wash we see in CA. This is apparently due to a difference in diet.

john hansen

climber

Mar 14, 2011 - 02:56am PT

You guys might be right,,, maybe wishful thinking..

Next day Edit.
Well... after looking back at the bills in the first pics I think you are right. And there are many house finches in that area. I guess I need to go back and get one where there can be no question.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 19, 2011 - 06:01pm PT

"I see England, I see France..."
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"Well, I'm pretty sure, but it sure is dark there!"

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scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

Mar 21, 2011 - 11:57am PT

One other tip on the red-shouldered:
The upper parts of a Cooper's will be uniform slate/gray.
The white trim on the dark feathers of the red-shoulder's back are
easy to see from a distance, compared to some of the other characters.
If it's just those two birds you're trying to separate, the mottled/
speckled look will jump out at you.

cintune

climber

Midvale School for the Gifted

Mar 21, 2011 - 12:16pm PT

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

Mar 21, 2011 - 12:20pm PT

Here are a few from last week at Point Reyes

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

Mar 21, 2011 - 01:19pm PT

Here's an owl I photographed at Mercey Hot Springs

john hansen

climber

Apr 23, 2011 - 12:00am PT

Well, its been a month since the last post, I am in Nor Cal cruising around for a couple weeks. Can't keep up with you guys but here is what I got so far..still learning.

Oyster catcher

Piliated Woodpecker, a bit out of focus, but he did not stick around for long

Common Loon

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 23, 2011 - 12:16am PT

Thanks everyone!

john hansen

climber

Apr 23, 2011 - 12:20am PT

here are a few more. Brass Nuts gave me some advice about camera settings and focusing on the eye,,, Thank's.

Practice , practice , practice..

Canada goose

Red Faced cormarant

Pied billed Grebe

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 23, 2011 - 01:53am PT

Mrs Magellanic Woodpecker just from the peluqueria...

john hansen

climber

Apr 24, 2011 - 11:59pm PT

Reilly, that is a great photo, hope I have a chance to see one some day.

Marsh Hawk at Bodega bay headland

This photo is not so good but I like to use them to identify birds. I am pretty sure this is a Savannah sparrow. Also from the Bodega bay headlands

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Apr 25, 2011 - 08:17am PT

Cheers,
DD

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 25, 2011 - 08:47am PT

Wow John H - you are seeing lots of excellent birds - and great photos too. All of these continue to blow me away!

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Apr 26, 2011 - 01:24am PT

The Google Doodle for tomorrow, Audobon's birthday. Rather imaginative - hard to see how it spells "google".

http://www.google.com/logos/

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 26, 2011 - 01:44am PT

EDIT: Tony - yup we had located the nest. Nice shots. We see California Thrashers (really large bird) up at Ano Nuevo SP.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Apr 26, 2011 - 03:00am PT

Here are few specialty birds from our recent trip to Amargosa Canyon near Death Valley.

Here are a pair of Ladder-backed Woodpeckers feeding nestlings:

Mike, it looks like the Kildeer had a nest nearby and was trying to distract you with a broken wing display. Watch your step! Their eggs are notoriously hard to see.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 26, 2011 - 06:45pm PT

The funniest duck of course is the Ruddy Duck in breeding plumage. It's as if a kid was given crayons and told to design a duck. Utterly ridiculous and awesome all at once!

He just cracks me up! Saw a lone one in Anchorage once. Think he'd made a wrong turn. :/

From: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ruralmissouri.org/Images/RuralMissouri/July07/RuddyDuck.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ruralmissouri.org/07pages/07JulyMundy.html&h=320&w=313&sz=51&tbnid=qB1tg_ZStmeEqM:&tbnh=118&tbnw=115&prev=/search%3Fq%3Druddy%2Bduck%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=ruddy+duck&usg=__k3VVQvEtOB7XsSYeqJlJ9F_n6-s=&sa=X&ei=tEe3TZqWCIKosQPfjsWoAQ&ved=0CDsQ9QEwAw

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 26, 2011 - 07:17pm PT

Hey John, that "Red-faced cormorant" is actually a Double-crested Cormorant.

As I mentioned in Caylors "I cut down a squirrel nest" thread, I exhumed a derelict Wood Duck box from a wetland I regularly bird, patched it back together, and hung it up in my back yard about five years ago. This year I finally got customers, Northern Saw-whet Owls. I've been feeding them mice:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 26, 2011 - 07:23pm PT

Holy moly! Did you really put that mouse there?

I put up a nice expensive Flicker House (yeah, I wasn't patient enough to have one made). I'd hoped to get Flickers or even Kestrels!!

Flickers moved right in.

Starlings moved right in to take over.

More Starlings moved in to take over other Starlings.

Broken eggs everywhere.

Those Starlings are asking for it, but what can I do to stop them really? Rascals.

At least my Chickadees are back for another successful year (I hope).

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Apr 26, 2011 - 11:38pm PT

Here are a couple from a road trip last week.

I have a few more here:
http://alasdairturner.blogspot.com/2011/04/montana-and-its-wildlife.html

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 27, 2011 - 01:46am PT

Strange what passes for a 'jay' in Argentina: the Plush-crested Jay -
(Urraca comun/Cyanocorax chrysops).

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 27, 2011 - 03:00am PT

Of course I put that mouse there. Suet, sunflower seeds, sugar-water, mice ... what's the difference? I want my guests to feel welcome, whatever their dietary proclivities.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 27, 2011 - 08:48am PT

Did you staple the mouse to the branch? Tie a little figure eight around a mousey harness? :) It's a very cool photo!

One of my favorite feeders is the meal worm feeder. Don't get much action at it here, but in VA, wow did I have a lot of happy Bluebirds!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 27, 2011 - 09:12pm PT

I placed him on a stick, raised stick up to the branch you see, and let him climb up on his own. It's important for these mice to feel like they've accomplished something -good for the self-esteem. Then they just sit there. It's a bit like sacrificing virgins to dragons, or so I imagine. As far as the mouse goes, it probably beats being fed to a snake, and he's free to solo to the top of the tree if he feels so inclined. They usually don't wander too far, but every now and then I'll get an intrepid climber mouse.

Tobia

Social climber

Apr 27, 2011 - 09:28pm PT

nice pics of the owl.

I have 10 or 15 bluebird boxes up. I found a simple device to keep the snakes out. I will take a picture soon and post.

I was coming in from the barn this evening close to dark and saw this little fledgling bluebird trying to land in a bush. He couldn't quite grasp any branches and was tiring out. I picked the little guy up and put him in the blue bird box for safe keeping over night. I doubt he would make it through the night otherwise.

Hopefully he will be able to make it out and into the brave new world tomorrow with a little more success.

Mom, pop and 3 siblings were not to be found.

Birders, any ideas why he couldn't light on small limbs successfully?

Willoughby,
I don't think mice suffer much when I feed them to my snake. Clearly they don't know what hits them and it is over in less than 15 seconds + or - a couple a few seconds.

Comparing that to being shredded seems rather painless.

john hansen

climber

Apr 29, 2011 - 10:29pm PT

Been walking the banks of the Merced in Yosemite for the last few days. Lots and lots of birds, there were hundreds and hundreds of Audubon's warblers coming through. They sure are hard to photograph because they never stop moving around.
Here are a few other ones I got. It sure is fun combining my two favorite hobby's of birding and photography.

Yellow warbler.

Acorn Woodpecker.

And I think this is a female Red Wing Black bird, kinda threw me cause it was acting like a warbler, hanging upside down in the budding trees. I could be wrong.. any expert confirmation? Will post more later.

john hansen

climber

Apr 30, 2011 - 12:04am PT

A couple more..

I think a female Aububon's

A Robin

And maybe a song sparrow,,

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Apr 30, 2011 - 12:14am PT

looks like a song sparrow to me.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Apr 30, 2011 - 12:19pm PT

Yep that looks like a female red wing blackbird also.
Here is one I shot.

john hansen

climber

Apr 30, 2011 - 11:35pm PT

These are really bad pictures, but they show the bills of these curlew's very well. They were taken at the top of the Bolinas lagoon near Stinson beach.

First a Bristle Thighed Curlew

there were some other Curlews hanging with this guy, but their bills were much longer..
Looking in the Peterson Guide to Western Birds this bill looks like a Far Eastern Curlew. The book says they are rare visitors to the Aleutians,,, but I can't find another bird where the bill matches. What do you think? the bill is way longer than the Bristle Thighed??

Any expert's care to chime in?

Edit: Whoop's,never mind,,, Long billed Curlew,,, still a good one, puts me over a hundred species for the trip.

Radical, is that a trogan? And what type of hummer is that?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 1, 2011 - 01:57am PT

John,
I hate to harsh on yer stoke, or however it is said, but your 'Bristle-thighed Curlew is actually a Whimbrel.
The Bristle-thighed was once thought extinct and is still quite rare.
There are probably less than a dozen confirmed sightings on the west coast.

Riley,
That ain't no Toucan in your first shot. It looks almost a Shoe-billed or
Whalehead Stork of East Africa but it doesn't look large enough. Is it a
Boat-billed Heron of S. America?

dipper

climber

May 1, 2011 - 05:23am PT

Here are a few shore birds

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 1, 2011 - 03:01pm PT

OAT - 45F, Wind - 10 Kts, gusting 15-20 = colder-than-a-loanshark's-heart!*1
Not exactly the habitat one normally thinks of for this bird*:

Salt lake in Torres del Paine NP

*1 - An hour later it was blowing 35-40 and gusting well over 50!
* - I guess all positions were filled in the choicer habitats further north.

john hansen

climber

May 1, 2011 - 10:01pm PT

Reilly,, I am laughing at myself,, what was I thinking? More like, what was I drinking..

Was looking at page 132 of the Peterson guide instead of 131,,long time since I've seen a curlew.

But you know,, two very rare birds, hanging in the same spot at the top of Bolinas Lagoon, 100yards from the road. It could happen,, LOL

Good thing you and Willoughby keep my over active imagination in check. Thanks

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 2, 2011 - 07:46pm PT

BrassNuts just came in to report a Northern Saw-whet Owl in the tree on our front porch! COOL! Trying to get photos but it's difficult given how dense the tree is. Very exciting!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 2, 2011 - 09:07pm PT

John, I've talked myself into seeing a few 'rarities' also :-)
However, I did see the first evah McKay's Snow Bunting in the lower 48!
That's #1 feather in my birding cap, so to speak. I got pics too.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

May 2, 2011 - 09:21pm PT

Here are a few more from Torres del Paine NP in Chile. There was also a lot of mammalian wildlife.

Riley, that Cactus Wren photo is fabulous.

We only saw the Torrent Duck on our last day, and we were cheating by having as our guide the author of the field guide for Patagonia.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 2, 2011 - 09:21pm PT

You can't just tease Reilly...post the photos! :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 2, 2011 - 11:30pm PT

Crimpy,
They're not good enough to post - it was rather tough hand-holding a 600mm
lying on my stomach hyperventilating in a near gale. Besides, they're slides
and I haven't bothered to scan them :-)

Tony, Thems some nice shots! I was pretty disappointed if the truth be known
with my month down there - not one friggin' owl let alone a Torrent Duck-
I couldn't believe I got skunked. They are getting rarer and rarer I guess. :-(

john hansen

climber

May 3, 2011 - 12:02am PT

These are also not good enough to post but I will post them anyway.. I ain't proud.

These are the one's from the last two weeks that got a B- or so..

Anna's

Marsh wren

Phainopepla

Audubons Warbler

Western wood Pewee

Merganser

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 3, 2011 - 12:12am PT

These are all amazing photos. Thanks so much for sharing them. This is the best thread here. :)

Here are some BrassNuts took this evening of the little owl out front. So cute!

john hansen

climber

May 3, 2011 - 12:33am PT

Really great photo's of the owl..

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 3, 2011 - 12:33am PT

Wow, those guys are too cute for school! Nicely shot!

OK, this guy isn't from Patagonia but he was one of my better sightings.
This is a Squirrel Cuckoo (I don't know why) seen at Iguazu. He is about
18" long!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 4, 2011 - 10:24am PT

Excellent additions everybody, keep 'em coming... Best "OT" thread on the taco :-)

Here are a few from a recent road trip. Nothing exotic, but a few characters from the desert southwest...
Mystery guest in Zion - who's got the ID?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 10:32am PT

Very cool! Love the Squirrel Cuckoo.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 10:47am PT

I wondered that DMT, but the bird's bill seems so slender and pointy compared to the guides. And the whitish around his eye. But what the heck do I know?? :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 4, 2011 - 10:53am PT

Brass,
It looks a Bell's Vireo to me although a bit odd to see one on the ground in the open.
The Plumbeous' and the ex-Solitary's (now Blue-headed) eyering is much
bolder and they have wing bars.

Note that I ammended the size of the Squirrel Cuckoo; I had a brain fade.
That's the kind of boid we love to see - big and purdy! Strangely, I had a
bit of a time ID'ing it. Both books I had with showed white spots beneath
the tail, which must have been hidden by it's being folded, and the breast
appeared more distinct than in either book. As with John Hansen's
'Bristle-thighed Curlew' sometimes we see more, and sometimes less, than
there is. After my return I was set straight by the guide I had originally
arranged to take me out at Iguazu - I know, an old guide being guided.
But his mum took ill just before I arrived so I didn't get my chance to
find a Harpy Eagle :-(

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 11:01am PT

Maybe we can get BN to post another photo. He thinks he got another shot of this bird (though it could be a different bird) in a tree/bush. He has a touch of rufous (sp?) on his head.

Reilly, do you see such thin bills on vireos? Not sure why I'm hung up on his bill.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 11:11am PT

Am I crazy (yes?), but could it be a darkish Lucy's Warbler? Maybe a female?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 4, 2011 - 11:21am PT

So, here's another pic that was taken only a minute later than the mystery bird I just posted, but it sure looks like a different bird, but the short time gap of only 1 minute between shots is confusing for my fading memory...

Reilly - very cool Cuckoo shot, 18" pretty boid, wow.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 11:21am PT

THAT looks like a Lucy's Warbler, no?

edit: nice caterpillar he is eating there!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 4, 2011 - 11:26am PT

Crimpie,
How can I put this delicately? No, you're not crazy, but mayby slightly deluded?
Just kidding :-) I admit the 'jizz' (yes, that is birder's slang) does
suggest a warbler as does the bill. But it is entirely too dark but digital
photos are notoriously suspect if contrast has been altered. It does appear
to have a buffy tinge to the underparts which is characteristic of Lucy's so
I fear I must give you kudos for thinking outside the box! But I'm sticking
with Bell's. The Gray should show some evidence of a wing bar methinks and
it should also so white edgeing to the tertials although I agree a worn adult
might not evince much of that.

Edit:
Dang! That is a Lucy's with the crown and looking much paler! So it is the same boid?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 11:28am PT

Heh heh! Thanks Reilly. I learn so much on these threads - thanks for indulging my fantasies. :) Sooo, the second one is also a Bell's you think?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 11:31am PT

SCHWING!!!!!

He thinks it is the same bird. He said he took the photos within a minute and thought it was the same bird. (edit: since then, he's doubting his memory). But you know how birds can be. As far as contrast, BN says that those are untweaked photos in terms of contrast (and whatever else folks tweak in photoshop). I suppose the lighting was just different - bright sun v not bright sun???

edit: I also wonder if the darkness/lightness of the bird is because in one, we are looking up-feather, and the other we are looking down-feather. Thoughts?

Edge

Trad climber

New Durham, NH

May 4, 2011 - 11:49am PT

I'm not entirely sure what this little guy is, but I had to help two of them out of my woodshop last week. Thoughts on an ID?

Omens

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 11:52am PT

Flycatcher. I leave the rest of that ID to the experts! Cool photos. I've always lived where there are Northern Cardinals - until three years ago when I moved to Boulder. I admit to taking them for granted. Boo. I wish they were here as I miss them. So pretty!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 4, 2011 - 12:29pm PT

As to th Bell's/Gray/Lucy debate, that's definitely a Lucy's. Vireos have a much thicker bill with a bit of a hook at the tip (á la shrikes), whereas this guy has a pair of fine-pointed tweezers on his face. Further, the rufous cap clinches it. What's interesting to me about these two photos, is that you can clearly see molt limits in the coverts and flight feathers. In other words, you can see old feathers juxtaposed with newer feathers, and the pattern and timing tells me that this is a bird that hatched last year. Desert birds are great for showing this sort of contrast in wear and fade. The fresher-looking feathers molted in late last summer, possibly over the winter (more study is needed on 1st pre-basic molt in this species), and that's typical of a second-year bird:

Older birds have enough energy and such to pull off a complete molt of all these feathers at that time of year, but the birds that are fresh out of the nest only do a portion, if any. This is typical of most songbirds. The single shorter, fresher tail feather (retrix) off to the side is atypical, and probably represents an adventitious replacement of a randomly lost feather:

Cool eh?

Edge - yours is an Eastern Phoebe

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 12:32pm PT

So cool. Thanks. Seriously, you guys rock and I learn so much!

Wow. I keep looking at what you've shown. I would not have thought to consider feather wear. Very very cool.

Willoughby, will you do a supertopo-birdfest? :) I'm in!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 4, 2011 - 12:36pm PT

PS - Ron, I heard the Eagles and Ag. festival had a pretty good showing this year. Not so?

Edge

Trad climber

New Durham, NH

May 4, 2011 - 12:39pm PT

Thanks, Willoughby!

I suspected a phoebe, but wasn't sure. Both birds were fluttering inside a large glass door turned window, and were very docile as I picked them up by hand and released them outside.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 4, 2011 - 05:51pm PT

Cool to see so many birders on Supertopo! All those beautiful photos make me desire a good camera.
We have many Hummingbirds living in our yard, might have something to do with all the feeders Margy keeps stocked. Tons of drama between the Rufous and Annas, it is a continual aerial battleground out there.

A little crowded in the nest.

Hard to ID the females!

We went climbing in Pinnacles a couple of weeks ago and saw at least one Condor on 3 out of 4 days, awesome.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

May 4, 2011 - 06:19pm PT

Some one is building a nest in my yard. Actually there are several. My yard is a 50foot by 100foot lot right in the city of seattle.

Several years ago I ripped almost everything that was not native out of my yard and replaced it with natives. I also helped a couple of house sparrow nests fail, and it is all paying off this year.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 4, 2011 - 06:32pm PT

Good stuff Alasdair. Always feels nice to share your property, and help the birds and bees make more birds and bees. Particularly cool to see a Bewick's Wren using an urban lot, esp. when they've been having so much trouble in the eastern part of the U.S.

Karen

Trad climber

So Cal urban sprawl Hell

May 4, 2011 - 06:39pm PT

Hi everyone, I have a question, there are these wild parrots in my neighborhood and every year after the fruit in my lumquat tree ripen they show up and feast on this fruit. It is quite entertaining to watch.
There seems to be about 15 of these parrots in this group. I've seen larger groups flying in other areas.
Anyway, do any of you know what type of parrots these are? and I am curious where they live during the winter. If you have any info on these type of parrots I would love to know.

Thanks!

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

May 4, 2011 - 06:46pm PT

Bewicks are not having a problem here. They have taken over in Seattle. I dont think there is a single part of the city that you can go and not hear one calling. I had never seen one prior to three years ago and now they are everywhere.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 08:19pm PT

Cherry headed conures. Escaped pets that now thrive. Get Birds of Telegraph Hill to see more. Very cute. :)

Karen

Trad climber

So Cal urban sprawl Hell

May 4, 2011 - 08:30pm PT

Thanks!

Maysho

climber

Soda Springs, CA

May 4, 2011 - 08:39pm PT

Cool thread! Hey Willoughby, thanks again for coming out yesterday.

Just got this new book announcement. David Lukas is a Sierra Naturalist Extraordinaire. Author of some other great books including the revised Sierra Nevada Natural History by UC Press.

I am sure this book is amazing.
SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS
THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE LIFE HISTORY, STATUS, AND DISTRIBUTION OF BIRDS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA
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Coverage of all 322 species found in the Sierra Nevada, including rare migrants Full-length accounts for 207 definitive species Geographic coverage from the foothills to the High Sierra.

This is the ultimate reference for trail, camp, or home.
Compactly designed for hiking and backpacking Provides essential information that complements any of the illustrated field guides Jam-packed with details on the life history, status, and distribution of Sierra Nevada birds
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$20, plus shipping and handling
($25.40 with tax and shipping)

To order or request information:
Lukas Guides
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(415) 320-5413
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BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 4, 2011 - 08:59pm PT

Great nesting shots AT! Do you charge them rent for the use of your yard? :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 4, 2011 - 08:59pm PT

Thanks DT for the correction. Great book and good movie!

Seamstress

Trad climber

Yacolt, WA

May 4, 2011 - 10:30pm PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 5, 2011 - 12:41am PT

Wow - lots of outstanding photos here.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 5, 2011 - 12:44am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 5, 2011 - 01:58pm PT

Re: the Lucy's Warbler.

BN brought those photos home. He *believed* the two photos to be of the same bird. I saw them once and they were squirreled away. Because the second photo was fuzzy, he wouldn't leave it on the screen at all. I'm happy he didn't delete it! I couldn't tell what the first bird was and suggested we put it on the taco given all the expertise here. Weeks later he did.

The first bird really puzzled me and I ended up thinking it was a warbler given the bill, but figured it was some female non-breeding plummage bird - beyond my capabilities as a birder. The bill has always looked to skinny to be a vireo - but what do I know?

It was great fun working it out. As we talked, I wondered if it was a Lucy's because I was thinking it was a warbler, and I faintly recalled the other photo having some rufous on it's head. I had no access to the other photo. As we discussed it online, I was digging in my book and noted that a Lucy's has rufous on it's head (the male anyway). Then I asked BN to post the other photo (which he initially didn't want to do when I asked since it's soft).

When he did finally post it, it seemed clear. But even then he couldn't be sure it was the same bird. He thought it was, but following a little bird with a big hand-held lens isn't easy. Only hearing what Willoughby had to say makes us feel sure it was the same bird.

It was a great exercise to talk about it and I appreciate everyone
s input. I learned a ton.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 5, 2011 - 01:59pm PT

Brown Jay? Cool.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 5, 2011 - 02:26pm PT

More like dumb luck. I'm a marginal birder at best. I was pleased though that I did it the way we are taught...look at bill, look at head, at eyes, etc. If I were a great birder, I would have been able to ID him alone.

You made the call on some weathered feathering. Never thought to consider that.

The eye ring was baffling me as well. It was so large compared to what I saw on the vireos in the book. I didn't get to see the bird in real life so I didn't really know how big it was or how it moved. That would have been really helpful!

Even after BN posted the second photo, I was trying to figure out if they were the same bird - I decided it was he same bird. But one never knows is it because I want it to be the same bird, or because I see evidence - real evidence - that it is the same bird. I rationally thought it was partly because that was BN's first impression when taking the photos, due to the little time that passed between the two photos and because of the eye ring. It was great fun seeing Willoughby use far more sophisticated methods. Neat stuff.

It was a fun puzzle to solve. Willoughby's knowledge of birds continues to blow me away.

I wish we had more birding puzzles to play with!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 5, 2011 - 02:57pm PT

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

May 5, 2011 - 05:30pm PT

What's the nesting pair below the Bewick's Wren?
Nuthatch?

Peggy-o

Social climber

Kingsburg ca

May 5, 2011 - 05:30pm PT

Peggy-o

Social climber

Kingsburg ca

May 5, 2011 - 05:38pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 6, 2011 - 12:37am PT

Mike Bolte - those babies *crush* me! So cute!

john hansen

climber

May 6, 2011 - 01:10am PT

A few more to keep this thread going.

Chipping sparrow

Osprey,, too bad he was behind the wire.

And an American Goldfinch..

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

May 6, 2011 - 01:22am PT

Aerial Combat

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

May 6, 2011 - 04:03am PT

Here is a Merlin attacking a Golden Eagle in spite of the huge size difference (~25x ?). In the second one the Merlin was briefly attached to the back of the Eagle.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 6, 2011 - 04:03am PT

Y'all are going to make me blush.

You know, if anybody out there in Tacoland is really digging on the birds and wants to combine it with a climbing trip to Lee Vining, the Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua is a pretty sweet festival coming up June 17-19. I'll be leading a bird tour in Lee Vining Canyon on Friday, and then a dragonfly tour on Sat. Lots and lots of other fun outings and workshops, but they fill up quickly - check it out:

http://www.birdchautauqua.org/

And if you're looking for a FREE bird hike in Tahoe (or wildflower hike, or butterfly hike, or...), please tag along on one of my nonprofit's outings. Calendar's on the Home page, and we'll be adding a lot more hikes as summer progresses: http://www.tinsweb.org/

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 6, 2011 - 09:06am PT

Thanks for the links. BN is digging the Pygmy Owl! You are 'liked'. :)

The walks are very tempting...looking at my calendar...

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 10, 2011 - 02:18am PT

I went to the Shorebird Festival in Homer, Alaska for four days. Here are a few of the birds I saw.
[photoid=201467]

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

May 10, 2011 - 11:59am PT

still a great thread!

Cheers,
DD

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2011 - 10:47am PT

A quick birding TR. This past weekend, BrassNuts and I went south to the Alamosa Wildlife Refuge and the Great Sand Dunes to see birds. While at the Sand Dunes, we wandered up a largely dry river bed: sandy base and some vegetation on the sides. The bird count was pretty low. The people count was even lower. No one to be seen anywhere.

BN was sitting off to the side near the vegetation taking photos of birds at a collection of water. I was about 50' downstream sitting in the sand looking at my bird book. As I'm sitting there, I feel a man's hand grab my right shoulder. For a split second, I think it's BrassNuts - but there he is 50' ahead of me. Yikes. I slowly lean to the right to see who has my shoulder...

A Cooper's Hawk. Yes. A Cooper's Hawk had actually LANDED on my shoulder. He stayed for a couple of seconds - totally unimpressed or scared - then glided up toward BN and the yummy meals at the water.

I yell to BN and start grabbing my shoulder to convey what had just happened (although he thinks I'm telling him it's a Red-Shouldered Hawk and he's thinking I'm nuts as it clearly is not). BN's happy to have seen the Hawk who by then had landed in front of him giving him some nice photos.

An amazing moment. Here is a photo recreation of where I was, what I was wearing and the actual Hawk. Very cool!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 12, 2011 - 11:02am PT

Wow! That's a lifetime moment for sure! How's it feel to be a fencepost? :-)
Nice historical re-creation, too.

BITD I was sitting on a log in the North Cascades watching the sunset. Totally
isolated for days. A deer walks out of the woods 50' to my right and saunters
up to me. Stands directly facing me for several seconds grokking my oneness, I guess.
Then he bends over and sniffs my boot. He straigtened back up and said,
"I soo loov ze french leather, too."

OK, he didn't really say that but it was amazing.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 12, 2011 - 11:48am PT

i'd find that a bit scary crimpy

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2011 - 01:47pm PT

It was the COOLEST.BIRDING.MOMENT.EVER.

What scared me is that I really thought it was a man who had grabbed my shoulder. It took about 15 minutes to get all that adrenaline out of my system. I don't feel like the bird ever noticed I was a person (or he certainly didn't care). It was uber cool!

I told BN I could still feel where he claw when through my jacket on my back. BN looked at sure enough there was as minor a scratch as one could imagine. I made him take a photo of it because I'm a dork that way. :) It's still hard to believe that happened!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 12, 2011 - 01:50pm PT

I really wish I had seen the hawk on CG's shoulder, I just missed it! Quite an experience for her! Here are a few other bird pics from the trip...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 12, 2011 - 02:18pm PT

BN,
The first is one of the best shots of a Coopers evah!
The Marsh Wren is great too!

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

May 12, 2011 - 02:24pm PT

Wow, the bar has been raised. Maybe you should change your moniker from BN to AuduBN

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 12, 2011 - 02:25pm PT

These are really outstanding shots BN

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2011 - 02:29pm PT

I think he has amazing bird photography talent. I don't think he has any idea! To think, that Coopers sat on my shoulder. I'm still blown away. :)

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

May 12, 2011 - 02:41pm PT

Most amazing, awesome pictures and astounding occurrence.

That Yellow-headed Blackbird...
On two occasions in the past, I was asked by friends
"What's that black bird with a yellow head called?"
On both occasions, my standing was diminished when I supplied the
correct answer.
My friends couldn't understand why I didn't just admit that I didn't know
the name of the bird, instead of coming up with such a dumb answer
(Yellow-headed Blackbird).

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 12, 2011 - 02:48pm PT

I was chuffed to bits to not only see this guy (gal?) but to get a decent
shot, too. We were on an unmarked trail near Fitzroy that the woman who
ran our B&B told us about. It was so dark I had to use the flash which didn't
faze him (I'm sticking with 'him') so intent he was in his little trail project.
If you look you will see he had jinormous feet - I would say large crow-sized
on a bird the size of a robin. He most industriously, in a couple of senses,
plows up the ground looking for wee tasty creatures. He happily went about
his foraging less than 10' away while I merrily clicked away.

Oh, he is called a Huet-huet in Argentina or a Hued-hued del sur in Chile.
You can call him the Black-throated Huet-huet/ Pteroptochos tarnii.
He is in the Rhinocryptidae family which is unique to S. America and has
a number of other cool-looking members. He has a close relative in the
Chestnut-throated Huet-huet whose range is much smaller although within that
of the Black-throated. Presumably the Chestnut must occupy a slightly different
habitat or niche within the same habitat although I have no info on that.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 12, 2011 - 03:09pm PT

Checking in between rope wash/rinse routines... Reilly - very cool shot of "bigfoot" there! Sounds like you got a good show! Another reason why this is my favorite "OT" thread on the taco! Here's another Marsh Wren shot - he was my fave this last trip I think; not very colorful, but what attitude and song! They Yellow-Headed BBirds were pretty funny too - all puffed up for the gals...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2011 - 03:15pm PT

At one point, we were birding on a loop road in the car. At dusk, the Yellow-Headed Blackbirds were out on the road displaying. They were so into it, the car did not phase them. We had to stop and wait for several to get it out of their system so we could continue forward. I'm still laughing at their little shows.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2011 - 10:01pm PT

A bump with some shame. Hoping to see more birds!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 12, 2011 - 10:36pm PT

You have no shame! But it's permitted in this case :-)

You know it's a jungle out there and it ain't always pretty.

A pair of Chilean Skuas lunching on a King Cormorant :-(

"Bob was a good ol' bloke, 'e was."

It seems many species are fascinated with watching their own suffer.
OK, that's probably reading a bit much into it.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2011 - 11:54pm PT

Yikes! Grimness. It's like watching a Coopers come through the drive through at the feeder. I watch the aftermath through my fingers.

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

May 12, 2011 - 11:57pm PT

Skuas are a rapacious bunch.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 13, 2011 - 10:35pm PT

A friend was recently hiking in Red Rocks Vegas. He can't figure out this bird and I wondered if all the rockin' birders here could help.

Do you see the bird?

This bird was located at the base of the cliff, but getting to the base required some up-hiking. The rocks you see are now at the base, but two years ago they were about 80 feet higher.

While there two years ago, my friend heard an owl and recognized it as a Great Horned Owl. This one though isn't one he believes.

Size of this owl: That rock to right of owl is roughly 20" high - shoulder level, and my friend was sitting against it before he knew the owl was there. The owlet started making a noise which alerted my friend to his presence.

Beak is definitely BLACK, not yellow.

Thoughts? I'm going to get my books right now!

guido

Trad climber

Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific

May 13, 2011 - 11:02pm PT

Being pretty anthropomorphic there Reilly.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 13, 2011 - 11:07pm PT

One behind the scenes baby Great Horned Owl vote...

Damn this looks high

climber

Temecula, CA

May 13, 2011 - 11:18pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 13, 2011 - 11:31pm PT

+1 Great Horned Owl baby vote.

Awesome story Crimpie. A friend of mine keeps a "touch list," for all the birds that have touched him. He has some crazy brushes, shoe-landings, etc., but I sincerely doubt he's had a Coop land on his shoulder. Weirdest I got, two summers ago I had a chickadee fly up to my face, hover there for a second, and peck me in the tooth.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 14, 2011 - 03:54am PT

How close is too close? Nevah!

Crested Caracara channeling Richard Avedon

And I've always wondered why they are called "faceface" or "deardear". Anyone?

I know we're all fond of sniping here but don't say that around this guy...

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

May 15, 2011 - 01:12am PT

Here area few shots at smith rock, or.

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

May 15, 2011 - 01:16am PT

Today is International Migratory Bird Day, aka Birdday. The second weekend of May each year. http://www.birdday.org/

dipper

climber

May 15, 2011 - 03:58am PT

A few from the coast...

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 15, 2011 - 11:21am PT

Alasdair, who is the colorful guy enjoying the tasty bug snack? Cool shots!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 15, 2011 - 11:37am PT

All beautiful (as usual)

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

May 15, 2011 - 11:44am PT

I believe the colorful one is a Lewis's Woodpecker. I spent a lot of time with the bird book on that one. I also cant seem to ID the tail-less wren. If anyone has any idea on that one I would love to know. Its not a rock, bewicks, or house. Thats about all I know. sedge wren?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 15, 2011 - 12:12pm PT

Cool to show again Pate. Love the silly Nutcrackers! Wish we had them here. For the first time ever, we've got two Black-Headed Grosbeaks at our feeder. Seems an irruption of Pine Siskins and the goldfinch (both American and Lesser) are far fewer in numbers. The Red-Winged Blackbirds will send me to the poor house in seed costs. They are quick learners on the squirrel proof feeders.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 15, 2011 - 12:49pm PT

Alasdair,
That's the rare Tail-less Rock Wren! You can tell 'cause he's sittin' on a rock. :-)
But at least he got away. He mighta lost it through molting, too.

Charlie D.

Trad climber

Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra

May 15, 2011 - 10:49pm PT

Band Tailed Pigeons, Sierra Foothills. Nice white ring on the neck, banded tail and yellow feet! They sure can eat!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 16, 2011 - 01:09am PT

OK, they are all relatively big and slow moving, but they are pretty characteristic of Union Bay Landfill nature area here in Seattle and my best so far (excepting a pretty good house finch). All are click and expandable.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

May 17, 2011 - 04:14pm PT

We were entertained by a couple of these Wandering Tattlers hunting fish in tide pools for about 30 minutes before this one finally caught a big one. Since we haven't yet made it to the highlands, this is one of a handful of native birds we have seen.

Captain...or Skully

climber

or some such

May 17, 2011 - 04:19pm PT

I had a white dove in my backyard. It's just hangin' with the regular doves, though. I guess doves don't get too hungup about that sort of thing.

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

May 17, 2011 - 04:21pm PT

I love Gadwalls. They look like they've been outfitted in custom-woven
tweeds, somewhat different than, say, a Mallard drake.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 17, 2011 - 06:34pm PT

My feeder has been kicking butt lately:

Mountain Chickadees, Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, and juncos are usual through the winter, but are species sorta come and go. Lately it's been gangbusters. Right now we have scads of Cassin's and House Finches, Siskins, Lesser Goldfinches, and the more interesting nomads, each with their charismatic bills. Here are some crappy, through-the-dirty-window/screen shots.

When things get crowded, the crossbills just go inverted:

Giving me the stink-eye for a refill; they've been burning through seed:

The poor Evening Grosbeaks are just a little too big for this feeder:

They get frustrated. I wouldn't want that frustrated maw pointed at me. This is the only bird in North America that can crack a cherry stone; I'm told that they can break a finger, too:

Here's a female:

Here's another grosbeak, although Black-headed Grosbeaks are actually cardinals, not finches:

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 17, 2011 - 07:39pm PT

Nice see you online Tony, and nice photo. OH, the Seattle Times had an article titled "Naturalists Fear Overuse of Birdcall Apps" on the front page today.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015072324_birdcalls17m.html

Awesome photos Willoughby. I haven't seen either grosbeaks or crossbills in Seattle, but I have seen a crosbill at Index (note climbing reference). And Scuffy, yeah, Gadwalls are quite often "my favorite bird" even though we see a lot of them.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 17, 2011 - 08:19pm PT

Wowsa! More terrific photos. You have an amazing feeder collection there. We have our first Black-Headed Grosbeak. I'd pass out if some Cross-bills visited! Awesome.

mctwisted

Social climber

superslacker city

May 17, 2011 - 08:46pm PT

johntp

Trad climber

socal

May 17, 2011 - 09:32pm PT

Anybody know who this little feller is? I took it just a few minutes ago. He had the most amazing song. Sorry for the poor quality but it was a one shot opportunity with a P&S.

Captain...or Skully

climber

or some such

May 17, 2011 - 09:57pm PT

Bright, ain't he?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 17, 2011 - 10:31pm PT

JohnTP - my guess is a male summer tanager, but I'll let the experts call it...

Cool shots of Crossbills, Mr. W. They are very cool little guys. I've only seen some once up in the foothills here. I heard a bunch of seed crackling and looked over at some pinions to see a bunch of 'em chowing down! Incredible beak adaptation eh?

Here's a Black Headed Grosbeak that visited us a few times last week;

john hansen

climber

May 17, 2011 - 10:41pm PT

Johntp, I would say House Finch. The bill is too thick and short for a Tanager. Also, you can see the striping on it belly.
But like BN say,s I will wait for Willoghby or Reilly to chime in...
I have been wrong too many times.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 17, 2011 - 10:44pm PT

Second vote for House Finch. You can see his side-striping.

Years ago (pre-9/11) I would walk the same route to the rock gym in DC. Everyday I would hear the most beautiful bird song from a tree across the street.

One day I took my binoculars, stopped and spent some time trying to ID the bird: House Finch. Just as I finish, I'm approached by big, mean security dudes wanting to know what I was doing, why, etc.

Crazy paranoia even pre-9/11. It was a recycling station - hardly a sensitive area.

edit: BN is in the living room wanting to retract his Tanager guess. :) He's going with House Finch as well. :)

johntp

Trad climber

socal

May 18, 2011 - 12:15am PT

Thanks John and Crimpie; house finch it was. I was sitting around with the front door open to let the breeze in and heard the most incredible bird singing on the porch. He was right outside the door. By the time I got the camera out he had flown further away. Just a really pretty song. You can listen to it here:

http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=15

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 18, 2011 - 12:53am PT

hey there say, pate... wow! i love your bird episodes here...

thanks for the wonderful pictures...:)

and to everyone:
very nice stuff...

at my old place, i saw woodpeckers and the tuftd titmouse bird, and ONCE a whole flock of redwing blackbirds (never saw them again) *was residental small neighborhood, up from the nearby lake...

also, saw ?sparrow type stuff?? and of course crows...

well now, here at THIS house...

there is the cowbirds--they have frequented this lawn, for years, since back when i first moved up here and even STAYED in this very house for a bit, with ex-son-in-law's family...

and there is the robins here, too...
and not sure what else, yet, though we HAVE long time past seen cardidnals here and i saw one, happily, the other day...

*old neighborhood has the mute white swans, very nearby, in a water way that leads to the lake...

well NOW--HERE IS MY SHARE:

so far, i got me a robin in my ol' fixed-up though crooked shed:
she is nesting now:

her nest is very big, compared to her, and i think (so it seems from some dead birds that i found) that she has had trouble with cowbirds putting eggs in her nest)--i read that many times the robin will rebuild OVER her nest, in those cases...

maybe some of you folks, here, have more info, too, to offer...

well, here is her nest, from full view--she recently refixed it, as well, as it was messed up for awhile:

:)

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 18, 2011 - 01:00am PT

hey there say, johntp.... what a neat bird shot! and willoughby, too...

well, all you all, :)

i hope to get more birds this summer, too...

my bird feeder has to be hung from a string or the squirrles get it, :O

it always works though, but here... i have not found the proper branch yet, all these, the squirrel can still walk out on...

but--i will not give up, :))

thanks for such fun, here...

nite all...
:)

johntp

Trad climber

socal

May 18, 2011 - 09:18pm PT

neebee-

Now that's a nest....

To try to keep the squirrels from getting to the bird feeder hung from a branch, poke a hole in an aluminum pie pan. Tie a knott in the cord a foot or two above the feeder and suspend the inverted pie pan from the knott. Check this site out:

http://www.birdfeeders.com/advice/protecting-birds/squirrels

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 18, 2011 - 10:42pm PT

hey there say, johntp.... say, i've think i've seen pictures of something like that in a few garden mags....

i will go check this link out...

say, thanks a lot, my other idea just does not have the proper tree branches... i will do this....

thanks so very much!
god bless, say, hope you see a lot more of that neat bird, too!
:)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 18, 2011 - 11:49pm PT

Another from Union Bay Land Fill in Seattle. I think this common yellowthroat was just a little too far away to get the photo I wanted. They are pretty small.
I used a tripod.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 19, 2011 - 12:19am PT

Nice catching a shot of a Yellowthroat! I have seen a few, but they never come out of the thickets for me... Very pretty bird.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 19, 2011 - 01:28am PT

Neebee,
Your Robin has delusions of grandeur! Robins aren't 'sposed to live in eagles' nests!
You're an excellent landlady, keep up the good work! :-)

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

May 19, 2011 - 03:01am PT

We went out today to Kilauea Point. The best photo opportunities were with the Red-tailed Tropicbirds.

There were a number of other seabirds, including many nesting Red-footed Boobies.

Happiest to see, after the devastation on Midway from the Tsunami (>1000,000 Laysan and Black-footed chicks and over 2,000 adults lost) were a couple of Laysan Albatross with chicks.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 19, 2011 - 06:49am PT

hey there say, reilly..... got a good start from you this morning, with a good laugh--as to the comment on the ol' robin, :))

here she is strutting the yard, too (though i was much farther away):

thanks for the share...
:)

edit: wow, tony, great shots!
:)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 19, 2011 - 07:32pm PT

Tony! Spendid. thanks. I may have to point Adlai to this thread. ;-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 19, 2011 - 07:53pm PT

Love the contribution Neebee. And the new pelagic birds. Cool! Our backyard birds may soon become sea birds if the rain here doesn't stop.

john hansen

climber

May 20, 2011 - 01:40am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 20, 2011 - 01:58am PT

Riley,
That's waay beyond the pale - no fair using cute kids and tame parrots! LOL!

Here's a yound male Magellanic trying to look like dad.
After three weeks in Patagonia I still had not seen these guys and I was
getting a teensy bit pissy. Then, the last day, a half mile from the trail
head I see movement in a grove and it is a whole freaking flambly of 'em!
WooHoo! As with quite a few boids down there they were quite cooperative.
Not exactly hamming it up but not above giving me a few 'hero' poses.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 20, 2011 - 09:46am PT

So spectacular!

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

May 20, 2011 - 08:53pm PT

Some of you guys might like these. I just shot them today.

Disclaimer since it always comes up. These photos are shot within the boundaries of all laws.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 20, 2011 - 09:17pm PT

Love it DMT! Thanks. I spent many a night in rest area at mile marker 7 (or was it 1?? My favorite of them all) as well as the King's Bluff parking lot when I lived (and frequently escaped from) STL.

Mellow and lovely place - and it comes with excellent birds.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 21, 2011 - 06:48pm PT

You're not gonna believe this!

http://animalvideos.yahoo.com/video-detail?vid=25272362&cid=24037722

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

May 23, 2011 - 01:28pm PT

Totally amazing

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

May 23, 2011 - 06:06pm PT

Pretty cool, yup.

Last night I ran across these two spotted owls in Jedediah Smith Redwoods. Couldn't believe this shot actually worked out. It was really dark. ( .8 seconds, f2.8, ISO 800, Nikon D3, 400mm f2.8 lens)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 23, 2011 - 06:50pm PT

Beautiful Jerry! How cool!?!?!?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 23, 2011 - 07:19pm PT

Outstanding Jerry! But I'm afraid they're Barred, the Spotted's close
cousin and, it turns out, nemesis. Much of the Spotted's decline, which
had previously been attributed to habitat loss, is now being recognized as
a result of the more aggressive Barred's territorial expansion.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 23, 2011 - 07:28pm PT

Excellent recent additions everybody! Here are a few from the past two mornings in the foothills around Boulder - Spring is here!

john hansen

climber

May 23, 2011 - 07:33pm PT

Jerry, was that hand held for .8 sec or did you have a tripod?

Great shot's BN.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 23, 2011 - 10:21pm PT

A boid bump

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 23, 2011 - 11:06pm PT

Magpies outside the house.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 23, 2011 - 11:22pm PT

I just all all the begging baby birds now! Love the baby Magpie Bob. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 23, 2011 - 11:50pm PT

Sorry if I posted these before.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 24, 2011 - 12:04am PT

Can't go wrong reposting bird photos! Are those Painted Buntings in the last one? I can't quite tell. All so fun!

Here is the baby owl photo sent by a friend (see upthread) cropped and easier to see. With this, it is far easier to see the baby. All this time, I thought I was seeing the baby owl's head in profile. Totally optical illusion. Adorable!

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

May 24, 2011 - 02:44am PT

Reilly, Serious? Oh thats a bummer. That I finally had the spotted buggers.

John, it was on a tripod. I'm not THAT steady.

dipper

climber

May 24, 2011 - 02:57am PT

Edge

Trad climber

New Durham, NH

May 24, 2011 - 09:17am PT

Crow hotel.

First bluebird I have seen in my backyard.

Resident Chickadee.

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

May 24, 2011 - 11:36am PT

Reilly, isn't the Spotted Owl/Barred Owl situation more complicated? I thought that the expansion in the Barred territory became a factor after
the Spotted populations had already been in decline due to habitat loss.

Sort of finishing the job that had already been started.
I'm not married to this belief, open to correction, not arguing, etc.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 24, 2011 - 11:56am PT

Edge - that is a Crotel! Hahahaha

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 24, 2011 - 12:15pm PT

Jerry,
Don't feel so special, I've also never seen a Spotted. :-)
But that is one very special shot!
Note the vertical streaks or 'bars' if you will.
The Spotted would have horizontal bars also almost giving it a checkerboard
pattern. It is also much darker overall.

Scuffy,
I welcome dissent and argument when intelligently and cooly articulated.
I know, rather a foreign concept here. Your point is valid but I fear we
have a case where not enough baseline research was ever done to really make
an honest and dispassionate determination. I don't think there is any doubt
that the Barred is a definite Type A capitalist who is outcompeting the Type B
hippy Spotted. I suspect the Barreds read in "Owl Life" magazine how the
Great Horned has adapted to every environment on earth and they said "We can do that, too!"

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 24, 2011 - 02:31pm PT

I will NOT. Please don't refer to streaks as "bars," that's just obfuscatin' the whole thing. In typical ornithological descriptive usage, streaks are longitudinal or vertical, and barring is transverse or horizontal. Therefore, ignoring the bib on the Barred Owls, you could say that Spotted Owls are barred, and Barred Owls are streaked.

Huh?

At least that's how I like to think of it. I guess the "Barred" just refers to the bib and head.

Great shot, regardless of species!!

I was just in Chicago for the weekend, and migration was going bonkers, warblers dripping off of every branch. I didn't bring my real camera with me, but did have a point and shoot. In keeping with the owl theme, here's a nice red morph Eastern Screech Owl I found:

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 24, 2011 - 04:45pm PT

Edge, how much does the Notel Crotel cost? :-) Looks like it's full up...

Willoughby - that is one crazy looking owl! Cool shot for a P&S, in Chicago no less.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 24, 2011 - 08:45pm PT

That owl would make me think I was hallucinating! Cool.

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

May 25, 2011 - 12:54am PT

So maybe I missed it, but how do you tell the difference between barred and spotted? I'll have to google it.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 25, 2011 - 01:06am PT

Jerry,
Double the number of streaks on the Barred's chest and belly. Then add
in an equal number of horizontal bars so that you have a checkerboard
pattern, or squarish whitish spots, if you will. The Spotted is also
noticeably darker overall.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 25, 2011 - 04:19am PT

Crimpie, who's to say you're not? When I first spotted him, he had those nasal tufts totally flared out over his eyes, eyes closed, and he was stretched up tall and skinny trying to be a stick. Pretty convincing too. Bummer I couldn't get a shot of it, but I had to get closer to get anything worth a damn, and I woke him up.

Jerry, I'd only add that the Spotted has a fairly consistent pattern over their whole body, while the Barred has a distinct break between the barring of the head and bib, versus the vertical streaking of the belly (vs. the back which is similar in both species). That contrast in pattern is really the thing to look for.

As to weather Spotteds are hippie pacifists, check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt7toFy-9T4

Working around Barred Owl nests requires helmets, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4n1l3zAp7w

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 25, 2011 - 02:35pm PT

Less contentiously Riley: care to give us a hint on where the rail(?) photo was taken?

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

May 25, 2011 - 03:14pm PT

What Rail is it?
Some places in the SF Bay area it's not too hard to find a Clapper.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 25, 2011 - 03:15pm PT

The photo of the Gray-necked Wood-Rail was taken somewhere between the southeastern-most corner of Mexico to Northern Aregentina.

What do I win?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 25, 2011 - 03:50pm PT

western oriole

craig mo

Trad climber

L.A. Ca.

May 25, 2011 - 06:32pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2011 - 07:01pm PT

Craig Mo - stunning! So adorable. Can you keep posting photos as the babies hatch and fledge?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2011 - 07:18pm PT

Oh. Now I'll worry Ron. :/

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2011 - 09:43pm PT

Mine prefer more sophisticated cuisine than Dr. Pepper. :)

These lovely Lilac-crowned Amazon, Amazona finschi, dine on fine Edamame. Not only is it healthy, but it has awesome fuzzy texture, easy to handle and hold, allows for shelling and ultimately skinning of the fine morsel inside.

Can life be any better than that???

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2011 - 09:48pm PT

Henri is everyone's dad. He allowed me to assist in raising twelve babies through the years. Lilac - their mom - died in 1998. :(

Ferne is the first born - he's 17 now. He was an only bird in his clutch.

Clover is 14. She was an only bird in her clutch.

And Grace and Gabbie are two of a three-bird clutch. They are now 12.

Raising the babies has been the BEST! I would love to do more, but have enough parrot responsibility as it is.

craig mo

Trad climber

L.A. Ca.

May 26, 2011 - 10:50am PT

Here are the babies. Both of them fledged successfully. The wind chime spun with the wind and the nest didn't budge.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 26, 2011 - 01:45pm PT

Sum kinda peacock there, I presume?
Don't know me sub-continent boids too well.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 26, 2011 - 01:58pm PT

Love it Craig Mo! Beautiful. And happy it was a success.

Riley - the Lilac Crowns come from northern Mexico largely west of the Sierra Madre. Amazons are cool - the more yellow they have on them, the nearer the equator they originate. As you can see, mine are the northern most Amazons. Red-Headed Amazons (aka Green-Cheeked Amazons) are from the same latitudes, but east of the Sierra Madre.

At least this is what I've learned to be true. Maybe an expert can chime in more.

They are awesome birds. :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 26, 2011 - 03:00pm PT

I MEANT PHEASANT, DAMMIT! :-)

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

May 26, 2011 - 03:01pm PT

Crimpy & Cosmic, did you guys ever hear the story on Radiolab...about a troubled man & his African Grey Parrot? ... a good listen.
http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blog/2011/feb/22/flock-two/

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 26, 2011 - 04:09pm PT

I'd not seen that - thanks for sharing it Nita.

If Sadie is anything like most Greys, she's got quite the mouth on her! :) Glad the two connect for the better.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 26, 2011 - 06:55pm PT

Very cool and tiny baby hummers! Thanks for the pics :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 28, 2011 - 10:38pm PT

A 'friend' on facebook takes amazing wildlife photos. He got a photo of a warbler today and is trying to figure out if it is a Black throated Green Warbler or a Townsend's Warbler.

I can't copy and paste the photo here. Would you bird gurus go to his page and let me know what you think and why?

https://www.facebook.com/mfurtman

I look forward to hearing your thoughts...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 28, 2011 - 10:56pm PT

Facebook now shows the photos in a way that at least I can't figure out how to capture them. Right clicking doesn't work (at least it didn't last time I tried). I'll try again.

edit: Did you get that from his site? How'd you do that? Why a Black Throated versus a Townsend's. Curious. Thanks for the input!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 28, 2011 - 11:14pm PT

Cool! How the heck did you lift that photo? I only get a 'save page' option and then I get a ton of text. I'm losing my mind. Thanks also for the thoughts on the two birds. Something I'd forgotten to consider (and someone on his page reminded me of) is region. Townsend's are not common there. Learn something new everyday!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 28, 2011 - 11:19pm PT

Ahhhh. Thanks. I had no idea...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 28, 2011 - 11:35pm PT

So I did it differently. I don't see an 'inspect element' option. Perhaps because I'm on firefox? If I click on their photo, I can't copy it. If I right click on it when it's small on their page, I can copy image location, add the tags, and voila. I went for the Bay-Breasted for my test. :)

edit: phooey. It works, but it's tiny. Let me fool with it some more.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 28, 2011 - 11:41pm PT

Ha! That's the simulation photo. Still cracks me up.

So I went to IE. It offers a 'save picture as' option. Using it, I get this:

schwing! success!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 31, 2011 - 12:00pm PT

Rare white kiwi born in New Zealand
WELLINGTON - THE birth of a rare white kiwi has capped the most successful breeding season since efforts to save the endangered New Zealand bird began at a North Island sanctuary, wildlife authorities say. The male kiwi chick, named Manukura - meaning 'of chiefly status' in the Maori language - hatched on May 1 at the Pukaha sanctuary north of Wellington, the Department of Conservation (DOC ...

http://straitstimes.com.feedsportal.com/c/32792/f/524621/s/154b1d96/l/0L0Sstraitstimes0N0CBreakingNews0CWorld0CStory0CSTIStory0I6732680Bhtml

I saw an albino Audubon's Warbler once; not quite as exciting but it was wild.

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

May 31, 2011 - 12:56pm PT

When I was a kid growing up near Golden, Co. a huge flock of these waxwings would stop off in our backyard twice a year on their migration. I thought they were the most beautiful birds I'd ever seen, their color is so unique. Some of them were almost green.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 31, 2011 - 10:40pm PT

Beautiful - all!

Gal

Trad climber

a semi lucid consciousness

May 31, 2011 - 10:58pm PT

In a canyon in Northern Arizona.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 31, 2011 - 11:03pm PT

Gal, are they western screech owls?
Nice pic!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 31, 2011 - 11:11pm PT

What a treat to see those! Very cool Gal!

Gal

Trad climber

a semi lucid consciousness

May 31, 2011 - 11:20pm PT

Thanks, yes, it was a nice surprise when I kayaked around the corner to see them...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 6, 2011 - 02:46pm PT

I spent my first *non-climbing* weekend in Leavenworth Wa, and so I came back with some bird photos. For those not familiar with Leavenworth aside from being the gateway town to the Icicle Canyon cragging area and the Alpine Lakes wilderness area, is also the 'the Bavarian Disneyland of Washington. My wife and I stayed in a beautiful house a little uphill on the east side of Icicle Creek just after it leaves the Canyon. The house had a feeder.

Yeah, it was beautiful weather and a little frustrating not climbing, but I met a good group of locals. I know it's a duh, but just traveling to the other side of the mountains sure makes a difference with birding.

We saw a White Headed Woodpecker that I didn't get a chance to photograph. Last year I saw a Blackbacked Woodpecker up a couple thousand feet in a burn area.

I think I know what this is, but ...

And this one that would just not come into focus:

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 6, 2011 - 03:53pm PT

Darwin, those are Cassin's Finches and Pine Siskins.

frog-e

Trad climber

Imperial Beach California

Jun 13, 2011 - 12:19pm PT

frog-e

Trad climber

Imperial Beach California

Jun 13, 2011 - 12:27pm PT

frog-e

Trad climber

Imperial Beach California

Jun 13, 2011 - 12:34pm PT

frog-e

Trad climber

Imperial Beach California

Jun 13, 2011 - 12:55pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 13, 2011 - 01:52pm PT

Nice! Especially like the woodpecker.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 13, 2011 - 01:59pm PT

I luv the Rosy Boa - much rarer! :-)

Last night on our evening hike we found a large Striped Racer and 15' away
a large Gopher snake! I frantically dug out the camera and started madly pressing
the shutter all the while splaying my size 11's out to keep him in the fire
road. About the time I saw that the display was giving me a dope slap for
"No memory card" he was between my feet and fast disappearing down his hole!
And I thought snakes had small brains - DOH!

It was really cool though watching 3' of snake disappear into a 1.25" hole!

frog-e

Trad climber

Imperial Beach California

Jun 13, 2011 - 02:48pm PT

For the snake lovers:

Sporting getting shots of birds in flight...

How 'bout this thing?

Posted a few others on the previous page FYI.

Mad

Social climber

Jun 13, 2011 - 02:50pm PT

Wish I could climb like that..............

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 15, 2011 - 01:24am PT

Probably the most serendipitous and rarest sighting in Tierra del Fuego:
The Southern Giant Petrel. Not commonly seen inshore. 34-39" with a wingspan of 73-81",
He doesn't look pleased, but that's been said of me too.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 15, 2011 - 01:24pm PT

Nice!!! Tubenoses are the coolest.

"Real birds eat squid" - somebody I know, or maybe not. I forget who

Gal

Trad climber

a semi lucid consciousness

Jun 15, 2011 - 03:31pm PT

I like these birds! I like the intricate beak of the The Southern Giant Petrel! And I like the "mantis" like stick species... reminds me of an old boss I had... Though that Mantis I did not like...
-and Frog-e, nice shots!

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 12:54am PT

Reilly,

Where did you see the S. Giant Petrel? We saw plenty once we were at sea, but never from land in Chile or Tierra del Fuego. Very cool.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 01:15am PT

Tony,
He was in the Beagle Channel east of Ushuaia. I was surprised as the weather
was decent, for down there, so it didn't seem like he was 'inshore' sheltering.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 02:06am PT

Willoughby,

I heard it attributed to Tony Marr via Debi Shearwater. Not sure if he is the originator. I understand his sentiment. I have a particular affection for tubenoses, in spite of getting drawn into birding by raptors.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 02:40am PT

Speaking of Giant Petrels, here is a Northern Giant Petrel crusing alongside us on the Drake Passage.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 16, 2011 - 06:58am PT

here's a "real" bird for ya

ghand

Sport climber

Golden,Colorado

Jun 16, 2011 - 08:58am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 11:34am PT

Keeping the only spew-less, troll-less, and hate-less thread on ST alive I
humbly offer you:

Mr Kelp goose

Mrs Kelp goose

Blackish Oystercatcher
You would be excused to think this an American Black but there are some
notable, if subtle, differences: shorter tail, stouter bill with 'step' to
the lower mandible, more brownish plumage on back.
Interestingly, the Blackish is found as far north as Peru on the west coast
but only as far a La Plata on the east. Of course, the Humboldt Current
probably explains it.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 11:45am PT

Thanks, Ron, but I'm Reilly! Riley is otherwise engaged helping Karl cleanse El Cap of choss. :-)

ps
Good shooting tony, ghand, and little z! Little z, did you get a make on
that model absconding with the sushi? Pretty hard to tell from this angle.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jun 16, 2011 - 11:56am PT

AWESOME!!!!!

wildone

climber

Troy, MT

Jun 16, 2011 - 11:57am PT

Got to see many Eider ducks on the Beaufort Sea today. I love those goofy lil guys.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 12:04pm PT

Like the 'King' of Kuparuk?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 12:53pm PT

To complete the 'brace' of Fuegian oystercatchers here is a Magellanic.
Again, you would think it an American but he only speaks spanish. Sorry.
The key features are the yellow eye ring and the wing pattern seen in flight.

There is a bit of range overlap. The Magellanic goes north on both coasts
just to where the American ranges south. That point being about the latitude
of FitzRoy although, of course, you're not gonna see either there!

I never got close to any of these so this is a severe crop of a loong
range shot.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 04:50pm PT

Sorry to backtrack to seabirds. I'm a little slow.

The size range of tubenoses is amazing. From these:

To this:

Side-by-side:

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 04:54pm PT

Of course these guys "only" fly underwater:

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 07:35pm PT

Yes, wildone. How did you get there, and how are you posting up?

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 16, 2011 - 07:38pm PT

a very happy immature Red-billed Tropicbird (look what I caught Ma!) off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

It splashed down right next to our boat to grab the slippery little sucker, but we were all looking in the other direction and weren't aware of it until we heard the splash.

JZ

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jun 16, 2011 - 08:01pm PT

Four species (and I believe a Giraffe if my id is correct) anybody know?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 08:33pm PT

little z,
yes it does look a Tropicbird.

Wildone is making sure y'all can keep yer Hummers goin'. He's a good lad
for looking after us, isn't he? And, yes, they have electricity and the
intardnet even in Alaska. Like they'd get anybody to go up there if they didn't?
When I worked up there we still used smoke signals and semaphores.

Tony,
Nice 'un with the Prion! Oooooh! Were you on a cruise or working?

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jun 16, 2011 - 08:49pm PT

Hey Ron, just giving some hints on the location by showing a giraffe (Northern Botswana). Kind of narrows it down! Any thoughts folks? Just found this thread and it is a lot of fun thought I'ld add in. Good luck!

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jun 16, 2011 - 09:03pm PT

Ron, Sorry for the small photo. I'm not very good at the whole intercom thing. Your right, there is one sacred ibis, and a couple Grey Herons. The majority is African Spoonbills, and one Yellow Billed Stork next to the mammal thing!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 16, 2011 - 09:20pm PT

Best thread ever. Have a fun one to add when we get gone. You guys are the best!

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jun 16, 2011 - 09:25pm PT

Central Asia (Altai Republic) 9.5 foot wingspan

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 10:46pm PT

Reilly,

Definitely not working. It was a cruise from Ushuia-Falklands-S.Georgia-Antarctic Peninsula on a smallish ship. We birded around Chile before and after. Needless to say, it was a trip of a lifetime. Incidentally, we were on Robinson Crusoe Island (Isla Mas a Tierra) just a few weeks before the tsunami devastated the only town on the island. Very heartbreaking.

About Robinson Crusoe Island

About the Tsunami
edit: NOT included to try to solicit donations

Here are the two endemic bird species we saw. Like most islands the native plants and animals are under siege by introduced species (esp. humans).

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 16, 2011 - 11:30pm PT

Dood,
I am drooling! Firecrowns and Tit-tyrants, yowza!

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 17, 2011 - 12:26am PT

Reilly,

It seems your trip to Patagonia was none too shabby. You even got onto some mountains, which is more than I can say for us. If you are in Chile, you should try to make it to the Isla Robinson Crusoe. It is an amazing, remote place. I'm curious to see how they are recovering.

Getting there was a bit exciting. Here is the landing strip:

We then hiked over to the pier. The small black dots are Juan Fernandez Fur Seals.

Here are some of the local surfers.

We then took one of these pangas around to other side of the island in pretty deep seas to the town of San Juan Batista. This was also a little exciting. I stashed my camera away, having already killed a camera in an earlier pelagic trip out of Valparaiso

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 17, 2011 - 12:41am PT

this is getting serious...time to chalk up

Q-Ball - an impressive Eurasian Griffon Vulture

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 17, 2011 - 12:49am PT

Speaking of birds...for my 58th birthday...Haida owl...pretty cool.

Have the haida Eagle on the inside of the arm.

Birds are so beautiful and add so much to our lives.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 17, 2011 - 01:22am PT

thanks for the new bird photos, y'all.

Darwin

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jun 17, 2011 - 01:25am PT

hey there say, bob.... wow, what a neat bird... i love drawing birds... i had a dove type quail sort-of bird that i kind of created, arti-wise, (kind of, meaning that i made it a tad different at times)....

i added little similar things on it, as designs...

really neat... thanks for the share...

*say, i got some neat baby robin pics to post, but i got to get up
at 7, so i hope to post them tomorrow....

happy good eve to you all...
and happy supertopo-ing... :)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 17, 2011 - 02:58pm PT

Yesterday we found a too-young bird that had fumbled out of his nest. No way to return him and he was slowly cooking on the sidewalk in front of Amante North. No vegetation...just guaranteed dehydration or being run over by a car on Broadway (few feet away). Way too young to fly yet. No parents anywhere. So we took him to Greenwood - the local wildlife rescue place where he'll be taken care of and released when he's ready.

While there, a woman came in a with a screaming log. Turns out she was having a rotten apple tree removed from her property. The tree came down, and out tumbled some baby birds she didn't know were nesting there. The parents fled and didn't return. The babies were starved. She cut off the part of the branch where the nest was and brought the babies in. Check them out!

What do you guys think? Downy Woodpeckers? Definitely adorable!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 17, 2011 - 03:05pm PT

The hole in the other side of the log was about 1-1.25" across. Not sure that is useful information. You are correct Ron - they are ADORABLE! I've always hated seeing trees or big limbs being cut down this time of year for exactly this reason. :(

dirtbagger

Ice climber

Australia

Jun 17, 2011 - 04:01pm PT

A beautiful and sharp eyed Red Kite

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jun 17, 2011 - 08:48pm PT

Hey Little Z, its a Cinereous Vulture. They would buzz me while sitting still glassing for Ibex and Argali Sheep. A very big bird!

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jun 17, 2011 - 09:01pm PT

He likes fruit loops but what species?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 17, 2011 - 09:06pm PT

He looks a Keel-billed but there should some green to the base of his bill
and some greenish-blue around the eye. A couple of stops over-exposed.

Here's lookin' at you, kid.

So tell me again why all that bill is necessary.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 17, 2011 - 09:11pm PT

Wow, Q-ball, that is a funky bird, a big funky bird. Very cool. Bet that made you nervous having that hulking thing overhead trying to figure out if you might be past your expiration date.

I'm amazed at all the far off and wondrous places you people get to for your birding. And you're climbers too? I get such a chuckle out of that. I used to drive all my former climbing partners nuts whenever I'd start pointing out birds. And when don't you see a bird when you're out climbing? Only when I climbed in the UK did I run into a fair number of birding-climbers. In fact it seemed like everyone had at least dabbled in both endeavors.

Thanks to everyone for sharing the great photos, of exotics and backyard birds alike.

JZ

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jun 17, 2011 - 09:20pm PT

You guys are great! Yup a Keel Billed. I can't comment on bill coloration but it is from Honduras.

About the big bill, I'm amazed at the abilities but lack of power it has. They can hardly even make a painful pinch. This bird is at my Uncle's rescue in Copan Honduras. Whenever the Gov of honduras confiscates smuggling birds they send them to him. I swear those birds get better treatment than any pets!

I'm not a birder but think I have a pretty good handle on some of them. Awesome thread, I've learned a lot!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 17, 2011 - 09:21pm PT

Q-Ball's bird would be a Keel-billed if it's from Honduras. Angle of the head makes the green facial skin seem yellow, and the other colors are farther out on the bill.

Toucan bills are as light as a feather and have many hollow spaces. For sound resonating? They certainly are adept at wielding the things around to snatch fruit from the tips of small branches or to grab nasty but yummy things like tarantulas and centipedes. Also handy for extracting nestlings and eggs from the cavity nests of other birds (not so cute anymore, huh?)

JZ

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 17, 2011 - 11:03pm PT

Ooh, a Keel-billed Toucan, the national bird of Belize! We head there tomorrow, and I am anxious to see one (at least). I've been studying the field guide and there are many cool new birds to see, or at least hear.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jun 18, 2011 - 08:41pm PT

hey there say, tony... wow, the browsers been opened for a bit and i SEE the "surfers" ... neat picture, i always loved watching stuff like that off the calif coast, when i was a kid, or was at my folks's homeland area...

say, all, here are my "nesters", and then, the straggler (my ol' pupdog patty ann marie, ran after it on the day it tried flying! which opened the news to me that these babes had now flown the nest--day before or so, they were STILL in it...

first the nest pic...
then the baby bird that was still learning...

hmm, will do more later, it is not working, too slow for some reason, :(

see you all soon,
god bless... :)

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jun 18, 2011 - 09:38pm PT

hey there say, well, lets try again, :))

here is the three babes, nearly ready:

here is the straggler that patty nearly got:

is not working again, *i have to go through two browerser here, to get to the picture to upload and the computer at times, just stalls out, :(

well, i'll be back, :)

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jun 18, 2011 - 09:56pm PT

hey there say, all.... here is the last bunch of pics from the little babe robin.... they still hang out near by...
but not in the yard.... sure miss that mama and papa robin, :)

all done for now...
:)

NigelSSI

Trad climber

B.C.

Jun 18, 2011 - 10:22pm PT

Sadly no camera was anywhere nearby,

This morning while having a coffee out on my porch a Peregrine hit an Eagle HARD about 40' in front of me. The Eagle was forced down, and hung out for a few minutes before getting back in the air.

john hansen

climber

Jun 19, 2011 - 01:06am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 19, 2011 - 01:38am PT

John,
Where'd ya see the gift-wrapped dinosaur? One was seen the other day just
about La Crescenta.

...........................................

Juvenile Black-crowned Night heron in Ushuaia wondering
"what the flock am I doing in this gawd-forsaken place?"

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jun 19, 2011 - 01:40am PT

Nigel, that must have been quite something, a peregrine attacking an eagle. Was there any apparent reason? Was it an juvenile eagle, or perhaps threatening the falcon's nest?

NigelSSI

Trad climber

B.C.

Jun 19, 2011 - 02:01am PT

I've never seen anything quite like it. Actually heard the impact, then the eagle made an awkward landing, and hung out for a bit. I just stayed sitting still, so as not to disturb the poor beggar.

It was an adult Eagle, and I didn't get to see the lead up... Just the eagle flying into view, and getting pounded by the falcon right in front of me a couple seconds later. They were coming from the general direction of a peregrine nest at the local crag a couple km away from my house. Quite a ways, but not if you're flying I suppose. Eagles are in the air frequently up there, though I've never noticed the falcons paying them much attention.

john hansen

climber

Jun 19, 2011 - 03:02am PT

The condor was at the grand canyon, I was all stoked and was telling people along the trail that there was a Condor. They said, "oh yeah there are two of them sitting right by the overlook" Went back a hundred yards and sure enough there there they were not 15 ft away.

About five minutes after that one of the park condor trackers chased them off. They don't want them to hang around human's.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 19, 2011 - 03:29pm PT

Nigel,
I wonder if it was a juvenile Peregrine or just a juvenile delinquent Peregrine.
Actually, both being predators I think it likely that 'it takes one to know one'
and the Peregrine just might not have appreciated the eagle's eyeballing the
Peregrine's nest even from afar.

....................................

The above juvenile's dad:

"But, son, Ushuaia looked so appealing in the brochures!"

NigelSSI

Trad climber

B.C.

Jun 19, 2011 - 03:56pm PT

Thinking about it a bit more, it seems clear to me that the peregrine was dogging the eagle due to the low altitude this occurred at. Not sure of the peregrine's maturity, but my guess is adult. I see eagles pretty frequently around my place, but normally much higher. I'm in a bit of a valley, with tall trees around the rim, so there was very likely a fast elevation drop in the eagle's flight, assuming the bird kept roughly the same path as I saw. Approximately 150' drop over 200'.

The peregrine wasn't diving as fast as I've seen them go before. Sometimes on the crag you get a great doppler effect when they go full out past you. There's been a few that dived close by on the hunt that sounded like old WWII planes due to vibrating feathers. This is only the 2nd strike I've seen in it's entirety. The other ended in a puff of feathers from a small bird, and surely instant death. Pretty cool stuff all around.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 19, 2011 - 11:29pm PT

More from the Montlake Landfill (aka Union Bay Natural Area) in Seattle. cloudy/rainy Sunday June 19, 2011

Nesting Grebe:

Its mate would occasionally bring it something, food or nesting grass?

White crowned (ok you see them all over)

Killdeer with a nest in one of the gravel parking lots.

(faking it)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 22, 2011 - 04:15pm PT

Speaking of Peregrines, there's a pair at Cave Rock these days. I just noticed them this morning, while driving Hwy. 50, and later in the day I swung back through to get a better look. Apparently they've been hanging around for 4-5 weeks:

This guy was also there today, singing his head off:

Canyon Wren is a species I've been trying to catch up with in the Tahoe basin for YEARS. Any Tahoe folks out there know of a consistent location?? By all accounts they just sort of drift through without any regular breeding spots. These east shore outcrops seem to be the best places to stumble across them when they're around.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 23, 2011 - 09:20am PT

Here are a few shots of an Osprey at a pond east of Boulder searching for some breakfast, then making the score... CG and I enjoyed the show.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 23, 2011 - 02:39pm PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 23, 2011 - 02:50pm PT

yup- there were nonstop battles going on and most of the participants had missing or out-of-place feathers. That photo gets a little bigger if you click on it.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 23, 2011 - 03:07pm PT

Willoughby,
Very nice shot of the Canyon Wren! Hard to get those guys to 'sit'.

Brass,
Excellent action shots!

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jun 23, 2011 - 11:02pm PT

A shot through the binocs, sorry for the quality. Lek north of Wamsutter. Still a ton of these guys in Wyo.

I know the numbers are down in many areas, but they are very strong and growing in most of south-central Wyo!!!

Fritz

Trad climber

Choss Creek, ID

Jun 24, 2011 - 08:33pm PT

The bird photos posted are wonderful! Thanks to everyone that has taken the time to post such great photos!

Speaking of Killdeer. We enjoyed something, rare to us, this afternoon: baby Killdeer hatched, but still in the nest.

Killdeer around Idaho prefer to build their nests on barren river flats, or other gravel areas with little to no vegetation.

We have the Killdeer this spring who built and abandoned one nest in the middle of a gravel road at the north edge of our property, then built a 2nd nest at the barren edge of the road.

I was walking by this afternoon and noticed only one of four eggs was left on the nest. Then I realized there were 3 hatchlings in the nest.

Since baby Killdeer are precocial: actually seeing chicks on the nest is pretty rare. Hopefully the other egg hatches, they survive the night, and will be out with their mom foraging tomorrow.

Here's my photo exercise to see if you have "Killdeer nest eyes??"

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 25, 2011 - 12:09am PT

What a nice series of photos!!!!

The canyon wren is a great catch and a really good photo. Here's to little brown birds.

Then the awesome Osprey, hummingbird, grouse and interesting eggs. The killdeer hatchlings are too cute.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 25, 2011 - 12:29am PT

The Kildeer nest pics are very cool! Great camo job. Here are a couple more recent shots to add to this very fun thread...

john hansen

climber

Jun 25, 2011 - 02:02am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 26, 2011 - 07:56pm PT

All fantastic. The baby Killdeer are REALLY camouflaged!

Here's one of a Yellow Warbler by BrassNuts that he didn't put up. I think it is cute beyond belief:

Edit: John H - love the GBH. Nice to see one outside of water. Really beautiful!

Fritz

Trad climber

Choss Creek, ID

Jun 26, 2011 - 08:48pm PT

Mom & Dad quail showed up and showed off the new hatchlings this morning.

Appears to be a clutch of 12 ping-pong ball sized quailites.

Even the photoshop of a telephoto doesn't make them too clear. No way can I get closer. They run like the wind!

I went back and checked on the Killdeer nest the next morning. The three chicks were gone, as expected, and the now "bad egg" remained behind.

wildone

climber

Troy, MT

Jun 26, 2011 - 09:34pm PT

I've been seeing both Spectacled Eiders, and Stellar's Eiders. I love them. They're so cool. Reilly, what kind of giant swan is it that I see up here a lot?

Not my photos:

Spectacled Eider

Stellar's Eider

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jun 27, 2011 - 01:51am PT

Here is the flavor of Yellow Warbler (called the Mangrove Warbler) down here in Belize, where we have been visiting for a week. Of course, there are lots of fabulous birds, but I wanted to post this one while BrassNuts' excellent photo of a US Yellow Warbler is on the same page. I'm short on bandwidth and time, but have a lot more when I get home. Not much climbing here unless you like vegetated limestone.

We were also delighted to get good looks of this guy.

john hansen

climber

Jun 27, 2011 - 02:20am PT

Crimpie.. that GBH was fun. I was hiking along a trial on the bluff's above Bodega Bay Head. That was the last bird I would expect to see out there.

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jun 27, 2011 - 02:27am PT

No photos, but I was working on some route restoration on the upper Apron at Squamish today. I was treated to the glorious spectacle of a pair of peregrines soaring and stooping nearby, in unison. Making quite a lot of noise, too, so not hunting - they were being creatures of the air.

Later a pair of ravens was about, doing raven stuff - they're pretty entertaining, too. And a bald eagle or two were in the vicinity - perhaps what set the peregrines off?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 27, 2011 - 08:57am PT

Very cool Mangrove Warbler! It looks like he dipped his head in some rust colored paint or something :-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 27, 2011 - 11:15am PT

Mental,
They weren't 'enjoying' each other. It was an ages old McCoy vs Hatfields tête-à-tête.

Wildone - Tundra swans. I once got two guys in Scammon Bay a free ride in a Black Hawk
after I ratted them out to the feds for shooting a Tundra swan. Don't ever
hire me if you're going to phuk with my 'Mo bros and then compound it
by shooting some of my bird friends. The Irish pretty much wrote the book on revenge.

wildone

climber

Troy, MT

Jun 27, 2011 - 12:02pm PT

Revenge...it's a dish best served cold, my man.
Good looking out.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 27, 2011 - 12:06pm PT

Ha! The look on those guys' faces when they were cuffed lying on their lying
faces with M-16's at their heads was priceless. So sayeth my buddy who was
still there. Sadly, I had left a few days before. No matter, the bishes
went down hard - they had also shot a seal!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 27, 2011 - 12:34pm PT

Love the Mangrove Warbler as well. Very cool!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 27, 2011 - 09:06pm PT

A whole herd of Flamingos showed up next door... I'm gonna try and entice some to my yard.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 27, 2011 - 09:20pm PT

Don't mess with mommy...

Bird on a wire.

Cruising...

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jun 28, 2011 - 12:17am PT

AWsome, Reilly!!!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 28, 2011 - 04:54pm PT

Steve...the real deal.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 28, 2011 - 04:57pm PT

Cool photo Bob. I especially like the Cormorants in the foreground because of the contrast they provide.

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

Jun 28, 2011 - 05:06pm PT

In the summer of 1985 I spent 2 months working in Nakuru on the shore of Lake Nakuru, in the Eastern Rift Valley of Kenya. The shoreline was comprised of flamingo droppings.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 30, 2011 - 12:36am PT

Awesome Flamingo photos, ydpl8s and all. I have the temerity to sneak this in before Tony gets back from Belize and raises the bar too high. Montlake Landfill has been interesting the last few days. Two Osprey started hanging around along with the 4(???) or so resident Bald Eagles. Then yesterday as I was walking into work a Virginia Rail decides to show itself. It wasn't secretive at all and pranced around in front of me for a few minutes, but I didn't have my camera and it was a dark day.

Anyway here is the resident Killdeer nesting in the parking lot:

and *Hungry Aliens*

baby Barn Swallows. As my friend John would say, it's lucky they don't weight 40 lbs.

Edge

Trad climber

New Durham, NH

Jun 30, 2011 - 02:52pm PT

Taken in Glacier Bay, Alaska.

Semipalmated Plover.

American Oystercatcher.

Tufted Puffin.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 30, 2011 - 05:20pm PT

Adorable - all! :)

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jun 30, 2011 - 10:20pm PT

I love the shots, oystercatcher and all.... Wish i can see some feathery friends up north sone day!

Exotic but easy- just giving a fun quiz

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 1, 2011 - 12:18am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 1, 2011 - 12:35am PT

Q-man,
Nice shot of the Wattled Cranes, Bugeranus carunculatus, although the
wattle is only visible on the one. A fine sight to behold, indeed!.

Edge,
Very fine shot of the Oystercatcher!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Jul 1, 2011 - 01:14pm PT

the neighborhood hawk.

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jul 1, 2011 - 09:58pm PT

Well done Reilly, in the Kwai Marsh Channel, Okavango delta area.

Dirt Claud, my guess is a Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus but I've never done raptor work in CA.

I can definitely say it is sitting in a sweetgum tree!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Jul 2, 2011 - 01:56am PT

yeah, he flies around the neighborhood every afternoon, alot of cool hawks and some eagles to see around San Diego.
Nice shot of those Cranes.
That owl is stellar too Bob

john hansen

climber

Jul 3, 2011 - 11:43pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 5, 2011 - 01:00am PT

Related to birds, I think, but really lizards...

I thought I've been accused of having a hole in my head...

john hansen

climber

Jul 5, 2011 - 01:04am PT

Emu?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 5, 2011 - 01:10am PT

The first one, yes. Clearly possessed of an attitude about the cards one is
dealt in life like my ex. I didn't try to cozy up to 'it', not that I got
all that lovey-dovey with the eight footer. It is frikking scary standing
next to one of them! Well, next to the fence between us.

john hansen

climber

Jul 5, 2011 - 01:18am PT

The second two , maybe, be a Rea (south america) (spelling)?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 6, 2011 - 01:00am PT

John, sorry, I wasn't trying to drag out the suspense. I assumed that my clue
of "the eight footer" would mean Ostriche to everyone. :-)

I saw a fair few Lesser Rheas in Argentina but never got a decent shot. They
are really skittish as they were hunted mercilessly by the gauchos until only recently.

Mundane but my favorite west coast gull - Heermann's. Also, an easy call.

.........................................................................

Although the angle hides his 'crown' this is a male Nuttall's. I include it
because it shows you only need to see the belly and flanks to call it from a
Ladder-backed. The Nuttall's has spotted flanks as aopposed to the Ladder's
barred flanks. Nuttall's is also much whiter on the throat and chest.
Their range overlaps in far southern California although the Nuttall's prefers
oaks and the Ladders more desert. This one is a bit different to my eye.
The stripes on the sides of the face are quite wide for a Nuttall's and it
very much looks a Ladder-backed in that regard. The fact that it was seen in
the oaky hills of Paso Robles leaves little doubt especially with the whiter chest
and the fact that I did see the crown which only covers the hind part as
opposed to the Ladder-back's almost full crown. I guess Nuttall's hybridizes
with both Downy and Ladder-backed so this one might be a 'love-child'.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jul 6, 2011 - 02:49am PT

Here are a few photos from our recent Belize trip. I've just begin getting some posted on my Photobucket Site.

EDIT: I switched to a SmugMug site

I need reorganize them, delete a bunch, and add captions. The photography was "challenging", since we were often out in the early AM looking up into the canopy.

In keeping with the "Bird Quiz" theme, I haven't yet labelled them.

NOT a hummingbird!

john hansen

climber

Jul 6, 2011 - 03:09am PT

Those are some weird looking birds tony... I want to say the first pic is an Anhinga or something that is spelled something like that..

Third pic maybe a scissor tailed flycatcher?? And possibly some type of trogon in the fifth one??

Posting after a few beers so probably wrong on all of them.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jul 6, 2011 - 03:20am PT

John,

Very closely related to the Scissor-tailed Flycathcer. Yes it's a Trogon. Anybody want to guess on the exact species? The first one is not an Anhinga, although we did see those.

Since I hadn't previously birded in Mexico or Central America, many of the birds were of completely new families for me.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 6, 2011 - 10:38am PT

More cool birds. John H, what is the first one you posted above - the yellow-green bird?

And a common occurrence at my parents' home. These guys are everywhere, in all shapes and sizes. And the males during this trip were busy wooing everything. The side of the house was particularly attractive for some reason.

Edge

Trad climber

New Durham, NH

Jul 6, 2011 - 10:49am PT

Ptarmigan just below the summit of Gros Morne Mtn, Newfoundland.

Puffin, Elliston, Newfoundland.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 6, 2011 - 10:51am PT

Tony,
1. Rufescent Tiger-Heron
2. Black-collared Hawk
3. Fork-tailed Flycatcher
4. Non-descript SBGG (small brownish-green guy)
5. Violaceous Trogon
6. Black-chinned Jacamar

Next? :-)

Nice shots!

Edge, cute poseur you got there.

Edge

Trad climber

New Durham, NH

Jul 6, 2011 - 03:06pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jul 6, 2011 - 03:09pm PT

Reilly,

Mostly correct (or very close). I had to check to be sure you didn't use any alternate names.
They are:

Bare-throated Tiger-heron
Black-collared Hawk
Fork-tailed Flycatcher
Clay-colored Robin with the worm
Violaceous Trogon
Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jul 7, 2011 - 07:13pm PT

Awesome pictures all! Well done Reilly! I need to digitize more pics so you can nail them down for me.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 8, 2011 - 01:15am PT

Thanks thanks to you all big time for posting these.
Tony; I'm going to be down there this weekend and Mon/Tues. Maybe Pt Reyes?

I don't have anything from Seattle, not that they would compare, but wait:
and

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 20, 2011 - 02:28pm PT

There's been some serious slacking off here boys and girls! 10 days without
a post? For shame!

Argentina's national bird

OK, it ain't an eagle and it ain't really a looker. I'm sure they have
their reasons. Maybe it is because they are monogamous although judgeing
by the behavior of Homo argentinus that I observed that would not seem to
be an especially esteemed trait.

The Rufous Hornero, and its sibling the Crested, belong to the Ovenbird family (Furnariidae)
of which we have the one Ovenbird. To confuse matters ours is not
actually in the Ovenbird family proper but actually of the New World
warbler family (Parulidae). But I digress.

As its name would imply, to a spanish-speaker, its nest looks a wee oven.

"The nest of the species is typical for the genus, a large thick clay "oven" placed on a tree, or more recently on man made structures such as fenceposts, telephone poles or buildings. Pairs remain together throughout the year and will work on the nest during that time; nests can be constructed in as little as 15 days but are usually completed in 2–3 months... The birds do not use the same "oven" for succeeding breeding-seasons, therefore it is quite common to see a number of structures - from two to three - close to each other (or even atop each other) at the same nesting area. However, a formerly unused nest can be repaired for a new breeding-season."

The day I saw one of their nests I didn't have my camera - DOH!
And, in fact, it was occupied by a blackbird or some such.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jul 21, 2011 - 02:12am PT

But tell me, eKat, how did the rope get up there?????

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jul 21, 2011 - 05:41am PT

I've been finding a lot of cool nests lately. Who can tell me what this is:

Note that there are 13 eggs in there!! Here's a hint - it's suspended over ~ 2.5 feet of water.

Here's its close cousin's nest, and a crappy shot of that same cousin trying to cover up it's big pile of nine eggs (which it can't quite do):

Amazing how many birds are still on eggs at this point, this year. Some stuff is finally hatching though. We have baby Spotted Sandpipers underfoot right now; gotta watch yer step!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 21, 2011 - 09:28am PT

Baby sandpiper!!! awwww.

No info to add (as usual). Just here admiring. Starlings just arrived outside with their new feathers for the year. Lovely polka dots.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Jul 21, 2011 - 10:34am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 21, 2011 - 11:11am PT

Willoughby,
The bottom furtive denizen is a Clapper Rail methinks but I'm coming up
snake eyes on who pumps out 13 unless it is a reptile.

Alasdair,
Your Nighthawk has me confused. It looks a Common which it should be if you're
in Washington but the raggedy wingtips look more like a Lesser's. But I'm
sticking with Common.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Jul 21, 2011 - 11:18am PT

I have no idea if its a common or lesser. It was shot in ellensburg a couple of days ago. I love shooting birds, but I am the worlds worst birder.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 21, 2011 - 11:23am PT

The easiest distinction, other than the fact that Lessers should not be within
800 miles of Ellensberg, is that the Lesser's wing bars are further out towards
the tip. Usually the Common's wingtips are nice and pointy and the Lesser's
usually look a little raggedy like yours. The Lesser's taill is a little
longer and the Common's wings are a little longer. 99.9% sure yours is a Common.

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

Jul 21, 2011 - 11:46am PT

Those 13 eggs must be from more than one hen. I think this kind of nest
parasitism is common in ducks, but rails?

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Jul 26, 2011 - 09:40pm PT

Late last week at Union Valley Reservoir in the South Tahoe area, we saw a Common Merganser with 14 ducklings, one riding on the back. Pretty cute! Unfortunately, my camera is in for repair. This species is reported to do a lot of "egg dumping" especially where nest boxes are in use.

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Aug 1, 2011 - 01:03am PT

Apparently some sort of bird thinks that cedars are good, too!

What sort of birds gnaw holes in cedar, and what are they eating?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 1, 2011 - 01:11am PT

Pileated woodpeckers - their rectangular holes are unique. There must be
something yummy in there or they wouldn't waste their time.

Captain...or Skully

climber

or some such

Aug 15, 2011 - 02:18am PT

I met some owls today. They were cool. Not too concerned with me.
All good. Howdy. See ya!

Captain...or Skully

climber

or some such

Aug 15, 2011 - 02:20am PT

Captain...or Skully

climber

or some such

Aug 15, 2011 - 03:41am PT

I really wish I'd have left the camera out for the canyon wrens.
They were MACKIN' on hoppers! It was Badass!!!!6!!!!
Alas, I'd already packed it up. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride, eh?
Just like Pat McManus.
Refer to "Rings on water after trout jumped".

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 15, 2011 - 09:28am PT

Nice Skully! I was just thinking about this thread and missing it. BN has some fun photos of a bunch of Cedar Waxwings hawking I want to post. They are still in raw format though. Hoping he gets them up soon.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 15, 2011 - 11:51am PT

These little guys have been showing up lately.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 21, 2011 - 07:12pm PT

Due to a new job I haven't had as much time as I'd like to peruse the good threads on the Taco like this one or get outside as much as I would like. Fun recent additions everyone! But, all is not work, so here are a few pics from recent weeks :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 21, 2011 - 07:21pm PT

Yay! My heart sings with these photos. :)

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

Aug 22, 2011 - 12:00pm PT

I am impressed by anyone who can tell a Violet-Green Swallow from a Tree
Swallow.

These photos are amazing.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 22, 2011 - 12:07pm PT

Really excellent Mr BN. The light on the first waxwing is perfect. The nuthatch is awesome too.

Mr Cozmeek,
Yer second hawk is a great one too. You got the eye! I mean you do have the
eye but you got his perfectly.

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

Aug 22, 2011 - 12:31pm PT

I love the cedar waxwing, brings back childhood memories! They used to use the backyard of the house that I grew up in as a stopover every year on their migration. For a day or 2 the finches and sparrows couldn't get a beak in edgewise at our bird feeders.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Aug 24, 2011 - 04:35am PT

We have gotten seabird fever of late, so have gone on 4 pelagic birding
trips over the last month or so out of different CA spots. It's a whole
other world out there.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 24, 2011 - 09:01am PT

Awesome!

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

Aug 24, 2011 - 10:43am PT

Your basic pelican with friends (last week in Dana Point)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 27, 2011 - 03:29pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 27, 2011 - 07:19pm PT

This is a cool shot...caught the little bugger with his tongue out.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Aug 28, 2011 - 12:00am PT

one day too, I hope to take a photo of a bird as beautiful as those
in this thread. . .

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 31, 2011 - 08:58am PT

Curious of others experiences. This year, we have had an endless stream of klutzy young birds at the feeders out back.

Even as I sit here now, I have some "Great Horned House Finch", baby chickadees, House Sparrows, Flickers, Starling, Grackle, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Lesser Goldfinch etc. It has been a non-stop parade of youngins' for months which I love. Anyone else find they have the same thing? Record year for double, triple, or even more clutching?

Go! Birds! Go!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Aug 31, 2011 - 10:29am PT

Quite the opposite - worst reproductive year ever at here at Tahoe. It just kept snowing and snowing and the snowpack in the high country lingered forever, so it appears a lot of birds saved their energy for next year (or just went further downslope). Juncos are a notable exception - they seemed to hold out and then crank one big, late brood. Babies juncos everywhere right now.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 1, 2011 - 06:53pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 1, 2011 - 06:55pm PT

Pretty Bob!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 1, 2011 - 06:58pm PT

Thanks Crimp...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 1, 2011 - 07:10pm PT

Dingus..yes...urban bird, took the shot in a park near Monument Creek in Colorado Springs.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 5, 2011 - 07:01pm PT

Flicker...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 5, 2011 - 07:45pm PT

Not just ANY Flicker...That is a beautiful female Red-Shafted Northern Flicker, no? :) I love these birds. Continue to have a parade of youngsters at the feeders out back. Thanks for posting!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 7, 2011 - 01:16am PT

Stand clear and nobody'll get run over!
Turkey stampede at Capitol Reef. This was only half of 'em!

Osprey with half a trout and not happy with me. I've never been bombed with a trout before.
I figgered she wasn't gonna waste a good lunch on me.

Tomcat

Trad climber

Chatham N.H.

Sep 7, 2011 - 07:18am PT

Osprey in action...http://www.arkive.org/osprey/pandion-haliaetus/video-00.html#src=portletv3web

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

Sep 7, 2011 - 11:15am PT

Crimpie, you love flickers???,they used to be the bane of my existence. When I was living in Wheatridge, Co I had a big old Victorian built in 1907 that had cedar shakes for the outside wall on the 3rd floor. Those flickers could bore the most perfectly round hole in less than 30 secs. I'd patch, they'd drill, I'd patch they'd drill. I tried nets, plastic owls everything, and they're protected too. Then, the squirells used their holes to gain access to the attic and walls. I had all kinds of things scurrying around in my walls, which of course then died and caused a big stink.

The final solution? I had a large pile of pea gravel in my backyard, every time I went out and saw or heard them I pelted them with the gravel, I was relentless. After about 2 weeks they finally decided that it was less of a hassle to go pound holes in the neighbors house.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 7, 2011 - 11:18am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 7, 2011 - 11:40am PT

Somewhere in El Salvador...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 7, 2011 - 11:46am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 7, 2011 - 11:50am PT

Golden Eagle...Marshall Mesa, CO

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 8, 2011 - 11:47pm PT

Whoever demeans slab climbing hasn't climbed with these guys.
Imperial Shags aka King Cormorants near El Faro Lighthouse - Beagle Channel.

The Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) is a species of bird in the Furnariidae family. It is found in Argentina and Chile and may formerly have occurred in the Falkland Islands. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical dry shrubland. (Wiki)

These little guys are pretty common and tough to shoot - this was as good as
I got. I presume they use their spiny tails as our Creepers and Woodpeckers
do although I can't say I saw them do so. They're so devilishly fast I barely
saw them do anything other than mock me.

The Upland Goose or Magellan Goose (Chloephaga picta) is a South American member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae. Males have a white head and breast, whereas the females are brown with black-striped wings and yellow feet, and could be mistaken for Ruddy-headed Geese. These birds are 60-72.5 cm (24-29 in) long and weigh 2.7-3.2 kg (5.9-7 lbs).[1] They are found in open grasslands (Wiki)

They are called the Cauquen in Spanish.
The goose:

The gander:

The Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago paraguaiae) Becasina comun
I've seen these same guys in the Yukon - they don't know a bog they don't like.
I really hoped to see the Cordilleran Snipe which shares its range with the
Common in Tierra del Fuego and lower Patagonia but it wasn't to be. But I
was happy to get this shot.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Sep 9, 2011 - 12:27am PT

Mike, that shot of all the birds in the harbor is AWESOME!! Is that a recent photo?

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

Sep 9, 2011 - 11:50am PT

Agreed, that's great, Mike. I haven't seen the shearwaters for a few years
now.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Sep 9, 2011 - 02:32pm PT

Mike,

I'm also curious if that is a recent photo from Santa Cruz, since we are headed down to there and Monterey this weekend for a couple of pelagic birding trips. I hope this bodes well for us.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Sep 9, 2011 - 03:02pm PT

We heard and saw the Thorn-tailed Rayadito almost everywhere we went in Chile, but their constant motion made them hard to photograph. I finally got this one in Torres del Paine.

We too hoped, but failed to see the Fuegien Snipe (Chilean name?) as well as the South American Painted-snipe.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Sep 9, 2011 - 09:54pm PT

Very cool pix of birds from the Patagucci region! Keep 'em coming.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 9, 2011 - 10:10pm PT

Yes! the shearwaters have been around for the last few weeks and will probably be here another few weeks.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Sep 10, 2011 - 11:38am PT

A few late summer birds around Boulder. Lots of late babies this year (multiple clutches?) possibly due to the bumper crop of bugs this year due to a late, wet Spring.

Norwegian

Trad climber

Placerville, California

Sep 11, 2011 - 11:52am PT

Birds fall from the window ledge above mine....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1kcxULtJoE

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 2, 2011 - 11:11pm PT

I love Magpies. They are like black and white macaws flying with their streamer tail.

Here is a photo I know all the birders will love. (Got it off of facebook). Totally cracked me up!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 3, 2011 - 12:28am PT

Another Flicker shot on our fence. Cool birds.

I'm heading to Copper Canyon in two days and then over Alamos for some birding with my two boys...can't wait.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 4, 2011 - 01:38am PT

California Gulls (what else?) at Desolation Lake late September.
"Whaddya guys waiting for, a blizzard?"

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 4, 2011 - 09:21am PT

I just keep coming back to see these pictures over and over again. Love them all! Soon it'll be spring, the birds will be coming through, no leaves on the trees, and easy to see birds - can't wait!!!

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Oct 4, 2011 - 10:33am PT

Not great shots butt I sure love to watch 'em fly!

Cheers

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 4, 2011 - 11:58am PT

I had to post this shot by my homie Pakku from the Nikonians (I know- har har).
He's in India cranking on his Nikkor 200-400 ($7K!)
This is a Brown Fish Owl - check out his pupils! Hibou don't need no stinkin' RayBans!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Oct 4, 2011 - 12:58pm PT

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Oct 6, 2011 - 02:30am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 6, 2011 - 09:17am PT

I have seen that before and it still makes me laugh!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 8, 2011 - 12:06am PT

So how 'bout comin' down offa yer high horse and bestow that hard won wisdom
on us plebians without a cultural maven in the house?

Captain...or Skully

climber

Where are you bound?

Oct 8, 2011 - 12:16am PT

It was funnier before.......THANX, ya'll.

Ah well, there's still great birds.
Best idea the dinosaurs ever had. ;-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 8, 2011 - 12:26am PT

I feel so, uh, doopid.

I feel doopider 'cause I have heard of the crow aggregation moniker.
It just isn't in the most used top shelf.

My day is complete - I've learned something today! Er, well, re-learned. ;-)

hooblie

climber

from where the anecdotes roam

Oct 8, 2011 - 03:24am PT

ravens associate plastic sacks and good pickins with such conviction they
tugged three trash bags off the roll i left in the bed of my truck!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 8, 2011 - 11:44pm PT

Gray hawk...Alamos, Mexico

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 9, 2011 - 12:01am PT

Beautiful Gray Hawk!

And the 'attempted murder' photo is still making me laugh. I love that kind of humor. Glad you guys enjoyed it too. :)

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Oct 9, 2011 - 12:38am PT

hey there all, say.... thought you bird lovers would get a kick out of this... you NEVERRRRRRRRR know what kind of bird you MAY find, when the ol' sun pops up, just right, in the early morning... ;)

i happened to spy these three, just over my pond, this morning... :)

:)

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Oct 9, 2011 - 12:43am PT

hey there say, stahlbro.... wow, my mom and i always watched those lovely birds, by the waterways, in san jose... when i was there...

thanks for the neat memory share...

wow, crimpie, neat word-play... as to TWO crows only... (or ravens, ooops?)...

had heard that term, but never realized, until you all share that...
thanks for ENlightening our ol' brains... :)

other neat stuff here, but sorry, you all, can't see much, due to dial up, ... i always mention that so folks will know why i don't comment on all these lovley pics... i just got to come back, later and let the machine sit a long time... then i can see the pics, but then, too, i got to do chores, after the wait.... oh my...

but you are GREAT with all the photo share,mts, rocks, countryside, critter-wise, and all... :)

giegs

climber

Tardistan

Oct 9, 2011 - 02:44am PT

I'm working at Bosque del Apache NWR for a few weeks... saw a bobcat with a duck in its mouth yesterday morning. Wish I got a picture.

This place is badass.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 9, 2011 - 11:49pm PT

Cooper's Hawk, Alamos, Mexico.

giegs...the Bosque is a very special place...can't wait for the cranes to return.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 10, 2011 - 12:02am PT

Male Cardinal, Alamos, Mexico

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 10, 2011 - 12:04am PT

Hey, bob, how 'bout posting a bigger shot of that bad boy? It looks gud!

Black-bellied Buzzard - Southern Chile

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 10, 2011 - 12:04am PT

Nice birding Bob. It snowed in Boulder this weekend (Bear Peak, Green Mtn, but not in town). Hopefully our winter birds start showing soon. I love our Townsend's Solitaire that visits.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 10, 2011 - 12:16am PT

Crimp...birding is so cool...I hire a guide this morning and saw white fronted amazons, various hawks, various flycatchers, parrotetes and about 35-40 new one for me. Great day with my two boys.

Hope all is well and stay warm...we are at Bahia del Kino now, the highs are in the low 90's.

mike m

Trad climber

black hills

Oct 10, 2011 - 12:17am PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 10, 2011 - 05:18am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 10, 2011 - 09:51am PT

Peek a boo!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Oct 10, 2011 - 01:12pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 10, 2011 - 01:13pm PT

That's a beautiful Yellow Warbler! Nice shots!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 10, 2011 - 07:21pm PT

Osprey with some lunch in his talons.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 12, 2011 - 09:53pm PT

The first of thousands of cranes to nest the winter at Bosque del Apache.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 13, 2011 - 06:12pm PT

Vermillion Flycatcher, Alamos, Mexico.

Crimp...you are right.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 13, 2011 - 07:35pm PT

Looks like a Vermillion Flycatcher Bob. BEAUTIFUL! We had one swoop us in So Arizona last year. Feisty little guys.

edit: A link for those interested: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Vermilion_Flycatcher/id

Here is the Flame-colored Tanager (got to see them last year too - very exciting!): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame-colored_Tanager

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 13, 2011 - 08:20pm PT

Tropical Kingbird...I think:-).

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 13, 2011 - 08:21pm PT

Female Cardinal.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 13, 2011 - 09:04pm PT

Pelicans, San Carlos, Mexico.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 13, 2011 - 09:32pm PT

White winged doves.

Gray Hawk.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 14, 2011 - 12:57am PT

Loving the birds. I've never seen a Gray Hawk in person. Really beautiful!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Oct 14, 2011 - 07:44pm PT

I am new at birding and am having some trouble identifying these birds from Joshua Tree, CA. Any help would be appreciated.

How about this one from Humboldt County, CA?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 14, 2011 - 08:15pm PT

Cyndie,
These don't look up to your usual standards. Didn't you have your 300/2.8 with?
The first is a LBG - Little Brown Guy sometimes known as the English or House Sparrow.
Second looks a Solitary Vireo but I only see a partial eye ring where there
should be a complete ring with a white line forward towards the bill base.
Third is the same LBG.
Fourth looks a female Western Tanager. I can't see the bill well enough
but I'll stand by that.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 14, 2011 - 09:31pm PT

The last one almost looks like a female American Goldfinch to me. Hard to know without the scale.

And the other one - it's saying Northern Mockingbird. Though the bill is sort of odd for that.

Thoughts Reilly?

These puzzles are the best!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 14, 2011 - 09:37pm PT

Crimps,
Goldfinch was my first thought but the bill looks too big. On the other hand
a tanager on a rush does seem odd. I suspect you're right as it doesn't
look big enough for a tanager.

I also initially thought Mockingbird but I can't get any scale, especially
with the butt shot angle. Again, you're probably right as it would be a bit
out of character for a vireo to be out in the open, wouldn't it? Of course,
the easiest ID of the Mockingbird would be to just listen. You're probably
more of a realist than me, I'm always trying to turn the mundane into the exotic, or less common. :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 14, 2011 - 10:03pm PT

We don't (or very very rarely) get Mockingbirds here. I raised one when I lived in Texas where they are very common. I loved little Beaujolais and was so sad when she didn't come home one evening. :(

Still, here in Colorado frequently I see a bird and think "Mockingbirds! Wayyyyyyyyydduminute! There are no Mockingbirds here... TOWNSENDS SOLITAIRE!"

It's always the same line of thought.

Both exciting and lovely. I'm certainly open to suggestions on the ID. Those were just my initial thoughts.

Love the photos of the House Sparrows too. Common, disliked by many, but still birds. Worthy of our admiration too. :)

john hansen

climber

Oct 14, 2011 - 11:07pm PT

Here is a Mocking bird for comparison to cyndie B's.. looks close.

A PI on the MB?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 14, 2011 - 11:35pm PT

john hansen

climber

Oct 14, 2011 - 11:58pm PT

I was just looking through some of my photos and found this one.. it is not the best focus, but I think I might have got a Pallila with out even realizing it.

[

Last spring I went looking for a Pallila a couple of times up on the western slopes of Mauna Kea here on Hawaii Island.

I posted a photo of what I thought was one , but was informed it was a finch,,,maybe this one is right.

But maybe not , The bill does not look right..

Here are a couple links to sites with photo's of Pallila's and Amakahi.

Would be interested in what all birders think..

Edit, the break on the chest from white to yellow seems right but the bill is totally wrong. This cant be a pallila but then what is it???

http://www.oahunaturetours.com/photogallery/birds/indexpalila.html

http://www.oahunaturetours.com/photogallery/birds/indexhawaiiamakihi.html

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 15, 2011 - 12:15am PT

I am no expert on Hawaiian birds, but I won't let that stop me. :)

I don't think it is an Amakahi at all. It's hard to see, but I don't think the bill matches.

It looks closer to the Palila, but the Palila doesn't have what appears to be the white eye ring (or at least partial white eye ring). Plus, again though it's hard to tell, the bills don't match.

Doesn't seem to be a Japanese White Eye either. Not enough of an eye ring. And the bill doesn't seem to work either.

Not a Nene. (hahahaha) :) Going out on a limb with that one. :)

I'm still digging... Back in a few...

john hansen

climber

Oct 15, 2011 - 12:25am PT

your right crimpie...

Japanese white eye DOH!! Shut down agian!

Some day ,I will, get a photo of the elusive Pallila.. LOL

http://www.google.com/search?q=Birds+japanese+white+eye+photo&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

MH2

climber

Oct 15, 2011 - 12:31am PT

Along the seaside traverse:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 15, 2011 - 12:33am PT

It's hard to tell. I wasn't certain. I defer to you since you saw the critter yourself. Pretty little birds. I tried to see some native birds while there, but was totally entertained by the commoners: Mynas, Cardinals, Java Finch.

All so cool!

Cool photos of the GBH - love how the roiling water is captured. :)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 15, 2011 - 12:57am PT

From this last week in the Union Bay Landfill Seattle. Tony B. gave me some photo hints and these are the first pretty quick results.

I can never quite tell the difference between them, but I think this is larger one.

a dime a dozen this time of year, but I still like them. Just the day before I convinced myself that a similar colored but larger, longer bird with less/no crest was a lark bunting or a (???smiths???) Longspur. Those would be pretty darn unlikely here.

cool mh2

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Oct 15, 2011 - 01:24am PT

Thanks everyone for your input. We all start as beginners and I appreciate the help.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 15, 2011 - 01:41am PT

Darwin,
Pretty sure you got a Lapland Longspur there. Fairly regular thereabouts
in winter as I recall (lived in Seattle 15 years).

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 15, 2011 - 01:53am PT

The little brown jobs always are a puzzle to me. I find it ironic that the birds that seem most common (lbj, shore birds, gulls, etc) are the absolute hardest to id.

Love your photos Cyndi! Hope you post more! I am as excited about birds now as I was when I first started. It never goes away happily.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 15, 2011 - 01:54am PT

Northern Mockingbird
American Goldfinch
Japanese White-eye
Almost certainly a Cooper's (but I wouldn't bet my life on it since so many key features are obscured).
Savannah Sparrow

With the sparrows, sometimes it helps to get a closer look:

Here's a quiz bird for you:

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Oct 15, 2011 - 01:55am PT

Love Andy's heron shots. There's a rookery quite close to where I live, in a bog in the forested area between the city and UBC. Quite a lively place in springtime. Maybe I'll try for some photos next year.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 15, 2011 - 01:59am PT

My first guess (can't find my tail book!!!)

Yellow Rumped Warbler?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 15, 2011 - 02:07am PT

It's not really identifiable from that photo, but ... DING - DING - DING!!!!! Winner, winner, chicken-dinner!!!!! Audubon's (Yellow-rumped) Warber it is.

Tell me, did you blow up the photo and look at the datasheet?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 15, 2011 - 02:11am PT

Hahah! No I didn't enlarge it (but I considered it). I know very few warblers tails without my book (the easiest being the Yellow Warbler). It was buried in my head under a dusty neuron and I wasn't sure to trust my first thought. Glad I did. Sweet! I think I'll award myself a prize for that. :)

The photo scared me at first. Thought a little bird drowned trying to get something out of the container. Relieved to see he was being weighed only.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 15, 2011 - 02:13am PT

Just science. Nothing to be scared of.

Okay, here's an interesting bird:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 15, 2011 - 02:15am PT

Is that a cross between a Northern Pintail and a Mallard?

It's a Northern Pinard. :)

edit: this is way more fun that all this work I'm sitting in and supposed to be doing. :)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 15, 2011 - 02:17am PT

Yup. Nice work! Not unheard of, but pretty cool to come across. Here he is with a normal Mallard:

Very cool bird. Pintail bill, mixed up plumage, longer tail (but with the Mallard curl), and even had Pintail speculums:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 15, 2011 - 02:19am PT

Cool Pintail landing photo. I'd not noticed their speculum before.

Can any duck mate with any other duck?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 15, 2011 - 02:26am PT

They can certainly try. There are definitely all sorts of wacky hybrids out there in the wild, but species-specific pair-bonding displays tend to keep it from getting out of control.

Truthdweller

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Oct 15, 2011 - 03:51am PT

Okay, help me out, a local bird of prey out at Santee Boulders today and I can't place it...not a redtail hawk but a ...?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 15, 2011 - 10:36am PT

Sure that is not a juvenile Red Tailed Hawk? Seems like it to me. Willoughby?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 15, 2011 - 12:57pm PT

Red-tailed Hawk. Dark belly band. Dark patagium (leading edge of the wing, near the "shoulder"). Red-tailed Hawk. Nice shots.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 15, 2011 - 09:39pm PT

Since Willloughby brought up field marks, and his are the ones use for Red Tails, esp the black patagial marks, I have questions about the following.

* Sharp Shinned vs Cooper's hawks: size, squat neck, hood, wing beat frequency, but I find all those v. difficult to distinguish. Please tell me there is something more obvious.

* brownish 1st year yellow warbler vs some phase of an orange crowned. I haven't seen enough of either.

I'm wracked up with a pretty bad shoulder injury. So on a good weather Saturday in Seattle in October, I went to an afternoon showing of "The Big Year". I liked the book a lot, and still liked the movie.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 15, 2011 - 10:35pm PT

For me, a Red-tail is a Red-Tail because of these markings:

1. Going from the head toward the wing tip on the front edge of the wing - one first sees the dark patagium, then some white (like a head light), then the dark apostrophe that goes from the front wing edge back toward the back of the wing on the underside. (This is really difficult to explain).

2. Belly band

3. Last is the red-tail - but that is only good on the adults.

The wing markings are best for identification I think

Truthdweller

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Oct 15, 2011 - 11:45pm PT

Thanks all for the details. He/She just eyeballed something and swooped down to the ground to nab it. I thought I heard a slight rattle but I could have been mistaken. The bird flew up to the top of the Synchronicity boulder to eat it. It looked like a baby snake or lizard.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 16, 2011 - 01:03am PT

They are amazing photos! Thanks for sharing them. :)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 16, 2011 - 02:16am PT

* Sharp Shinned vs Cooper's hawks: size, squat neck, hood, wing beat frequency, but I find all those v. difficult to distinguish. Please tell me there is something more obvious.

Shape of the head is good (round - SSHA vs. flatter topped and with an angle/edge in the back - COHA), as it leg thickness, on a perched bird. In flight, the head projecting past the wrists or not is useful. Tail shape is best of all, flying or perched, if it's cooperating and not molting or doing something weird. All of these can be misleading and confusing. You definitely have to use a combo of characteristics with any Accipiter, and many, many birds are best left unidentified beyond the species pair or even just Accipiter sp., if you think goshawk might be a contender.

* brownish 1st year yellow warbler vs some phase of an orange crowned. I haven't seen enough of either.

You probably nailed it on the head with "haven't seen enough of either." As Kenn Kaufmann says: "expect variation." Hatch-year Yellow Warblers have probably been the cause of more misidentified rarities than any other warbler. They can look like just about anything, and they've definitely gotten my heart up a time or two. That said, these two have very different builds, bills, proportions, etc. Yellow Warbler is a classic Dendroica (or as they're now known, Setophaga), with a stouter bill and longer tail than the classic Vermivora (or as they're now known, Oreothlypis) build of Orange-crowned. If you can get a look at the underside of the tail, you should see the paler windows on the outer rectrices (tail feathers) of a Yellow Warbler, or any Setophaga for that matter. Call is very different too. Yellow is a very distinctive, kissy smack.

Here's a nice vagrant that showed up in Tahoe a week ago. Crap photos of a great bird, new for the Tahoe basin:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 16, 2011 - 12:55pm PT

Willoughby...Vireo???

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 16, 2011 - 01:00pm PT

Willoughby - is that a young Chestnut-sided Warbler way west?

edit:

Hahaha! Just saw your comment Bob. You rascal. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 16, 2011 - 01:08pm PT

Crimp...I'm more than likely wrong:-).

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 16, 2011 - 01:27pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 16, 2011 - 01:30pm PT

Nice Godwit! I am terrible with shore birds! Pretty bird!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 16, 2011 - 01:48pm PT

Thanks Crimper!

Living in Boulder can handicap your shorebird skill-building activities...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 16, 2011 - 01:52pm PT

It's also putting a dent in my Warbler ID skills. They are fading. :(

It just means I have to travel more to see all the birds. I was recently in DC and saw many of my old friends: Pileated, Red-bellied, etc. So nice. :)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 16, 2011 - 11:51pm PT

Crimp, you're solid. Hatch-year female Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 17, 2011 - 12:33am PT

YES!!!! I'm psyched! :)

edit: Doh! Bob - I thought you were suggesting the duck photo you posted was a vireo. Thought you were being silly. :)

double dog dare edit: I do hope to get our your way Willoughby. It'd be fun to get on one of your walks. Ones of these days...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 19, 2011 - 11:27pm PT

Gray-headed Junco...

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Oct 20, 2011 - 12:43am PT

Headed to Sri Lanka tomorrow...really looking forward to the birding!

http://www.info.lk/srilanka/srilankabirds/index.htm

http://www.birdlist.org/sri_lanka.htm

cheers

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 20, 2011 - 11:53am PT

House finch...

Delhi...have a wonderful vacation.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Oct 20, 2011 - 01:10pm PT

Trusty Rusty

Social climber

Tahoe area

Oct 20, 2011 - 01:23pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 21, 2011 - 12:36am PT

Hard to compete with that rarity above but most of y'all won't have seen this wee beauty.

I will say I live in the San Gabriel Valley just east of Pasadena, CA.
And, no, it is not a native. And, yes, Willoughby, you are disqualified. :-)

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Oct 21, 2011 - 02:07am PT

Looks like a white Himalayan bulbul, but probably isn't...

cheers

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 21, 2011 - 12:01pm PT

Red-Whiskered Bulbul Reilly? Still haven't seen one of those beauties.

Check out this cool video of an owl. It gets better and better.

http://www.dogwork.com/owfo8/

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 21, 2011 - 03:38pm PT

You're good Crimps!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 22, 2011 - 05:53pm PT

Juvenile Redtail Hawk, Taos, NM

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 22, 2011 - 06:53pm PT

I like birds. :)

Best thread ever!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 24, 2011 - 12:07am PT

Sage Thrasher, Taos, NM

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 24, 2011 - 12:50am PT

Lot of nesting hummer appreciation here. Check this footage out:

http://vimeo.com/30332775

Earlier today, I went on a pelagic tour in Monterey. Nothing unusual, but I did take a lot of photos, 99% of which are out of focus. Surging boat + fast moving birds = lousy shots. Anyway, here's a Black-footed Albatross that came out:

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 24, 2011 - 12:53am PT

Well, at least you got one good one. I should say one damn gud one!

Peter Haan

Trad climber

San Francisco, CA

Oct 24, 2011 - 10:40am PT

Love that image Kathode. I hadn't seen that one. Honkers visiting eKat, her van, her workshop and her propane tank!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 24, 2011 - 08:51pm PT

Mountain bluebird with dinner.

Cinnamon Teal.

Geese and cranes.

From a trip to Las Vegas NWA, NM today.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 24, 2011 - 09:32pm PT

Love them all!

richross

Trad climber

Oct 24, 2011 - 09:39pm PT

Gunks turkey vultures.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 24, 2011 - 09:54pm PT

Western Meadowlark...what a beautiful song.

More cranes, ducks, gulls and geese.

Dos XX

Trad climber

Los Angeles, CA

Oct 25, 2011 - 05:42pm PT

richross

Trad climber

Oct 25, 2011 - 06:08pm PT

Photo from today.

Turkey vulture at Lost City.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 25, 2011 - 06:43pm PT

Northern Harrier...

American Kestrel...

Bosque del Apache, NM

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 25, 2011 - 06:45pm PT

Bob is tearing it up! Thanks for sharing these. It's raining in Boulder now..snow is coming (up to 12" tonight). The Juncos have arrived. Now just waiting on the Solitaire...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 27, 2011 - 01:02am PT

Hey, Bob, post up sum bigger pics so us geezers can see 'em!

I'm still tryin' to git a decent shot of my Bulbuls. They're not poseurs though.
This 'un looks like he/she either has the mange or is molting.

zo.bulo

climber

Wyotucky

Oct 27, 2011 - 01:06am PT

Do birds get mange?

RtM

climber

DHS

Oct 27, 2011 - 01:26pm PT

Gotta love em! Burrowing Owls, I have one that hunts in my backyard every night. It likes to catch bugs that are attracted to my landscape lighting, runs around on the ground and stomps at them. I've had it buzz my head a few times, absolutely silent in flight.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 27, 2011 - 02:34pm PT

Burrowing Owls are really cool. We have about a dozen on the parcel I manage at work, successfully relocated some into a contained artificial burrow system and fed them for 6mo until we could remove the containment (construction project was going on their existing burrow). They reproduced.

They're active in daytime, sitting up on the edge of their burrow. Little fellers, for an owl.

RtM

climber

DHS

Oct 27, 2011 - 04:14pm PT

We have a lot of burrowing owls in our neighborhood. Chattery little buggers, and bold too. Sometimes, if you bob you head up and down at them, they'll do it back and chatter up a storm. Ridiculous!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 27, 2011 - 05:03pm PT

A little bigger for the old folks.

RtM

climber

DHS

Oct 27, 2011 - 06:51pm PT

another from that burrowing owl set

birds in motion - or are they rods?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 27, 2011 - 11:17pm PT

Owls are the coolest, so here are a few more:

john hansen

climber

Oct 27, 2011 - 11:20pm PT

Great shots BN,, like the one with the moon.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 28, 2011 - 12:14am PT

Yay birds! In Texas right now and got to see a Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Common, but still quite a treat!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 28, 2011 - 11:08pm PT

Proud fella and quite the speed demon.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 29, 2011 - 01:50am PT

Awesomeness squared y'all!

I've some bad news. The word of the street is that the 2004 sighting of the
Ivory-billed pecker in Arkansas didn't happen. Seven years of many heavy-hitters
spending $millions$ has produced not one sighting or hearing of its
very distinctive pecking. :-(

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 29, 2011 - 12:57pm PT

Reilly....speaking of woodpeckers.

http://news.discovery.com/animals/woodpecker-video-from-beyond-the-grave-111027.html#mkcpgn=rssnws1

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 29, 2011 - 01:36pm PT

So sad that so many species are so habitat specific.

Immature male Magellanic...

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 29, 2011 - 09:07pm PT

Nice Pecker..........

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Oct 30, 2011 - 03:05pm PT

Regarding the Ivory-billed (and Imperial) Woodpeckers, I just read a review in of a new book on the subject, The Travails of Two Woodpeckers". This author makes the case that the main reason for the likely extinction of these two species was widespread and relentless human depredation, not specific habitat loss. This was mainly hunting for food or sport, but sadly also a lot for "specimen collection". The reviewer seemed pretty convinced of the argument.

Here are a couple remaining relatives who hopefully will fare better.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 30, 2011 - 06:47pm PT

this is a humble offering after the spectacularly beautiful woodpecker (and that falcon!)photos. this is from a week ago in seattle. excuse the lack of caps, i temporarily have to type one handed. hint: i'm thinking one our common ones 1st winter.
added in edit: pretty sure it's a first year golden crowned.

Rick A

climber

Boulder, Colorado

Oct 30, 2011 - 06:53pm PT

Great thread, folks.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 30, 2011 - 07:15pm PT

He musta had you figgered for meat! :-)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 30, 2011 - 08:01pm PT

Finally went through the rest of my photos from last weekend's pelagic. Here's a few worth posting.

I took about a million Northern Fulmar photos. They're the best!

Buller's Shearwater - Mr. Clean:

Couple of Pink-footed Shearwaters:

Ratty-looking Pomarine Jaeger:

Sooty Shearwater:

South Polar Skua:

Short-tailed Shearwater:

A Red Phalarope, for good measure:

Probably my favorite of the day:

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 30, 2011 - 10:34pm PT

Good shootin' Will!

Chilean Skua

Skuas lunching on shag...

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 30, 2011 - 10:36pm PT

Very cool sea bird shots Mr. W!

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Oct 30, 2011 - 10:54pm PT

Very nice images, Will. It's always a challenge at sea. Where was your pelagic trip?

On our last pelagic trip out of Monterey in September, we saw some very large flocks of Sooty Shearwaters. Have the numbers lessened? They have the longest annual migration measured - over 40,000 miles.

This was nothing , however, compared to this video taken this August:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT4sR96LIF8

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 31, 2011 - 12:58am PT

Thanks guys. Man, oh man, I need to get back down to the Southern Hemisphere.

Trip was in Monterey. Pretty lackluster really, but my first bona fide pelagic. I'd done countless hours of sea-watching on the Farallones, but never dropped the cash for a boat ride before. Pretty fun though, and way better for photography. Sooty numbers are waaaay down from last month. That herd has mostly moved on.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 31, 2011 - 01:03am PT

PS - That shearwater frenzy was way impressive. I was hoping to put my kayak in the middle of that shearwater flock back in Sept., but I got there a week late. I only saw a few that weekend. Here's one:

Might have to try for the humpbacks if they stick around close like they've been doing.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 31, 2011 - 06:14pm PT

Great Horned Owl, Monte Vista NWA, CO

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 31, 2011 - 06:55pm PT

I am so ready to get out on a walk. And looking forward to Spring Migration already!

RtM

climber

DHS

Oct 31, 2011 - 07:10pm PT

Prarie Falcon in Joshua Tree

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 31, 2011 - 08:45pm PT

Not Debbie's tour, Roger Wolfe's. Less folks on the boat and a lot cheaper. http://www.montereyseabirds.com/

Spring Migration????? Nope. It's November. Time for rare sparrows and loons and especially DUCKS. Can you tell your scaup apart?

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Oct 31, 2011 - 09:44pm PT

Lesser Scaup right, Greater left? Where?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 31, 2011 - 10:29pm PT

This guy was trying to impress the girls with his dancing skills.

This guy (Osprey) was just looking for food.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 31, 2011 - 10:54pm PT

Bingo. Tahoe Keys canals, in South Lake Tahoe. Took these yesterday. They're side-by-side like this all winter, unless the canals freeze, and then they head out into the big lake. Regardless, it makes for nice study.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 1, 2011 - 09:47am PT

Beautiful stuff Willoughby. These birds are my weakness. I need to get out near water and learn more than calling "peep!" "peep!" "peep!" :)

Reilly, I'm in complete denial about the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. I want to believe they are there and that scientists are keeping quiet so they will be left alone. That thought makes me happy.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 1, 2011 - 11:17am PT

Crimps,
I feel your pain but the truth shall set you free. At least as far as having
to scour the swamps of Arkansas for the jewel in the crown goes.

Here, salve your soul with the sight of Mama Magellanic just back from her
favorite peluqueria.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 1, 2011 - 11:21am PT

Reilly - you know I love your photos, but these are the best. Isn't that bird amazing!?!?

I read all the Ivory billed books years ago and even then wanted to believe they were still in the Singer tract living quietly. (Hope is the Thing With Feathers was amazing). Then, the story broke and I felt like I'd won the lottery. I hope they are still there, but I suppose they aren't. Boo. And curses to the jerks who took the last few to have some in their collection. Grrrr.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 1, 2011 - 11:18pm PT

Young redtail...San Luis Valley, CO

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 2, 2011 - 01:58am PT

Check out the documentary Ghost Bird. Netflix has it.

Ooooh, I'm tempted to post again to get the 1000th. Who's it gonna be?

How's about another quiz? Let's make it a challenge, an out-of-focus immature gull:

Taken last November here in Tahoe. I promise, this photo has everything you need to make the right ID.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 2, 2011 - 10:29am PT

A couple of hawk pics for post #1000!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 2, 2011 - 10:32am PT

Gulls! My nemesis. :/

I call "gull" (At least I didn't say 'sea gull'). :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 2, 2011 - 10:57am PT

Will,
I'm way rusty on gulls but without goin' to the books I'm gonna say
immature Glaucous. What do I win?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 2, 2011 - 11:19am PT

I'm with Reilly on that one. Looks like second year.

Reilly..I went to the book. :-)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 2, 2011 - 12:22pm PT

Nope, not Glaucous. Keep trying.

Hey Brass, what lens are you shooting? That top shot is ridiculous. Captive?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 2, 2011 - 12:27pm PT

Ok, my final offer - first winter Slaty-Backed which needs to stop at REI
for a new GPS!

I broke down and hit the book (Sibley). I'm gonna check Harrison now.

BN, That is a nice head shot! Did you do that model's whole portfolio?

This model was quite accomodating. In fact, after my initial excitement
I got pretty blasé as these guys are darn near tame it seems in Tierra del Fuego.
I was maybe 15' away! Rad!

GOclimb

Trad climber

Boston, MA

Nov 2, 2011 - 12:34pm PT

Gorgeous shots, thanks all!

Okay, question for y'all: This morning shoveling snow I saw what looked like a small hawk being chased out of my big backyard tree by the jay family who lives there. I got a good glimpse of the underfeathers as it flew away, and they looked dark/light checkered just like a peregrine. It was just the right size and shape for a peregrine, too. But I thought peregrines always nest in cliffs or cliff-like buildings, and out here in Aurora, there's not much of either.

Possible we've got peregrines in our neighborhood, or is there anything else that it could be?

First an eagle, now a peregrine - who knew uber-urban Aurora was such an audubon sanctuary!

GO

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 2, 2011 - 01:02pm PT

Sounds like an Accipiter, and if it was pretty sizeable I'd guess a female Cooper's Hawk. Could be a wayward goshawk too, but not terribly likely.

Keep guessing on the gull. Not nearly so rare as Slaty-backed. In fact, not particularly rare at all down on the coast, although decidedly uncommon up here in the mountains.

GOclimb

Trad climber

Boston, MA

Nov 2, 2011 - 02:16pm PT

Willoughby replied:

I'd guess a female Cooper's Hawk. Could be a wayward goshawk too, but not terribly likely.

Aha! Cool, I just googled that, and I bet you're right. Thanks for the ID!

GO

GOclimb

Trad climber

Boston, MA

Nov 2, 2011 - 02:36pm PT

And having done a little more searching, I am beginning to consider the likelihood that the "eagle" I've been seeing is perhaps a particularly dark colored ferruginous hawk. Maybe I'll take my camera with me on my bike ride and see if I can document.

GO

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 2, 2011 - 03:22pm PT

I'm going with Glaucous-winged Gull, due the all light-gray plumage on the back and upperwings. I think it is a first-year because of the two-tone bill. I just saw the first adult near our home inthe SF Bay.

By the way, the filed marks I used for the Scaup were the rounded head on the Greater and the peaked head on the Lesser.

This is an excellent diversion while I am in the hospital after my hip replacement two days ago.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 2, 2011 - 10:07pm PT

Being dictated to by BrassNuts...(He's on the couch half-snoozing)

begin BrassNuts

The top shot is a captive at a Hawk Qwest Bird Rescue fundraiser. Pretty bird! Easy to get close on that one.

The second is not captive - he was hanging out near the Great Sand Dunes in So Colorado.

Lens: the portrait was shot with a Canon EOS 7D with a 100-400mm F4L lens. The second was shot with the same body, but using a Canon 500mm F4L. lens.

/BrassNuts

We call the big lens the 'bazooka.' I can barely hold it up, but BN whips it around free hand to get most of his bird shots (including the warblers). It's quite a sight.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 2, 2011 - 10:50pm PT

Coot from last weekend. Never seen one before, crazy feet yo.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 2, 2011 - 10:53pm PT

Nice photos! See a lot of these at Brazos Bend State Park in the Houston area. They are floating along and walking with the gators. Risky life style it seems.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 2, 2011 - 11:01pm PT

Great portrait Reilly! More raptor shots to keep things moving...
I'm not quite sure on this one - survey says??
Not sure about the identity of this neighborhood tree dweller... :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 2, 2011 - 11:09pm PT

Not sure this one has been posted. Special desert bird imo. Photographed by BN.

How do you pronounce this bird's name? I fear I've introduced a Texas twang into it: Fane-op-pep-pla. ??? (I know that is spelled incorrectly, trying to spell how I say it).

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 2, 2011 - 11:15pm PT

Is that #46 up in the tree?

RIP Ouch!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 2, 2011 - 11:19pm PT

Ah. That warms my heart for many reasons.

That was actually one mama and three cubs in the tree across the street a couple of months ago. Pretty cool. I like them better in trees than I do on the porch. :)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 01:54am PT

BN - the mystery hawk is an adult Red-shouldered Hawk, and the one you have labelled as such, looks like a Harris' Hawk (which could more appropriately be named red-shouldered, but isn't).

Not a Glaucous-winged. Keep at it!

Crimp - you got the pronunciation right. Phainopepla's easy. Pyrrhuloxia, on the other hand...

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Nov 3, 2011 - 02:06am PT

Hey nuts of brass...
your images are stellar!
Mind sharing what gear you're using (glass esp.).

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 3, 2011 - 08:54am PT

Thanks Willoughby on the pronunciation. You knew exactly my next question: Pyrrhuloxia,

Pie-rule-lox-e-ah??

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 11:09am PT

Riley, he said it wasn't that exotic a la my Slaty-backed. I'm down with
a juvie Thayer's now.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 11:26am PT

DING-DING-DING!!!! Thayer's it is. Among other things, the real key in this photo is in the outer primaries: darker outer webs, much paler inner webs (not unlike Slaty-backed in that regard).

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 01:41pm PT

Woo-Hoo! I'm King of the Chumps! Effin' juvenile delinquents. I don't care,
I got me my Sabine's. I just want a Ross's and an Ivory for Christmas.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 3, 2011 - 01:47pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 01:53pm PT

This ain't gud but it is as gud as I got. At least this 'un don't have
an ID tag on it...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 3, 2011 - 03:12pm PT

Beautiful E-Kat!

And love the Condor Reilly. Didn't know there were any without tags. How to identify them then? :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 03:16pm PT

There aren't any without tags in the USA. :-)

eKat, what, is it too cold to go outside to shoot? ;-)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 3, 2011 - 03:48pm PT

I got a 70-300 last spring and saw this the first day I had it, too bad I forgot VR was off for these shots, and some of them are major crop jobs but here ya go:

Out climbing with my buds at our secret spot and we see a hawk hanging around:

Then another one joins:

One suddenly swoops down to an out of view hillside and come back up with a hare in its claws. I was really surprised the hawk could carry such a load compared to it's own size. I was fumbling to change my lens so I didn't get them while they were close, however the hawks started fighting over the rabbit in midair, causing it to be dropped. One hawk flew back down and retrieved the fresh meal giving me time to complete my lens change. I was able to snag a few photos but there were pretty far away by this point. (plus I aint go no mega 500mm...though I'm droooling at the thought).

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 3, 2011 - 03:53pm PT

More gulls for Mr. R.W.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 3, 2011 - 04:05pm PT

Cool hawk photos! I got a heated bird bath for my birthday a little over a year ago. Wow is that thing awesome. Huge hit with the birds. Highly recommended to anyone.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 04:39pm PT

I suspected the picture was showing way light too as it looked overexposed.
Typical tricks for Stump the Chumps. :-)

Here's the 11,378' AGL Lords of Desolation Lk (Sierras)
Doods just would not admit it was time to head lower despite it being
way late September and brrrr cold at night! There were hordes of fish
there so I guess the devil you know...

EdBannister

Mountain climber

13,000 feet

Nov 3, 2011 - 05:02pm PT

two

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 3, 2011 - 07:28pm PT

Ours is plugged in. I have an outdoor heavy duty extension cord to it though it's only about 6' away. Happily a plug existed there already.

Whoa, though we got ours at the local birding store, there is a website devoted to bird baths! http://www.birdbaths.com/bird-baths/heatedbirdbathsarticle.cfm.

Some are solar too. It's a huge hit all winter. We never saw the Solitaire, but put it out there and 'wham' she showed up. It's fun to watch them bath in it. Really really love it.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 3, 2011 - 08:28pm PT

Post a photo of what you end up with!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 09:26pm PT

Yo eKat,, that Blue Jay's not in Shasta is it? Where are you? Blue Jay is a California Bird Records Committee review species, pretty danged rare in California.

Don't go beating yourselves up over a young gull. They're hard. Slaty-backed seems to be getting a little more common here in CA. Give it time, and maybe they'll be easy to find. Seems like Half-Moon Bay is the spot. Iceland? Forget it. We did have a nice adult Kumlein's type at the Sparks Marina last winter, but it was a first for Nevada. I think CA still only has seven accepted records for this species.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 10:36pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 3, 2011 - 11:17pm PT

I considered Thayer's, but rejected it. I couldn't see the small blackish spots at the primary tips. Looking back I think the motion blur made it look all gray and I think black is just visible on the other wing. Oh, well. I have to re-learn them each winter.

There have been a lot of these guys reported around the Bay Area this fall. This was a lifer for me. In fact, there were two of them at the same
location.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 4, 2011 - 12:59am PT

Mongo like Vermillion Flycatcher.... Do you think by any stretch they might be in Morongo around turkey day or more south?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 4, 2011 - 01:46am PT

Nice one Tony! I'm just happy to get a Pec. once in a while up here. The Lake is so damn high we had ZERO shorebird habitat this year. It was depressing. Somebody needs to blow up that damn dam. Tahoe actually pulls in some nice shorebirds from time to time. We'll get one of those eventually. And Ruff. And Hud-God. And White-rumped in the Spring. And Stilt Sand. And Upland. And...

Here's a crap scan off a decent slide, believe it or not:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 4, 2011 - 10:47am PT

All beautiful, but I love me some Vermillion Flycatcher. Gorgeous photo! Hoping there are birds there over T'giving.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 4, 2011 - 10:54am PT

Here are a few for you....

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 4, 2011 - 11:11am PT

Hee hee! Crested Caracara? I've only seen one in a tree near my folks home. Very cool birds!

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 4, 2011 - 01:01pm PT

Right you are, Riley. These are pretty colorful for winter shorebirds. Shollenberger Park, just outside the Point Reyes Bird Observatory offices, is a pretty good spot for uncommon shorebirds. There are usually several Pacific Golden-Plovers and often an American Golden-Plover.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 4, 2011 - 01:58pm PT

Bring back a photo Riley!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Nov 4, 2011 - 03:42pm PT

BrassNuts,

I think they are residents. I have seem them several times, and at different times of the year. The old baseball field in the reserve is a good place to start. Saw one on the backstop once.

Here is info from a local biologist on the southwest population

http://www.blm.gov/ca/pdfs/cdd_pdfs/verfly1.PDF

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 4, 2011 - 03:52pm PT

This ones for Crimp! What is it? (not to hard me thinks)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 4, 2011 - 03:59pm PT

Oh....that bird is near water...Blargh.

I'm going with a juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron. If not that, then maybe a juvenile Green Heron.

You underestimate these tricky birds! :)

edit: Really pretty photo too! Generally photos are of them stationary.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 4, 2011 - 04:03pm PT

I like 'em when they behave...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 4, 2011 - 04:06pm PT

Young Black-Crowned it is then?

I have poor water bird confidence. :)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 4, 2011 - 06:02pm PT

Green Heron I believe, but I don't know sh#t about birds or how to tell them apart, hope you feel better soon Crimp!. Here it is just before takeoff.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 4, 2011 - 06:23pm PT

We need a lesson in the nuances of these two juves. For someone who claims not to know much about birds, you get some nice photos!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 4, 2011 - 07:20pm PT

That there IS a Black-crowned Night-Heron.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 4, 2011 - 07:21pm PT

Yeah! Pretty bird. Have you seen the huge flock of them (wild) that nest at National Zoo in DC? Pretty cool.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 4, 2011 - 10:55pm PT

Our Greens have more Burgundy/rust color in them, so I'm going out on a limb and siding with Crimper and Willoughby ;-) . I have to admit to never having seen a juvenile Black Crowed.

Matty, were did you see that bird?

darwin

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 5, 2011 - 01:01am PT

Honestly I've never even heard of a black crowned night heron until today. I'm probably wrong about the ID as my entire basis was a friend who said green heron are sometimes back there. I just started shooting birds last spring when I got my tele zoom and find it a fulfilling way to develop my skills. I saw that heron a few weeks ago up an inland creek near Ventura, CA.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 5, 2011 - 12:44pm PT

Matty..here is a fairly good look at Black-crowned night Heron I took in El Salvador.

Pretty birds.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 5, 2011 - 12:53pm PT

Random shots from various trips to Central America.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 5, 2011 - 01:29pm PT

What do people shoot? I use a Nikon D7000 and D90 with the nikon 70-300mm VR f/4-f/5.6. Great for handheld.

Have been thinking about the nikon 300mm F/4 AFS + 1.4TC. Not inexpensive.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 5, 2011 - 07:35pm PT

D80 with the 70-300 vr2. Wish my body had better performance at high ISO's as I can feel the limits of that lens in low light. I'll post today's results sometime soon. Got some fun ones.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 5, 2011 - 07:38pm PT

Mike - not sure if you saw upthread but here is what BN is shooting with:

Canon EOS 7D with a 100-400mm F4L lens for some birds. Most little fast moving guys are photographed with the same body, but using a Canon 500mm F4L lens.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 5, 2011 - 07:41pm PT

I use an Olympus e-5 with a 50-200 (100-400) 2.8 lens with a 1.4 teleconveter.

I just bought a Sony A77 and then going to get a Sony 70-400 G series for it.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 5, 2011 - 07:45pm PT

ah, had not been through the full tread. BN has some serious gear (and uses it really well!). Thanks Crimp.

Bob - thought you were a Nikon users (didn't you get one of the early D7000 bodies and post a thread about it?).

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 5, 2011 - 07:48pm PT

True Mike B. Even with that nice gear in my hand, it's 1000 clicks before I get a decent shot. For starters, it's heavy!

My experience shows having nice gear is a start, but there is a lot of talent in taking bird photos. That makes it a lot like climbing (i.e., good gear doesn't make a good climber).

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 5, 2011 - 07:53pm PT

yup. skill and patience.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 5, 2011 - 08:05pm PT

Mike...I used Nikon and Olympus for years and just sold my Nikon gear to get the Sony. Olympus makes some of the best glass around and I can travel with just two prime lenses and teleconverter and go fro 24- to almost 600mm.

Birds are frustrating as hell to shoot...takes a lot of time and effort to get the what you want. The little guys never stay in one place to long. :-)

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Nov 5, 2011 - 09:42pm PT

Crimpie and Brass Nuts, I was at the Morongo Preserve last month mid-October and they said the Vermillion Flycatchers had left for the winter the weekend before I visited. I hope you still go there and enjoy the birds. I got 42 species on the day I visited and I saw a nest with two young Lesser Goldfinch. I really enjoyed the flickers and the Meadowlarks.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 5, 2011 - 09:52pm PT

I also use a Canon 7D, usually with a 300mm f/4 lens + or - a 1.4 TC. I also have a 100/400 f/4-5.6, but find the 300 auto focuses better and easier to carry. I'm waiting for a windfall so I can get the 500mm f/4. I also seem to think that birds also prefer to be backlit.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 5, 2011 - 11:49pm PT

Cyndie - great to know. We'll go regardless of the birds. Can't wait - not been there before. Thanks for the beta!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 6, 2011 - 09:27pm PT

Great day birding at Monte Vista NWA..the cranes are heading south to Bosque del Apache.

Coots and mallards taking off.

This is the reason they were taking off...Northern Harrier (edit) on the hunt.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 6, 2011 - 10:23pm PT

It looks a Northern Harrier, Bob. But gud shootin', as always.
I thought you'd come in from the dark side, though, about the pic size.
I hate having to get out my pince nezs! ;-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 6, 2011 - 10:44pm PT

White rumps makes me think Harrier as well. Beautiful photos all! Our birding day was not super successful. Too cold and too windy. Did see many Widgeons, Rink-Necked Ducks, Redheads, Coots and Canada Geese. Fun show for sure. Hopefully BN will post up some photos soon.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 6, 2011 - 10:45pm PT

It is a Harrier...the white ring on the tail. Thanks.

Reilly...here is a another shot/bigger.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 6, 2011 - 11:15pm PT

Geese and Mallards in Flight...Monte Vista, NWA southern Colorado.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 7, 2011 - 09:58pm PT

Nice shots Bob, like last one!

Here are a few of mine from last weekend:

What is this one? Look like it's got some sharp little serrations in the beak.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 7, 2011 - 10:44pm PT

More nice shots Matty.

Photo 1: Great Blue Heron.

Photo 2: Female Common Merganser

Photo 3:Ducks (Mallards) & Canada Geese

Photo 4: Hmmm. Not Great Egret unless the angle is funny. Bill looks too thick. Makes me think Cattle Egret. But that seems wrong too. Just a funny positioned Great Egret??

Photo 5: Great Egret

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 7, 2011 - 10:56pm PT

Thanks for the name of #2. No geese in my photo though. And same bird in the last two (great egret). Now to research merganser.

F'ueco

Boulder climber

Sunnyvale, CA

Nov 8, 2011 - 12:17am PT

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 8, 2011 - 12:36am PT

lookin at you

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 8, 2011 - 01:18am PT

Could be an eclipse male common merganser. Note the big white wing patch.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 8, 2011 - 09:07am PT

True Matty. I totally imagined the geese in your photo~ or had visions of Bob's still in my head. :)

Now I'll research the eclipse male Merganser myself!

A little Merganser info: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_merganser/id

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 8, 2011 - 09:32am PT

I do believe - based on Sibley - that the Merganser is a non-breeding male. The females don't appear to have any white on the side at all. Thanks for the tip!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 8, 2011 - 02:43pm PT

"ONE STEP CLOSER PAL AND YOU AIN'T GONNA LIKE IT!!!!!!"

"Hey, pal, everybody has a bad hair day."

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 8, 2011 - 03:03pm PT

Crimpie

I just learned this field mark while studying one of these guys in the cove (SF Bay) near us. They are pretty uncommon in salt water. I'm hoping he will hang around long enough to molt into breeding plumage.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 8, 2011 - 04:27pm PT

Tricky duck plumages, I dig it. Here's a few for you. What in the hell are they (species and sex and wtf):

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 8, 2011 - 06:41pm PT

The bottom ones look like Ring-necked from the bills. Not sure of gender or whether juvenile. WTF plumage is right!

The upper one perhaps a Mallard due to the line through the eye and orangeish bill.

Usually, I just give up on these plumages and wait until they finish molting unless forced to ID.

Edit: The right one maybe a male due to the faint beginning of a white "spur"

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 8, 2011 - 09:29pm PT

I sit here without my books. Boo. The bottom says Ring Necked Duck to me as well. My auto correct initially typed dick instead of duck, and f*#k instead of duck. Naughty droid.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 8, 2011 - 10:40pm PT

I'll be honest, I'm not 100% sure of the top one. It's definitely a wild Mallard, but what sort of Mallards have orange bills with black saddles? Females, that's who. So this is either a gynandromorph (neither male nor female, but rather, both), or a female with a shiteload of testosterone. I suspect the latter, as does a duck hunter friend of mine who says this isn't unheard of. You do see old females in passerines that can take on elements of male plumage, and apparently it's simply a testosterone thing. I'm uncertain whether testosterone increases with age or increases proportionately to other female hormones and is thus more prone to expressing itself this way. Anyway, a very strange looking beast.

The bottom birds are male Ring-necked Ducks coming out of juvenal plumage. Eclipse Ring-neckeds are a bit more straightforward.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 9, 2011 - 02:18am PT

????????????

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 9, 2011 - 02:23am PT

Reilly,

Was this gull in Patagonia? If so, I'll guess Brown-headed.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Nov 9, 2011 - 06:01am PT

Thought this was kind of interesting and thought of you'all
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15620024

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 9, 2011 - 09:02am PT

Fun stuff! Just saw some Ring-Neck Ducks a few days ago. The top duck is something else!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 9, 2011 - 09:19am PT

Aw, some sadness here today. On our front porch this morning, was this little fella. :(

Northern Parula, no? In Boulder Colorado? Poor bird. :(

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 9, 2011 - 11:07am PT

^^^ Damn windows. :-(

Tony, very good.

The Patagonian Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides) is of some interest:
"sometimes included in Anas, but it belongs to a South American clade that diverged early in dabbling duck evolution (Johnson & Sorenson, 1999). There are two subspecies: L. specularioides alticola (Andean Crested Duck) and L. specularioides specularioides (Patagonian Crested Duck)." Wiki

The biggest disappointment of our trip was not seeing a Torrent Duck. :-(

I know I've posted this before but this 're-worked' and maybe some haven't
seen it. Black-necked swan family. Not sure how the riders get picked.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 9, 2011 - 12:05pm PT

Hey Crimp,

Bummer for that bird, but it's a really nice specimen, and I'm sure that some of the museums or educational facilities around there would love it for a study skin. Being a bit of a vagrant, I'm sure it's all the more valuable.

Make a little cone out of some scrap paper, stick a piece of tape on it to hold it together, drop the parula in there bill first. I usually cut off most of the excess and then fold it over the tail. Jot down the date and the fact that you found it dead on the porch, and put it in a Ziploc in the freezer. Better yet, double-bag it (sandwich Ziploc, then in a freezer bag). All of this will keep it from getting freezer burn. Then, give these guys a call:

http://www.rmbo.org/v2/web/

Either they'll want it, or they'll know somebody closer who will.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 9, 2011 - 12:34pm PT

Torrent Duck is something I'd wanted to see ever since I first learned about their existence on some TV show as a kid. They live in the gnarliest water, and it just seems like a completely insane place to raise chicks! I managed to catch up with a pair in the Tronador area in Argentina, at some big waterfall; I'd have to look at my notes to find the name. It took a while for them to show up, and between the distance, the spray, and the lighting, photography was pointless. We mostly savored the birds through the scope, but I snapped a few shots anyway:

Go back and get 'em, Reilly. They're the coolest!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 9, 2011 - 12:52pm PT

From the yard this morning...

Black Capped Chickadee

House Finch

Dark eyed Junco

Reilly...great shots and thanks for the compliment on the photo...birds are so hard to photo.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 9, 2011 - 01:36pm PT

Fun stuff everyone, keep it coming...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 9, 2011 - 02:20pm PT

Matty...much better than the political threads. :-)

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

Nov 9, 2011 - 03:51pm PT

Anybody else catch this?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/45225395#45225395

Blows my mind!

Sorry about the ad.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 9, 2011 - 04:48pm PT

Reilly,

Since you had been posting your excellent austral bird photos, I took a stab. Also, it looks very similar to where we saw them. I looked it up and I guess it is Brown-hooded, not headed. This is also where we saw the Black-necked Swans. No cute cygnets, though. It wasn't by any chance at Puerto Natales near this cool statue?

Yes, you've got to go back to see the Torrent Duck. It was at the top of my list, and we only saw it on the last day after three tries. We waited for over an hour hoping for the male and ducklings to join this female to no avail.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 9, 2011 - 04:55pm PT

Willoughby,

Good idea to contribute the unfortunate bird as a specimen. Do you know what would be the best outfit around the SF Bay area to donate similar specimens? We've never had anything but abundant species in window strikes at our Berkeley home, but you never know judging from a N Parula in Boulder. Now in Pt. Richmond, we seem to have more migrants passing through as we are on the n edge of the bay.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 9, 2011 - 05:11pm PT

Thanks much Willoughby. The little guy is in the freezer awaiting word from the group you mentioned. Messages have been left. Thanks for that info!

I wonder if he was migrating during the night and hit the house. Or perhaps it was just too cold for him last night (got to 24 degree). What a sad surprise to find him on the front porch.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 9, 2011 - 05:19pm PT

Here is a favorite one of mine. Shooting egrets at my Saturday bouldering area. Overexposed one flying against a cloud and there it is. No cut/paste or other tricks, just a crop.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 9, 2011 - 06:16pm PT

Matty,
Nice image. Very evocative!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 9, 2011 - 06:26pm PT

It is perfect the way it is! Beautiful!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 10, 2011 - 03:18am PT

Eastern birds migrating in the west tend to be a bit behind schedule as a rule. But yeah, it's getting on in the season. I'm sure Crimp's bird was still heading south though.

Tony, as for specimens in the Bay Area, depends where you are in the Bay. Since you're in Berkeley, I'd try the MVZ at Cal first. Next, Cal-Academy might want them. Then SFBBO or PRBO, since they both have operations all over the area, I'm not really sure which would be closer. There's prob. a dozen nature centers around that could use the material, but I really don't know who would want what.

go-B

climber

Habakkuk 3:19 Sozo

Nov 10, 2011 - 09:50am PT

Why certainly a strange bird the Stripped Yellow Breasted Stooge is, normally a funny little fellow "nyuk nyuk nyuk" just don't invade his territory or it will piss him off and he can flip on you!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 10, 2011 - 09:56am PT

^^^^nice shot, hope you didn't piss it off to much. The only time I saw one the damn thing almost sh#t on me.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 10, 2011 - 11:28am PT

Cousin Riley,
PM me for detailed instructions. In general, I would strongly suggest at
least some time in Tierra del Fuego. No big mountains but lots of nice little
ones.

Besides, I know yer jonesing for a Giant Petrel, Steamer Duck, and a Pinguino!

I got sort of skunked by the terrestrials but it wasn't for lack of effort.
We hiked a good variety of habitats and the weather was generally good but I
guess they're just not that plentiful numbers-wise. I should have done more
research to find me a local. I was totally skunked on owls, save some Great
Horneds, and woodpeckers. I did get my Magellanic the last day at Fitzroy.

It was the same in Paine. I was happy to see Flamingos and Bandurrias but
didn't see a whole lot more. There is some nice scenery there though.

Fitzroy was the same although I was jacked to get a Huet-huet.

I guess there's some climbing there, too.

edit:
I forgot to mention Iguazu. I mean, my thinking was it's a damn long ways
to Argentina and it ain't cheap so might as well tick as much as possible.
The trouble is time. A month was like barely enough. We only spent 2-1/2
days there thanks to Aerolineas Argentina, aka Manana Maybe Airlines, and that was a
mistake. I did have a really good guide lined up to get me my Harpy but his
mum took ill in a bad way the day before we arrived so I was on my own.
Major bummer.
To say there's some boids there is an epic understatement.

Final note: I can't emphasize this enough - do not fly Aerolineas Argentinas.
I won't bore you with the details but you gotta trust me. I don't know much
but I know a thing or two about airplanes. They fly old POS and I thought
I was gonna die once. They are horrendously phukked up organisationally too.
Go LAN - Word. I knew all this beforehand but I was swayed by the
good deal we got with AA. It wasn't worth it.

Final edit:
If yer single you might wanna consider flying AA as they have the hottest
flight attendants I've ever seen! They were pretty useless but, hey, there
ain't no free lunch, right?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 10, 2011 - 11:59am PT

Some of those photos just look fake. It's hard to believe such amazing exists. (I know they are real though). Awesome photos. Love the Plush Jay! :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 10, 2011 - 12:04pm PT

Crimps,
They're all fake, it's the intardnet, remember? I only went there in my mind.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 10, 2011 - 05:03pm PT

A few recent ones from the Union Bay Nature Area here in Seattle, posted with complete obeisance to the spectacular photographers keeping up the wonderful steady stream of bird photos here. These are my first since my shoulder operation. I only have a manual focus long lens and am a lame focuser under the best of circumstances; but one handed with my off-hand is even tougher.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 10, 2011 - 05:29pm PT

Love it when they don't just sit there

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 10, 2011 - 11:45pm PT

Cranes in flight...Bosque del Apache, New Mexico

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 11, 2011 - 12:46am PT

Really nice, Bob! I'm just thinking I'd like to see it dialed back a quarter
stop or so.

A very cooperative Chimango Caracara.
"Ya, you da boid!"

Upland Geese grazing under dad's watchfiul eye.

Any one for a snipe hunt?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 11, 2011 - 12:51am PT

Bitchin pix from the way south! Gotta get down to Patagucci sometime to chase birds, scenery and rock :-)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 11, 2011 - 01:18am PT

Pretty cool that you can sex those Upland Geese by leg color alone.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 11, 2011 - 01:21am PT

Ha! Yeah, you'd never tell 'em apart otherwise! Well, 'cept for the role playing. :-)

I'm going through my gazillion shots and finding some boids I forgot to tally!

White-crested Elaenia

Charlie D.

Trad climber

Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra

Nov 11, 2011 - 08:28am PT

Sorry for the poor quality photo of this monster.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 11, 2011 - 08:50am PT

Nice stuff. I perch anxiously for more photos given Reilly's post!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 11, 2011 - 11:27am PT

House finches...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 11, 2011 - 11:46am PT

Hey, Willoughby, this guy has bugged me for years. It is a lousy scan of a
not great slide but I think it is good enough. I called it a Least. What think ye?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 12, 2011 - 10:34am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 12, 2011 - 11:59am PT

Watched "Ghost Bird" last night. Really excellent. I've read pretty much every book there is devoted to the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. Loved the video of them in the movie. And the photos of the youngster. :) Can't see that enough.

On the other hand, it makes me so angry all over again at Singer. And those who took the last several for their greedy collections.

Definitely a must see if you haven't. Thanks upthread for the recommendation.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 12, 2011 - 12:28pm PT

A couple from down under.

This is the Dark-bellied Cinclodes (Cinclodes patagonicus) . Say that three
times fast! I like the Argentine name - Remolinera estriata. It is a member
of the Furnariidae family like our Ovenbirds. There are 7 species. Although
I only saw this one I saw them everywhere there was water which means pretty
much everywhere down there! They are like a passerine shorebird; saltw#ter
or fresh, the Remolinera don't care!

Speaking of shorebirds this is the Blackish Oystercatcher (Haematopus ater).
It is subtly different from our American Black (H bachmani). There is also
the Magellanic (H leucopodus) which is also very similar to the American (H palliatus).
The American is down there too and often in proximity. Hey, a mussel's a mussel, right?
The best diagnostic is the wing pattern and the eye if you get that close.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 12, 2011 - 02:29pm PT

Riley,

I second Reilly's idea that Ushuaia is worth at least a couple of days. Most of our trip was in Chile before heading to Tierra del Fuego to catch our ship. There were lots of good birds in Tierra del Fuego National Park. You can take the ski lift to the Martial Glacier for some rare alpine birds. This is where we saw these two guys.

There are also great views overlooking the Beagle Channel.

BTW, we were also regaled with stories about Aerolineas Argentina.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 12, 2011 - 05:11pm PT

I'm a new Birder... but this Red Tail was sitting outside my house and I'd thought I'd share it.

Birds are cool...

thanks to those who helped get me started and informed! You rule!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 12, 2011 - 05:30pm PT

Nice shots all! Welcome to the club Strider. It never gets dull or old. Every bird is a treat isn't it?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 12, 2011 - 06:10pm PT

***
White-bellied Seedsnipe, Martial Glacier, Usuaia, Argentina
***

they are all spectacular, but that is one of the coolest birds i've seen.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 12, 2011 - 06:56pm PT

Yeah, and I'm really grumpy I didn't see one. Nice shot Tony. What did ya
have to pay him to pose for you? ;-)

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 12, 2011 - 07:18pm PT

Timid Toprope,

It looks like there may be a very uncommon bird in your photo near the center. I'm not sure, but the dark goose near the center may be a dark morph Ross's Goose. The bill appears to possibly be rather stubby, but I can't tell whether there is a "grin". The neck/head pattern looks more like the Ross's than Snow Goose pattern shown in sibley.

Willoughby?

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 12, 2011 - 07:26pm PT

Reilly, we did have a guide who knew this was a likely, but not surefire, place to see them. He was traipsing around playing a tape too loud and constantly, we thought. Finally, a women in our group spotted it. "Look at the rock that is moving". After finally finding it, it was very difficult to refind after taking the eyes off to try to show someone else. Amazingly, it let the group move pretty close, then walked even closer as it foraged. So a guess a decent way to see it would be to take the lift and scan all along the snowline and cushion grass. A scope would defintely be helpful, although this one was found with binos.

Also Reilly, how about Peninsula Valdes? Is that as spectacular as it sounds?

john hansen

climber

Nov 12, 2011 - 07:39pm PT

Crop of the mystery duck Hold ctrl key down and hit the "+" key a few times to enlarge

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 12, 2011 - 07:43pm PT

Didn't go there but by all accounts it is if you can take the time to get there.
I think a better bet might be the new national park down by Gallegos that
Doug Tomkins has been instrumental in establishing. It might be easier access
than Valdes.

We stopped on the way from Calafate to Paine at a remote sheep
ranch. It was a big mistake only spending the night and morning as I am
positive it would have been huge for some of the rare pampas birds. This
ranch is 44,000 acres and has been lovingly maintained in a pristine state
by the family since the 60's. It was really an incredible experience. They
had a big brood of Great Horneds hanging out right outside their back door.
Everywhere I looked in the distance I saw all manner of birds. Oh, time!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 12, 2011 - 07:53pm PT

Spending two days at Bosque del Apache in southern New Mexico, the weather is great and thousands of birds. Snow geese, coots, bald eagles, harriers, Zone-tailed hawk and merlins to name a few. The place is just full of life...so beautiful.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 12, 2011 - 07:57pm PT

There are my local birds from my street/backyard.

But I live a couple miles from Oso Flaco/Oceano Dunes so I'm going to the coast soon. Can't wait!

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 12, 2011 - 09:20pm PT

Riley,

I remember the Cactus Wren shot. Fantastic! Where was that taken?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 13, 2011 - 09:17am PT

Awesome stuff! Strider's photos are super fun too. Amazing birds in the back, no?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 13, 2011 - 11:53am PT

slabbo

Trad climber

fort garland, colo

Nov 13, 2011 - 12:54pm PT

This bird does security at my place;

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 13, 2011 - 02:20pm PT

No white-crowns here yet - just the juncos. Still waiting for my Solitaire to return as well.

Nice penguin. :)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 13, 2011 - 02:22pm PT

Reilly, that looks like a classic juv. Least to me. Note the yellow legs; that's the main thing to separate it from every other North American peep. Very fine-tipped bill with a slight droop is useful too.

Slater, gorgeous shots, but that's a Ferruginous Hawk, not a Red-tail.

Timid's "Blue Goose" is a Snow. Try not to get hung up on the neck/head pattern, as that's highly variable. I do see a grinning patch, but that's a bit tough on this photo. (There are a few Ross' Geese toward the bottom of the photo, for a comparison). More easily, look at the back and the tertials and note that they're all dark, but with pale edging on the terts. A blue Ross' has bold white back there, and even bolder white coverts. These differences make the blue phases easier to ID at a distance than the white phase. Sibley actually illustrates this very well.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 13, 2011 - 05:18pm PT

White Crowned Sparrow.

Bald Eagle.

Red Tail Hawk.

Ladderback Woodpecker.

Cranes and beautiful sunrise.

What a great two days of birding.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 13, 2011 - 05:22pm PT

Willoughby,

Thanks for the tips. The head pattern did first draw my attention and focused on that, even though I vacillated on whether the bill had a grin patch. I've only seen a number of Blue Snow Geese ad none of them had that type of pattern. Both the Sibley and Nat Geo guides portrayed the Blue Ross's Goose with that pattern and I assumed it was typical.

Riley,
If you recall the OC park where you took those photos, would you let me Know? I will be there for a while during the holidays, and will be anxious for some escapes.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 13, 2011 - 05:42pm PT

A few more...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 13, 2011 - 06:03pm PT

The thread that keeps on giving. :)

I never heard back for the bird observatory about my little Northern Parula. Suppose it's okay to give the little guy a proper burial now?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 13, 2011 - 06:50pm PT

Hey Crimp, I just fired off an email to a friend at RMBO, so hopefully you'll hear back soon.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 13, 2011 - 08:32pm PT

Found this urban green bellied whirly bird circling a carcass last week.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 13, 2011 - 08:43pm PT

Bob: Nice photos as usual. We have to get back there. There pre-dawn buildup before the flyout is amazing. Similarly, the sights and sounds of the Cranes flying back in for the night is magical.

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 13, 2011 - 08:45pm PT

Riley,

I have the old Lane guide, but just ordered the latest edition. I haven't been to that park. I'll look it up nest month.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 13, 2011 - 08:45pm PT

Nothing this weekend so here's some more from last:

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 13, 2011 - 09:35pm PT

Saw 10 new birds today.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 13, 2011 - 09:44pm PT

Aw. They are all so cute!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 13, 2011 - 09:59pm PT

Tony...thanks. Shooting birds is real hassle..but worth the one out of every one-out-of-a-thousand that you keep. If you make out this way let me know and would love to hook up with you. There is good climbing close to the Bosque.

Sunrise with the cranes.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 14, 2011 - 11:22am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 14, 2011 - 11:46am PT

Spectacled Ducks

Brown Pintails

Tony

Trad climber

Berkeley, CA

Nov 14, 2011 - 02:32pm PT

Amazingly another sub-species of the Brown or Yellow-billed Pintail, Anas georgica georgica, breeds on South Georgia Island and sometimes feeds on seal carcasses. There are also a few Speckled Teal and the southernmost passerine, the South Georgia Pipit

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 14, 2011 - 05:09pm PT

Two more from a recent trip to Alamos, Mexico.

Orange crown warbler?? Immature??

Yellow Grosbeak.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 15, 2011 - 09:39am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 15, 2011 - 09:44am PT

All birds are awesome regardless of the photo. Post up as all photos wanted DMT! Heading out to DC in minutes. Hoping BN finds some time this week to add some new ones too.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 15, 2011 - 10:51am PT

Good job DMT.

Young Great Blue Heron...

Great Egret...

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 15, 2011 - 11:56am PT

Bob D'A - Swamp Sparrow and Western Tanager

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 15, 2011 - 06:29pm PT

Nice seeing the Consumes photos DMT, thanks.

The Hooded Mergansers have been out in force and displaying in Seattle's Union Bay Wildlife Area. I'm still having a problem with one handed focussing of the cheap long lens but like to think I'm getting better. I've posted photos at:

http://173.160.158.251/postings/2011_11_14_Mergansers/index.html

but for now:

For those of you up here, consider the following event. Connie is wonderful, and "wine and cheese" were mentioned (see I am a climber!)

Tuesday, November 22, 2011, 6:30 – 8pm
Where Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle

Meet author and master birder, Constance Sidles, as she reads from her new book, Second Nature, at the Miller Library. The book explores the daily dramas and mysteries of the birds living in or passing through the Montlake Fill, aka Union Bay Natural Area at the University's Center for Urban Horticulture. The book will be available for sale. A dessert reception will precede the reading. This event if free and open to the public.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 15, 2011 - 09:05pm PT

Western Grebe

Turkey Vulture

Wild Turkey

House Finch

Sage Thrasher

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 15, 2011 - 11:11pm PT

john hansen

climber

Nov 16, 2011 - 12:42am PT

Always wanted to see a harliquin duck,,,, a cool bird.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 16, 2011 - 01:05am PT

Riley...I'm heading to Honduras in early March for some birding near Copan and Lago Yojoa, you are welcome to join me.

Do you mean here...http://www.nps.gov/drto/naturescience/birds.htm

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 16, 2011 - 01:20am PT

Riley,
Don't tempt me, bro! I'm totally devoid of S Tejas and Florida boids.

Male Kelp Goose

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 16, 2011 - 02:25am PT

Here's another mixed up duck. This guy's been hanging out on the Glenshire Pond in Truckee for the last few days. American x Eurasian Wigeon:

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 16, 2011 - 10:07am PT

So, Willoughby, given the seemingly high number of Am/Euros, does that not
beg the obvious question of whether they are just geographical races?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 16, 2011 - 12:56pm PT

There was a Harlequin Duck hanging out for a couple months this past winter in the cove near our new home in Pt. Richmond (N SF Bay). It never came in close when I had my camera so I had to settle for a distant, cropped photo. Interestingly, it was always hanging out with a female Surf Scoter. We're still waitng for it to show, but the ducks are just beginning to arrive.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 16, 2011 - 01:15pm PT

Reilly, it's not just wigeon. Wild ducks hybridize quite a bit, especially the Anas, and if you've ever been to a city park pond, you'll surely have seen all sorts of mutant Mallard crosses. Anyway, it seems we've moved far away from the Biological Species Concept with birds, so viable hybrids don't necessarily mean we have to lump two species together. If that were the case, we'd end up with just one species for "Teal" or something along those lines. The large gulls are in a similar situation. Regardless, I don't understand the precise criteria for all the lumping and splitting that goes on; I just leave that to the taxonomists.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 16, 2011 - 02:22pm PT

Magpie and Flicker hanging near the yard today.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 16, 2011 - 02:47pm PT

I think I posted this before, but there has been a Hooded Merganser/Barrow's Goldeneye wintering at Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland since at least 2004. I haven't seen reports of it this year yet, but it's still early. There is also a regular Tufted Duck that has already arrived. This guy seems to like molluscs like Goldeyes in spit of its merganser-type bill. I watched it eating 6 mussels in a rather short time.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 18, 2011 - 11:09am PT

Spotted Towhee in the yard this morning...pretty little things.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Nov 18, 2011 - 12:46pm PT

Shrike

What's for breakfast!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 18, 2011 - 01:12pm PT

I like those shrikes and of course the big showy ducks too.

richross

Trad climber

Nov 18, 2011 - 04:31pm PT

Gunks turkey vulture from hike today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 18, 2011 - 06:59pm PT

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Nov 18, 2011 - 08:35pm PT

This Nutall's has been a regular this fall, at the hummingbird feeder. The male too!

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Nov 19, 2011 - 05:56pm PT

http://vimeo.com/31158841 Murmuration

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 19, 2011 - 09:12pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 20, 2011 - 12:12am PT

I watched 30+ crows descend on a field that a farmer was tilling with his tractor... kicking up field mice from their holes... the crows were stabbing them with their beaks and carrying them off to eat. It was a killing field, and utter massacre of epic proportions.

Those crows are brilliant.

This scruffy dude hangs out at the ACE hardware garden section. I went back with a camera. People were probably wondering what the heck?

Death from above...

john hansen

climber

Nov 20, 2011 - 12:53am PT

Those are some great shots Slater.. It is difficult to realize how hard it is to take good bird pictures until you try to do it... they tend to move around a lot.

What kind of camera and setting's are you using?

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Nov 20, 2011 - 01:45am PT

Just read on my home birding site that there is a rare bird sighting in Seward. A Redwing is hanging about and I'm not home to see it! Uggghhhh. Oh well, I am seeing a lot of birds while I am in the lower 48 states on my road trip.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 20, 2011 - 09:25am PT

Wow. Been away at a conference and missed all of these awesome shots.

Brown Jay. :)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 20, 2011 - 02:28pm PT

Dr. F:

There was a Least Bittern last winter at Martinez Shoreline. No telling whether it will return this year.

There is an area east of Lone Pine along the Lower Owens River that is reputed to be a good place for Le Conte's Thrasher. We probably got a glimpse of one, but not good enough to count. We need to get there in the spring when they are singing.

Speaking of Thrashers, have you seen Crissal Thrasher? Shoshone wetland along the Amargosa River near Death Valley is good for them as well as some other tough-to-see-in-CA birds.
Shoshone Wetlands

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 20, 2011 - 03:01pm PT

Great shots everyone, thanx for sharing.

Firebird

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 20, 2011 - 03:20pm PT

Hey Matty,

Please tell us what's going on in your photo.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 20, 2011 - 03:58pm PT

Riley,

If you are ever in SE California, get yourself to Shoshone, especially in the spring when they are singing. We saw Bendaire's in SE Arizona south of Tuscon.

I'm certainly going to have to get to Texas and Florida on serious birding trips for any hope of getting to 500 on the ABA list, let alone 600.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Nov 21, 2011 - 11:21am PT

Pool Party!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 21, 2011 - 01:10pm PT

nice, I like the pool party photos

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Nov 21, 2011 - 01:38pm PT

Thanks!

Here's one with the Blue Birds, the House Finches and a Junco:

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 21, 2011 - 02:04pm PT

Not surprisingly, no passerines joined this Juvenile Coop.

After a long time of just standing in the water, it finally began to bathe.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 21, 2011 - 05:58pm PT

Love the bird bath shots! I have a cute one of 20 or so Gold finch. Have to see if I can find it. As I took it, it's blurry, but still adorable!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 21, 2011 - 06:35pm PT

Just spend another two days at Bosque del Apache in southern New Mexico...The fly out of the cranes and geese this morning was nothing short of spectacular. Here are few shots from the trip.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 21, 2011 - 06:43pm PT

OK so here's the story Tony asked for. My family has an island cottage cottage in northeastern lake huron. It's in Ontario, Canada and in a portion of lake huron called georgian bay. There are 30,000+ islands in georgian bay, which is huge. Our camp is in a small section of georgin bay called mcgregor bay which it self has 3000+ islands packed into an area less than 100 square miles. Islands are mostly small (under 50 acres) and a lot are really small (like they disappear and reappear depending on the water level). Because everything is islands there are no roads, towns, cars, stores. Most islands are empty as there are only a few hundred cottages spread over the 3000 islands.

There is no fire service in the area so as a community we have portable fire equipment cashed on 11 different islands and an unofficial volunteer fire dept. This past summer a thunderstorm rolled through on night and started an uninhabited island on fire. Because there are so many islands so close together you have to put it out because it will jump from island to island. No one noticed the smoke until the next morning at which point the fire crew assembled and put the small fire out.

Someone else that morning had called the DNR (Dept. Natural Resources) and reported the fire. They sent out a chopper, but by the time they got there we had already put the fire out. However it's their job to verify so they landed on another island, unloaded and we had to ferry them over by boat, and them take them back to the mainland marina because the chopper had other crews to drop elsewhere.

Our Cottage:

Setting up the firepump

The tree that was struck:

Fighting the fire:

Unloading the heli, check out the small island they had to land on because all the other ones were either too rocky or had too many trees.

There is a bald eagle nest on one of the islands behind the chopper. This year we saw two bald eagles living here with two juveniles.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 22, 2011 - 12:02am PT

Thanks Matty. Good story. It's nice the Eagle nest wasn't involved.

Bob, I understand Bosque may get even more birds this winter due to drought in Texas.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 22, 2011 - 12:10am PT

nice shots Bob

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 22, 2011 - 09:47am PT

Tony..there was just an article in paper saying that...fires and drought in Texas are pushing the birds to the bosque.

Mike, thanks.

Just booked a flight to Honduras and I'm going to spend at least 5 days at Lago Yojoa. Can't wait.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 22, 2011 - 10:17am PT

Riley....leaving 2/27, returning 3/9...I got a great fare ($414 roundtrip).

Maybe spend three days in the Copan area.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 22, 2011 - 11:08pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 23, 2011 - 01:18pm PT

A couple more from the front yard today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 24, 2011 - 11:11pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 25, 2011 - 11:25am PT

Riley...I get those faces all the time.

Honduras is really a cool place...this will be my fourth time there. Lots of birds (over 400 different species) near the lake and Copan has it fair share too and with the ruins make for a great trip.

Have been seeing a lot of Flickers around Taos too.

Hope you had great thanksgiving?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 26, 2011 - 04:03am PT

I found two "types" of Bushtit in a Tahoe flock today. It's not that uncommon this time of year, but the jury is out as to whether we have the presence of multiple subspecies or simply a blending of phenotypes in this population:

The gray-crowned birds are typical of our breeders; brown-crowned birds are typical of the Pacific Slope. These are both adult females (pale eye).

MH2

climber

Nov 27, 2011 - 12:24am PT

Subjects are very cooperative in the Galapagos.
Photo courtesy of Michael Boni.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 27, 2011 - 12:36am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 27, 2011 - 02:01am PT

MH2, too much! God bless the cooperative wee (and not so wee) birdies!

Chilean Skua

bit'er ol' guy

climber

the past

Nov 27, 2011 - 10:34am PT

Bridwell is that you??

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 27, 2011 - 01:19pm PT

Just got a new lens and here are some shots from this morning.

Spotted Towhee

House Sparrow

Magpie

Pretty sharp lens!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 27, 2011 - 01:26pm PT

agreed! nice shots. What did you get?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 27, 2011 - 01:36pm PT

Mike...just got a Sony A77, 16-50 2.8 and 70-400 F4 G lens. Really sharp.

Nice shots of the Snowy Egret

nature

climber

back in Tuscon Aridzona....

Nov 27, 2011 - 01:47pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 27, 2011 - 04:13pm PT

Yes, the birds of the Galapagos are amazingly confiding. These didn't get quite as close as for MH2, but still ...

MH2, was that a Mockingbird?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 28, 2011 - 01:19am PT

Found this guy today. Well, actually the other birds found him for me. Regardless, he was so tame, if I'd had a step ladder I probably could have reached up and poked him in his fluffy little belly:

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 28, 2011 - 01:28am PT

Beauteous shot Willoughby!

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Nov 28, 2011 - 01:34am PT

Sort of on topic, an article about parrots that paint:
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Parrot+refuge+puts+feathered+friends+work+creating+bird+brained/5772190/story.html

(Not to be found in the Museum of Non-Primate Art: http://www.monpa.com/wcp/);

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 28, 2011 - 02:18pm PT

Riley, I did have a pair nesting in a box I hung just beyond the fence. Yesterday's owl was down in S. Lake Tahoe, but I live in Truckee, so no.

Re: Bushtit subspecies, our usual birds here in Tahoe are plumbeous, interior birds, but this brown-capped guy is probably californicus, one of the "coastal"/Pac-slope birds. Grinnell and a few others felt that californicus and Great Basin-type birds might be intergrading, at least at the northern and southern ends of the Sierra. Swarth (Auk 31(4):499-526) discusses intergradation between the two (pp. 521-523) in the very southern Sierras and the Warners, based on a few specimens. Grinnell and Storer (1924) and Mailliard (1927) mention possible intergradation from Mono and Modoc, respectively (although I haven't read these two references yet regarding this issue). And Grinnell, Dixon, and Lindsdale (1930) report flocks of mixed character, with dependent young, from Lassen in June. This last is perhaps the most compelling evidence if intergradation between subspecies. It's interesting to note that by 1944 (Grinnell and Miller) Grinnell had decided that the californicus-type seen at Williams Butte in Mono was there "possibly as autumn vagrant," versus an intergrade. I only see pure flocks of plumbeus here (Tahoe) in the summer, so I think they're probably fairly pure, but it's bewildering to think about these coastal birds heading back over the Sierra crest in late winter or spring, with a huge snowpack.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 29, 2011 - 09:33am PT

Awesome Saw-Whet Owl shot! Very cool. I also love the small Galapagos bird inside the lens hood - not often can you say a bird was "too close" for a good pic! Here are a few from recent weeks here and there...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 29, 2011 - 12:48pm PT

can anyone ID this bird... california... winter

it sat on top of a post and flew down to eat flying tiny insects and then without touching the ground flew back to his/her perch again to hunt more.
It was in an open grassy field. Mid-morning. The wings weren't as blue as they appear in the photo.

Can't find it in Sibley guide!?

Brass - KILLER pictures

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 29, 2011 - 01:16pm PT

Slater - what photo?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 29, 2011 - 01:42pm PT

oooops! Sorrry! Here it is... the mystery bird.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 29, 2011 - 01:44pm PT

That there is a Black Phoebe.

Floyd Hayes

Trad climber

Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Nov 29, 2011 - 01:46pm PT

Black Phoebe.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 29, 2011 - 01:51pm PT

Slater,
No disrespect bro (we're laughing with you) but your first clue was what was
said wee birdie doing? Catching flies ergo...
Granted, warblers and vireos catch flies too. :-)
You also will learn to look at the body shape and posture as a flycatcher
doesn't look like a warbler. Keep up the good work!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 29, 2011 - 01:59pm PT

Hmmm... I have a black phoebe already... but it doesn't look like that!
The head is different. Also, this one didn't have the black "hood" and white stomach. This one looked distinctly different... so maybe the other one wasn't a black phoebe?

Maybe I"ll post that bird up then because they don't look anything like each other so one way or another I missed one?

Here it is...
the head and body look different to me... but I'm not an expert.

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

Nov 29, 2011 - 01:59pm PT

The Black Phoebe can provide good entertainment, Slater.
It has a strong habit of returning to the same perch, or a small number
of perches, during a session of flycatching.
Thus, you can usually watch for quite a while if you desire.
It will often allow you to approach it pretty closely.
You get a chance to watch some rad turns as it captures its prey.
Its call is easy to imitate, and it will respond to your imitation, which
is good amusement in itself.
Another thing: much of the time, when it makes a catch, it bites so hard
that you can hear its bill going clickety-clack.
I mean pretty loud.

EDIT: sorry, I was writing while you posted your second entry.
I would not be surprised if someone more skilled than I lists reasons why
your first pic is really a Black Phoebe: head feathers pressed down, angle
of sunlight revealing perfect iridescence on wings, etc.

If it is identified as something else, that will be a big bonus.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 29, 2011 - 02:10pm PT

I did watch with amusement for about 5 minutes. I was trying to get a pic of it flying (that helps me sometimes to ID them). I did get about 8 pics and they are all the same. The head looks rounded and not a tad crowned like the 2nd BPhoebe pic. But darn, the rest of the bird looks pretty darn similar. But then again, many do.

Ha ha, I'm trying to ID 50 birds in a month (with 2 kids and full time job and one part time job) and I"m at 45 so I'm itching to get the other 5 by tomorrow.. ha ha silly I know but it keeps me entertained and eyes wide open. My kids are enjoying it too.

This bird thread is a big bonus on ST! Thanks

Anyone else want to weigh in?

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

Nov 29, 2011 - 02:13pm PT

Get to some wetlands. The cast of characters is still changing, probably,
as some wintering birds arrive from the North.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 29, 2011 - 02:17pm PT

I live about 10 miles from the beach and from an inland marsh/estuary (Lake Oso Flaco) near Oceano/Guadalupe CA.

I've been a couple times but have been seeing the same cast lately. But I will give it another go.
Grebes, coots, ruddy ducks, cinnamon teal ducks, comorants, egrets, herons, brown pelican, several gulls, hawks, vulture, yellow rumped warbler. It's a fun place to go.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 29, 2011 - 02:18pm PT

From the description, I thought the photo was gonna be one of the bluebirds, but that's a Black Phoebe. Don't let the lighting throw you. They're pretty vocal too, and it's good to get used to their whistled calls, which kinda remind me of a kid playing on a rusty swing set.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Nov 29, 2011 - 02:46pm PT

Common cranes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7R7A-hgbEQQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XQlejr3eWVE

Le Retour Des Grues - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8bGSI3nN8k4

cliffhanger

Trad climber

California

Nov 29, 2011 - 03:10pm PT

There would be alot more birds to see if not for cats:

Cats kill 39 million birds a year in Wisconsin alone, (this translates to billions killed in North America)

http://wildlife.wisc.edu/extension/catfly3.htm

There is no question that birds are better off when cats stay indoors. Exact numbers are unknown, but scientists estimate that every year in the United States alone, cats kill hundreds of millions of birds, and more than a billion small mammals, including rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks. Feline predators include both domestic cats that spend time outdoors and stray cats that live in the wild, sometimes as part of a colony.
http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/index.html

When a leading bird-watcher in Texas shot one of the feral cats that had been stalking piping plovers, he started the kind of war that only really ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/magazine/02cats-v--birds-t.html?pagewanted=all

http://birdchaser.blogspot.com/2008/03/cats-kill-over-1-billion-birds-each.html

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 29, 2011 - 05:28pm PT

Two cats in our neighborhood have had me dreaming of terrible things to do with cats (e.g., relocation; pepper spray in the face). (I can dream, but can't pull it off). They are always hunting here and one keeps spraying my sliding glass door. That sort of behavior earns no love.

Recently, they sprayer joined the food chain. All that remained out back was a patch of fur and some intestine. Ick. Hate to see him gobbled like that, but it seems like karma. Plus, the stupid owner should have known that would happen. He seems genuinely surprised.

The owner now is keeping the other one inside at night at least. I think he's alarmed as someone removed the cats collar (has one of those things that allows the cat door to open when the cat is near). I certainly didn't do it, but it seems others are sick of this cat too. The (irresponsible) owner got that collar when he found out our five neighborhood big-arse raccoons had been enjoying time in his home daily when he was away.

Wish everyone would keep their cats inside for their own good and for the good of birds.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 29, 2011 - 05:51pm PT

It was an oak/sycamore forest :) near a creek in a grassy/weedy clearing.
Are Mtn. Bluebirds found along the coastal mountains? It was about 15 miles as the crow flies from the beach.

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

Nov 29, 2011 - 06:14pm PT

Ah Hah!

Once a year I see a few Mountain Bluebirds here in the Pajaro Valley,
only a few miles from Monterey Bay.

I think this is the time of year, and I think Riley is onto something.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 29, 2011 - 06:36pm PT

Seems like he has too much white on his belly to be a Mtn Bluebird to me. Fun puzzle!

Many black feathers throw blue hues. For example, Magpies almost look blue at some angles. Cool birds. :)

But what the heck do I know. :/

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 29, 2011 - 06:58pm PT

Speaking of Mountain Bluebirds...saw a bunch today out at Las Vegas (NM) NWA...along with many raptors, waterfowls and cranes. Great day.

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

Nov 29, 2011 - 08:15pm PT

The female mt bluebirds I have seen here (coastal) in the Fall have been
pretty pale.
I see a black Phoebe almost daily, almost year-round, and I've never
caught any iridescence on it that I recall over 10 years.
Slater is bound to supply more pictures, I think.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 29, 2011 - 08:53pm PT

I wouldn't put too much stock in the supposed iridescence given the vagaries
of digital photography. Now, if our intrepid observer avers it was so then
I will be most interested as I too have never noticed any in the myriad
Black Phoebes I have observed.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 29, 2011 - 08:57pm PT

I don't know what the mystery bird is, but I'm pretty sure it is not a black phoebe. Great shooting Bob!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 29, 2011 - 08:58pm PT

DMT..thanks...I like looking and shooting (Camera) them.

I been lucky...I think my life list is well over a thousand...maybe more. I birded in some really great places (Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru,Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Florida, Cali, New Mexico, New Jersey, PA, Maine, coastal, mountains, prairie, and almost everything in between. I just don't keep count...kinda like FA's.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 29, 2011 - 09:57pm PT

A few more from this summer. Hope you don't get tired of seeing the same birds over and over cuz I'm new at this and it's all i got.

This one has a nest in our boathouse rafters, watch it have babies every summer. Cool except when they poop on the boats!

Wish I had my camera at work the other day. Was walking across campus to make copies and noticed a hawk soaring the nearby hill, it started to come towards campus when several ravens went up and scared it off, they spent several minutes doing air battle, it was really cool.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Nov 29, 2011 - 10:06pm PT

Western Bluebird

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 29, 2011 - 10:10pm PT

Tired of bird photos? Hahahaha! NEVER!

I love them all. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 29, 2011 - 10:15pm PT

I say we do a birding-get-together in May in the Santa Rita & Patagonia mountains of southeast Arizona.

Who is in??

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Nov 29, 2011 - 10:17pm PT

This thread has been very inspiring to me. I have been interested in birding for about a year and a half, and found that by taking pics of them was the only way I could identify them at first. In fact, aside from some locals I know well, it still is! Even hard with a good pic sometimes.

All everyone's pics here are fantastic!
Thanks!
Steve

Here are a couple that live here year round. Shots from last year.

Localz California Towhee and California Thrasher

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 29, 2011 - 10:36pm PT

A few from Panama a few years ago.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 29, 2011 - 10:40pm PT

Bob,

That sounds like a good plan. I have only been to SE AZ in January, when we stayed at Santa Rita Lodge. I have wanted to get back there during breeding season. It's not far from Cochise either. That is where I saw a Mexican Jay and Arizona Woodpecker, but didn't do any climbing.

I'm also going with Black Phoebe. The sharp demarcation between breast and belly and long tail look right, and the behavior also clicks. I seem to see Bluebirds hunting by hovering more than via sorties from a perch.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 30, 2011 - 06:54pm PT

I was hangin' with my homies today soakin' up the goodness of the Los Angeles River...

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 30, 2011 - 06:59pm PT

You do realize that California Gull is the State Bird of Utah, right? They got a statue and everything.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 30, 2011 - 07:02pm PT

Are those two gulls doin' what I think they're doin?
I guess that would be appropriate for Utah.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 30, 2011 - 08:01pm PT

I say we do a birding-get-together in May in the Santa Rita & Patagonia mountains of southeast Arizona.

Who is in??

This would be awesome! Or doing this anywhere works too. I loved our trip to that part of AZ and can't wait to go again.

The story about the Utah state bird is a neat one. From: http://pioneer.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/bird.html

Utah State Bird - California Gull

The California gull, Larus californicus, was selected as the state bird of Utah by an act of the legislature in 1955 (Utah Code). Note: The state bird is the California Gull, however Utah Code generically lists it as the sea gull.

The California gull is considered the state bird of Utah by common consent, probably in commemoration of the fact that these gulls saved the people of the State by eating up hordes of crickets which were destroying the crops in 1848.

Orson F. Whitney says that in the midst of the devastation of the crickets, "when it seemed that nothing could stay the devastation, great flocks of gulls appeared, filling the air with their white wings and plaintive cries, and settled down upon the half-ruined fields. fields. All day long they gorged themselves, and when full, disgorged and feasted again, the white gulls upon the black crickets, list hosts of heaven and hell contending, until the pests were vanquished and the people were saved." After devouring the crickets, the gulls returned "to the lake islands whence they came."

The gull is about two feet long. The color of this bird is pearly-blue. It is sometimes barred or streaked with blackish gray. Aeronautic wizards, gulls are gymnasts of the sky, making the seemingly impossible appear effortless. They can appear motionless in midair by catching wind currents with perfect timing and precision while positioning their bodies at just the right angle. They are quiet birds, considered quite beneficial by agriculturalists, and are usually gentle creatures, exhibiting neither antagonism to nor fondness for man.

The Seagull Monument on Temple Square in Salt Lake City honors the gull. Two sculptured gulls stand atop the monument which was unveiled in 1913. Mahonri MacKintosh Young sculpted the monument.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 30, 2011 - 08:15pm PT

Ok...Tony is in and so is Callie and Dave.

Downy Woodpecker outside the house today. Beautiful little things.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 30, 2011 - 09:33pm PT

I did my 50 birds in a month challenge.

Maybe not too impressive, but I have two little kids and two jobs.

#50 was a Killdeer on the very last day, on the grass at my work in front of my classroom.
Awesome!

The coolest was probably the belted kingfisher at the pond at the golf course.

Birds rule!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 30, 2011 - 10:05pm PT

It is fun enjoying it with you Slater. 50 birds is nothing to sneeze at. Congrats!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 30, 2011 - 10:17pm PT

Nice BIF shot Slater. I'm going with Black Phoebe on that post a while back. The pic and the behavior noted seems right to me. Here's one in SoCal...
And here's a tiny little guy who was just around the corner from the BP that same morning...

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Dec 1, 2011 - 02:43pm PT

Unbelievable quality BrassNuts!
I find I have to hand hold the camera for mobility and then use high ISO, sacrificing quality.
So then I have the horrible habbit of trying to make up for it with quantity.

So here's a Charm of Hummers!
All Anna's and a visiting Allen's (I think)

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Dec 1, 2011 - 02:50pm PT

Costa's Hummingbird

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 1, 2011 - 02:55pm PT

Dave - that is a great shot of a phoebe!

cliffhanger

Trad climber

California

Dec 1, 2011 - 02:56pm PT

Cats giving your birds problems? I just remembered Delhi Dog offered a solution once:

On a slight drift...one of my brothers use to have a pet raccoon. This dude would sneak out at night and go cat hunt'in.
My brother use to find cat legs and such in the backyard every so often.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 1, 2011 - 05:51pm PT

Beautiful photos! The flock of hummers is adorable. Just brings a big smile to my face. :)

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Dec 1, 2011 - 10:59pm PT

Thanks!

It was sure incredible to see so many all at once. They were draining that feeder once a day. But then those guys get so territorial, I decided to put a couple more feeders, each on a different side of the house, so they are more spread out.

Look Out!!!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 2, 2011 - 12:24am PT

Really fun Hummer pics everyone. They are cool little birds. So small, but very feisty! Here's another little guy in the foothills behind Boulder...
Another one of our favorite spring/summer birds around here is the Lazuli Bunting. They are very colorful and hard to approach for a pic, but every now and then they cooperate...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 2, 2011 - 12:26am PT

Heh heh.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 2, 2011 - 02:12am PT

Those Anna hummingbirds always look so scruffy...
Brings a smile to my face. They look like they stayed up all night and drank too much, or like they went through the spin cycle on high.

I like 'em.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 2, 2011 - 10:04am PT

Some more (DMT)random shots.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 2, 2011 - 10:44am PT

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Dec 2, 2011 - 04:34pm PT

In 1831 the whooping crane was common in the fur countries of Canada, and was even then so tenacious of life that there were known instances "of the bird putting the fowler to flight, and fairly driving him off the field". This information will be a small surprise to people familiar with this spirited species... The most statuesque of North American birds, standing over five feet tall, the whooping crane moves nearly a yard with each long graceful stride; its fierce, fiery eye and javelin beak, backed by a mask of angry carmine skin, might well give pause to any creature wishing harm to it...

The whooper was one of the first birds remarked upon by the explorers of this continent, and the wild horn note for its voice... contributed to its early legend. Its dislike of civilisation was evidenced by its swift disappearance from the east coast... During the nineteenth century it retreated west of the Mississippi, and by 1880 was a rare bird everywhere. It was last seen in Illinois in 1891, and a nesting in Hancock County, Iowa, four years later, was the last recorded in the United States.

Peter Mathiessen, Wildlife in America, 1959

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 2, 2011 - 04:53pm PT

just saw my first red shoulderd hawk...

man those are pretty!!

anyone got a picture?

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Dec 2, 2011 - 05:06pm PT

That Whooping Crane is amazing!

Red Shouldered Hawk...Fantastic!
There is one I see once in a while on a telephone line when driving in town, but never up close.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 2, 2011 - 05:40pm PT

Jaw hanging open with these photos!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 2, 2011 - 05:54pm PT

Here's one.

Marlow - The Whooping Cranes are great. Were they taken at Aransas NMR?

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Dec 2, 2011 - 06:00pm PT

Tony,

I have no idea where they were taken. I only know that I googled them after reading Peter Mathiessen's book "The birds of Heaven". If I had the time I should have scanned some drawings from this excellent book.

sandstone conglomerate

climber

sharon conglomerate central

Dec 2, 2011 - 07:29pm PT

They have a harsh, distinctive cry that is really noticeable in the spring/early summer. Unmistakable once you hear it. Very nervous hawks to handle, unlike the placid red-tailed hawk.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 2, 2011 - 09:25pm PT

Great Crane portrait and killer Red Shouldered BIF shots! Eggzellent! eKat - I'd be happy to set you up with a print for a modest price. Shoot me an E with what size, paper quality etc. you might want and I can give you a price. Thanks!

Now, back to more bird pix since that's the theme here. Glad people are enjoying the images!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 2, 2011 - 10:49pm PT

Thanks everyone for all the great photos and information on this thread.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 2, 2011 - 11:06pm PT

Jeez, I don't think I have ever seen that Towhee photo! Awesome stuff!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 3, 2011 - 01:33am PT

Here's an adult in Tahoe from a couple of years ago. They don't breed here, so far as we know, but there's usually quite a few that move upslope towards the end of summer and into the fall. and this number has increased over the last 20 years or so. They stick around until the snow gets to be too much and then head back downhill.

We mostly see youngsters though:

We get enough of them that the local Steller's Jays (in certain places) imitate them pretty well.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 3, 2011 - 02:32am PT

Dingus,

No offense taken. My photo was the result of jpeg compression of a JPG file.

I went back to the archived Raw file and here is the result after no adjustments and output to low/no compressed jpeg file. I think this a bit flat relative to the image I saw. These are pretty colorful raptors.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 3, 2011 - 02:37am PT

Riley,

Is that the LeConte's Sparrow or a Sharp-tailed? I haven't seen either.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 3, 2011 - 09:22am PT

Nice Pecker shot Riley..... Here is another Red Shouldered Hawk pic taken in So Cal. I would agree that they are quite colorful - this shot only has a 5% saturation bump from neutral and the lighting is pretty flat, so they got color goin on!
Riley, here is what I shoot with:

Well, not really. But if you believe that, I've got waterfront property for sale in Florida... But seriously, I shoot all the bird pics with a Canon 7D and either a Canon 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 or a 500mm F4. 98% of my shots are hand held, that way I get more shots that I need to delete when I get home :-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 3, 2011 - 05:00pm PT

Dude got a punk haircut...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 3, 2011 - 06:23pm PT

Simply terrible on many levels. RIP.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 3, 2011 - 06:37pm PT

Sad about the Biologist...they have done an amazing job on bringing the Condors back from the brink of extinction.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Dec 3, 2011 - 10:59pm PT

Saw a few condors amongst others today. I'll post some later.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 4, 2011 - 10:27am PT

BLARGH! LBJ. ;)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 4, 2011 - 12:25pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 4, 2011 - 01:39pm PT

Thanks Riley...lots of Finches, Juncos, Sparrows and Starlings hanging around the house and this proud young fella was lurking this morning.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Dec 5, 2011 - 12:05am PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 5, 2011 - 12:51am PT

This Smew was accepted as a wild Eurasian vagrant. It certainly behaved that way. It was displaying to the female Hooded Mergansers. A very cool bird.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 5, 2011 - 12:57am PT

So cool!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 5, 2011 - 12:32pm PT

Nice DMT...

Evening Grosbeak near the feeders this morning. Very beautiful.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Dec 5, 2011 - 01:25pm PT

Ravens - http://www.video-film.no/snutter/uwol2.html

Nice film from Flatanger, Norway, and Norwegian-English perfectly spoken.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 5, 2011 - 01:43pm PT

"What about the Quiz ID bird?? a Chestnut Longspur? or not"

I had to stare at this for a while. When I first looked at this, I immediately thought Zonotrichia: structure and build, posture, pink legs, color/pattern on wings and tail. But I've never seen this plumage before so was definitely stumped. A bird from Barrow could be anything Emberiza, over from Russia. But, even though it's damp, it still looks soft and fresh and juvie, so I think it must have been hatched out nearby. I thought Harris' might be a good call, probably just on the edge of its breeding range. A little more white in the chin might put me at ease, but actually, the whole chest/chin/flank pattern bothers me. Streaking is too heavy on the flanks. And what's with that buffy bib? The more I looked at its head, the less Zonotrichia it looked to me.

The nearest Chestnut-collared Longspur would be in southern Canada, but regardless, young Chestnut-collareds are the plainest, coolest-colored of the longspurs. They'd never show all this rufous - they're just kinda gray. That color made me jump next to Lapland Longspur. Except for the tall posture (they usually squat down on their heels), this actually looks really good for Lapland, and is in the range geographically. Eye size, head shape, and bill shape all have the right feel to me, and it's starting to show that dark "hook" on the cheek. But I feel like I should see that long hind toe in this photo, and certainly some white in the tail, and some eye ring. But maybe not on a young juvie. Here's a pretty good match: http://500px.com/photo/1326651

Lapland Longspur in juvenal plumage is your bird. Luckily, they're never this plain by the time they make it down to the Lower 48.

Here's a Chestnut-collared from Tahoe as a comparison; dig how plain and monochromatic it is:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 5, 2011 - 04:53pm PT

Downy Woodpecker...cute little buggers.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 5, 2011 - 09:51pm PT

The only Longspur I have seen is this somewhat scruffy late winter Lapland Longspur seen at Owens Lake in April, 2009. Fortunately Jon Dunn was leading our census group. I guess the dark border to the auriculars is the key field mark visible in this photo.

Riley,

What about the Loch Ness Monster bird in you third photo back away, after the Least Bittern? The only thing I can come up with is a Pacific Loon from an odd angle and blurred.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 7, 2011 - 12:54am PT

As far as Riley's latest, I'll give the others a chance, but with this one clue/opinion: bestest song of all the sparrows.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Dec 7, 2011 - 01:56am PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 7, 2011 - 02:10am PT

Brewer's Sparrow?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 7, 2011 - 10:27am PT

Eurasian collared Dove at the feeders this morning...cold as hell here in Taos..-2 degrees at 6:30 AM.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Dec 7, 2011 - 11:28am PT

Beautiful Dove shot Bob!
Super composition!
-Steve

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 7, 2011 - 03:03pm PT

Re: Eurasian Collared-Doves, it depends on how old your version of Sibleys is, and where you live. They've made a steady march across the continent in the last couple of decades, and now they're getting to be pretty regular, if not downright common, just about everywhere. They've only been in Truckee for a couple of years, but they're definitely here now.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Dec 7, 2011 - 04:27pm PT

Common Cranes (the Common Crane is a local bird where I come from, but the pictures are googled)

Murzerker

Social climber

Land of Goats and Tacos

Dec 7, 2011 - 04:29pm PT

This is such a great post, I really need to get out and take some pic's of my local birds. Birds, and Bats are about my favorite thing about living in Central Texas.

Keep sharing the beauty guys.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 7, 2011 - 05:29pm PT

I have been birding almost daily since arriving in Hurricane, Utah on November 14th. Most of the time I go to Quail Creek Lake which is right next to the RV park where I am staying. These aren't great photos but I thought I would share them.

Keith Leaman

Trad climber

Seattle

Dec 7, 2011 - 10:41pm PT

Excellent images! A friend of mine works as a Naturalist for the DNR in Minnesota. He sends some primo photos like this one I posted before on another thread. As a Dalton Hot Shot for the USFS in the late 60s, I was once on a fire, probably in the Los Padres, and got to see the last wild, 11 or so, California Condors up close before they were all captured for breeding.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Dec 7, 2011 - 11:44pm PT

Late this afternoon,

Lark Sparrow

White Crowned Sparrow and House Sparrow

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 8, 2011 - 12:30am PT

This continues to be one of the best threads on the taco. Love that so many of us appreciate birds like we do.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 8, 2011 - 08:35pm PT

Regarding the Brewer's Sparrow on the previous page, I'm terrible at the nondescript sparrows, but Wiiloughby's hint about the song sealed it for me. This underlines Riley's recommendation about the importance of learning songs and calls. Of course, for the tone-deaf like me this another source of frustration.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 8, 2011 - 09:25pm PT

Just to spice things up here are some shots of Indian birds by two friends.
The first three are thanks to Tom Hardin

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

These are by Pakku

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 8, 2011 - 10:22pm PT

Riley cuz,
Didn't yer momma tell you it wouldn't always come easy?
Good work, mate. :-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 8, 2011 - 11:48pm PT

Sounds like a great day Riley...I might be heading to Aransas NWA in January for some birding. How close are you??

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 8, 2011 - 11:48pm PT

Birds are beautiful in and out.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 8, 2011 - 11:50pm PT

Two thumbs up for very cool Indian birds!!! Eggzellent pics!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Dec 8, 2011 - 11:56pm PT

The Pygmy Owl photo rocks. Love the Hoopoe!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 9, 2011 - 12:57am PT

DMT and Riley - good stories!

I counted hawks in Sierra Valley today, and among them found a a nice dark morph adult Swainson's. Total shocker - he should be in Argentina right now. I blame Al Gore.

Here's a photo from today; it's not a Swainson's Hawk:

I need to clean my lenses and sensor, bad.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 9, 2011 - 02:08am PT

Riley,

I'm glad there are at least some birds that are easier here (SF Bay)than in Texas or SoCal. White-winged Scoters are uncommon to rare, but regular in winter. The eye markings are pretty cool.

Here is a bad scan of a poor photo of a Malachite Kingfisher in Tanzania. It looks different from your photo. Could it be a White-throated Kingfisher? White-throated_Kingfisher

Changeable Hawk-eagle is an even better name than Variable Hawk. It sounds like individual birds have morphing capabilities.

Good work on finding those lifers. With as many as you have seen, it must get harder and harder.

Willoughby: I think there is a population of Swainson's Hawks that overwinter in the Central Valley. Is that right?

mooch

Trad climber

Old Climbers' Home (Adopted)

Dec 9, 2011 - 11:35am PT

Pals for life......Major and Mooch killin' time.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 9, 2011 - 12:22pm PT

Tony, there is a small group of Swainson's Hawks that winter in the Delta, up to about 100 birds, mostly since the 1990s.

scuffy b

climber

dissected alluvial deposits, late Pleistocene

Dec 9, 2011 - 12:59pm PT

Do you know of any quirks in the distribution of dark-morph Swainson's?

Keith Leaman

Trad climber

Seattle

Dec 9, 2011 - 02:19pm PT

I received this email today from Ron Miles in Minnesota~
"It is my distinct honor to report that this morning at 9AM the oldest known living Black-Capped Chickadee on earth was live-trapped, recorded and released by my Ornithologist friend Michael North in southern Cass County, Minnesota!!

First caught and banded by Michael in May of 2002, an adult bird then, this world record Chickadee is minimally 11 years and 6 months old. This is a first public notice. The above image is an example photo, and not of the individual of note".

I am amazed at their longevity.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 10, 2011 - 03:39pm PT

RED ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

A Red-flanked Bluetail is in SoCal!
That's the good news. The bad news is it's on San Clemente Island which
means you're gonna have to join the Navy to go there or be one of the biologists
they employ out there to ease their consciences about blowing the sh#t
outta the place. ;-(

This is the second record for the lower 48. One visited the Farallons 22 years ago.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 10, 2011 - 04:34pm PT

Really cool story about the Black-Capped Chickadee. I continue to be amazed that a bird's delicate body can live year after year in the environment. Delicate and tough all at once.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 10, 2011 - 06:18pm PT

A link to Reilly post. http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/RFBL_CA

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 11, 2011 - 12:14am PT

This is one intense bird. Cooper's Hawk with prey.

I'm pretty serious about a little get together in May in S. Arizona.

We could rent a van and get a few campsites. Maybe even get Nature to do some food.

I know Coz wants in, Tony, Maybe Reilly, Crimp and Dave.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 11, 2011 - 12:22am PT

These were really pretty.

Yellow Billed Magpies up near Figeroa Mountain, Santa Inez.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Dec 11, 2011 - 11:31am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Le Retour Des Grues - The Winged Migration

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 11, 2011 - 06:26pm PT

We just saw a Cooper's sitting about 15' from our back sliding glass door. He sat there about 20 minutes content on one foot.

Not surprisingly, none of our feeder birds were around.

The Cooper's kept looking down toward the ground...at my outdoor pet rats. They live under our deck and are a source of entertainment to me.

The Hawk flew down to sit on our 4' fence and WHAM! he got one of the rats! A bit of mantling and patience until the rat stopped fighting. A few pecks to the neck and the bird was off with warm dinner.

We tried to get some photos. Maybe BN will post them up. We had to take them through less-than-clean glass so not sure how they turned out.

Rick A

climber

Boulder, Colorado

Dec 11, 2011 - 06:38pm PT

Callie,

I don't think I've ever seen a Cooper's Hawk up close. Post the pictures of the kill , whatever the quality!

Are you sure that those aren't prairie dogs under your deck? Surely we don't permit rats in Boulder! :)

Rick

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 11, 2011 - 06:41pm PT

Rick - they are Boulder rats - they have little peace sign necklaces. Well, the remaining one does. :)

No photos of the actual kill because at that time, we were about 5'away and the Hawk knew we were there. He was a bit sketchy about it. Still, I'll see if I can get Dave to post the bird in the tree. I've seen him in the tree before, but only once.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 11, 2011 - 06:46pm PT

Rick...see my last post on the Cooper's Hawk. I just took it yesterday.

Rick A

climber

Boulder, Colorado

Dec 11, 2011 - 06:50pm PT

Bob,
Beautiful photo. That's why I knew I hadn't seen one.
I am a kook bird observer, but would be interested in trying to make the Southern Arizona party next year.
Rick

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 11, 2011 - 06:53pm PT

Bob - I'd not seen your photos until just now. BN mentioned that you'd just posted them. Must be the season to see Cooper's a bit easier.

Rick - we'll get out birding in the Spring if not before. Love birding!

I think a get together sounds like a blast as well. Not sure if BN can go (limited time off), but maybe I can.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 11, 2011 - 07:03pm PT

A fun photo from today.

Henri

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 11, 2011 - 07:37pm PT

Riley...I lived in Florida for a year and spent some time in the Keys. Bombay Hook Island in Delaware is another great spot as is Cape May, NJ.

I have spend time in Tucson but very little time birding there.

It would great to get together with everyone and relax no matter where we go.

Rick it would be great to have you come.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 11, 2011 - 09:06pm PT

Ron, there really shouldn't be any Swainson's Hawks in the Carson Valley this time of year. I was STUNNED to find one in the Sierra Valley this week, but winter records seem to be on the rise. Sure about that ID?

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Dec 11, 2011 - 09:19pm PT

I tried to get a clear shot but he turned his head right as I was approaching.....

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 11, 2011 - 10:09pm PT

Lacey: what a majestic bird.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 11, 2011 - 10:10pm PT

So cool Lacey! Never have seen one myself. COOL!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 11, 2011 - 11:07pm PT

Watch what you do there Dingus...my dad planted the seed a long time ago when he use to take me to this place http://www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org/ and tell me about all the birds and wildlife in the area. As a city kid it was a small piece of paradise and wonderful quality time with my dad.

He also taught me how to fly fish...another sport just as frustrating as birding.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 11, 2011 - 11:18pm PT

Here is the Cooper's Hawk that was sitting in our backyard late this afternoon. He looks fairly relaxed here sitting on one leg and all, but shortly after this he spied his dinner down below and took out a rat on our lower deck!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 11, 2011 - 11:52pm PT

Some great raptor shots up here the last few days.

scaredycat

Trad climber

Berkeley,CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 12:06am PT

Awww, a hermit that I don't get to see that often and have never gotten to photograph. Is its perch of limestone at the quarry or somewhere else (Ixl?)?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 12, 2011 - 12:10am PT

yup - limestone quarry, the match of the thrush colors to the surroundings was perfect.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 12:47am PT

Call me a sap but this is too much: Owl and doggie

This owl--Louise (nickname Wi) loves Annie the bird dog. You should see them now. visit:
www.tacticalavianpredators.com and www.raptoradventures.com

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 12:52am PT

Dingus,

Was this at Cosumnes River Preserve? It's interesting seeing the Cranes dumping air as they glide in for the landing. I plan to make it there before heading south for the holidays.

Here is the only Snowy Owl I have seen. They are pretty hard to come by in California. We had to take a boat out on a cold January day, which was not the best therapy for my torn hamstring. I'm glad I did, though.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 12, 2011 - 02:05am PT

heading to Yosemite for a week with my Yos Bird Checklist!

we'll see... I'll report back to ya later!

Should I expect to see anything?
All I ever remember are the Ravens... but that was before my eyes were opened...

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 02:50am PT

Slater,

There are quite few others, just not as prominent and vocal as the Ravens.

Here is a checklist with seasonal abundance. habitat and elevation.
Yosemite Bird Checklist

Edit: Oops, I see you already have a checklist. As you can see there is a pretty good variety of fairly abundant species.

Enjoy!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 12, 2011 - 08:54am PT

Looking forward to your BTR (Bird Trip Report) Slater. Seriously - post up! Want to hear everything you saw.

I love the Hermit Thrush! I think Thrushes have the most beautiful song. The nickname I gave them are the "Seneca Bird" because waking in a tent at Seneca Rocks always brought the song of a Thrush. Nice.

Hey, I follow a blog of a man who posts various birds visiting his backyard in CA. Nothing spectacular, but I enjoy his appreciation of all birds. He took a walk the other day in Ellwood Grove to see butterflies and came across this bird:

It looks like a Spice Finch - escaped cage bird. Is it? Pretty little bird. Thoughts?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 11:54am PT

Crimpie,

It looks like it might be a female Nutmeg Mannikin. I understand that they are increasing in Southern California. We have encountered small flocks in a couple of places. It was pretty puzzling until we saw the males.

Edit: A closer look at the field guide shows that I was wrong about males vs. females. They look the same. The photo is a juvenile.

The fact that we saw a bunch of juveniles in Huntington Beach says that they are breeding pretty successfully. Hopefully their main competitors are House Finches, who seem to hold their own around humans.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 12, 2011 - 11:55am PT

Thanks Tony. My brain kept saying Mannikin, but I thought they were only in the Life of Birds videos. :) Seriously, didn't know they were in the states. Neat!

edit: Do they go by other names in the pet world? Nutmeg Finch? I don't know. Are the escaped cage birds?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 11:58am PT

So I wonder which endemics they will displace? As much as I enjoy the Bulbuls
nesting in my ficus I gotta believe it is at the expense of something else
although if it is English sparrows then I am ok with that.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 01:14pm PT

Crimpie,

Spice Finch is another name. The name in my East Asia field guide is Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata). Another name is Spotted Munia. We also saw flocks in Hawaii (Kauai).

Charlie D.

Trad climber

Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra

Dec 12, 2011 - 04:45pm PT

This pair comes for breakfast every morning including on Thanksgiving this year:
Thanksgiving dinner (from Raley's):

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 06:47pm PT

So how does a Red-flanked Bluetail rate only a 4 if it has only been seen
twice? Never mind, I realized they are counting Alaska.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 07:11pm PT

Got my Blackie sittin' in my car within minutes of my Rufous-crowned sparrow!

So, Riley, did you get my emails? I ask because sometimes my emails go
straight to peoples' junk mail where many belong.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 07:19pm PT

I thought so. I just re-sent them to the hotmail address.

And a Brambling is only a 3? WTF? I know they're more regular back east
but really! Got mine in Seattle and that was a BIG DEAL at the time.

happiegrrrl

Trad climber

www.climbaddictdesigns.com

Dec 12, 2011 - 07:26pm PT

This guy hopped into my van the other day, after spending several minutes perching on various parts outside. Once in, he anted out pretty fast though!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 12, 2011 - 08:49pm PT

Riley,

Thanks for the heads up on the Falcated Duck. I didn't go yesterday because it wasn't seen Saturday. It's a pretty long haul up there. Well, it was seen well throughout the day! I have one more chance next Monday before we head south. I hope it stays around. Even if I miss it, there are worse places to spend the day.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Dec 12, 2011 - 11:33pm PT

They tag them and say code 6

Sushi bird fest = yum

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 13, 2011 - 09:31pm PT

Redpoll at Mono Lake. He's deceased now sadly, but thought you guys might enjoy the link.

http://www.monolake.org/today/2011/12/02/common-redpoll-in-the-mono-basin/

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 14, 2011 - 12:48am PT

I have stopped at Quail Creek Resevoir in Hurricane, Utah almost daily since I arrived here on November 14th. I have seen a variety of birds, but today when I stopped there were thousands of birds. Ruddy ducks, grebes, mergansers, gulls, shovelers, coots, cormorants, wigeons.....It was amazing. I took photos with my i-phone through my spotting scope. I hope you enjoy seeing them.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 14, 2011 - 01:38pm PT

First ID challenge: by the stumpy-looking bill I'd guess Social Flycatcher.

Second ID challenge: Some context would certainly help. Juv. redpoll?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 14, 2011 - 02:22pm PT

I'm a little late, but agree with Willoughby on Social Flycather. We saw a lot of these in Belize. How rare are they in Texas? I didn't even try on the little puffed up guy, but Common Redpoll looks good from the guide. The one before the nattily-dressed birder - Long-tailed Jaeger?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 14, 2011 - 02:35pm PT

While checking to see if the Falcated Duck was still around, I just saw that Al the Laysan Albatross has returned to Point Arena in Mendocino County, CA for the 19 the winter. This year we are definitely going to make it up there.

Laysan Albatross "AL" has returned again to Pt. Arena MEN
Posted by: "mendocinorjk" rjkeiffer@ucdavis.edu mendocinorjk
Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:35 am (PST)

It has been reported to me, first by Jeff Petit, that "AL" the habitual Laysan Albatross, has returned (Dec. 5th)to Point Arena Cove MEN for occasional loafing and resting. This makes it the 19th known consecutive winter period that the bird has used the cove. Here is the history:

????? to 28 February 1994 when first discovered by Todd Easterla and
> Jim Booker – fed anchovies by Todd
> 30 Nov 1994 to 27 Mar 1995 report of two birds in
> synchronized flight beyond the "cove"
> 5 Dec 1995 to 14 Mar 1996
> 3 Dec 1996 to 26 Mar 1997
> 27 Nov 1997 to 8 Mar 1998
> 12 Dec 1998 to 21 Mar 1999
> 4 Dec 1999 to 12 Feb 2000 with a fly-by-the-cove (same bird?)
> on 2 Apr 2000 (G.Chaniot)
> 26 Nov 2000 to 26 Feb 2001
> 28 Nov 2001 to 24 Mar 2002
> 21 Nov 2002 to 12 Mar 2003
> 25 Nov 2003 to 28 Feb 2004
> 28 Nov 2004 to 21 Feb 2005
> 26-30 Nov 2005 to 19 Mar 2006
> 25 Nov 2006 to 16 Mar 2007
> 7 Dec 2007 to 5 Mar 2008
> 22 Nov 2008 to 23 Mar 2009 5:26 PM
> 18 Nov 2009 to 23 Mar 2010
> 22 Nov 2010 to 28 March 2011
5 Dec 2011 to wait and see??
>
> Since Laysan Albatross are so long-lived (50+ years) it is absolutely unknown as to how many years prior to 1994 that this bird may have been using Point Arena Cove un-noticed. Again, this is probably the only place on the west coast (WA/OR/CA) where one can reliably see this species with the observer standing on solid ground (not on a boat).

Here is a link from the Mendocino Audubon
Al the Albatross

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 14, 2011 - 03:16pm PT

That albatross is awesome. There's some pics of me bobbing around in my kayak with him upthread aways. Keep in mind that he takes off for hours, and maybe even days, at a time. Took me three separate trips over several years to finally run into the thing. Great experience when I finally did though - such a great bird!!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 14, 2011 - 04:55pm PT

Willoughby,

I missed that post. Thanks for pointing it out. That is very cool. I know we may have to make return trips to see it. We won't have kayaks, so will have to be satisfied with looks from shore. We went by once just a little bit too late. We used to spend a few days in Mendocino each December for my wife's birthday, but didn't know about Al. It actually might have been before he (or she) was reported.

We did have one come close to the boat on a pelagic trip in September, but not quite the same as being on the water with one.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 14, 2011 - 10:22pm PT

Let's start taking names for this birding shindig. Should be a lot of fun. My schedule is flexible so whatever is best for everyone works for me. Mid-May is a great time to be there.

1. Bob D
2. Tony Y
3. Coz
4. Reilly?
5. Riley
6. Callie?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Dec 15, 2011 - 01:28pm PT

I'd like to come if everything works out. I teach school and our semester ends at memorial day so I might only have a weekend or so. Also I'd like to be back in Cali for the solar eclipse on may 20?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 15, 2011 - 01:50pm PT

Just love the Yellow Warbler. There is something extra special about them. There are tons around here, but still, each and everyone is a big treat!

S.Leeper

Social climber

somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'

Dec 15, 2011 - 06:14pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 15, 2011 - 08:16pm PT

Here is a news story about why I saw such a huge increase in the number of birds at Quail Creek Lake in Hurricane.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/14/thousands-birds-crash-land-in-wal-mart-parking-lot/

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 16, 2011 - 12:06am PT

Hey Rick A, BN DID get a photo of the Coopers with the rat. I found them on the point and shoot. Poor little rat.

You can see the rats live under the lower deck where seeds from the feeders on the upper deck fall. Pretty sweet gig for them...except for the Hawk.

ydpl8s

Trad climber

Santa Monica, California

Dec 16, 2011 - 12:48pm PT

Cool pic of hawk and rat, you're fattening them up for him! Speaking of fattening up, from the looks of that chair in the pic, someone had a little too much holiday stuffing and gravy:-)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Dec 16, 2011 - 01:24pm PT

Good call on the chair!

not my image:

"Overhead the albatross hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves
In labyrinths of coral caves
The echo of a distant tide
Comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine."
P.F.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 16, 2011 - 02:29pm PT

Haha! They are fat and sassy rats. Well, rat now.

That chair has been moved to the lower 'porch of death'. I'm totally responsible for the hole too.

Upstairs on the deck, I have two mini metal trash cans. In one I have the black sunflower seeds stored. In the other, Niger seed. The darned raccoons learned how to open and tip them over. For some stupid reason, I thought if I stacked the chairs on the cans, that would stop the raccoons.

Not so much.

They just chewed a big fat hole in the chair. BN was not amused. They were his chairs. :/ I bought new patio furniture after Prod finished the deck so the old chairs are relegated below. Could use them as fun party trick some day. :)

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Dec 17, 2011 - 12:42am PT

Red Tail Hawk
From this afternoon.

S.Leeper

Social climber

somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'

Dec 17, 2011 - 12:51am PT

but what is plan a?

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Dec 17, 2011 - 01:16am PT

Climbing!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 17, 2011 - 11:07pm PT

Seen today around Hurricane, Utah.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 17, 2011 - 11:28pm PT

Nice shot of the shrike!

Click 'em for a larger version

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 18, 2011 - 08:47pm PT

I went and had a look at that Falcated Duck yesterday. It was waaaay sexier than any of the field guides, or even photos, let on. Here are some crappy images that I took, for what it's worth.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 19, 2011 - 01:51pm PT

Nice Red Shafted Northern Flicker in the yard this morning. Shot through a window so it is a little off.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 20, 2011 - 12:53am PT

This is what $20K worth of Nikon gear can get you plus a modicum of skill.
Martin Best is an apt name for a really good photographer who leads photo
safaris in Africa. Do click on it and check out those claws!

Fish Eagle

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 20, 2011 - 03:57am PT

I was fortunate enough to see the Falcated Duck at Colusa NWR today. It didn't look promising as I was driving up due to the very high winds. However, when I arrived the bird was in the water right across from the observation deck. Initially all the views were butt-on. Then he became active feeding and preening. As Willoughby said, he is much better in person.

He has this wild iridescent mane that changes colors with the sun direction.

Riley: Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

By the way it gets its name from the sickle-shaped (falcate) tertial feathers that hang out from the wings.

Edit: A bonus was that this bird along with a Redhead and Sandhill Crane gave me 300 California species this year.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 20, 2011 - 10:59am PT

Nice photos of the Falcated Duck, Tony. I know it's not really legitimate to turn species into composites of others, but my mind wants to cast it in terms of a Widgeon crossed with a Gadwall, then of course someone pinned the tail feather on it.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 20, 2011 - 11:46am PT

I wonder why? ;-)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 20, 2011 - 03:21pm PT

I think you are both right. It was hard to pick out from the Pintails using binos with all of the ducks facing away into the wind. With the scope, I could see the projecting tertials and the cream-colored vent. When it turned, it evoked Green-winged Teal also. The female is very similar to a female Wigeon, except for the bill.

Here's an uncropped shot to see what he looked like in the crowd.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 20, 2011 - 08:28pm PT

Saw this handsome fella along the Rio Grande coming back from the dentist today.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 20, 2011 - 08:33pm PT

Enjoying the Falcated talk and new photos! Makes the 30 degrees and snow here more tolerable. :)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 20, 2011 - 09:21pm PT

While in Yosemite last week I saw my first Bald Eagle doing circles above Mirror Lake below Half Dome. I was in such awe I never lifted my camera.

Then a day later I saw my first Peregrine Falcon diving at a Red Tail Hawk above El Cap meadow. Similar feeling... plus it was going mach 10.

I also saw a Pileated Woodpecker (Huge!). Didn't see a ton but what I saw was awesome!

Also saw some kind of really tiny bird running around on the bark at 6,000' ele. up near the lookout above The Toulumne grove. It was upside down and sideways while running... to fast and shady to photograph as well. Any ideas?
My guess is a NUTHATCH of some kind?

Today I saw these with my kids all along one road ...

My 3.5 year old daughter can now identify a black phoebe ha ha

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 20, 2011 - 09:59pm PT

The government has asked "Nature" and "Science" to redact critical info
on new bird flu strains for terrorism uses:

New and deadly bird flu strain

A couple of years ago I found two dead Great Horned Owls. After examinig
them for quite a while I noticed a mosquito on my arm and I realized why
they died and how stupid I had been. Maybe I more resistant than most. After
all, I've successfully carried the Stoopid gene lo these many years with only
a few dozen nearly fatal relapses.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 20, 2011 - 10:47pm PT

Thanks for the nice shots Slater.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 20, 2011 - 10:48pm PT

yeah birds!

to see my kids get into it too is awesome

Rad owl picture!

Going out birding with my 81 year old dad with my son and daughter tomorrow... that'll be a first... 3 generations birding! how cool is that!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 21, 2011 - 01:57am PT

Good stuff in Yosemite, Slater. Did you hear the Pileated Woodpecker drumming? It sounds like a lumberjack at work. Hodgdon Meadow on an early spring morning is a good spot.

Speaking of big woodpeckers, there is an article in the latest issue of the Cornell publication about the Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico, which is likely extinct. There was a photo of skins of Imperial, Ivory-billed and Pileated Woodpeckers. The Imperial dwarfed even the Ivory-billed. It was almost the size of a Raven! I'm not home now, but will post a scan after I return.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Dec 21, 2011 - 11:19am PT

I think that was probably a red-breasted Nuthatch, Slater.
The behaviour is characteristic of Nuthatch, and I've been seeing
red-breasted in that area for decades.
I don't think I've ever seen a pygmy nuthatch. Maybe too far south?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 21, 2011 - 11:41am PT

Another shot from yesterday.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 21, 2011 - 01:11pm PT

Slater,

Red-breasted Nuthatches are pretty common in Yosemite. If you do a Pygmy Owl imitation, they will ofter come to complain and try to enlist other birds in mobbing. I heard them referred to as "the bravest bird in the forest".

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Dec 21, 2011 - 01:17pm PT

I don't know why I've never knowingly seen the Pygmy. Probably assumed it
wasn't the same places I was. Now i've got to be a bit more conscious.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 21, 2011 - 01:23pm PT

scuffy,

I have a lot of trouble finding them, although they are reproted to be common in the East Bay. They are usually high in conifers often in mixed flocks. We missed them in the Xmas count the other day in Sibley Regional Park, where they often occur. They don't have the distinctive call of the Red-breasted either, or at least I can't hear it.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 21, 2011 - 01:36pm PT

Townsend's Solitaire on the morning walk today. Only had the point and shoot.

splitclimber

climber

Sonoma County

Dec 21, 2011 - 01:41pm PT

some great pics in here.

Slater- you caught the bug dude. If not a nuthatch, maybe a brown creeper, but easy to tell the difference between the two.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 21, 2011 - 02:01pm PT

Bob, You must have gotten pretty close. When we were at City of Rocks in October, Townsend's Solitaires were everywhere and singing like crazy. I had only seen singles prior to that.

The Brown Creeper flies to the bottom of a tree then works methodically upward, then flies to the bottom of another tree. My old ears can just hear its high-pitched call.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 21, 2011 - 02:32pm PT

Tony...he was a bold little thing. Let me get within ten feet of him. Looking forward to getting my long lens for my point and shoot...can't always lug around the big setup.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 21, 2011 - 03:34pm PT

I found a better shot of Mrs Magellanic...

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 21, 2011 - 03:52pm PT

Reilly,

That shot is spectacular! I struggled getting any kind of shot of these birds in the deep shade. I won't post any after seeing your shot. We did enjoy watching two adults and junior excavating in the same tree.

TFSTFU

Trad climber

Utah

Dec 21, 2011 - 04:47pm PT

Bob's is better, but yurs is good 2

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 21, 2011 - 05:37pm PT

Thanks for the kind words. After three weeks in Patagonia we still had
not seen these guys and I was getting frantic. Frantic I tell you! We were
1/2 mile from the end of the hike out when we came across this family of Ma, Pa,
amd Junior. I was beside myself and started madly snapping away without any
thought as to what I should be doing. Consequently, due to shooting at f/5.6*
instead of something higher, I've no depth of field in these shots so the feathers
nearest are in focus but her head isn't. Oh well, at least we saw them.

*Which was fine for the distant shots I had just taken.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 22, 2011 - 12:22am PT

woah! that thing is CRAZY! I'd probably run from something like that!

And nice eagle shots! You guys are good!

Was out at Oso Flaco Lake again (Oceano/Guadalupe, CA) and saw things I didn't on the previous 4 trips so the season is changing?

How does that even work... they just start migrating and showing up? Do they read calendars? I'm making a list by month so next year I'll see what is regular during what months.

I saw a
Chesnutbacked chicadee
Sora (a type of rail that tiptoed across the reeds/water sneaking around)
Virginia Rail (woah! that thing was COOL!!! my dad's first time seeing one too and he's 81)
Say's Phoebe (doing his thing on the beach!)
Violet-green Swallow
Bushtit (snicker snicker)
Fox Sparrow
Yellow Throated Warbler

and then about 25 regulars. One Snowy Plover had 4 leg bands on ... poor little dude

Happy Holidays guys!

I'm up to 75 seven weeks in... I hope you're all out there getting an eye full!!! Man who knew birds were so fun to watch! I get a kick out of their characteristics... like after you know their MO you can pick them out of a crowd for sure. They leave you little clues and if you put them together you can figure out their riddle.

More pictures please! Mine suck but they were enough to ID them!

I'm looking at a fixed focus 400mm Canon... hmmm...

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 22, 2011 - 12:34am PT

Reilly - great shot. I gots to see one of them giant peckers one of these days! Here's a Pygmy Nuthatch, which are somewhat common in the foothills west of Boulder and are very cool little birds:
The Townsend's Solitaire is a neat bird as well. Last winter we had one that would stop by for a drink almost every day, but we haven't seen it yet this year:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 22, 2011 - 12:37am PT

Great Common Yellow Throat photo (as well as the others). The Yellow-Throats are sneaky little skulkers - hard to see, let alone photograph! The fun never ends!!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 22, 2011 - 01:04am PT

Slater,

Sora and Virginia Rail in your first seven weeks! And photos, no less.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 22, 2011 - 01:56am PT

I went on a quick foray to Tonaquint Park in southern St. George, Utah today and I saw a male and female Vermillion Flycatcher and a Killdeer. These were life birds for me. Also saw a Wilson's Snipe a Audubon's Warbler and either a Sharp-shinned Hawk or Cooper's Hawk. Maybe you can help me decide which it is.
My hubby took some photos for me with his DSLR so the photos are better than my point and shoots.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 22, 2011 - 02:31pm PT

These were late IDs....

Heading to Moro Bay on Friday to see what I can see!

Rad pictures... I want to head east to see some of them red birds ya'll got out there!

ps- has anyone else nearly crashed their car looking at birds?
Dang...

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 22, 2011 - 04:10pm PT

Hi Craig,

I didn't start birding until I retired and moved to Alaska. So this is all new to me. I couldn't believe that it took me five months to see a Killdeer.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 22, 2011 - 04:46pm PT

Snipe hunting!

we did that in cub scouts, we were told to hit two sticks together and call... "Here snipe snipe snipe."

Then the scout master jumped out from behind a tree with a gorilla mask on and we all ran every-which way and my best buddy ran right into a tree and got stitches...

Be careful... snipe hunting can be dangerous!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 22, 2011 - 04:48pm PT

Did somebody say Snipe Hunting?

BrassNuts,
Great shot the wee Pygmy!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 22, 2011 - 08:43pm PT

Bizump for Snizipe!

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Dec 22, 2011 - 08:54pm PT

There is a large number of snowy owls in the Vancouver area this year, wintering in the Fraser delta, just south of the city. Apparently due to some sort of lemming shortage in Siberia. As we've had a cool but fairly sunny December, they're attracting spectators like lemmings - indeed, some even behave like lemmings. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/12/16/bc-video-snowy-owls.html?cmp=rss

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 22, 2011 - 09:27pm PT

Hey mighty hiker, mail me one so i don't have to come all the way up there!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 23, 2011 - 12:07am PT

Sweet Snipez Shotz......

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 23, 2011 - 12:14am PT

I saw a group of at least 25 Snipe at a local spot last week. I initially thought that they had to be Dowitchers because there were so many, but they were indeed Snipe.

Willoughby's shot reminds me of a Snipe (Common) in Shetland that we saw on a similar post giving its "tika-tika-tika ..." call.

Great shots.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 23, 2011 - 12:21am PT

Slater,

Maybe it's just the angle and the fact that it is running, but to me that Plover has the lankier, more delicate look of a Golden-plover, probably Pacific with the ear-spot. Anyone else?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 23, 2011 - 12:27am PT

I think they give Upland Sandpiper a run for the title "Fencepost Sandpiper." If you drive anywhere in Sierra Valley at first light in early summer, they're on just about every post. They like some of the tufa towers at Mono, too.

In a pinch, they'll use a willow snag:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 23, 2011 - 04:28pm PT

A couple from my hike today...Western Bluebird.

Another Townsend's

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 23, 2011 - 04:49pm PT

"Dood, chin up! We all have bad hair days!"

"Try doin' what I gotta do with your feet!"

In case you ever wondered...

top step

Trad climber

Sunnyvale, CA

Dec 23, 2011 - 06:31pm PT

Been having a blast this winter feeding the gold finches. When the feeder runs low on thistle its a full on fight-club style ruckus. They seem to enjoy the chop-sticks I stuck into the sides of the feeder. Though they spend more time bumping each other off the perches then they do actually eating.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 23, 2011 - 08:00pm PT

Southern Lapwings. It is a pity their plumes aren't up but the wind was a good 25 kts from the right (duh!).

Black-crowned Night-Heron slumming it in Ushuaia

Mama Kelp Goose givin' me the Stink Eye!

Mr and Mrs Blackish Oystercatcher

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 23, 2011 - 09:48pm PT

great shots Reilly.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 23, 2011 - 10:00pm PT

Reilly, awesome shots. I take it you are a professional bird photographer?

I just got back from Morro Bay, and wow 12 new birds! and one mystery bird for you all to tackle. I finally got my pic of a red shouldered hawk, last bird on the way home!

Saw Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Eared and Horned Grebes, White tailed kite, song, chipping, and field sparrows, Avocet, Brants, hermit thrush, pintailed duck, western sandpiper, and many others.

Here are some some of the better pictures (but not necessarily the coolest birds I saw):

and the mystery bird of the day...

Anyone? They were in this shallow mud bottomed channel that is in the estuary, hanging with Ruddy ducks (but their bills are way skinny so that's not it).

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 23, 2011 - 10:26pm PT

They look like pie-billed grebes to me.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 23, 2011 - 11:48pm PT

Craig,

We saw one while hiking the Porcupine Creek trail to North Dome. We noticed it by the huge chunks of bark flying down. The best way to find them is to look in forests that have burned fairly recently. In the last 3 or so years, I think. Even with that knowledge, we have found them hard to find. I think I have only seen 2-3 individuals.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 23, 2011 - 11:51pm PT

Cyndie,

A pair of Vermillion Flycatchers in Utah in December! Are there birders flocking there?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 23, 2011 - 11:52pm PT

yes, pie-billed grebe! Thanks!
Also, Field Sparrows are not in California so it must be a young white crowned sparrow I saw?

Anyone seen one of these? I saw this one in london in a pond...

I guess they aren't super rare but it was my first one for sure!

amyjo

Trad climber

Dec 24, 2011 - 12:23am PT

Cyndie/Riley
About the Cooper's V Sharpie
I have been working with the Golden Gate Raptor's Observatory on the Hawkwatch count about 4 yrs now.( They say it takes 6 or 8 to get properly trained.) One great thing about their protocol is that
when someone id's a bird, you get to say why? what did you see?
SO Riley if you don't mind, these are the things that would allow me to concur:

Cooper's Hawk's head juts well forward of wings. Yes.
Tail round with white tip. Yes.
no contrasting crown (so not adult)
The only thing that bother's me (in the second picture)
is the large bug eye. I'm wanting a heavy brow and a small eye.
O well.
Spring 2000 Birdscope has a wonderful drawing by John Schmitt contrasting the two. Another reference is the cover picture on Pacific Raptor Report #30. Too bad we didn't get to see it in motion.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 24, 2011 - 12:34am PT

amyjo,

That's a very good rundown on Coop vs. Sharpie. I would add the size of the legs. Sharpies have relatively "skinny" legs. In both the perched and flying photos I don't get that impression.

Craig,

We had a hybrid Red-breasted x Red-naped Sapsucker on the Xmas count in Pleasanton last year. I guess that wouldn't work.

amyjo

Trad climber

Dec 24, 2011 - 12:39am PT

Tony
Would you be willing to say where you saw those snipe a few days ago.
Maybe, maybe , they're still around.
I only saw one. once. all too long ago.
Thanks.

Very spectacular tides on the bay lately.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 24, 2011 - 12:51am PT

amyjo,

I saw them on the trail leading from the EBMUD Valle Vista Staging Area to the Upper San Leandro Reservoir. This "requires" an EBMUD trail permit. Although I have one, I've never been checked, but you can get a permit online. The Snipe were feeding on the mudflats at the upper edge of the water. They came into view about 3/4 miles out the trail. I saw them a little over a week ago, but they were still there in good numbers on Dec 17.

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Dec 24, 2011 - 01:52am PT

A bit blurry, Delintment Lake Oregon.

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Dec 24, 2011 - 02:33am PT

The now famous Snowy Owl of Burns Oregon....

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 24, 2011 - 02:53am PT

Craig,
You are in S. California, right? There is a Red-naped Sapsucker at Santiago Park in Santa Ana (Santiago Park RN Sapsucker)

Lacey,
Is the owl there now? Maybe this irruption will send some Snowies down to CA as in 2007.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 24, 2011 - 04:26am PT

Y'all are burying the lead with that Cooper's. The main thing I noticed was its completely engorged crop - that bird just chowed down on something!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 24, 2011 - 10:08am PT

Can never pick a favorite photo here - so much good stuff. However, love the Goldfinch Top Step. We have many on our back porch and agree - sometimes there is more energy wasted chasing off others than just allowing them to sit on one of the 20 or so perches (many open) to eat. Funny feisty little guys.

Continue to enjoy your stuff Slater. It really never gets old. Psyched for you and your family!

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Dec 24, 2011 - 11:33am PT

hey there all, say, was curious is this oregon owl, of lacey's was showing up here... love that snowy owl!

nice bird shares, all, :)

:)

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Dec 24, 2011 - 12:18pm PT

Neebs, This Snowy is a juvenile.He was hatched in June and has been here since November 18TH and they say he'll probably be here through the remainder of the winter before he heads back home.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 24, 2011 - 12:32pm PT

Ya'll are welcome to come over and see the Robin (?) in my new home made feeder :)

Climbing wall out back, indoor gym with heat if you prefer (notice ice on roof of bird feeder), or there is a 4-5' swell running in Pismo.

So many choices...

Happy Holidays!

amyjo

Trad climber

Dec 24, 2011 - 12:58pm PT

oops

The other confirmation of the juvenile part of the id is the streaks on the breast. Streaks for juveniles. Barring for adults.
Now how do they do that?
Onward. Thank you for the encouragement.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 24, 2011 - 06:48pm PT

Thank you all for the help with the young Cooper's Hawk ID. Good information if I can remember it.
I called the bird hotline for the St. George birders to report the Vermilion Flycatcher pair. I don't know if it is a big deal or not here. I know they had an article in a local paper that they were looking for them for their Bird Festival in January.
I am enjoying all the photos and comments. Very helpful to a new birder.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and good birding in the New Year.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 24, 2011 - 07:10pm PT

Welcome to the bird thread Amyjo!

I see you've been on the taco for a while, though not a frequent poster. I enjoy your posts so I hope you keep posting!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 25, 2011 - 12:39am PT

I have had only a few fleeting glimpses of N Goshawk, with one major exception. On my first visit to City of Rocks, Darwin and I were hiking toward our climb (Lost Arrow), when we heard the alarm call of a Goshawk some distance away on a rock. We looked to our left and saw a nest with 3 chicks. We backed away until the adult stopped calling. The next day I headed back with my binos, but estimated the safe spot wrong and now heard the alarm call from very close. It turned out I was very near the nest again, but this time the mother was at the nest. She flew toward my face with her talons down. I ducked behind a tree as she continued calling. I put my pack up above my head and dashed toward the next large tree as she again came at me. This was repeated 3-4 times before I was apparently sufficiently far from the nest for the adult. It was scary and thrilling at the same time. According to the Gaines Birds of Yosemite book, there was a nest along the Four-mile Trail in the Valley where the Goshawks would dive bomb hikers. NPS solved this by taking down the nest tree! I would hope these days they would close the trail during nesting.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 25, 2011 - 12:13pm PT

from my understanding wife Christmas morning...

we're off to a good start!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 25, 2011 - 03:09pm PT

Cool button!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 25, 2011 - 07:13pm PT

Wha...? Ladies, you mean that button wouldn't work in a bar?
;)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 25, 2011 - 07:29pm PT

Heading to Carizzo Plain National Monument... anyone have any good suggestions as to what part to hang out in to see birds (raptors)?

got a bird list here - http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/carrizo/birds.html

Thanks!

Excited to go! Maybe my button will bring me good luck!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 25, 2011 - 07:36pm PT

Slater, I've never been, but I do know that a few hundred Mountain Plovers still winter there. Spend a little effort to make sure you see them while you can, as their numbers are dropping faster than fumbled cam.

Ricky D

Trad climber

Sierra Westside

Dec 25, 2011 - 09:55pm PT

Will post a pic later - but Dawn and I (mostly Dawn) have been rehabbing a rather large and feisty adult crow for a few weeks now.

He/she didn't jump fast enough to avoid getting smacked by a car while feeding in the roadway - broken wing that we have splinted and taped.

Eats like a fiend, pissed about the bandages and oddly enough - has yet to make any "crow" sounds despite the best vocal urgings of the various parrots, doves, cockatiels and parakeets we also have around the place.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 26, 2011 - 12:13am PT

Can't wait, you guys are getting my psyched!
I'll post up what I find.
Hope everyone had a good christmas!

I got 7 hours worth of birding videos... jeez almighty.

7 hours of climbing or surfing video would have been more like it, but my wife in now convinced I'm a birding nut so... there you go!

vôo

climber

Denver, CO

Dec 26, 2011 - 06:57am PT

credit Kim Taylor - Surrey Press

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Dec 26, 2011 - 10:17am PT

Wow cool owl shot. Neat lighting, what was the setup? Flash seems unlikely, maybe a spotlight off to the side or something.

vôo

climber

Denver, CO

Dec 26, 2011 - 11:16am PT

looking for the technical specs.
I like owls

vôo

climber

Denver, CO

Dec 26, 2011 - 11:20am PT

owl landing at 1000 fps
[Click to View YouTube Video]

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Dec 26, 2011 - 11:54am PT

Wow great video amazing. Love the little feathers on the wings leading edges during landing and the claws stretching out to land.

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Dec 26, 2011 - 01:18pm PT

WOW Voo, is all I can say.....

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 26, 2011 - 08:16pm PT

Washington's tweeters web site has story by about a confrontation between a Snowy Owl and Heron. Here is a link to a pretty cool photo and the story. This occurred at Boundary Bay in BC, right near the US border.

* It's not my photo, so I'm just posting the link **. You can click it and expand.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nancyjwagner/6528700885/in/photostream

And thanks vôo , as everyone has said, that video is amazing.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 28, 2011 - 07:53pm PT

Buy yer tickets bishes! An Asian hooded crane is at the Hiwassee Refuge in Tennessee!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 28, 2011 - 11:23pm PT

I've managed to do some birding in SoCal while on the annual family visit. I've missed the Masked Booby and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, but have seen some other good birds. On the way back from Dana Point (Booby), I stopped at the San Joaquin Wildlife Refuge in Irvine. Here I saw a Common Teal, the Eurasian subspecies of Green-winged Teal and a very cooperative Vermillion Flycatcher. All in all a pretty good afternoon of birding!

The Sora and Green Herons were pretty bold

There were lots of Common Yellowthroat

With so many birds about, it was not surprising that there was a Cooper's Hawk lurking

As the light faded, some White-faced Ibis glided in

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 28, 2011 - 11:43pm PT

Great birding day! Can't wait for Spring here!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 29, 2011 - 12:32am PT

Craig,

I'll have to go check it out. I think it's not far from where the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has been. I've got a long way to go for 505. I need to get to the east and north. It looks like a 1st-year bird - no black breast band. Is that right?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 29, 2011 - 12:54am PT

Show me some love and tell me this grab out of the bus at 60 mph on the pampa
is an Aplomado. I mean with the supercilium,face patch, and small bill
I'm convinced!

Another crappy shot but enough to ID an Austral Thrush (Turdus falcklandii)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 29, 2011 - 02:23am PT

DAng 505!

If I'm lucky I"ll pick up 11 more at Carizzo Plain tomorrow (just saw a Cassin's Kingbird on my street!! my 7 yr old picked it out on a wire!) I'll hit 100 within 2 months.

But the pace will inevitably slow and I have no idea how you get to 500!

But it's fun, one bird at a time! and free!

I feel sorry for anyone who isn't a birder :)

I'm going with my buddies father-in-law who is almost to 700.

I'm a guppie

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 29, 2011 - 03:29am PT

I need some help from my fellow birders. I saw this one today at Sand Hollow State Park in Hurricane, Utah. I am thinking it might be a Clay-colored Robin? Any ideas? It was Robin like in size. One view shows its back, the other a side view. Thank you in advance for any help.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 29, 2011 - 03:33am PT

I also saw a Redhead and a Lucy's Warbler. Both new birds for me today at Sand Hollow State Park, Hurricane, Utah.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 29, 2011 - 04:21am PT

Riley is it a Hutton's Vireo?

Thank you for your help. Of course it is a Say's Phoebe. I am trying so hard to find new birds that I forget some of the ones that I have seen in the area. Duh....
Look at the bird in the middle of the third photo. The markings sure look like a Lucy's Warbler and the i-bird app says it could be in this area.
Thank you for helping.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 29, 2011 - 10:34am PT

Riley,

Yes the San Joaquin WR is great, especially when you consider downtown Irvine with all the tall office buildings right next door. Did you go to UCI or work in the area? I also saw two Reddish Egrets flying around Bolsa Chica. That place is a far cry from when I was growing up and surfing down there. Only a couple of oil derricks and now it is fully tidal since they modified PCH. I understand that at least one Reddish Egret now remains there all year.

I'm thinking Western Flycatcher (Cordilleran where you are) or Hammond's. I struggle with the Empidonax flycatchers. All of our empids are long gone. It has the almond-shaped eye ring and big bill, but looks too yellow underneath for Hammond's.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 29, 2011 - 12:05pm PT

A couple from my morning walk with the dog.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 29, 2011 - 01:15pm PT

Dr. F - that sapsucker looks like a Red-breasted to me.

Cyndie - those look like House Finches

Riley - that ID challenge is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and I see nothing in that photo to suggest otherwise. Somewhat notched tail. Bold dark bar across the bases of the secondaries. Yellow-green edging to all the flight feathers. Faint top wing bar reduced to a streak and a strong lower wing bar. This is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet; I'd stake my Pulitzer on it.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 29, 2011 - 02:04pm PT

I think it's an "I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't have believed it" scenarios. We've all had 'em, and goodness knows I've had a few that I'll never live down. You went looking for a Hammond's, and your brain is trying to turn this kinglet into one. But this is a kinglet regardless, all the way around. On my screen I see a strong greenish yellow edging to the secondaries that is classic kinglet and precludes Hammond's. And Hammond's would have a much stronger top wingbar. Posture alone (unless it was windy) and those long, skinny legs (which are lit up from backlighting) suggest something other than an Empid. You saw the bird; what was it doing? Flycatching, or flitting around and hover-gleaning? Looks to me like he's in the middle of that thorny tangle, doing what kinglets do.

PS - these little jobbers are tough, so it's definitely a reasonable mistake. And on the upside, when you finally do see a Hammond's, the victory will be that much the greater!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 29, 2011 - 05:11pm PT

The apparent leg color just the sun coming through 'cause they're backlit. That's also what's giving the bill some glare, which is making it appear a bit more substantial than it really is.

"jumping along" definitely = kinglet. Flycatchers tend to sit patiently in one spot and then sally out to grab something.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 29, 2011 - 06:44pm PT

Saw these two beauties on the way to the dentist office today.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 29, 2011 - 11:18pm PT

Craig and Willoughby,
Here are a couple of articles about hybridization of Red-breasted and Red-naped Sapsucker. Apparently it is quite common in Oregon and Washington. We found a definite hybrid in Pleasanton during last year’s Xmas bird count. A bird showed up this year in the same spot, but appeared more like Craig’s bird: much more toward Red-breasted. I understand first-year birds can be pretty difficult. I imagine Willoughby sees a lot of Red-breasted. We only get wintering birds in the Bay Area. They are mostly RB, but there are occasional Red-naped.
Here is a photo of the Pleasanton hybrid:
RBxRN Sapsucker/

Here are articles about determining hybrids.

http://www.paradisebirding.com/picidae/HybridSapsuckers.pdf
http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v102n01/p0001-p0015.pdf

I could buy RC Kinglet. I usually start with the frenetic behavior, so it is hard for me to work from a static photo. The bill does seem rather big, though.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 30, 2011 - 12:12am PT

I need some more raptor ID help. I saw these today near St. George, Utah.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 30, 2011 - 12:46am PT

Cindie,
Don't expect any help, they totally blew me and my Aplomado off.
It looks a Northern Rough-legged to me.

vôo

climber

Denver, CO

Dec 30, 2011 - 01:02am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 30, 2011 - 01:19am PT

Just jerkin' yer chain cuz! I thought it a buteo at first and also thought
it looked a tad large but the pampa is a little shy on buteos and a large
female isn't out of the question especially given the facial and scaling
the subject with the wire. That bill is definitely more falcon-sized IMHO.

Voo, now do you see where the term 'shredding' comes from? Those are dainty
compared to a Harpys'. :-)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 30, 2011 - 01:39am PT

Just a little update from Seattle's Lake Washington and our favorite landfill(*1). I have such a difficult/impossible time distinguishing between Tundras and Trumpeters, but our local experts say:

"Also on view at the Fill today, a TUNDRA SWAN out on the lake in the
company of a dozen Trumpeter Swans, so"

and the cropped version

Asides:
My first impression was Ruby Crowned Kinglet, and we have a fair number of them here. Golden Crowned aren't so common.

We're (wee wifie and I) are off to the Skagit for New Year's Eve for a much need work break and maybe have a pint and/or glass or two. But I won't let up on my shoulder physical therapy.

(*1) OK, Berkeley's does have Burrowing Owls.

ps sorry about the image width.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 30, 2011 - 01:43am PT

Reilly, I missed that too. Looks more like a young Gray Hawk to me, but I won't pretend to be an expert on either species.

I'm with Riley on Cyndie's raptors.

We get a decent number of sapsucker hybrids along the East Slope of the Sierra, especially in fall. Around Mono Lake, you can easily find mixed up birds, and mixed-up pairs, breeding among the aspen in the summer. I think Dr. F's bird looks fine for a daggetti Red-breasted. It may have a few drops of Red-naped blood in it, but not much more than that. This is possibly a young bird, and the red will continue to fill in a bit. But either way, I often see Red-breasteds around here that have every bit that much facial pattern, if not more. The field guides do a lousy job of illustrating the extent of variation with that subspecies, but at least Sibley mentions it. Hybrids should show more supercilium, more dark in the cheek, and some black across the top of the breast. I don't see any indication of a black bib. That Birding article is a great reference, and you'll note the bird from Mono County looks an awful lot like Dr. F's bird.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 30, 2011 - 01:53am PT

Thank you again. How about one more from yesterday?

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Dec 30, 2011 - 11:24am PT

Cindie, that looks like a female Harrier to me. The one with the full crop
is a male. Same location?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 30, 2011 - 11:55am PT

Willoughby,
I think you're right on the Grey Hawk. Sibley's immature sure looks like it.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 30, 2011 - 12:06pm PT

Here is a mini-trip report from my Carrizo Plain trip...

tip #1 - get a FULL tank of gas as there is no gas within like 70 miles and in SMargarita it was $4.75

Before we even left San Luis Obispo we went by my friends local feeder and I got 4 new ones right off the bat. I'd tell you what they are but you'd laugh, they're normal everyday birds but for some reason... not in my neighboring town (Stellars Jay!).

We debated getting gas in town but decided to wait until Santa Margarita. Bad idea. Thus, I only filled up 3.5 gallons and when we got to Soda Lake I was about at the turn around spot if I didn't want to run out so we didn't get very far into Carrizo Plain. But my buddy said it all looked like that, just more of it. Oh well. Now I know why I never went out there. If you're not into birds... man, what a wasteland. Sorry to offend anyone. But plenty of raptors.

Wild Turkeys, like 40+ in a long train marching across the field, just off Hwy 58 5 miles out of Santa Margarita.

Golden Eagle above Soda Lake... dry dry dry chalky salty empty Soda Lake.

Dad... I thought you said this was a lake?

A rare peregrine sighting. We also saw a prairie falcon and they are definitely different, wearing different masks and having light/dark feather patterns. The field guide online only showed on sighting in March. But there were rocks nearby or Kermin Rd. or whatever it was called. We ate lunch there.

Fun caves and cliffs nearby. Great spot for lunch.

My son liked this one.

Vesper Sparrow. Lots of sparrows...

On the way back we took a side trip down what looked to be a private road but found this...The salinas river bridge... 98 years old! Cool rocks and river underneath.
Saw some band tailed pigeons and acorn woodpecker.

My 7 year old did great, only asked "Are we almost there?" twice.

I got 11 new birds, but my friend told me my previous chipping sparrow sighting on another trip turned out to be an immature white crown so now i'm sitting on 99 on the last day. Gotta drag the kids out somewhere and hopefully #100 is sitting out there waiting patiently for me.

Fun fun

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 30, 2011 - 01:58pm PT

Carrizo plain, gotta get there. Lots O birds and flowers to see. Cool. Here are just a quick few from around our house in recent days. Check out the bill deformation on this Flicker - we call him "Curly"...
A couple O Juncos...
Happy New Year!!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 30, 2011 - 05:39pm PT

Ta Dah!

Townsend's Warbler is #100 ! in two months.

Now I'm gonna go drink a beer...

(we probably drove 18 miles on hilly roads looking for anything that moved that was new... what's wrong with us?)

Here is a SLIDESHOW http://slatervision.com/www.slatervision.com/First%20100%20Birds/ of many of them. I did not get photos of all of them, and they aren't great, but they might be fun to quiz yourself with :)
Bird Flash Cards...

Woah, what an idea! Did anyone make those yet!? I'd buy 'em!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 30, 2011 - 11:33pm PT

Slater,
Way to go. I really enjoyed your slideshow. A very nice selection for the first 100. I have comments on a couple of IDs. Your Common Loon looks like a Pacific to me. It has a nice chinstrap and the bill doesn't look as stout as for a Common. I wouldn't complain since Pacifics are harder to come by in my experience. Your Field Sparrow may be a first-winter White-crowned Sparrow. These drove me crazy for some time. The Black-bellied Plover looks like it might be a Golden-plover, probably Pacific. That's a pretty good bird on the West Coast. Could anyone else weigh in on this? I probably should keep my mouth shut after my RC Kinglet/Empid call.

Riley,
Thanks for the heads-up on Caspers Regional Park. I only had a couple of hours there late today. It started out well with a CA Thrasher singing from the top of a tree as I was getting out of my car at the Nature Center. Then near the end of the trail I found one (actually two) of my favorites, Cactus Wren. Maybe this was in the area where you got that great shot with the Prickly Pear juice all over the bill.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 30, 2011 - 11:35pm PT

Nice Townsends! Congrats on your first 100. It's been fun watching with you. :)

edit: loving the photos of Curly. He's a sweet little guy that comes by daily to drink from the bird bath and chow on some peanut suet. I hope his bill isn't eventually the end of him. At this time, it doesn't seem to bug him a bit.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 31, 2011 - 12:14am PT

Yesterday, prompted by a report of 2500 Black-vented Shearwaters seen from the Newport Beach pier a few days ago, we made a run to see what was around. I had never thought that would be a good spot for sea-watch. We did some shearwaters, but not that many. At least one came near enough to ID as a Black-vented.

There were other birds, as well.

The real headliners were cetaceans, though (OT, I know). First a group of three slow-moving Pilot Whales approached the pier. I was completely unprepared, both mentally, and photographically, since my camera was stashed in the pack. As they moved away into the sun, I snapped this shot.

For the whole time we were there, a group of hundreds of Botttle-nosed Dolphins were feeding by apparently herding and encircling fish. There were all sizes, including "babies" in the group.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 31, 2011 - 12:22am PT

No critter is off topic. Love the photos Tony. Thanks!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 31, 2011 - 12:23am PT

Re: Tony's ID questions on Slater's slideshow (congrats, by the way, and a great bird to round out 100!!),

I definitely agree that the plover does look rather sleek and golden-plover like in structure, but it's running, and I suspect it may be sticking its neck out. The bill looks good for Black-bellied, which in my mind should be more substantial than Pacific Golden-Plover (and much more so than American), but I'm not sure how well that holds. I think I'll hold my peace on this photo; I just can't see too much to recommend it either way.

The loon is a tough angle. I agree that the bill looks slight, and I also think the head shape looks better for Pacific. But I think the white slash extending back onto the neck makes it a Common. I see no chinstrap. OOOps - two loons. The second one is definitely a Pacific.

Field Sparrow is definitely a young White-crowned.

Others:
I'll take your word on the California Towhee. Strikes me as a female Brown-headed Cowbird, but who knows?
Your Green-winged Teal taking off have a few female Northern Pintails in front of them.
House Sparrow_0084 is a female Red-winged Blackbird.
NorthernMockingbird_0124 is a Western Scrub-Jay.
RedTailHawk1 is a Ferruginous Hawk.

A few slips on the IDs (or captions), but lots of great stuff here. The rails sure were cooperative for you!!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 31, 2011 - 12:42am PT

OK thanks!

so I'm

+1 if that is a Pacific Loon (didn't have) SWEET!
ALTHOUGH Loon #2 has white around the eye so... and it was sizeable ???
+1 on Ferruginous Hawk (didn't have) SWEET! It was on the tele pole on my acre!!! I'm such a rookie.
-1 on the Field Sparrow (DARN SPARROWS!)
A draw on Mockingbird because I've seen them but yes that's a mis-ID on pic.
A draw on the House Sparrow because I've seen them too a lot.

so I'm 101!

WOOT WOOT! (NOW don't anyone else burst my bubble!) ;)

Tony, that Bonaparte's shot is dreamy! the reflection is radical!!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 31, 2011 - 01:12am PT

Slater,

I agree that that is a Ferrug. The last photo is even more conclusive. It also does look like two different loons. I would have kept my mouth shut, but I realized any changes would probably have ADDED to your total. It's true that the running posture of the plover may have made it look sleeker. On the other hand, it has a distinct post-ocular spot and a pretty dark cap contrasting with the supercillium. Probably not enough to make a call. Black-bellied are much more abundant. There is one with the Heerman's Gull.

In any case, congrats and it looks like you are providing a lot of enjoyment to the whole family.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 31, 2011 - 11:44am PT

Vireo = Cassin's Kingbird :) ??

Those ain't doggy prints. Did you get any pics of the Brown Bears?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 31, 2011 - 12:55pm PT

Cuz, That's the easiest challenge yet!

But I like the 'climber's shot' next - a butt shot!
Was it an Elegant or Eared? I'll say Elegant at Cave Creek?

edit - I just noticed the 'ear' patch so it isn't a guess any longer.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 31, 2011 - 07:09pm PT

Happy New Year's Eve fellow birders.
I have some more photos of raptors from the other day in Washington Fields, southwestern Utah. I have a terrible time with hawks so any help on the ID would be much appreciated.

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Dec 31, 2011 - 07:35pm PT

reddirt

climber

PNW

Dec 31, 2011 - 07:53pm PT

Condolences to Crimpster for the loss of one of hers today : (

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 31, 2011 - 07:55pm PT

A heartbroken house here today. That's Ferne (5/18/1994 to 12/31/2011).

He is my oldest baby. I have the egg shell he hatched out of still. Raising him was the single coolest thing I've ever done in my life. No question about it.

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Dec 31, 2011 - 08:41pm PT

Crimpie, so sorry to hear your birdie died..)-;

I know how much you loved him... At midnight.... I will give a toast to Ferne, along with Nellie, Scout, Wilma, Bunkster and Skadi ..

john hansen

climber

Dec 31, 2011 - 10:47pm PT

Saw this guy today ,, a Hawaiian Hawk or Io. He let me get pretty close.

Jan

Mountain climber

Okinawa, Japan

Dec 31, 2011 - 11:01pm PT

I just came across this parrot rescue association today.

Lots of great photos to help identify the different species plus they give
the bios of each bird. Evidently parrots are real characters
with individual personalities - each and every one.

http://garudaaviary.org/?page_id=206

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 31, 2011 - 11:21pm PT

Speaking of our friends in green feathers... (RIP :(

I'm heading to Pasadena Tuesday... what am I looking for?

My in-laws live near 4th street but my sister's neighborhood is in South Pas and I remember when I was younger seeing parrots?!?!

reddirt

climber

PNW

Jan 1, 2012 - 12:40am PT

Slater, that is quite a cute bird in your profile pix... ha ha.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 1, 2012 - 02:52am PT

Crimpergirl,

I'm sorry to hear about your parrot. He was Lilac-crowned? There is a big flock of Red-crowned Parrots that roams around Orange County, CA. I think different cities try to claim them. They were making a big ruckus when we visited Santiago Oaks RP in Orange. One of them was investigating a tree cavity.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 1, 2012 - 03:23am PT

Regarding raptors on the previous page:

Riley,
Is that a White-tailed Hawk? We saw one near Corpus Christi.

Cyndie,
It looks like another Northern Harrier with a full crop.

John,
Which island of Hawaii? We haven't seen one in three trips to Kauai. I wonder how closely they are related to the Galapagos Hawk.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 1, 2012 - 10:23am PT

Thanks everyone.

Yes, Ferne and his family are Lilac Crowned Amazons. They are amazing gentle and lovely parrots. I hatched and raised Ferne (and ten of his siblings). Way back then I published an article called "Thank God my Amazons Can't Read" because at the time, most literature said they didn't breed in captivity. It also said they did talk. Neither of those tidbits are correct though.

His dad, Henri who is 32 yo is still with me though his mom Lilac died ten years ago. Here also is Clover (who Ferne was bonded with), Grace and Gabbie. All siblings though Ferne was the only bird in his clutch.

They are all very confused. Gabbie is very angry. Clover is lost right now wondering where Ferne is. 24 hours later it's not any easier for any of us. Pretty shitty start to a new year and equally shitty end to an old one.

john hansen

climber

Jan 1, 2012 - 01:06pm PT

Tony, its from the Big Island of Hawaii, the I'o only occurs here and for some reason has never moved to the other islands, though they are fairly common here.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 1, 2012 - 01:38pm PT

Crimpie, my heartfelt condolences.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 1, 2012 - 04:22pm PT

When duck hunting today....beautiful day along the Rio Grande.

Goldeneye's cruising the Rio Grande.

Maybe this is why they were in such a hurry?

Merganser

thudge

climber

Jan 1, 2012 - 10:03pm PT

Cool painting!!!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 1, 2012 - 10:27pm PT

Spent first day of 2012 with my kids and friends watching the birds!

76 degrees and blue skies. Crazy. Girls were on the beach in bikinis.

Nothing new, but it was fun to help my buddy find 5 new ones.

Enjoy Day 2!

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Jan 1, 2012 - 10:30pm PT

Aw Crimpie, I'm sorry for your loss. What a crappy way to start the New Year.Condolences sent your way. Hope 2012 gets better for ya~~~ :(

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jan 1, 2012 - 10:34pm PT

Callie
I'm so sorry about your loss. It was so fun to see him last
weekend--I feel gifted that I did.
I wish there were something I could say to make it easier. . .

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 2, 2012 - 01:19am PT

Sorry to hear, Crimp. That sucks.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 3, 2012 - 02:32pm PT

A few from the last few days in the Taos, NM area.

chill

climber

between the flat part and the blue wobbly thing

Jan 3, 2012 - 02:53pm PT

They hate us!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 3, 2012 - 03:57pm PT

Chill,
They don't hate us, that guy was just too gullible.

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Jan 5, 2012 - 03:14pm PT

Oops gonna try this one more time. Sorry for the repeat... Snowy Owl being harassed by the hawk today...... Burns Oregon....

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 5, 2012 - 03:33pm PT

Here's that Hooded Crane in Tennessee shot by 'nwcs'.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 6, 2012 - 10:35pm PT

I am now down at Bosque del Apache in New Mexico and of course I am seeing raptors that I can't identify. All help would be most appreciated.
It was fantastic watching the cranes and snow geese coming in at sunset this evening. I hope to get some good photos in the week that I am here to share with you all.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 6, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

I got my first Canada Goose... #102

at DISNEYLAND in the lagoon off Tom Sawyer Island ha ha

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 7, 2012 - 10:14pm PT

Some recent fun with the neighborhood Mallards...
Here's a brave little guy:
Who's quickest on the draw?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 7, 2012 - 10:24pm PT

This cool guy was perched on a boulder along the Rio Grande today. I think there are 3-4 pairs nesting just below Pilar.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 7, 2012 - 11:10pm PT

Here are my Disneyland geese...

Brassnuts - Not sure who was having more fun, the girl of the Mallards!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 7, 2012 - 11:27pm PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 8, 2012 - 12:41am PT

Thanks Riley -

they are usually flitting around in the bushes and have to get a shot of.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 8, 2012 - 01:34am PT

More from the Bosque del Apache, New Mexico.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 8, 2012 - 10:55pm PT

Cyndie...I may be at the Bosque tomorrow and Tuesday. Maybe we will run into each other.

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jan 8, 2012 - 11:29pm PT

Sort of on topic, the annual Brackendale (bald) eagle count was held today in Squamish. On a fairly decent day, they counted only 655. The best ever (1994) was 3,769, and there's typically 1,500 or more. http://www.brackendaleartgallery.com/EagleCount.html

I've been on the December bird count and January bald eagle count a few times, and it's lots of fun. Not that I know many birds - I just tag along.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 8, 2012 - 11:50pm PT

Bob it would be cool to run into you. I will still be here looking for the elusive species. Today it was so windy I didn't even go looking instead we went to Fort Craig and the Camino de Real Cultural Center.

Here are some Snow Goose photos you all might enjoy.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 10, 2012 - 02:39pm PT

Roadrunner, Bosque del Apache, NM

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 10, 2012 - 09:12pm PT

Nice shot Bob. I saw a roadrunner three times in the Bosque today. My big prize today was the Pyrrhuloxia. I really had to look hard for it. I also saw an Eastern Meadowlark today. We are moving south tomorrow to a destination yet to be determined.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 10, 2012 - 09:36pm PT

Cyndie...sorry I miss you...we were in the big white sports mobile.

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Jan 10, 2012 - 10:00pm PT

Bob D'
Thanks for all the birds pictures... very..Beautiful.......Love them...

What camera are you using..?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 10, 2012 - 10:41pm PT

Rough legged or Ferruginous??

Nita...thanks. Sony A77.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 10, 2012 - 11:13pm PT

Cyndie,
Your first two shots of white geese looks like they're all Ross', and the third one has a Ross' on the right-hand side.

Bob D'A - Ferruginous.

Nice shots, everybody.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 11, 2012 - 12:34am PT

More photos from the Bosque today.
Bob sorry we did not run into each other. We were in a truck with camper from Alaska.
Willoughby, thanks for the heads up on the geese.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jan 11, 2012 - 04:32pm PT

Went to Pt. Dume the other day for low tide. There were lots of birds around feeding in the tide pools.

I liked watching the snowy egrets

The pelicans were cool too. They would fly over the water looking for food.

Sometimes the pelicans would dive straight into the water to catch a meal.

They suck their wings in as they get closer to the ocean's surface.

Finally their wings extend behind them as they enter the water.

Thanks for all the great shots everyone. Keep up the good work. Cheers!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 11, 2012 - 04:45pm PT

Great Blue heron, bosque del Apache, NM

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jan 11, 2012 - 04:56pm PT

hey there say, bob! great shot of the blueh heron... :)
just saw it on you facebook, :))

had to come see it here and say thanks for the share..

say, to all you folks:
thanks for sharing these birds... they are so hard to see and find
at times... these are treasures...
:)

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Jan 11, 2012 - 06:24pm PT

Fantastic shots all!

Especially Bob and Cyndie!

Ferruginous Hawk. Right?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 11, 2012 - 07:15pm PT

"Yo, Red! We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Which will it be?"

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 11, 2012 - 07:38pm PT

Plan B wrote: Ferruginous Hawk. Right?

Right...them and Rough legged are real close in features.

HowardK

Social climber

Sao Paulo Brazil

Jan 11, 2012 - 07:39pm PT

first bird is a Lark Bunting

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 13, 2012 - 03:00pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 13, 2012 - 03:57pm PT

An albino Chinstrap penguin!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 13, 2012 - 08:09pm PT

Rough legged Hawk?

or a Ferruginous Hawk

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jan 13, 2012 - 08:12pm PT

Doesn't a Rough-legged have a more fully trousered look to the gams?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 13, 2012 - 08:25pm PT

Snow geese and lot's of them.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 14, 2012 - 01:23pm PT

Reilly,

We saw this leucistic Gentoo Penguin at on the Antarctic Peninsula in 2001. This is a scan which has been highly cropped. It's so much easier now in these digital times!

We also saw this leucistic or "blond" Fur Seal. These are not nearly so rare, about 1%.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 14, 2012 - 03:49pm PT

There are some really outstanding shots here on this thread!

Here are a few from last week:

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 14, 2012 - 04:10pm PT

Mike,

Are you in Hawaii, too? Those White-eyes are tough to get, in spite of being everywhere on Kauai. Nice shots.

steveA

Trad climber

bedford,massachusetts

Jan 14, 2012 - 04:13pm PT

This is a cool thread. It's cold up here in N.H.

Sorry I can't post pictures, but the birds are really enjoying the huge bird feeder I built. I built it to last--it even has a shingled roof with drip edge.

The crows have a hard time feeding in it, buy they do manage.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 14, 2012 - 04:37pm PT

Hi Tony - was over on the Big Island this week, back in CA now.

I took a zillion shots of the white eyes, only had about 3 good ones

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 14, 2012 - 04:43pm PT

Nice shots Mike...the smaller the bird the harder the shot. Chase this little guy all around the front yard trying to get a good shot.

Black Capped Chickadee.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 14, 2012 - 10:09pm PT

Here is a brown creeper flinging sycamore bark...
Small and very busy.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 14, 2012 - 11:44pm PT

Bob D'A - That recent hawk is a Ferruginous also.

john hansen

climber

Jan 15, 2012 - 12:20am PT

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 15, 2012 - 12:21am PT

Near Deming, New Mexico

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 15, 2012 - 03:31am PT

Cyndie,

I'll have a go at the mystery birds:
Rock Wren, one of my favorites
Say's Phoebe
American Robin, perhaps a female of the drab variety. Note the broken eye ring.

There are a couple of photos that didn't display.

It looks like a pretty good time in New Mexico.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Jan 15, 2012 - 05:30am PT

So many great pictures of birds. Since I have no pictures to contribute. Here is a film: Le Peuple Migrateur (Winged Migration)

[Click to View YouTube Video]

00.15.00 Birds in the mountains taking off just before an avalanche
00.18.00 Dancing cranes
00.30.50 A wall of ice thundering into the sea
00.55.00 Cranes in Bulgaria
01.02.00 The end of a bird with a broken wing
01.09.00 Parrots

The film is a wonder.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 15, 2012 - 09:30pm PT

I saw the movie Winged Migration at the bird festival in Kenai, Alaska last year. It was excellent!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 15, 2012 - 10:48pm PT

Sometime you just get lucky...these two beauties were hanging in a cottonwood near the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 15, 2012 - 11:53pm PT

very sharp shots Bob.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 16, 2012 - 01:05am PT

Very luvvy duvvy! Oh, and a very nice shot as well! :-)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 16, 2012 - 08:23pm PT

Any ideas on these two???

Fun but cold day out at Oso Flaco Lake.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 16, 2012 - 08:51pm PT

too weird - just a couple of hours ago I saw a new bird for me, got one poor shot and finally identified it just a little while ago as Bewick's Wren!

EdBannister

Mountain climber

13,000 feet

Jan 16, 2012 - 08:55pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 16, 2012 - 08:58pm PT

You ever get the feeling you're being watched?

BLD

climber

Jan 16, 2012 - 09:26pm PT

Hi Ed!

Nice shot

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 16, 2012 - 09:42pm PT

Slater,
I think you are right - Hermit Thrush.

BLD,
Cool shot. It's hard to see all the field marks, but judging from the surroundings, I'd say Marsh Wren.

Reilly,
At least they usually make their presence known by their raucousness.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 16, 2012 - 09:53pm PT

The Wren is adorable. Makes me feels it's a youngster calling out to a parent for some food.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 16, 2012 - 09:58pm PT

Tony,
Au contraire, these guys just sat there silently staring - creepy!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 16, 2012 - 10:13pm PT

Reilly, that does seem uncharacteristic. They must have been up to something.

By the way, is the ST birding outing to SE Arizona still in the cards? I just figured out my schedule in May and I have the third and fourth week in May open. I hope this works for others. I'm very anxious to return there. If not, everybody have a great time and I will be there in spirit.

BLD

climber

Jan 16, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

Thanks Crimper..Here is another shot from the same area as the Marsh Wren. This Swainsons hawk???..... knows how to get dinner. I watched as it flew from its high spot in a tree and nailed this coot????

BLD

climber

Jan 16, 2012 - 10:47pm PT

Yuck.........

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 17, 2012 - 12:34am PT

Saguaro National Park West, Tucson, Arizona

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 17, 2012 - 12:38am PT

Tony...count me in...should be fun.

BLD

climber

Jan 17, 2012 - 12:51am PT

Here is more from that area.....(Vic Fazio wildlife area) Sacramento, CA.

I use to walk out there a lot and find peace with the birds.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 17, 2012 - 01:21am PT

BLD,

That is definitely a great place. I plan to go there with some visitors next week. Have you been there in the summer for the bat flyout? It is quite a spectacle. Here is some video I shot: Yolo Bat Flyout Sorry for the background chatter. I need to reupload it without sound. Too bad there wasn't a silent background. You could hear the bats "chirping".

By the way, I think that is a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, although there is a small population of Swainson's that overwinters in the Central Valley.

BLD

climber

Jan 17, 2012 - 01:33am PT

Tony,

Yes, I have seen the bats and I will look for some photos to post up.

That place is great!

Thanks for the ID help.

B

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 17, 2012 - 03:25am PT

Here are a few bat photos from the Yolo Bypass. It's amazing that they can avoid colliding as they fly out.

Sorry, not quite birds.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jan 17, 2012 - 12:26pm PT

Regarding the Coot, sure, the Red-Tail is more versatile, more a
generalist than just about any raptor, while a Swainson's has a reputation
as a grasshopper specialist.
So what do these unusual overwintering Swainson's Hawks eat in the
Sacramento Valley? Do they become mousers?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 17, 2012 - 02:27pm PT

scuffy,

This from Birds of North America:

The breeding-season diet of the Swainson’s Hawk is similar to that of other temperate-zone buteos; young are fed rodents, rabbits, and reptiles. When not breeding, however, this hawk is atypical because it is almost exclusively insectivorous, eating grasshoppers (Acrididae) in particular. Only by concentrating on abundant insects can large concentrations of Swainson’s Hawks be sustained.

I think this mainly refers to the birds that winter in South America. Perhaps the birds overwintering in the Central Valley can continue to feed on rodents, etc, since they are not in large assemblages. Maybe Willoughby could weigh in.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:27pm PT

Thanks, Tony.
Interesting, the changing diet going along with the changing habit.
Amy Jo and i were at Arrowhead Marsh the other day (I hope that's right,
across from the old Oakland Airport, Dalton Slough), spoke of you, had a
kick ass sighting of Virginia Rail and some other cool items.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 17, 2012 - 05:53pm PT

Nice new pics everybody! Keep 'em comin... Like the Heron/Coot meeting shot :-)

BLD

climber

Jan 17, 2012 - 06:27pm PT

BLD

climber

Jan 17, 2012 - 06:34pm PT

BLD

climber

Jan 17, 2012 - 06:48pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 17, 2012 - 06:56pm PT

You're not gonna believe this! Figures it's be a Russki crow!

[Click to View YouTube Video]

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jan 17, 2012 - 07:29pm PT

Juvenile Kite?

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 17, 2012 - 11:52pm PT

Around Tucson, Arizona
I could use some help with a few of these if anyone would like to chime in.
Thank you in advance.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 17, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

European Starling

House Sparrow (male; in reality a weaver finch, but we call them House Sparrows here)

Northern Mockingbird

Really enjoy all your photos and reading about your birding trips!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 18, 2012 - 03:55am PT

It took all my patience, but I finally got a good look at this rare visitor to Berkeley today.

scuffy,

Arrowhead is defintely the most reliable place for me to see rails, usually Clappers. I think you mean Damon Slough?

There some extreme high tides there on Fri, Sat, Sun. With the stormy weather, this could be a great chance for rail viewing. The same conditions a couple of years ago resulted in a Yellow Rail sighting. I missed it by a day, but there were about 50 Clappers and 25 Soras visible at one time. We also saw a Clapper Rail, which was hunkered in its high tide spot, grab a Virginia Rail walking by by the neck and shake it around violently. I hadn't imagined that they were up to something like that.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 18, 2012 - 09:18am PT

Nice shot Tony. Love her bulky bill.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jan 18, 2012 - 11:27am PT

Tony, I probably do mean Damon Slough.
We started out at the boardwalk and spent much of our time there.
That is where we saw the rail, and where I had seen rails in years past.
It was on the little island until it flew across to our side and disappeared.
I think previously I had only seen Clapper Rails there. I had not visited
the place in several years.
After we crossed the bridge and were walking north, we looked back to see
the arrival of perhaps 20 birders. At one point they were grouped together,
looking at something close to them, with at least ten spotting
scopes not being used.
I was tickled to see the topo map of the Arroyo Viejo and Lion Creek
watershed. I was able to point out the houses where I grew up!

Is that a juvenile Kite further up the page?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 18, 2012 - 12:13pm PT

Snowy Owl in the Boulder area! Word is he is at Barr Lake. Hope to see him Saturday!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jan 18, 2012 - 09:50pm PT

Hope you see the owl Crimp...and get photos;)

What a great thread, it's really gone crazy this last year.

The "Birds" thread Original Post was on - Jun 11, 2007. In the first year there were 208 posts. June 2008- December 2008 had 63 total posts and a second year ended early because after that there were no posts for over 2 years until December 30 2010. In the year of 2011 there were 1439 posts! And so far 2012 has 110 posts.

There were almost exactly 4 posts per day last year. This year is averaging just over 6. So keep posing up everyone and thanks for posting up everyone. Love your shots.

Here is a video of a hawk flying through various shaped holes:

[Click to View YouTube Video]

scaredycat

Trad climber

Berkeley,CA

Jan 18, 2012 - 10:19pm PT

Re Gosahawk: We are not worthy.

BLD: I loved the first Kite photo.

What Tony says about seeing Rails in the Bay Area.

BLD

climber

Jan 18, 2012 - 11:22pm PT

Awesome video of the goshawk!

What kind of bird is this:

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 18, 2012 - 11:27pm PT

BLD that is a Yellow-rumped Warbler. I saw one today in Tucson.

BLD

climber

Jan 19, 2012 - 12:24am PT

Cool thanks!

What about this one?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 19, 2012 - 12:32am PT

BLD,

That looks like a nestling emerging from one of their wonderful nests. Nice shot!

If you know the spot where you took the photo, you should try to see if the nest remnant is still around on the tree or ground. It is fascinating to look at the construction.

Crimpie and BrassNuts,
Good luck on the owl hunting. I'm hoping for photos.

Dar,
How about checking it out on the way to your flight?

BLD

climber

Jan 19, 2012 - 12:47am PT

Tony,

I did check out the nest after the bird left. It seemed empty. I was careful not to disturb the nest and never touched it. I showed a friend this pic and he was saying that it was the wrong bird for this nest. I looked it up and couldn't find anything that would clearly say different. Awesome construction though...

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 19, 2012 - 01:50am PT

I saw lots of birds today at the Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ. I also went to the Agua Caliente Regional Park and saw a few. I wanted to share some photos. The hummingbirds were in an aviary.

MH2

climber

Jan 20, 2012 - 12:59pm PT

The other day I was directing my camera at a colorful summer holdover

when I heard a WUF WUF WUF overhead. I looked up at an eagle just above the trees with a large something in its grip. I didn't get a good look let alone a picture, but the next day I heard on the radio that a nearby resident had photographed what was probably the same bird.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bc/photos/134/#igImgId_28149

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jan 20, 2012 - 04:28pm PT

Red Berry Mite!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 20, 2012 - 11:56pm PT

Inca Dove is pretty!

Hey ya'll is it worth birding in the rain?

Prolly not but just wondering.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 20, 2012 - 11:57pm PT

I find the rain is okay. On the other hand, when it's windy, it's not so good. ymmv.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 21, 2012 - 02:51am PT

Slater,

It worked out for us today, although the rain was pretty light. And then, the aquatic birds could care less about rain. We managed to see this lifer. Not as rare as Riley's LeConte's, but still a pretty good bird:

Scuffy,
I think this it what those people were looking for the other rday.

It was the highest tide of the season and the Fish & Game folks were doing their annual census by flushing the rails by boat. For a while this Clapper was hunkered down on some high ground.

Eventually the boat scared it up like this Virginia Rail.

Edit: For those of you in the East Bay, the tides will be about as high the next couple of mornings

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 22, 2012 - 09:13pm PT

A few from today...

BLD

climber

Jan 22, 2012 - 09:15pm PT

nice! love the flicker!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 22, 2012 - 10:24pm PT

Okay, so we haven't been anywhere exciting lately, so here are just a few pics of the local pond birds - common, but fun to visit!

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jan 23, 2012 - 01:27pm PT

Nice, Tony.
I'm sure you're right, about all the serious birders there to see the
Sparrow. Amyjo had mentioned it, and seen a crowd there the previous week.
The whole time we were at that boardwalk, I only had one view of any
songbird in the reeds, a Yellowthroat that showed for about 15 seconds.
Amy speculated about a Marsh Wren, but the place was surprisingly quiet.
The Grebes, ducks and Rails were enough for me.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 23, 2012 - 04:00pm PT

How many Goldfinches can you count?

Trust me, there's about 50!
I cheated and counted 'em on the ground :-)

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 24, 2012 - 06:42pm PT

Yesterday I birded at the Salton Sea while on my way to Joshua Tree. It was fantastic! I got 7 new life birds.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 24, 2012 - 07:51pm PT

Enjoying all of these birds. We headed out to the Barr Lake area in search of the Snowy Owl. The rascal did not reveal himself. Seems no one saw him Sunday while we were there, but he's been seen since. Stinker. May head back over there this weekend.

Did see my first Rough-Legged Hawk! No photo though. I saw a jet black raptor - almost like a jet-black Red-Tailed in terms of body shape. He let me check him out pretty good before he flew. He was unwilling to be photographed unfortunately. Clearly a Dark Morph. Very cool.

BrassNuts got some photos of the trip. Maybe he'll post them soon.

amyjo

Trad climber

Jan 24, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

As If By Magic

Dear Cyndie,
What a great trip and JT still to come!
So many birds.

I am troubled however by your Dowitchers.
I think we should turn them into Whimbrels.

They show the characteristic long heavy beak -
long and heavy, ponderous even, & radically curved at the tip.

(LB Dowitcher's beaks are long, but straight.)

Even at that distance one can still see a heavy eyestripe
and dark head with another stripe.
The overall shape is distinct, more chesty maybe.

(Fleetingly I considered Curlews.
They do have the curved bill but on them it's slender.)

I keep coming back to the overall shape as well.
And they're not doing that frantic pecking which they
always seem to be doing when I see them (ie acting like sewing machines.)

So,
Whimbrels.

Anyone else thinking along these lines?

To quote a benevolent presence somewhere about,

Peace.

Dowitcher pictures
and Whimbrel/Curlews follow for comparison.

South Dakota Birds and Birding
Nature Photography - Done Naturally
http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/long_billed_dowitcher_7.htm

Click below for Whimbrel Curlew comparisonhttp:
//www.nemesisbird.com/2011/07/whimbrel-and-long-billed-curlew-comparison-cibola-nwr-az/

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Jan 25, 2012 - 12:42am PT

As far as the eagle and the seagull go. I shot this a couple weeks ago. This one got away.

I shot this today.

The rest of the photos are here.

http://alasdairturner.blogspot.com/2012/01/snowy-owls.html

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 25, 2012 - 12:50am PT

Ha! Amyjo - I went through the exact same line of thinking as you. Dowitcher -> Curlew -> whimbrel.

Alasdair - love the eagle action shot!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 25, 2012 - 01:39am PT

Shoulda stopped at Long-billed Curlew. Whimbrel is actually pretty rare at the Salton Sea in winter.

And that would-be Ruff is a Black-bellied Plover so far as I can tell.

Hummer on the nest looks like an Anna's at first blush, but in that aviary it could be all kinds of things. Female Magnificent is another strong contender, if they have those in there. Female Anna's is my best guess though.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 25, 2012 - 01:48am PT

Thank you all for your observations and corrections. I am lame at bird identification, yet I really enjoy looking at birds. With yout help I will improve.

Roughster

Sport climber

Vacaville, CA

Jan 25, 2012 - 01:56am PT

I assume everyone here has seen the Crimson Wing? IMO one of the greatest bird movies of all time. The Arrival of the Birds Song and Sequence along the still lake as they land is an image that will stick with you forever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4HNriWg7_A

I challenge anyone who loves the inherent beauty of nature to watch this and not feel tears well up in your eyes. The music and images are amazing and the soundtrack to the film is something everyone should own.

amyjo

Trad climber

Jan 25, 2012 - 12:29pm PT

Willoughby
Thanks.
On mature reexamination....furiously
back pedaling

amyjo

Trad climber

Jan 25, 2012 - 12:39pm PT

Cyndie,Bolte,
So sorry.
What Willoughby says
The things one sees the morning after
Location...Season(!) What I don't know.
Then, the bill is not stubby enough for Whimbrels

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 25, 2012 - 12:54pm PT

Okay ya all how about a little help with this raptor at the Salton Sea?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 25, 2012 - 01:26pm PT

I defer to Willoughby who seems to really know his stuff, plus the "right location", "right time of year" arguments are almost always good in birding.

I'm still thinking a *little* bit the same thing Amyjo *was* thinking: dark top of head and strong eyestripe are what I associate with Whimbrel. Here is a Curlew from Elkhorn Slough a month ago (i.e. winter). Click it for a larger version.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Jan 25, 2012 - 03:54pm PT

Your hawk looks like a red shouldered to me.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 26, 2012 - 09:37pm PT

DMT - it's a jungle out there for sure. Nature red in tooth and claw.

Cyndie - Female harrier.

Curlews can be deceptive. They often show a little bit of a cap, but they can even show a pale median crown stripe if the feathers are lying just so. Check this out:

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Jan 26, 2012 - 09:45pm PT

Hey Birders ....A big Birding event in Chico and the surrounding area.. this Weekend...

http://www.snowgoosefestival.org/

..........
Also, cool little video of Snowy owls..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufkcx-UqljM&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=13c060f63f-Cornell_Lab_eNews_January_20121_24_2012&utm_medium=email

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 27, 2012 - 12:23am PT

DMT I started birding much like you describe and it is still my favorite method when I am at home and near my feeders. I like your writing style.

Willoughby-thank you again

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 28, 2012 - 11:10am PT

A few from the feeder today.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 29, 2012 - 12:39pm PT

A few from a trip to Barr Lake, 30 miles east of Boulder, last weekend...
We also saw a very cool and pretty much jet black Rough Legged Hawk - very cool but he wouldn't stay put long enough for me to grab a shot, but a new raptor for us :-)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 29, 2012 - 04:04pm PT

BN,

Any luck on the Snowy Owl? I guess there waould be awesome photos if it showed. The irruption has hit the national news:
Snowy Owl Irruption

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 29, 2012 - 04:22pm PT

Tony - we've gone out twice and been thwarted both times by the rascally owls. Lots of other birders trolling around in their vehicles looking on those days as well.

According to the rare bird sighting website, the owls have not been seen since the 26th. Sadly, the news yesterday is that some speeding bozo hit the adult male owl the day before (26th). The juvenile is reportedly still in the area. Maybe we'll try again, but as of yet, no luck.Be nice to get a photo of the owl.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 29, 2012 - 08:37pm PT

Help on an ID - but no picture.

It was on a dead eucalyptus trunk, 6-8" in length, spreckled white and black back (not striped), b&w lined head of sorts but did not see any obvious red cap (not saying there wasn't but looked really hard and couldn't see one- if there was it was tiny?) white belly but diamond shape tail and on the underneath, the tail feathers underside were black. They stood out due to the white belly.

I live in California, Central Coast. This was a eucalyptus forest. Any ideas?

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jan 29, 2012 - 09:32pm PT

hey there, say, all....

have not see one here yet... but sure would be fun:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-01-29/snow-owls-rare-michigan/52872558/1?csp=24&kjnd=R5Tpb6xkDfq3McV8XvIGCY%2F%2FS%2F+hcLKI4HK0PebXAP1CeJ123YeNtVQOZcutvVd2-1a18a664-c6cb-4a7c-a196-9b54f5cfc270_f8ACddqAtgxKyQwumZJzvydCFzAX5DBECzkK5ibpfHeOphDTHNtL8MLRuxw4hlLh

:)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 29, 2012 - 09:48pm PT

Laurel (a.k.a wee-wifie) and I went up to Boundary Bay just N. of the border in BC. The local birding internet sites had been alive with stories about people seeing 10-40 Snowy Owls up there. Tami have you checked this out?

In the full resolution of following photo I counted at least twelve Snowy Owls and at least five others outside the range of the pan. This is looking pretty much due south.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 29, 2012 - 11:44pm PT

Darwin,

Very cool! I imagine this erases your previous experience. I'm envious, and it might even engender a visit if they hang around. Keep us posted.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 30, 2012 - 12:50am PT

Wow, multiple Snowy Owls!! Very cool, thanks for the pics :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 30, 2012 - 12:50am PT

WOW! Very cool owls. Jealous.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 30, 2012 - 01:55am PT

Slater,

Your description is a little puzzling. Maybe a female Hairy or Downy Woodpecker? The white bar on the back may not be visible if you didn't view it directly from the rear.

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Jan 30, 2012 - 02:03am PT

Darwin.....

WOW! Very cool owls. Jealous.

+ plus + plus..

thanks for the pictures......... Lacey, you too.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 30, 2012 - 01:46pm PT

Thanks Tony! I will go for another look and maybe get a shot.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 30, 2012 - 08:17pm PT

OK, this isn't just birds but it is well worth 4 minutes!

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 30, 2012 - 08:45pm PT

That's my birthday present for you eKat! :-)

ps
I'm surprised you missed this:

Ozzy goes slacklining!

MH2

climber

Jan 30, 2012 - 10:09pm PT

Cool vid of an Earth-like planet, Reilly. How far away?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 31, 2012 - 05:08pm PT

Reilly,

Thanks for the fantastic video link. Anybody notice the fruit bat carrying its pup at 2:38?

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Jan 31, 2012 - 05:38pm PT

Today, undisclosed location in Riverside County:

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jan 31, 2012 - 05:41pm PT

Thanks, Tony, I had missed that.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jan 31, 2012 - 06:13pm PT

Burrowing Owls are the bomb :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 31, 2012 - 06:19pm PT

Adorable Burrowing Owl. Their numbers are really suffering in our area. What a cutie.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 31, 2012 - 08:48pm PT

OK looks like a Nuttall's Woodpecker.
We don't have ladder backs where I live.

And this looks a lot like one of those!

What a difference a pair of binoculars makes and a picture...

Right?

dude, that owl looks fake and hilarious. Cool shot.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Feb 1, 2012 - 10:40pm PT

Screech Owl from Raptor Rescue last weekend

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 2, 2012 - 03:23pm PT

OK looks like a Nuttall's Woodpecker.
We don't have ladder backs where I live.

Just looking for a verification.
I don't like to pen it in until I know for certain.
But Since we don't have ladder backs in SLO county, it has to be Nuttall's.
So unless anyone objects :) i'll pen in #107 (man they're getting harder and harder to get!).

How many birds in California? Is there a ballpark figure? I realize migration etc. makes it tough, but what do they say?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 2, 2012 - 03:34pm PT

Slater...This list of California birds is a comprehensive listing of all the bird species seen naturally in the U.S. state of California as determined by the California Birds Records Committee (CBRC).

There are, as of 2009, 641 species on this list. Fifteen of these species are introduced (I)–species that are non-native to California but now have established populations. Two of these species are extirpated (E)–species that are native to California but no longer have established populations there (they still do in other places). Birds marked with an asterisk (*) are currently under review by the CBRC. The CBRC states the following about birds under review:

You got a long way to go. :-)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 2, 2012 - 10:37pm PT

Slater.

Besides the range, your second photo shows the main field mark: a solid black area on the upper back between the stripes and the neck. In the Owens Valley and Mojave Desert the two species do hybridize.

Here is a Ladder-backed from SE AZ

Here is one from China Ranch, near Death Valley. It seems possibly intermediate. Willoughby?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 2, 2012 - 11:20pm PT

641 birds in Cali!

SWEET!

I was actually afraid that I wasn't gonna see anything new! ha ha (not really). But it is getting harder to pick up new ones in my neighborhood. Most of the 107 birds I got were found within about 50 miles of home.

Time to start road tripping!

I'm digging raptors (still super hard to figure out the hawks though), and the sparrows and warblers have given me the most bang for my buck! they are everywhere and sure are neat, but hard to spot they move so dang quick!

My 8 year old has a list of 98 birds! ha ha. He has his own binocs and book!

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Feb 2, 2012 - 11:57pm PT

Nutall's at the hummingbird feeder

Vosser

Trad climber

reno, NV

Feb 3, 2012 - 12:49am PT

here's a pretty rare bird only two in existence.[photo[photoid=235964]id=235963]

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 3, 2012 - 12:51am PT

whoa!

All I'm getting are those darn house finches...
every day I think I'm looking at some new exotic bird and it's just the house finch. I think their winter feathers are a lot redder and their streaks more defined because they look a lot more exotic these days!

The guy on top is giving me the once over...

"whose the funny lookin' dude with the binocs?"

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 3, 2012 - 01:04am PT

House Finches are all right! I'm just, today in Seattle, starting to get them in my pear tree, but they are not touching the feeder.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 3, 2012 - 11:33pm PT

Caught these two doing a mating dance...pretty cool.

Evening Grosbeak...I just love these guys.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 4, 2012 - 12:27am PT

funny how your backyard birds are totally exotic to someone else! Would love to see some of those!

My feeder birds are lame ha ha.
Even my 8 yr old says... hey dad!... oh never mind... darn house finch!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 4, 2012 - 09:26pm PT

Bob, I could look at Flicker photos for all eternity. Thanks.

I bought myself a new lens for the season and to help the economy and just received it. I'm still working out the focusing, auto or not, but it's easier now I have two arms. Here is a y'all-know-what, but looking a little worn or something. I think it's a first year.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 5, 2012 - 10:51am PT

A modest contribution to a fine thread

cheers

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 5, 2012 - 11:28pm PT

I was birding today at the Vic Fazio Wildlife Refuge on the Yolo Bypass between Sacramento and Davis, CA. Is this a Willet?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 5, 2012 - 11:59pm PT

Saw this pair along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM today. Really pretty.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 6, 2012 - 12:25am PT

Cool pictures (neat little Kingfisher too) and

speaking of camera lenses...

Anyone have suggestions?

I have Canon bodies, and own all Canon L series lenses.
What's good for birding?

I use a 200mm now, a zoom but have found that I always leave it at 200 so I'm guessing a fixed is probably what I need. Most of mine have IS, and autofocus.

What ya'll using?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Feb 6, 2012 - 12:43am PT

EDIT: C: here is a Willet (top) and Greater Yellowlegs

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 6, 2012 - 01:00am PT

Slater,

I mostly use my 300mm f/4 IS, often with a 1.4x TC. I have a 100-400, but don't use it much. The 300 is more mobile and seems to to autofocus better, maybe due to the 1 stop difference. I think it is a little bit sharper too, but I haven't really done enough systematic comparison. I lust after the 500mm f/4 which BrassNuts uses. I think that, in addition to the extra tele, it is almost as sharp as the 300mm f/2.8, which is the gold standard of Canon tel lenses. I was told that the 300mm was the only tele lens with sufficient resolution to match the pixel number of the 7D camera. Other, more expert photogs should chime in.

Cyndie,
I think that is a Yellowlegs, probably Greater. I can't quite make out the upturn and length in the bill, though. Lesser Yellowlegs are definitely less common in these parts. Are you traveling back up to Alaska via NorCal?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 6, 2012 - 01:06am PT

Sunday LA Times:

Whooping crane migration comes up short

While following an ultralight aircraft guiding them to Florida, young Maryland-bred birds get distracted in Alabama. They'll stay there for now.

By Tim Wheeler, Baltimore Sun
February 4, 2012, 4:07 p.m.

Reporting from Baltimore— What's that saying about leading a horse to water? The latest effort to teach Maryland-bred whooping crane chicks to migrate to Florida for the winter has been called off because the endangered birds will no longer follow the ultralight aircraft leading them.

Operation Migration, the nonprofit group that's been guiding captive-bred young cranes for a decade on their initial 1,300-mile flight from nesting grounds in Wisconsin, has called it quits this year in Alabama, 500 miles short of the destination.

While previous flights haven't gone smoothly, this is the first time the group hasn't succeeded in completing the journey to join the rest of the whooping crane flock wintering on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

The flight was grounded for a month in northern Alabama around the holidays as the group sparred with the Federal Aviation Administration over whether its ultralight pilots were properly licensed.

The FAA eventually relented and granted them temporary waivers to continue, but in the next two weeks the birds covered only 14 miles. Weather was partly to blame, but even when skies were clear and calm, the birds repeatedly broke away from their ultralight guides to land or fly off in different directions.

"Maybe we have stayed too long in Alabama and for them migration is over," ultralight pilot Joe Duff wrote in the group's online field journal chronicling its odyssey. "Or maybe they were just too long in one place. Maybe if we had a few flying days in a row to gain back their confidence, or maybe we just have a few too many aggressive birds with minds of their own."

Could unusually mild weather this winter have prompted the birds to lose their migratory urge? The group's blog contains a comment from a biologist in Indiana that a number of cranes, both whoopers and nonendangered sandhills, had flown no farther south this winter than the Hoosier State, where the grass has stayed green and the ground unfrozen.

At Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Md., whooping crane chicks are hatched and taught to follow crane-costumed humans piloting an ultralight aircraft. They're then transported to Wisconsin, their nesting grounds once they've returned from wintering down south.

Patuxent scientist John B. French said biologists weren't sure what would happen with these chicks if they didn't make it to Florida. Might they imprint on Alabama, or ultimately join the rest of the eastern flock in shuttling between Wisconsin and Florida? If they stuck with Alabama, how would such a small group — about 10 birds — fare on its own?

For now, at least, Operation Migration has decided to load the chicks into crates and drive them to a nearby national wildlife refuge in Alabama rather than try to get them to Florida. It would be too stressful to keep them cooped up for a ride that long, it was believed.

twheeler@baltsun.com
Copyright © 2012, The Baltimore Sun

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 6, 2012 - 10:10pm PT

Thank you Mike Bolte and Tony for your ID help. Yes, I am heading back to Alaska via California. We have family in Ontario, Bakersfield, and Sacramento. Also in Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA. So up the 5 we drive. Today I stopped at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willow and took the 6 mile auto tour. I saw a marsh wren and ring-necked pheasant, both of which are new on my list. Lots of birds. This is a great stop to bird watch.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 6, 2012 - 10:20pm PT

I birded at Hart Park in Bakersfield. Here are a few birds that were seen.

I also birded at the Vic Fazio Wildlife Refuge at the Yolo Bypass near Sacramento.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 6, 2012 - 10:25pm PT

Mike...I use a Sony A77 with 70-400 (105-600) setup. Really nice.

Great shots from you and everyone else. Great thread.

Gary

climber

That Long Black Cloud Is Coming Down

Feb 6, 2012 - 10:29pm PT

Couple of weeks ago I saw my first cedar waxwings feeding on a toyon up in Little Santa Anita Canyon. We hung out and watched the flock clean out one bush.

The favorite in our backyard is the plain titmouse. That and the band tailed pigeon. We call him Lenny, and every once in a while he brings his gang along.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Feb 6, 2012 - 11:06pm PT

A little tug 'O war last weekend

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 7, 2012 - 02:10am PT

Here are a few more from today at the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge, which is really near Willow, CA.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 8, 2012 - 12:46am PT

Cyndie, great shot of the egret!

The ugliest parrot I've ever seen. No wonder the shameless hussy has 3-8 mates!
But who am I to judge? Perhaps she's a good conversationalist too.

Wiki:
The Greater Vasa Parrot Coracopsis vasa is one of two species of vasa parrot, the other being the Lesser Vasa Parrot C. nigra. The Greater vasa parrot can be found throughout Madagascar and the Comoros. In Madagascar it is more common in portions of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests, compared with the Lesser Vasa Parrot which is more common in the humid forests of the east coast.[1] The Greater Vasa Parrot has a very unusual breeding biology and mating system. Females are 25% larger than males and are physically dominant. The species lives in loose polygynandrous groups wherein each female has at least 3-8 sexual partners. The males have re-evolved a phallus, one of the largest known in the avian world,[citation needed] and copulations can last up to 120 minutes.[citation needed] Copulations come in two varieties, short duration (1–3 seconds) and long duration (averaging 36 minutes), with the latter involving a copulatory tie.[2] During brooding and chick-rearing, females shed their head feathers and develop bright orange skin coloration, and also sing complex songs from perches close to the nest.[2] These serve to attract males to approach and regurgitate food, which the female accepts while off the nest.[2] The females also defend a territory around their nest from other females during this period.[2]

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 8, 2012 - 12:49am PT

I think they are both adorable. :) I'm biased though.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 8, 2012 - 01:00am PT

HaHaHa! Yer excused from the jury pool Crimpie. That male looks a young condor wannabe!
Girl's gotta a good thang goin' though with her 'boys' bringin' free food and luv!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 8, 2012 - 12:19pm PT

I got a little better shot of 'my' Bulbul, but still far from decent.
He and his little lady are definitely camera shy. He skedaddled back
to his thicket upon hearing the one shutter release. He does have a very
nice song somewhat House Finchy but more concise and much richer.
Think Luciano Pavarotti vs Andrea Bocelli.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 8, 2012 - 03:08pm PT

Cool! I've looked for a Bulbul twice in FL. Denied both times. So cool!

Gary

climber

That Long Black Cloud Is Coming Down

Feb 8, 2012 - 03:12pm PT

Reilly, we saw them in Sierra Madre a couple of years ago. Had a hell of a time identifying them. Nice song, indeed.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Feb 8, 2012 - 03:16pm PT

‘What would you say a bulbul is?’
[…]
‘Not one of those ladies who takes money?’ I said.
‘No.’
‘Not the brass knobs on a German steam organ?’
‘Not the knobs.’
‘Nothing to do with the independence of America or suchlike?’
‘No.’
‘A mechanical engine for winding clocks?’
‘No.’
‘A tumour, or the lather in a cow’s mouth, or those elastic articles that ladies wear?’
[…]
‘A bulbul is a Persian nightingale’.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 8, 2012 - 05:20pm PT

Nice Bulbul! I have not seen one.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 8, 2012 - 05:21pm PT

I just love saying their name: Red-Whiskered Bulbul. How could a bird with that name not be cool looking?

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Feb 8, 2012 - 05:32pm PT

Cyndie--wonderful photos throughout your destinations!!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 8, 2012 - 08:16pm PT

Cool hawk and dove photos. Thanks for sharing everyone.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 8, 2012 - 09:59pm PT

Somehow this house finch got inside the feeder.

good thing i decided to restock the feeder!

boy was she glad to see me!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 8, 2012 - 10:14pm PT

Ah, poor finch. Glad you rescued her.

A couple of years ago, I looked out to the feeders. We'd just returned from a trip. To my horror was a dead flicker strangled on the suet feeder. Somehow, he'd gotten one of those plastic green net things on his head. Then he'd stuck his head into the suet feeder and it got hung up and he strangled. Awful.

Learned later a neighbor was using the green plastic netting to protect her tomato plants. Bad idea.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 8, 2012 - 10:21pm PT

Today I drove the Auto Tour at Lower Klamath Falls Wildlife Refuge. You can't get very close to the water. It was overcast and about 38 degrees outside. Still there were a lot of waterfowl present.

Thanks Steve W. I am enjoying my birding travels.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 8, 2012 - 10:22pm PT

Slater good job saving the house finch!

whitey1

climber

california

Feb 8, 2012 - 10:27pm PT

Culp Valley Local

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 8, 2012 - 11:16pm PT

This is the video I took of the House Finch who got stuck INSIDE the bird feeder.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/NvnK3lbCIrw]

Fly away little birdy!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 8, 2012 - 11:17pm PT

This is the video I took of the House Finch who got stuck INSIDE the bird feeder.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/NvnK3lbCIrw]

Fly away little birdy!

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Feb 9, 2012 - 12:18am PT

Miss Cyndie B, Hey.. you were in my neck of the woods...dang, call me up next time and i'll take you to the Brewery for a beer.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 9, 2012 - 12:54pm PT

Perhaps I should have mentioned that 'my' Bulbuls have occupied my ficus
thicket lo this past year. I'm not aware that they've fledged any young
but they do seem to be a committed pair. Interestingly, I've only seen the
two of them out taking the sun together just once - probably a good survival strategy.

Southern Lapwings - Chilean Patagonia...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 9, 2012 - 12:55pm PT

Reilly: You need to come to Colorado. We could have a HH and a bird slide show!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 9, 2012 - 01:04pm PT

Crimpie, I was there last Sept. I sat in that pizza joint for two hours
and you guys never showed!

Oh, wait, the pizza joint was in Frisco - my bad. I'm about to buy a lot
in Frisco so y'all can come 'up' and slum it. Or my buddy Bob can give y'all a
group rate in his 'castle'...he likes company.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 9, 2012 - 01:05pm PT

Frisco is not that far. A road trip HH seems highly possible. Let us know when you are back in the area.

The castle is beautiful!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 9, 2012 - 01:10pm PT

The castle is beautiful!

That's what most people in Frisco think, too. The City does not agree and
has fought Bob tooth and nail every inch of the way! But I think he is winning.

BASE104

climber

An Oil Field

Feb 9, 2012 - 01:17pm PT

Snow Geese. I shot this at 1/10 second, which is a very long shutter speed. I let them fly across the frame.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 9, 2012 - 04:50pm PT

Great Horned Owl...San Luis Valley, CO

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 9, 2012 - 05:31pm PT

BASE104 - very good artistic effect. I first I thought clouds...but very cool to learn what it was. Reminds me of this one I took of an overexposed egret against a cloud.

BASE104

climber

An Oil Field

Feb 9, 2012 - 08:02pm PT

That is beautiful.

The most beautiful bird, in my mind, is the arctic tern.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 9, 2012 - 08:10pm PT

Base and Matty - I like mucho!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 10, 2012 - 01:26pm PT

HELP!!!! I NEED A BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR!

It has been 25 years since I went to Guadalupe Canyon on the AZ/NM border.
Going again in May on the way to nephew's behitchment in, of all places,
Truth or Consequences, NM! OK, not really, but Las Cruces is almost as funny.
Anyway, Guadalupe Cyn used to be a big birding spot but thanks to certain
geo-political developments it appears to be not so popular.

Anybody been there semi-recently? I have to admit that camping there now
seems like it would be asking for trouble. But how else are ya gonna get
a Nightjar?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 11, 2012 - 04:29pm PT

Along the lines of Base104's photo, here is a Common Black Hawk shot at dusk in Hopkins Village Belize.

Cragman, What kind of owl? Maybe a Saw-whet?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 11, 2012 - 04:30pm PT

That owl photo is all over facebook - no one has noted the owl type as far as I know. Super cool!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 11, 2012 - 04:31pm PT

It IS all over Faceook. It's a Great Gray.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 11, 2012 - 04:35pm PT

I guess the problem is that I am NOT all over Facebook. It goes to show you that size is not a good field. I considered Great Gray, but decided it looked too small.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 11, 2012 - 04:44pm PT

Thanks Willoughby!

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol, CA

Feb 11, 2012 - 05:19pm PT

Cool Shots!

Here's a couple new ones.
Great Egret

Peregrine

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 12, 2012 - 12:16am PT

Finally got my Sharpy!

Not sure if this is a Pine Warbler though?

Hammond's flycatcher?

Another angle...?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 12, 2012 - 01:28am PT

I don't know, but the bill looks a little heavy to me for for a warbler.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 12, 2012 - 01:41am PT

Maybe it is a Hutton's Vireo?

First time seeing it so not positive.

I also saw a Ruby crowned Kinglet for the first time. (below)

Slowly made it to #111

Still having a blast!

TomCochrane

Trad climber

Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay

Feb 12, 2012 - 01:58am PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 12, 2012 - 02:18am PT

The ducks were cooperative at Seattle's Union Bay Landfill today. There is a Barrow's Goldeneye that is unaccountably hanging out in fresh water as well as our normal complement of winter ducks. There is also a Tufted Duck that that I wasn't able to photograph.

Forgive my tying of the bandwidth with my dump of photos of nothing rare, but my shoulder is still too fragile to climb-on, and I took these on the way to the gym to work on PT.

And because these are the first good phtotos I've take of one of my favorites just four days ago:

It had just taken off, but I don't know where its wings went.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 12, 2012 - 03:05am PT

Darwin,

Nice duck photos. It looks like the new lens has solved the focus issues. Barrow's Goldeneyes winter at Lake Solano near here, also fresh water.

I trust you have those Snowy Owls staked out for us.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 12, 2012 - 09:26am PT

Great photos! I like that all birds are showcased here - they're all beautiful. This thread wouldn't be half as good if it was only rarities imo.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 12, 2012 - 11:11am PT

Yes, great duck photos.
I saw a bunch of Teals this morning, and shovelers though I could not get the shots.
I did get these though.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Feb 12, 2012 - 11:18am PT

Blurred Geese, very cool Ducks, Owls, Flickers, Kinglets etc etc. Great shots everyone! Not sure if I've put these up before, but a few of my fave local birds...

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Feb 12, 2012 - 11:36am PT

Common Redpolls are showing up in San Diego...Pretty cool

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Feb 12, 2012 - 11:47am PT

Julian and University Heights. I guess they have been showing up on feeders. They said the one in Julian (behind the Birding store) has shown up pretty regularly

I heard there is Gyrfalcon at Elsinore as well.

Seems to be some interesting far north birds going south lately

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 12, 2012 - 11:56am PT

Cool Redpoll. I dig the little birds, they've just got the personality type I like ha ha. I wonder if we'll get those on the central coast. I'm looking forward to the season changes more than ever now.

Elsinore eh? The brewery? IF you find a Gyrfalcon in a bottle I hear they give you a free case of beer...

sorry, couldn't resist.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 12, 2012 - 12:04pm PT

One from the Great White North: How to put a mouse in a bottle (look it up kids)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsgVspgy184

ha ha ha ha

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 13, 2012 - 01:09am PT

My homie David Schultz shot this up at the Boundary Bay Snowy Owl Rendezvous.
He said he counted 30 that day!

Is this too freaking much? I love the WaitingForGodot touch.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 13, 2012 - 02:23pm PT

I'm just trying to learn how to embed videos. This one is on my SmugMug page, perhaps it will be better to use YouTube or Vimeo. Anyone have experience with these?

Anyway, here is a pair of Red-necked Phalaropes at the Loch of Funzie on the Shetland isle of Fetlar. It's a little long, but at about 2:00 there is skirmish with another pair. A sidenote is that Phalaropes show reverse sexual dimorphism, so the females are the larger, brighter ones. After laying eggs, they leave to let the males continue from there to let the males incubate and rear the young.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Edit: That didn't work very well. I am in the process of setting it up to be embedded via a YouTube
Edit: Done

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 13, 2012 - 02:48pm PT

Red-necked Phalaropes are my favorite bird, thanks Tony.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 13, 2012 - 02:59pm PT

Cyndie,

I guess you get to see them a lot in Alaska. This is the only place I have seen them in full breeding regalia with the associated behavior.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 13, 2012 - 04:34pm PT

Redpoll in San Diego County at a birdwatching store feeder, eh? The cynic in me makes me think of the movie Rare Birds, where a struggling restaurateur (William Hurt) concocts a rare bird sighting to lure the business of birders.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 13, 2012 - 04:42pm PT

On the surface that would definitely seem fishy, but redpolls are turning up all over state this winter, NV too. It's completely unprecedented, both in terms of numbers, and how far south they've reached.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 13, 2012 - 04:52pm PT

Willoughby,

Yes, I'm sure it is a real vagrant, but it was fun to think of life imitating art.

On a serious note, is there any reason to think this is related to a common cause with the Snowy Owl irruption?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 14, 2012 - 01:16am PT

Cool shot of a Great Blue Heron I took today near Pilar, NM just above the Rio Grande.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 14, 2012 - 01:18am PT

Nice one, Bob! Dood thinks he's a Roadrunner! HaHaHa!

Todd Gordon

Trad climber

Joshua Tree, Cal

Feb 14, 2012 - 02:07am PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 14, 2012 - 02:28am PT

On a serious note, is there any reason to think this is related to a common cause with the Snowy Owl irruption?

Certainly seems reasonable BUT Snowy Owl irruptions are very closely linked with lemming/vole cycles. Redpolls eat very few lemmings. Almost none, really. Same with Gyrfalcons, and there have been a few of them this winter too. Anyway, the lemmings spike up, and then the owls track right behind them. The lemmings crash and then the owls have to head south or starve. It's super fun for us to see 'em in the lower 48, but it's indicative of a really rough time for the birds. Safe to say most won't make it.

I don't have a clue what could be driving all these redpolls down here. The weather's been so mild, there's really no reason for them to keep pushing south. E.g., there's been a redpoll in Lassen Co. for a few months now, yet others are just showing up as one-day-wonders. Mono County has had two so far, but one smacked a window and didn't make it. Migration's a costly endeavor, so it's quite a mystery how they'd wind up in San Diego (!!!) or Clark County, NV. Maybe they had a banner reproductive year too, and some density-dependent switch got flipped.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Feb 14, 2012 - 05:57pm PT

Here is the Common Redpoll on the feeder in Julian (saw it this morning). Supposedly the 9th sighting in CA since the late 1800's. Sorry for the crappy pic, but didn't have the good camera. It was there every 15 min or so.

Dickbob

climber

Westminster Colorado

Feb 14, 2012 - 08:41pm PT

I find this short video absolutely amazing.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/31158841?autoplay=1

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 14, 2012 - 10:05pm PT

Supposedly the 9th sighting in CA since the late 1800's.

Some context:
There were big flocks of Common Redpolls at Eagle Lake in the winter of 1899-1900. Then it wasn't until 1969 that CA saw another one, a single bird in Humboldt. Winter of '86 brought more flocks down to Tule/Klamath, '91 and '02 brought singles, three scattered singles in '04, and one in '05, almost all restricted to the northernmost counties of the state. There have been others reported, but these are just the California Bird Records Committee-endorsed records. Not sure about '06-'11, but I can't recall any off the top of my head.

But never has there been such a scatter, nor birds reaching so far south. I think Sierra Valley was the southernmost record prior to this year. This year there have been singles all over the damn place (Mammoth, June Lake, Quincy, McArthur, Julian) and a few singles in NV as well.

I've been watching my feeder like a HAWK for months, but so far no dice.

Tony Bird

climber

Northridge, CA

Feb 15, 2012 - 11:29am PT

i think i told this tale on the global warming thread, but it bears repetition here.

a couple summers ago my brother in kenai, alaska, complained of being kept up at night by the most irritating whistling sound. a combination of constant whistling and the proverbial cat's claw on a blackboard. i knew what it was because i'm a carpenter who occasionally sharpens his own handsaws. the culprit was a saw-whet owl, come quite a ways north from its usual range.

you fellas are all better birders than me, so i'm assuming you can tell the difference between a redpoll, a purple finch, a cassin's finch and a house finch. those little buggers gonna have to hold still a long time for me to do it. but i can tell you one thing. a redpoll is about the same size as a lemming. the only feasts would be at the bottom of the cliff.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 15, 2012 - 01:11pm PT

A couple of Northern Pygmy-Owls duetting in Camp 4 woke everybody up around 0600 hrs a few Saturdays back. Those little owls can be LOUD when they want to be.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 15, 2012 - 11:27pm PT

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 17, 2012 - 12:42am PT

Will be going to the salton sea sunday. I've never been before. Any advice? Thx-

Matt

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Feb 17, 2012 - 12:44am PT

It's the great backyard bird count this weekend, folks.
Get those binocs out and start counting.
Then post your results. . .

go here. . .
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 17, 2012 - 07:55pm PT

Went out to Lopez Lake, in Arroyo Grande California on Friday. Lots of fun birds.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 17, 2012 - 08:10pm PT

A few more from the same day.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 17, 2012 - 08:24pm PT

Heck yeah!

I got my buddy into it now (he's at #46)

He saw the acorns stuck into the oak tree and said... "I would have never even noticed that if I wasn't looking for birds."

A new Awareness of the world. That's pretty darn cool...

Glad to be stoking you, but my birds seem so tame compared to the exotic stuff you guys are posting up! I feel like I'm still working through the Bird ID 101 class and am looking forward to what comes next (Spring), but enjoying the winter NOW.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 17, 2012 - 08:33pm PT

Slater, you're amping me up! I've got one thing to say - Buff-collared Nightjar!
Mark my words, I'm gonna be a superstar! (I bet even Willoughby and Riley don't have one) :-)

ps somebody needs to study those OCD peckers!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 17, 2012 - 08:54pm PT

HaHaHa! Neither do I but I'm gonna give 'em a shot in May. Guadalupe Canyon, AZ bishes!
If I'm lucky I can do a citizen's arrest of some drug smugglers while I'm at it.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 17, 2012 - 09:02pm PT

Alas, no

Buff-collared Nightjar!

for Willoughby

yet.

But I have seen Long-tailed and Pennant-winged Nightjars in Cameroon, and all the nightjars without crazy feathers sorta pale after that. Actually, I like 'em all. Here's a poorwill I finally nailed down a few summers ago in the Carson Range. I know it's shady and not great, but I went through a lot of trouble getting this photo!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 17, 2012 - 09:07pm PT

Cool shot! Luv me some Capris! I found a Poorwiil sitting on a dead log in the
middle of the day in Col Nat Mon. What a shot! But I didn't have a camera!

My wife grew up in Cameroun! Her dad used to hunt h o r n b i l l s to feed them! Arrrrrrrrrg!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 17, 2012 - 09:11pm PT

I spent ~ 7 months there climbing rotten trees and pulling young and female hornbills out of nests to rig 'em with radio packs, just before they were set to break out of their mud-reinforced cavities. We'd rig 'em up and then stick 'em back in to the cavities to fledge on their own schedule, but it was really invasive and terribly stressful for the birds - I was NOT into that part of the job, at all. But it was definitely a trip-of-a-lifetime kinda job, and I saw some amazing, amazing things.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 18, 2012 - 11:57am PT

I got a scrub jay and a house finch (did I even need to look?).
Man, I got the most boring backyard in the United States...

How ya'll doing out there?! Post something to make me jealous!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 18, 2012 - 12:03pm PT

I already posted my Red-whiskered Bulbul from my yard. No parrots today
though - they've long denuded my pecan tree so I get to sleep in now.

Willoughby, I have serious issues with such invasive and stressful 'studies'.
They sure don't seem to benefit the subjects much.

Where in Cameroun were you?
Did you speak French before you went there?
Didjya try to climb Mt Cameroun? If so did they warn you about the deadly gas?

These could be hornbills or bustards but they were still dinner!
A different time and place to be sure...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 18, 2012 - 12:12pm PT

Salton sea tomorrow, hope it's good. I'd really like to see a burrowing owl. Staying in Indio the night before. Will hit the north side, drive down the NE coast and then explore the SE corner. If anyone else has a favorite spot I'd love to know.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 18, 2012 - 12:24pm PT

Matty, you need to get down to the south end where the ibises and ground-doves lurk!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 18, 2012 - 01:47pm PT

No exciting photos. A quick trip to Walden Ponds to see a nice assortment of water fowl...and all the usual suspects:

Canada Geese
Tundra Swan
Golden Eye
Common Merganser
Eared Grebe
Red Heads
Canvas Backs
Ring-necked Ducks
Mallard
Coot
Kingfisher
Black Billed Magpies
Red Winged Blackbirds
Starling
Kestrel
Widgeon
Assorted Gull (no scope, didn't even try)
Pigeon
Red-Tailed Hawk

All common-ish, but fun nonetheless!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 18, 2012 - 02:04pm PT

Michael Furtman is a wildlife photographer. I don't know him personally, but follow him on FB where he posts many of his beautiful photos. He takes some awesome photos - especially of ducks/water fowl imo. He posted a series today of Golden eye x Hooded Merganser. Thought I'd share here for others.

See bottom left. His words "This is the bird (left, bottom) I photographed the other day. It retains some of the Hooded Merganser's brown flanks, and vertical chest stripes."

Also from M. Furtman... "I photographed these three ducks three years ago. The trailing bird is clearly a Hooded Merganser X Common Goldeneye hybrid. The bird in front is a normal hen Common Goldeneye, and there's a normal drake below her. This hybrid seems to be "more" Goldeneye than Merganser in coloration, but the bill gives it away."

Furtman: "Here's a normal drake Hooded Merganser in flight."

And finally, he stated "This is what a male (left) Hooded Merganser is supposed to look like."

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 18, 2012 - 06:11pm PT

Flicker in the backyard today.

Bald Eagle along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM

Eight days to Honduras and hundreds of birds.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Feb 18, 2012 - 06:29pm PT

Callie, you need to post BN's pics!!!!

:-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 18, 2012 - 06:46pm PT

I know! I have been bugging him to get some ready! He took a few this morning at Walden. Haven't seen them yet. I'll harass him a bit more now.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 18, 2012 - 08:31pm PT

bob, rad pics!

dude, I just saw my first Northern Flicker about 45 minutes ago.
We took the dogs out in the truck to get some exercise at the edge of the Mesa and saw it perched on a bush. We thought it was a dove until we looked closer with Binocs. Wow, what a cool bird! It was the red type, looked reallly cool in flight.

Honduras and 100s of birds... jealous.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 18, 2012 - 10:35pm PT

Willoughby, I have serious issues with such invasive and stressful 'studies'.

Me too. It sucked. I did my best to mitigate our impact and outright object when I could, but unfortunately I wasn't the boss.

Where in Cameroun were you?

Mostly out in the middle of the Reserve du Dja, way down by the Gabon border. A solid day's hike out to our camp. Deepest, darkest Tarzan Africa. But, halfway through my stay I traveled to Buea and hiked Mt.Cameroon. Had to drag/bribe my "guide" up and down in a day, complete with my full traveling pack, supplies for me for an overnight, War and Peace, etc. It's a long story, but essentially my guide assumed I was going to pack food and water for him, which I didn't. He'd also never been to the top before. Guinness and 33 beer advertisements on the summit. Also saw a Peregrine high on that hill. That race they do up that thing must be crazy to see. I think that gassy lake you're probably referring to is a little further north and east, but definitely in the vicinity. After my work tour was over I travelled all the way up to Waza National Park and back, over 11 days IIRC.

Did you speak French before you went there?

Bien sûr.

EDIT - also, when I was in the SW Province I mostly resorted to French, 'cause the pidgin English there was just impossible. I remember a great story a friend told about trying to buy beans for 20 minutes, and nobody knew what in the hell he was talking about. Eventually he changed up his query and asked "have you got beans?" Suddenly everybody was like "oh, 'got-beans.' Yeah, we sell got-beans." AKA, beans. Anyway, it went down something along those lines.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 18, 2012 - 10:41pm PT

Thanks Slater and your photos are great...I'm really enjoying them. Been to Honduras three times but this trip I'm staying in just a few places over the 10 days. Lago Yojoa is a great birding destination and looking forward to my time there.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 18, 2012 - 10:58pm PT

I am camping at Fort Stevens near Astoria, Oregon. I went to the beach today and saw Bald Eagles, scoters, cormorants, gulls, dunlin, snowy plovers, geese, scaup, Bufflehead, goldeneye, mergansers, sanderlings and crows. No photos as the day was nasty; windy, rainy and cold. All of these are also common birds, but it was fun to look at them. I took a hike in the forested area too hoping to see birds but I didn't see anything. I heard birds but couldn't locate them.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 18, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

How could you NOT be into these things?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 19, 2012 - 10:42am PT

Agreed Slater. And when you get to know their personalities, they are even more beautiful. :) Nothing better.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 19, 2012 - 02:21pm PT

And when you get to know their personalities, they are even more beautiful.

If a tad scary at times...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 19, 2012 - 05:04pm PT

Boids!

I love that picture

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 19, 2012 - 05:30pm PT

Did two new routes on the great basalt along the Rio Grande today and spotted this beautiful Canyon Towhee.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 19, 2012 - 08:40pm PT

He just wants a kiss Reilly. :)

Makes me think of Stalker. RIP sweet guy!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 20, 2012 - 01:42am PT

Crimps, I'll take your word on Stalker, but he's one strange parrot!
My 'friend' was named 'Dirty Harry' - you didn't kiss and make up with him!

Bob - great shot!

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 20, 2012 - 09:09am PT

Went out again to Sultanpur (our local bird paradise)on Sunday.
We always have our eyes open for one of our favorites-Sarus Cranes.

These guys gave a big trumpet then flew up and out of the high grass and over our heads.
I scrambled for my camera and just managed to fired off a few, though mostly I just watched this amazing couple take to the air.

cheers

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 20, 2012 - 01:26pm PT

This guy is cranking a very hard move.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 20, 2012 - 06:27pm PT

Rad Flicker shot!

I got a lesser goldfinch at my feeder this morning and I almost had a heart attack. It was like eating Raisen Bran for breakfast instead of just Bran.
Man am I easy to please or what?!

Here are some I saw at Oso Flaco today...

NEED HELP WITH SPARROW...

and what is this?

Crimper... Honk honk!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Feb 20, 2012 - 06:29pm PT

I am voting immature Savannah sparrow based on the breast pattern

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 20, 2012 - 06:31pm PT

Sparrows are hard. I go with Song Sparrow though.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 20, 2012 - 06:38pm PT

Slater, that's what makes birding so great, there's always something new around the corner. Just you wait 'til you get a male Lawrence's Goldfinch.

Song Sparrow

Washed out Audubon's Warbler (AKA western Yellow-rumped Warbler). Prob. a female that hatched last year.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 20, 2012 - 06:39pm PT

I love to hate sparrows.

They're everywhere but so hard to figure out.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 20, 2012 - 08:08pm PT

I find it ironic that the two most ubiquitous birds (sparrows and gulls) are the hardest to ID.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 20, 2012 - 08:22pm PT

Thanks guys. Funny how after you name it I look at my guidebook and then think... of course it's a song sparrow. That happens more often than not.

I just ordered a CANON 2X TELECONVERTER III for my Canon IS 70-200mm L lens!

400mm here I come!!! Hope to be posting better pictures soon!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 21, 2012 - 08:19pm PT

Spotted Towhee in the backyard today...cool little birds.

Common Merganser in the Rio Grande yesterday.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 22, 2012 - 01:33am PT

This past weekend we made a visit to Seattle, where our intrepid WA birding guide, Darwin, howed us around to see some local rarities. On Saturday we drove south to Ocean Shores to see some of the Snowy Owls hanging around during this big irruption. We braved rain, high winds and blowing sand, but were rewarded with great views of 6-7 Snowies. They were in a variety of plumages. I suspect they were all juveniles, certainly no adult males.

We got see one fly.

There had been the even rarer McKay's Bunting at the same location a week earlier, but it hadn't been seen for several days, so, given the conditions, we didn't make much of an attempt and headed back into the blowing sand. There were numerous White-winged Scoters offshore and Darwin saw a likely Black-legged Kitiwake.

The next day we went to a closer spot to look for some Common Redpolls. We managed to see them pretty quickly. The light was pretty bad, but I took some record photos, since they were lifers.

The Song Sparrows are quite different from the ones around here, with a lot of rufous tones. The song was also very different, barely recognizable. I guess it could have been a first-year male, still working on it.

On the last day we took a serene walk around Darwin's favorite local landfill, the Union Bay Nature Area. We had close looks at several pairs of Wood Ducks.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 22, 2012 - 10:54am PT

Saw lots of pintails on Sunday Andy.

cheers

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 22, 2012 - 11:02am PT

Slater, if you want my advice send the 2x tele back and save up for a
Sigma 150-500. You prolly paid about $450 for the teleconverter and for
$600 more you could have way more lens with optical stabilisation! My $.02.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 22, 2012 - 11:11am PT

Tony; nice seeing the photo of the flying owl!!! Very nice.

One of the things we noticed about the Redpolls (actually a fellow birder first commented on it) was their notched tail. It was more noticeable than I would have picked out from Sibley. That made it easier to find them initially in back lit trees.

My feeder put on an OK show while they were visiting with normal and less normal Seattle birds. The day after they left, I had a Red Breasted Nuthatch as well as P. Siskins and Chestnut Backed Chickadees. I get pretty excited about any of those showing up at the feeder, but I'm sure that varies by the neighborhood and feeder.

Here is one of my rare action photos from the feeder.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Feb 23, 2012 - 05:57pm PT

IS 70-200mm L lens!

That's a great piece of glass, I'd love to have that one.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 24, 2012 - 12:09am PT

THANKS Ekat!

All these pics are just making me jealous!

bob, that shot has great contrast!

and that Mtn. Quail makes me want to move to the hills!

I'm working on a history section for a friend's Shuteye Ridge Guidebook and it kicking my butt. Didn't get out today. But heading up there tomorrow and Saturday. I hope I see something!

Can't wait to get my extender! I shoot photos for sports teams, weddings, senior portraits, etc. so the L series lenses go with the territory...

BUT now I have a NEW reason to buy lenses!

muha ha ha hah

did ya'll check out DMT's scrub jay saga? classic
Made me reconsider the most regular bird at my feeder...

keep on ya'll

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 24, 2012 - 10:40am PT

Three more days and I'll be here...http://www.moon.com/destinations/honduras/central-honduras/lago-de-yojoa/birding-and-boating-lago-de-yojoa

Can't wait.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Feb 24, 2012 - 04:25pm PT

I had a good time the other day, watching 8 Snowy Egrets hunting in a
tiny stream flowing over the beach, just 20 or 30 feet from the sidewalk
(West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz). A pair of Godwits and some gulls were
keeping them company.

This morning, I apparently heard my first Robin of the year, and later
saw my first Robin hunting on a lawn.
Is this plausible, or have I been oblivious?
Tony? Amy? Mike?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 24, 2012 - 06:47pm PT

Yeah, Ron, we could see that it wasn't breathing.

Plus we figgered it was either dead or you had coaxed it into your house
as the background didn't look like Mountain Quail habitat. ;-)

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Feb 24, 2012 - 07:07pm PT

How long have the Robins been around, Ron?

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 24, 2012 - 07:56pm PT

I saw lots of Robins in the Portland, Oregon area last week.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 25, 2012 - 12:43am PT

scuffy,

I heard my first Robin singing early in the AM about a week ago in Pt. Richmond. The big event around here is another Herring run which started two days ago. The gull numbers have built since then, although they are more dispersed. The most active time is during outgoing, lowish tides. This concentrates the birds along the shoreline. During high tides many of the birds are resting on the water or on piers, breakwaters, etc. There are also large numbers of pelicans and cormorants. Although it's not as big as last year (yet) it's still worth a visit.

Usually the gulls are feeding on eggs along the shore:

Every so often one gets a Herring and a skirmish breaks out:

There were lots of Pelagic Cormorants in breeding plumage.

I found this very pale (leucistic?) Double-crested Cormorant,

dipper

climber

Feb 25, 2012 - 01:19am PT

A pair of surfbirds amongst the black turnstones

amyjo

Trad climber

Feb 25, 2012 - 08:30pm PT

S.B.
Seems they should be here but I haven't seen one.
Would you settle for a very bright Townsend's Warbler?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 25, 2012 - 10:42pm PT

Robins in my yard in Truckee off and on all winter. Not unheard of, but definitely not typical. A couple of good storms usually knocks 'em down to Reno ... but we haven't had a couple of good storms, yet.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 26, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

Another birding thread started with a slightly different emphasis. Want to make sure all the birders here are aware:

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1762186&tn=0#msg1762285

TomCochrane

Trad climber

Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay

Feb 27, 2012 - 01:15am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 27, 2012 - 01:15pm PT

I think those are Cherry-Headed (aka Red-Masked) Conures Dr. F.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 27, 2012 - 01:33pm PT

mere minutes ago...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 27, 2012 - 09:47pm PT

Ok everyone I finally got though my photos from my recent trip to the Salton Sea. I'll post birds I know first.

More later

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 27, 2012 - 09:52pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 28, 2012 - 03:08am PT

There is a flock of these Red-crowned Parrots that roams around the Orange-Tustin-Santa Ana area making quite the racket. I think they may roost at night in the Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Orange.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 28, 2012 - 08:52am PT

Tony - that is absolutely a Lilac Crowned Amazon (like my pets). They come from NW Mexico, but that is likely an escaped cage bird which have established small populations in SoCal and So Florida. VERY COOL! They are known as the smallest, gentlest and quietest of the Amazons. :) I hope he's happy.

Here is a photo of one of mine - Henri (age 33 [the picture was taken when he was 32]) being silly:

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 28, 2012 - 06:35pm PT

Crimpie,

I'll defer to you on the ID. These guys seemed to be doing quite well. There is an historic orange grove in this park (Santiago Oaks Park) which must be a big draw for them. I'm sure they send their best regards to Henri.

Here is a link to a site documenting parrots in California: The California Parrot Project They have a pretty good champion, since Kimbell Garrett is one of the more prominent ornithologists in CA.

Edit: Crimpie,Is it the green central tail feathers that distinguish the species in the photo?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 28, 2012 - 07:01pm PT

Saw over a 100 species today...great start to my vacation in Honduras.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 28, 2012 - 07:33pm PT

Great to hear Bob. Have a great time. Looking forward to enjoying your shots sometime.

Meanwhile here's some more from the Salton Sea

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 28, 2012 - 08:05pm PT

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 28, 2012 - 08:07pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 28, 2012 - 09:07pm PT

Great shots Matty...hope to get a few good ones..the woods are so dense.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Feb 28, 2012 - 10:58pm PT

Matty, the stilts flying over water is marvelous!!!!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 29, 2012 - 01:26am PT

ohh I've been away for a few days and I gotta say nice work everyone!

Bob... 100 in a day! I have 118 in 4 months!

JEALOUS!!!

When you get back it is gonna be a photo-festival!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 29, 2012 - 11:38am PT

It was like climbing 5.13 on Lago Yojoa this moring....intense. Birds everywhere,. Four different herons, Tiger Herons are so beautiful. Tanagers,snail kites, parrots, egrets,warblers,grebes and so many more. Crazy!!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 29, 2012 - 11:49am PT

Bob, how the devil did you keep track? Did you have a digital voice recorder?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:15pm PT

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:20pm PT

Here is a bird I caught at the Salton Sea before it took off. Need some help with the name though....??? I don't recall seeing any others of this type and don't have any better photos.

I like that it's so poofed up

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:26pm PT

Looks like a Western Meadowlark to me.

Also, the first photo you posted is a Roadrunner (cool!), and the second is a Green Heron (you have it labeled as a Roadrunner).

You're getting nice birds.

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:30pm PT

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:34pm PT

Thanks Callie!

Here's some snow geese and another that needs an ID

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:34pm PT

great shots Matty,

Crimper has the two IDs correct.

EDIT; and the two above are European Starlings

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:35pm PT

Eye sea you mark!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:36pm PT

"Yeah? You're no runway model either, Buster!"

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:38pm PT

Thanks Mike. Funny how I thought they were both roadrunners. The roadrunner ran into a ditch with some brush and a second later the heron comes out the other side running along. At the time I thought the roadrunner had just passed through, but I guess it scared the heron out when it went in. Looking closer I can see the differences now.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:40pm PT

Gulls are difficult! I can ID Ring-billed Gulls and beyond that, I am guessing wildly (or digging in my book).

What are the Gull ID tips you guys use? Or is it just like many other birds - you learn them one at a time?

I'm out of town so I don't get to start the bird ID thread that begins tomorrow. Waaaahhhhh.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:43pm PT

Ha you already know more than me about gulls! to me they're all just seagulls. Maybe someday I'll learn more. Actually I have a some gull shots from the Salton Sea I can use as practice...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:45pm PT

What are the Gull ID tips you guys use?

I start with bill, leg color, and then wings and feather patterns. Then I give up.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:46pm PT

I'm guessing looking at bill color, foot/leg color and wing color is key. Still those rascals change a lot growing and moving from breeding to non-breeding plumage. I do not see many so I'm weak on them. Wish I had my book to study now.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:49pm PT

Crimps, yous guys should come on a pelagic trip with us out of Monterey in
August. Then we could all go nuts trying to ID gulls and shearwaters. But
at least there would be somebody there to help.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:51pm PT

I believe this is a ring billed gull...

An I think Mark (frumy) posted a herring gull?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 29, 2012 - 08:59pm PT

Is this a western?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 29, 2012 - 10:36pm PT

matty,

That's a California, I believe. Western Gulls are seldom found far inland, although I don't know about Salton Sea. They get a lot of unusual gulls. I have been suffering through trying to find uncommon gulls here in Pt. Richmond during a Herring run with thousands of gulls feasting on Herring eggs in scenes like this:

I think I found a Glaucous Gull (the bill is important here):

Mostly, though, it has been a lesson in the individual variation in gulls and the frequency of hybrids. Also, it is evident that important field marks change in different-aged gulls.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 1, 2012 - 07:25am PT

I start with bill, leg color, and then wings and feather patterns. Then I give up.

Still sitting here laughing at this one! :) A pelagic trip in August? I bet that could be arranged. Seriously. I'd fly out for that. Should we set up a Taco-Pela-Fest?

edit: Matty - I believe that is a Ring-Billed above as you thought. That concludes my gull knowledge. :)

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Mar 1, 2012 - 11:21am PT

There are Franklin's and there are the others.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 1, 2012 - 11:29am PT

Should we set up a Taco-Pela-Fest?

Yes! But let's market it as the First Taco-Pela-Puke-Fest in the interest
of truthful advertising. Those trips can fill up in a hurry so we should
start looking at dates.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 1, 2012 - 12:06pm PT

Cool! Let's do it. Puking may draw in more critters so it could work out extra well. :)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 1, 2012 - 01:57pm PT

An August pelagic trip sounds great. Are we talking Monterey Bay or maybe Westport in WA?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 1, 2012 - 07:22pm PT

Trips are always fun...Monterey works best for me.

Craig- I don't have a book yet...which is a good one? Silby? Suggestions?

I just use the internet look stuff up after the fact.

I thought this was a western because of the leg color, California Gulls have yellow legs I read. Is it because it's young, does leg color change?

EDIT: I guess leg color can change and this is probably a california because of the lighter grey and the location?

This is a western yes?

Matt

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 1, 2012 - 09:28pm PT

Lots of gulls here

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 1, 2012 - 09:34pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 1, 2012 - 09:59pm PT

matty,

The second one is a Glaucous-winged. Note that the primary tips are the same shade of gray as the rest of the wing and mantle, and there is a lot of smudging on the neck. Also, not a pale eye as for a Herring.

The Sibley guide is good. There is a western version that is filed size. I have mainly been using the Nat Geo guide of late.Either the western or the new edition of the NA.

Edit: looking again at your photo it looks like the tips are darker gray, but not black as with a Herring or Western. It might be a hybrid, which is quite common among the large, white-headed gulls.

bit'er ol' guy

climber

the past

Mar 1, 2012 - 10:08pm PT

Birds are sandpippers sandbaggers

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 1, 2012 - 10:14pm PT

Thanks always learning.

This is a Least Sandpiper?

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 2, 2012 - 06:16pm PT

Nice pictures by a friend of a friend

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweeneyfit/

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 2, 2012 - 10:52pm PT

I see a theme here... hmmmmm... desert...no

savanah... nope that's not it

arctic...

no...

anyone???

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 4, 2012 - 12:48am PT

DMT butt cheeks bouncing... not a good thing. We like tight buns.

ANYWAY...

nice turkeys! I dig how they walk in a line chasing the bouncing butt cheeks in front of them!

Hey, I got my first spotted towhee (my 8 year old identified it before I even knew what it was... thought it was a dark eyed junco. He was like... I KNOW it's a spotted towhee... there is one in my BOOK!

stud

Got a crappy picture of it... but would love to see a better one! Pretty little bird!

I showed you mine, now show me yours!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 4, 2012 - 01:00am PT

Dingus, ya coulda stopped by and helped sand drywall! BwaHaHaHa!

Yeah, those parrots are cute and interesting although they make my fall
Saturday mornings hell. HELL I TELL YOU! They descend en masse at the
very crack to noisily strip my beloved pecan tree. I couldn't tell you
the last time I even managed to scavenge one off the ground. I know the
squirrels hate 'em too. More to the point I wonder what effect they are
having upon the endemics. It would seem their niche is their own but that
can't be as we all know nature abhors a vacuum and they can't have
occupied an existing vacuum.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 4, 2012 - 01:04am PT

Used my 2x teleconverter but my Canon 60d doesn't have the AF micro-adjuster which sucks so they're a bit soft. DAMN YOU CANON! So now I just need to pony up $1500 for the 7D in a couple years and I'll get some use out of it...

OH WELL

This is one cool lookin' little bird!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 4, 2012 - 01:11am PT

Aw, Slater, I was about to congrat you on the nice sharp Towhee! :-)

Are you sure it isn't degradation caused by the teleconverter? Most Nikon
shooters I know never go beyond the 1.7. Maybe you missed my advice to
skip the tele and get the Sigma 150-500. That is a really sharp lens for
the money.

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol

Mar 4, 2012 - 06:18pm PT

Anyone know what kind of bird this little guy is? Song Sparrow?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 4, 2012 - 10:15pm PT

They say with the micro-adjuster it'll open up a new world! so I just need a better camera. It is the 2x Canon III so it's better than the II.

Had fun today...

spring must be in the air - lots of couples hanging out!

what is this thing?!?!

Looks like his face is dirty!

I was stoked on my Meadow Lark. I barely did any photoshop, just did like 2 bumps on contrast. These things are gorgeous!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 5, 2012 - 12:10am PT

JD- Song Sparrow is a good guess.

small image so I can't tell for sure but I think you got it right.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 5, 2012 - 07:59pm PT

Nice shots Slater, enjoy the hummingbird mucho.

Here's a few more from Salton Sea of a Glossy Ibis. The light was really working against me and this was the best I could do =(

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 5, 2012 - 08:00pm PT

Oops forgot the shots

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 6, 2012 - 09:25am PT

Like that eKat!

I'm not in any great area to see birds near my house and I'm not outside very much and I don't walk anywhere. Plus any birds around here are already on the Big Year taco list so I'll keep posting on this thread. Enjoy-

Morning Avocets

Gary

climber

"My god - it's full of stars!"

Mar 6, 2012 - 10:33am PT

Slater, that's a spotted towhee. We had one in our backyard in Sierra Madre last weekend.

DMT, those are Mexican Green Parrots. We're at the northern edge of their range. There are colonies in Long Beach and Orange as well. Probably others.

They are noisy as hell. They land in the plum tree, take one bite out of a plum, and toss it to the ground. Take one bite out of another plum, and toss it on the ground, etc, etc, etc. I don't mind sharing, but damn they could leave us a couple of plums. Hey, we talked the squirrel into leaving us a few figs. Why can't the parrots share.

And yes, the front range of the San Gabriels is terrific hiking in the winter. There are many great loop hikes in the Sierra Madre-Arcadia-Monrovia area.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 6, 2012 - 01:09pm PT

Hey, I got my first spotted towhee (my 8 year old identified it before I even knew what it was... thought it was a dark eyed junco. He was like... I KNOW it's a spotted towhee... there is one in my BOOK!

stud

Got a crappy picture of it... but would love to see a better one! Pretty little bird!

yeah I know but what's the one with the black birth-mark on its face!???

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Mar 6, 2012 - 08:22pm PT

I posted these Snow Buntings on the Big Year site, but I thought some people may not have seen them.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 6, 2012 - 08:55pm PT

Cyndie, good job nabbing those McKays! I saw the first McKays, three IIRC,
ever seen in the Lower 48 near Hoquiam, WA in '76 I think. They were also
in a larger herd of regular Snow Buntings. I've some really poor pictures
although good enough for ID. It was tough hand-holding a 600mm in a freaking gale!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 6, 2012 - 09:32pm PT

There is no real name of Mexican Green Parrot.

I'm intrigued. Are they Mexican Redheads (aka Green Cheeks)? Or Cherry Headed conures? Or Lilac Crowned Amazons?

For sure they are not Mexican Green Parrots.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 6, 2012 - 09:41pm PT

Crimps, they're Mexican Mean Parrots aka Reilly's Pecan Tree Thieves!
The squirrels want me to buy a pellet gun. As to their real name I don't
really bother as they don't 'count' in my book. They're definitely green though.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 6, 2012 - 10:36pm PT

Haha! Mexican Mean Parrots.

Sure they are not of the sub-species Los Zetas Parrots? Gulf Parrots? The Medillin Parrots are out of Columbia so it couldn't be them. Haha. Made myself laugh. :)

I would LOVE to see a photo of them so I could ID them. I love to think that some relatives of my own birds are thriving in the wild. This opposed to their habitat having been totally decimated.

edit: if you don't mind, describe them carefully and I'll see if I can figure it out. :)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 7, 2012 - 08:40pm PT

When I went to the Salton Sea, one goal was to photograph burrowing owls...I got what I wanted. Love these little guys...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 7, 2012 - 08:43pm PT

Here's one by it's nest:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 7, 2012 - 11:41pm PT

Those are excellent! You have to be so happy to have gotten them. BrassNuts is digging your owls too. :)

Gary

climber

"My god - it's full of stars!"

Mar 7, 2012 - 11:43pm PT

Dingus, Crimper, I think it's these guys:
http://www.californiaparrotproject.org/red_crowned_parrot.html

They make one hell of a racket. The mockingbirds tell them to shut up. Not sure about hawks taking them out, maybe not. Mourning doves are certainly on the menu of the Cooper's Hawk in my gf's backyard in Sierra Madre.

The pics in this thread are awesome. The snow buntings are way cool!

hossjulia

Social climber

Eastside (of the Tetons)

Mar 7, 2012 - 11:52pm PT

I grew up with burrowing owls behind the house in San Diego County. They are one of my favorite birds, fo sure.

(I just LOVE this photo!)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 7, 2012 - 11:56pm PT

Mindblowingly Awesome HossJulia! So adorable. :)

Thanks Gary! I wondered if it wasn't a Green Cheek (aka Mexican Redhead). They are a lot like my own birds though my understanding is that they come naturally from NE Mexico, whereas mine come from NW Mexico (west of the Sierra Madre).

All a sweet bunch of jovial birds. :)

edit: Cool site! So, it's more accurate to say that mine come from west Mexico.

Here are my own - Lilac Crowns: http://www.californiaparrotproject.org/lilac_crowned_parrot.html#photos

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 8, 2012 - 09:39am PT

Thanks Crimp/Brass I was happy to get them!

And the owl with the hat...see it before on here I think...but still crazy cute.

Anyone know what this is?

Gary

climber

"My god - it's full of stars!"

Mar 8, 2012 - 09:49am PT

Boy, Crimpie, that looks like them, too. I saw a lady at the post office once with a green parrot. It sat on her shoulder making video game noises.

It's cool to live where parrots roam free. My girlfriend's son's girlfriend (whew) is from Indonesia. We took her on her first ever camping trip, up at Tuolumne. We're driving through Yosemite when she asked us if California had monkeys. Her outdoors experiences had always included monkeys.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 8, 2012 - 10:49am PT

Matty - great shots! That's a kildeer

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Mar 8, 2012 - 11:49am PT

Gary

climber

"My god - it's full of stars!"

Mar 8, 2012 - 11:49am PT

OK no it wouldn't but its still fun to imagine.

If you think bear canisters are a pain, you'd have to have a monkey canister EVERYWHERE.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 9, 2012 - 12:11pm PT

Can you handle the truth?

"Could I get some anchovies instead of the peanuts?"

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 9, 2012 - 02:54pm PT

Here are a few from my trip to Honduras...had a very successful trip in all ways.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 9, 2012 - 08:33pm PT

In the hills above Copan, Honduras.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 9, 2012 - 08:44pm PT

oooo yeah Bob's back!

post 'em hombre!

keep them rollin'

I put one of those bird seed bell shape feeders in my yard (for $2 do they work?!) and a goopy peanut butter suet feed in a cage type feeder.

Not sure what I'll get but I"m tired of just the red house finches, collared doves, and scrub jay so maybe I'll get lucky...

Cool owls!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 9, 2012 - 08:55pm PT

I'm leaving out the identities...have fun.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 9, 2012 - 09:48pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 9, 2012 - 10:12pm PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 9, 2012 - 10:14pm PT

cool stuff Bob! More!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 9, 2012 - 11:34pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 9, 2012 - 11:49pm PT

wow

trip of a lifetime man!

On another note, not to interrupt.. but did anyone see BBC earth flight?

here is one piece of it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7ox2DYLdgo

I think I know what to ask for, for next Christmas.
Will it be out on video?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 10, 2012 - 09:07am PT

The view from my room in Tela, Honduras. One tree I counted nine orioles plus several other species.

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Mar 10, 2012 - 10:04am PT

Ya know it's Spring when these guys arrive.....Yay...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 10, 2012 - 01:52pm PT

these Brant's cormorants are starting to nest down on west cliff drive in Santa Cruz. They blue throats show up during the breeding season.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 10, 2012 - 02:30pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 10, 2012 - 03:43pm PT

Bob and Mike,

Nice shots. I'm struck how many of the same species Bob saw in Honduras that are the same ones we saw in Belize.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 10, 2012 - 03:46pm PT

Dingus,

Just the other day we were watching a mixed flock of Lincoln's Sparrows, L. Goldfinches, Juncos and others also feeding a such a tree, just taking the bases of the flowers, with the petals fluttering to the ground. I guess that is where all the nutrients are.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 10, 2012 - 05:00pm PT

Thanks Tony...Honduras is pretty amazing for birding. I might try to set up group for a birding trip next year...chance to see 300 plus species.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 10, 2012 - 05:12pm PT

Bob, good shootin'! You gotta suck it up and go to Colombia - over 1/4 of
the species on the whole planet! I am so still kicking myself for not going
there in the 70's with my ex's bro-in-law who was an ornithologist down there.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 10, 2012 - 05:17pm PT

Thanks Reilly...been birding in Ecuador but Columbia is on my hit list.

Look at this beauty.

I can put in names if people would prefer.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 10, 2012 - 07:37pm PT

more more more

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 10, 2012 - 11:58pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 11, 2012 - 12:47am PT

I'll take a swing at Bob's birds. Great shots by the way!! I've never been to the neotropics, but I'm getting ready to go to Costa Rica next month, so I've been studying up. A few of these are just WILD guesses or shotgun approaches:

1. Collared Aracari
2. Keel-billed Toucan
3. Rufous phase of Mountain Pygmy-Owl, or maybe Ferruginous, or maybe who knows? The taxonomy of Central American Glaucidium seems to be in a constant state of flux.
4. Elegant Trogon
5. Western-Cassin's-Tropical Kingbirds/Speckled-Rufous Mourner-Piha/Great Kiskadee/Smoky Brown Woodpecker
6. Blue-crowned Motmot
7. Ringed Kingfisher (female)
8. Sungrebe
9. Red-crowned Woodpecker
10. Completely stumped!! I'm really curious about this one now.
11. Another Keel-billed Toucan
12. I think there's some funny depth going on here that's messing with apparent size, but Blue-gray Tanager/Shining Honeycreeper/maybe one of the rufousy flycatchers I mentioned in 5?/female Summer Tanager?
13. Great Kiskadee
14. Acorn Woodpeckers
15. Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
16. Rufous-naped Wren

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 10:40am PT

Really impressive Willouby...Golden fronted Woodpecker and ferruginous pigmy owl.

I think a Zone tail Hawk below. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Zone-tailed_Hawk/id/ac

You are going to have a great time in CR..been there about five or six times. Where are going?

Here is another beauty.

The Trogon was a real prize for me...really beautiful bird.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 01:29pm PT

Here is an easy one...so beautiful. Copan Ruins, Honduras.

KaiPL

Mountain climber

Boulder, Colorado

Mar 11, 2012 - 02:24pm PT

There's a whole bird thread on another climbing site, here:

http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php?topic=10790.0

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 02:26pm PT

Here is a toughie...

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 11, 2012 - 02:28pm PT

That's not a Zone-tailed Hawk for a variety of reasons, primary of which is the yellow eye. Even juv. Zone-tails have a dark brown iris. Also, the barring on the tail is too even for an adult and too spread out for a youngster. Also, it's just too warm in color..

The more I look at it, I think it's just a Roadside Hawk. Everything fits, it's just that you can't see any of the underparts so it seems like an all-dark bird.

I'm going to spend 2-3 days each at Rara Avis, La Selva, and the Monteverde areas, and then spend a week surfing in Malpais. I'm sure I'll spend a day a Cabo Blanco while I'm over there too. This trip is a long time coming, and I am psyched!!

PS - female Baltimore Oriole
Gray-necked Wood-Rail

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 02:57pm PT

Willoughby...you are on fire...thanks for looking.

Have great trip...been to all those areas...Malpalis is really beautiful.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 11, 2012 - 03:03pm PT

those little green herons are also common in south florida

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 03:06pm PT

Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Copan Ruins, Honduras.

I spend an afternoon at the Ruins birding...what a great spot to watch for birds. The Macaws really are impressive as they fly around the ruins. Quite a site to see.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 03:20pm PT

Ok...just one more for a while...I feel like I'm hogging the thread...

Early morning mist and a Great Egret on Lago Yojoa, Honduras.

Very Surreal.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 11, 2012 - 04:26pm PT

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 11, 2012 - 04:33pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 04:44pm PT

For Callie....

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 11, 2012 - 04:52pm PT

Thanks Bob - looks like a Red-Lored Amazon?? Sure want to make a trip to Honduras seeing everything you've posted. Today though, I'll have to settle for Teller Parks. Golden Crowned Sparrow has been hanging in the parking lot. :)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 11, 2012 - 04:53pm PT

Bob,

More nice shots. Almost all of them are ones we saw in Belize. We missed the Scarlet Macaw :( I guess that makes sense if you mainly in the north of Honduras. Costa Rica is high on my list, too. My wife went there before I was a birder.

We were delighted when this guy(?) showed up in the fields just outside the village where we were staying.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 04:58pm PT

Cool shot Tony...Honduras was really good...just wish I knew what I was looking at most of the time. I lost my bird book on a chicken bus towards the end of the trip with all my information. Still could identify most.

Callie...White Fronted Amazon.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 11, 2012 - 05:06pm PT

Great stuff Bob, really enjoying the show...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 07:22pm PT

Summer Tanager, Tela, Honduras

Stunning little birds.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 11:44pm PT

Blue and Gray Tanager, Tela, Honduras

So pretty.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2012 - 11:59pm PT

Limpkin, Lago Yojoa, Honduras.

I like the way this came out.

tooth

Trad climber

B.C.

Mar 12, 2012 - 12:06am PT

Saw this at 6am last week in Hawaii. And no, it isn't a Canada goose that did a 50 yard dash in a 40 yard gym!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 12, 2012 - 12:15am PT

I just noticed the return of our local Ospreys to their nest site. There have begun to refurbish the nest and we are hoping for a successful nesting this year. Last year the nest failed for some reason.

While I was watching them, a pair of Peregrine Falcons flew in and around for a short while. Perhaps they will also nest in the area and we'll get two for the price of one.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 12, 2012 - 12:17am PT

Tony, very nice shot of the Peregrine! It almost looks like he has a band
on his left leg.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 12, 2012 - 12:23am PT

Great shots Tony. Birds are just so damn cool.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 12, 2012 - 02:26am PT

Reilly,

Yes, he has a metal (federal) band on one leg and a color (green) band on the other. I've contacted the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group to see if it might be one of the Peregrines that they have banded. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite read the number. If they do hang around and nest I hope I can get a shot of it perched.

I was told that the Osprey pair fledged two chicks the previous year, so I have high hopes of watching some develop this year. Stay tuned.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 12, 2012 - 11:02am PT

Streaked Back Oriole....Copan, Honduras

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 12, 2012 - 06:51pm PT

Hey Bob, I'm sure it was just a slip, but lest anyone be led astray, that last shot was a Ringed Kingfisher, not a Belted. Getting these two in the frame together should give folks an idea just how big these kingfishers are. They're BIG!!!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 12, 2012 - 07:16pm PT

Willougby...what is this?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 12, 2012 - 08:06pm PT

Black-headed Saltator

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 12, 2012 - 08:33pm PT

What an awesome "page" starting with the Nene(?) through Tony's Peregrine Falcon, to Bob's photos to Willouby's identifications! Thanks you all, and there is room for more.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 12, 2012 - 10:17pm PT

Hey Bob, my son digs your photos, he says they are awesome.

Here are a couple from a recent adventure!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 12, 2012 - 10:49pm PT

Tell your son thanks Slater...I got a few good shots. Left the really long lens (600mm) home. Still I'm pretty happy with most of the shots.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 12, 2012 - 11:22pm PT

Neotropic Cormorant, Los Micos Lagoon, Honduras

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 13, 2012 - 01:19am PT

If I had a 600mm lens I would wear it around my neck in the car and carry it everywhere I went

:)

You never know when a bird might pose for ya!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 13, 2012 - 04:06pm PT

Violaceous Trogon...one of the big scores of the trip. It was raining very heavy and this beauty was just sitting there as I was walking out on the trail.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 13, 2012 - 10:27pm PT

Boo!

Great stuff Slater and Bob. Wish I had a 600...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 13, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

Thanks Matty...great shot you got there.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 13, 2012 - 11:17pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 13, 2012 - 11:20pm PT

Matty...SAYS PHOEBE but wait for willougby.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Says_Phoebe/id/ac

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 13, 2012 - 11:28pm PT

looks about right, thanks!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 14, 2012 - 06:34pm PT

Here is some sound to augment Bob's wonderful photos. These are from Belize, but it seems they have many of the same birds. I hope this works. I'm just figuring it out. I extracted audio from videos I took, since the videos were lousy, as I was trying to point my DSLR with a 300 mm lens at the birds. It was shaking all over the place

You may have to turn your sound up for the third one.

Keel-billed Toucan
[Click to View YouTube Video]

A different Trogon , Black-headed. We managed to to see 4 Trogon species: Black-headed, Collared, Violaceous, and Slaty-tailed. We didn't see Elegant which Bob posted
[Click to View YouTube Video]

Finally, here is the pre-dawn chourus with at least 3 Blue-crowned Motmots calling in the background.
[Click to View YouTube Video]

Edited to add photos of the birds of intrerest. I reposted Bob's of the motmot, since mine was so poor.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 15, 2012 - 01:16am PT

Oh yeah, Bob,

That one of the Yellow-throated Warbler against the adobe background on the previous page was great, as eKAt says. Finally, a warbler with a suitable name. And it even works for the female.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 15, 2012 - 10:46pm PT

Matty up the page: Says Phoebe.

Tony: Beautiful falcon shot a page back

Bob: wow!! what a trip

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 15, 2012 - 11:22pm PT

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 15, 2012 - 11:47pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 16, 2012 - 01:33am PT

Bob,

We were staying in Hopkins in the Stann Creek district. Our friends were "housesitting" for the owners of a small beachside resort, so we mostly did day trips to Cockscomb Basin, Sittee River, Mayflower. We did manage two overnight stays at DuPlooys Inn in the Mountain Pine Ridge area and Crooked Tree nearthe Orange Walk district. This was in July, so many of the birds weren't singing, but our friend had been there a month and had places scoped out so we still found a good number of birds. It would be nice to go in the late winter when the overwintering warblers, etc were still there.

We also visited the Maya ruins at Lamanai and Xuantunich, which were fascinating.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 16, 2012 - 07:33pm PT

One more time: THANKS!!!! for all the photos.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 17, 2012 - 10:46pm PT

It was a rainy day on the central coast but I thought I'd go out and take the 2 mile hike across Oso Flaco Lake to the ocean. I saw a ton of birds out, they didn't seem to be bothered by the wind and rain. The swallows were going crazy! I saw some perch for the first time, which was cool. They're usually moving so fast I can barely appreciate them. I saw about 12-15 species of birds in all, but these were the highlights...

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 19, 2012 - 12:25am PT

Great shots Bob - love the Snail Kite up top!

That oriole above, has a yellow undertail covs., therefore Black-cowled Oriole. Howell and Webb show that as the expected species at Lancetilla, too.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 19, 2012 - 12:47am PT

come on Crimper! Reilly!

Where are you guys! You can't let BOB have all the fun! You don't have to leave the country to show it off! Let's see your locals!!

Bring 'em out! I got 8 new ones today! I made a list of 34 new spring birds that should be showing up and knocked 4 off the list.

Up to 130! woot woot - shooting for 200 in a year... is that crazy? And so far I haven't left town!!!!!!!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 19, 2012 - 12:57am PT

Slater, show a little enthusiasm for goodness sake! :-)

I'm going to SE Arizona in May to get my mojo on. Pretty hard to add any
to my list here in CA. There are a few although they're mostly offshore.
I would kill though to see a Great Grey in Yosemite.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 19, 2012 - 01:09am PT

Great Gray ... crane flat! Talk to the YI peeps and maybe they'll steer you in the proper direction! They see them there.

(how do you see an owl in the dark?)

And man... I gotta say... seeing a flock of birds feeding on a berry bush this morning made me do a 180 degree turn on a freeway on ramp (no joke!) all I was thinking was... If those are Waxwings and I keep going i'm gonna regret it as soon as I get on the freeway!

so I flip a 180 and park off to the side in a small lot and get out. Sure enough...

100s in the tree hanging on for dear life in the huge gusts of post rain/storm wind.

If I hadn't of seen them all fly up there I would not have even known they were there.. they looked like leaves from a distance! no wonder I hadn't seen them yet!

I had my 4 yr old and 8 yr old on top of my Toyota 4x4 with binocs...

Life is too short to NOT flip a 180 on an on ramp!!!!!!!

flip more 180s!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 19, 2012 - 01:33am PT

Great stuff Slater. Slater wrote: Bring 'em out! I got 8 new ones today! I made a list of 34 new spring birds that should be showing up and knocked 4 off the list.

I knocked off four new FA routes in the Rio Grande Gorge in the last week, bringing my total to over sixty for year and that is with having open heart surgery last April...does that count for anything? :-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 19, 2012 - 01:33am PT

HaHaHa! Robo Birder! I almost did the same thing on a freeway near Deming,
NM when I thought I saw a Caracara on a light pole on the other side and I
was doing 75! The median was impossible to U turn through and by the time
I got to the next exit and back it was gone! Grrrrrr!

I just went through my life list - you got me goin' bra! It is 475 and I've
not been to the South, Florida, or Texas. Gotta go down and make Riley show
me a Chachalaca and about 20 others one of these days. I was surprised to
see my note about seeing a Thick-billed Parrot in the Chiricahuas in '88!
I totally forgot about that. :-/ I also got a Brambling in Seattle! I
wish I could have gone up to see that Falcated Teal this winter but I was
too busy working on The Money Pit. I know, it is a lame excuse.

So I flew 6000 miles to see a Caracara.

The dood definitely knows how to strike a pose! I think Warren Zevon was
talkin' about him when he sang, "And his hair was perfect!"

john hansen

climber

Mar 19, 2012 - 02:38am PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 19, 2012 - 11:01am PT

The Violet Green Swallows showed up about two weeks ago at the Union Bay Landfill. These are also new on my Supertopo Big Year list (oops wrong thread).

How many of you see "Domestic Mallards"? There is one female hanging with a male wild Mallard in a decidedly non-domesticated environment. They always surprise me when I first see them.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 19, 2012 - 12:05pm PT

Great photos! I have not been in a great bird haven lately (New York City) and haven't had time to look at the taco much. Hope now. Got home late Saturday with my souvenir cold/crud from NY. Boo. Hope to get back on here more. We head out for some birding soon. Maybe we can get some fun photos up!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 19, 2012 - 10:07pm PT

Darwin,

I just saw a domestic mallard and a true male yesterday and my son and I were going beserk thinking we had something new on our hands. But nope... just a white spotted funky looking mallard.

The swallows are cool birds. I was stoked to get mine sitting still! I think the rain storm helped.

Sorry you had to see yours at a landfill! Doesn't sound very fun.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 19, 2012 - 10:09pm PT

Slater, don't feel too sorry for Darwin, you'd never know it was a landfill once.

Bob, we're going to AZ the third week of May - Primetime! Unfortunately,
it isn't all birding - gotta go to a stoopid wedding in Las Cruces. You
would think the nephew would at least take the opportunity of a lifetime to
get hitched a few miles up the road in Truth or Consequences, wouldn't you?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 19, 2012 - 10:46pm PT

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 19, 2012 - 10:51pm PT

bird food

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 19, 2012 - 11:37pm PT

I'm glad to hear that others have gotten even temporarily excited by Domestic Mallards, and what Reily said: the Union Bay Landfill (ok it's really ... Natural Wildlife Area) isn't a reason to feel sorry for me. If you want to feel sorry for me, there has been the whatever number straight days of rain and complete lack of natural climbing rock within Seattle, and the sorry fact that I just don't have the ganas or, currently, a good enough shoulder to do Mountaineering.

Slater, on the Central Coast, do you surf?

Lokesh

Mountain climber

Big Bear California

Mar 20, 2012 - 02:02am PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 21, 2012 - 01:13am PT

Slater, on the Central Coast, do you surf?

Darwin, do Birds fly?

come on down, the water's fine! (click on the larger version for a size check... see the two dudes out back?!)

The crowds can be a bit much though...

OK back to the birds!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 21, 2012 - 09:42am PT

We'll just miss you Reilly. We'll be in So AZ the first week of April.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 21, 2012 - 01:46pm PT

The cranes are back in the San Luis Valley, Colorado.

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Mar 21, 2012 - 01:49pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 21, 2012 - 01:57pm PT

Cool Frumy. Do you know what it is called?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 21, 2012 - 03:00pm PT

Monte Vista NWR, southern Colorado.

Redwing Blackbird.

Killdeer.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 21, 2012 - 03:10pm PT

White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata). Pretty sure it's not actually a bird.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 21, 2012 - 03:43pm PT

Red Tail Hawk...Monte Vista NWR, southern Colorado.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 21, 2012 - 10:11pm PT

More red winged blackbirds

john hansen

climber

Mar 21, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

Matty ,I think the one on the left might be a tri-colored blackbird. Note the yellow band under the red on his wing. Maybe some one could confirm.

Where did you see it?

When ever I get to the mainland I always try to get all four kinds of blackbirds..

red winged

brewer's

yellowheaded

and tri -colored

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 21, 2012 - 11:16pm PT

Yes I see what you mean. I'm not too keen on all the different marks or types of birds so I like the feedback. The photo was taken at the Salton Sea.

Is this a brewer's?

john hansen

climber

Mar 21, 2012 - 11:24pm PT

That is a brewers,, but on the original photo,,

After consulting my bird book, it probably is a red wing,,,

Tri colored has a white stripe below the red..

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 22, 2012 - 11:19am PT

A few more from my trip to Monte Vista NWR in southern Colorado.

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Mar 22, 2012 - 01:12pm PT

Crimpergirl - Sorry I don't know what it's called.
It was next to my front door, & it was to cool not to take a picture of.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 22, 2012 - 01:15pm PT

Bob D,

Nice shots. Is the first Ferruginous?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 22, 2012 - 11:20pm PT

Western Meadowlark...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 23, 2012 - 01:30am PT

Riley, I thought the Snail Kite was fairly easy to get at the right place?
Sounds like you had to work for it. Maybe you weren't at the easy get place.

I don't know if you noticed my post a ways back where I noted I'd gone
through some old notes. I'd totally forgotten I'd seen a Thick-billed Parrot
in AZ in '88. It was one of those releasees in the failed re-stock program.
Do I get to count it? And do the hard-core doods count all the escapee
parrots in CA and FL?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 23, 2012 - 11:29am PT

Riley...My Mom is from Florida and I spend a lot time there in the summer months back in the 60's and when to college for one year in Central Florida. Used to be spectacular.

More cranes from the San Luis Valley.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Mar 23, 2012 - 04:46pm PT

I get a publication from the Widlife Research Institute here at work. Back cover of the most recent has some awesome in-nest shots of a Golden Eagle nest with a chick and various prey at different times...squirrell, rabbits, a red tail hawk (that was a little surprising to me). And there's a (live) chipmunk that would visit the nest, until the eaglet caught him and ate him.

Anyway, it led me to look for more of their nest cam shots, which weren't available, but what was on their facebook page were shots of a hawk and snake locked in a death-match hold on each other, eventually separated by someone who found them, amazing!:

http://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResearchInstitute#!/media/set/?set=a.325679550809927.80096.166490296728854&type=3

The bird didn't look so good afterwards, but lived

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 24, 2012 - 12:11am PT

ha ha, that hawk looked like it was gonna lose that fight! TFPU

Ekat my wife loves those kinds of birds!!!!!

Here are a couple from today (I played hooky from work and got 5 new ones:)
These aren't them, just pics I thought you guys might like.

If you wanna see the whole adventure visit
http://slatervision.com/www.slatervision.com/Day%20Off%20Birds%202012/
I took the day off of work. It was worth it. 50+ birds in a day.

So anyway, I'll probably just get "Bobbed" (= burried by numerous bitchin' Bob pictures) but I had to try. Just remember, I coined that term first!

Oh... and my meadowlark is cooler ;)

ps- not sure why when I upload on this site the pics end up soft? They aren't on my screen when I open them in the folder. ???
I shoot with a Canon 60D 70-200 f2.8 "L" IS Canon lens and they end up sweet, but not on here!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 24, 2012 - 02:46am PT

Scrub Jays!?

I have a million in my yard, I'll box one up and mail it to ya!

I'll trade ya for an Eastern Meadowlark!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 24, 2012 - 04:21pm PT

Slater,

Riley wants Florida Scrub Jay. Me too.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 24, 2012 - 04:24pm PT

Fun birds! Just returned from a bike ride and the Meadowlarks have arrived - they are out singing everywhere. :)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 24, 2012 - 04:49pm PT

Sorry Tony, all I got is California Scrub Jay
(they surf)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 24, 2012 - 11:28pm PT

Slater,

How about (Channel) Island Scrub Jay? Do they scuba dive or sail?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 24, 2012 - 11:50pm PT

Tony, it likes both, that's why it moved there! Occasionally it'll fly to C-Street and surf, but only when it is really good.

Here is a Sharpie on my street...

This guy either ate the sparrows that normally hang out in that bird house or scared them away or both.

Pretty calm little hawk, I drove by 3 times and he didn't move. I was hoping it was a Coopers, as I don't have one yet, but it was still plenty cool to see!

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Mar 25, 2012 - 03:37am PT

From today:

Cheers

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 25, 2012 - 02:22pm PT

Here's a few from Stoney Point yesterday. Took a walk in the morning before bouldering. Fought the low cloudy light the whole time. There were some LBB's but I don't know their names (help me if you can!) A really cool humming bird hung around for awhile and a bluebird snagged some food.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 25, 2012 - 02:27pm PT

Toss some quick guesses on your first three.

1. Yellow rumped warbler
2. California towhee
3. Yellow rumped warbler

More later. I did that with no books - on the run, so hopefully not leading you astray! Pretty birds!!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 25, 2012 - 02:51pm PT

Thanks Crimp I did more research and think the hummingbird is an Anna's Hummingbird.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 25, 2012 - 03:04pm PT

I'm poor at Identifying hummingbirds. She's a pretty one! Still waiting for all our birds...lots of Meadowlarks have shown lately. Can't wait to see the rest!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 26, 2012 - 01:29pm PT

Like ^^^

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 26, 2012 - 08:11pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 26, 2012 - 08:13pm PT

She's a pretty one!

She? We know you know better, my dear. I know we both wish it were otherwise.
Just think Louis XIV. :-)

Here's yer consolation prize:

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 26, 2012 - 09:37pm PT

Thanks.

Here's one I just found from a few summers ago in canada of a loon at it's nest.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 27, 2012 - 07:21pm PT

True Reilly! I blurted out nonsense. :) The first time...this hour. :)

Still, I like my consolation prize. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 28, 2012 - 04:51pm PT

Brown Jay...Honduras.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 29, 2012 - 11:55am PT

White Collared Seedeater, Lancetilla, Honduras

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 29, 2012 - 02:58pm PT

Bob,

Nice one of the Dipper. I've never gotten that close, at least with a camera ready.

Our local Osprey pair has been busy at the nest. The male is bringing fish to the female and there has been lots of copulation, but no eggs yet.

There is also a Peregrine Falcon pair in the neighborhood. Here the big size difference is evident.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 30, 2012 - 10:36am PT

American Gold finches at the feeder today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 30, 2012 - 10:56pm PT

Red Billed Pigeons, Tela, Honduras

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 30, 2012 - 11:18pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 31, 2012 - 05:18am PT

Hey Bob, those are Pale-vented Pigeons.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 1, 2012 - 11:58pm PT

#136 Pelagic Cormorant in Morro Bay.

still awaiting my Least & Caspian Terns and Black Oyster Catcher
and Bonaparte's Gull

thought they'd be easy but repeated trips prove otherwise

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 2, 2012 - 12:18am PT

Hey, Riley, do you see Beardless Tyrannulets around your hood? They're my #1
target on my upcoming SE AZ trip so I'm gathering all the beta possible.
Apparently they will nest in nothing other than the outer branches of sycamores
near lots of bushes. They only rate an ABA Code 2 which seems like serious
sandbagging to me!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 2, 2012 - 11:47am PT

Yellow Headed blackbird, Monte Vista NWR, southern Colorado.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 2, 2012 - 01:24pm PT

"I hear ya!"

Weird, huh? I bet ya didn't see one of them in Honduras, Bob. ;-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 2, 2012 - 02:15pm PT

Horned Grebe???

Monte Vista NWR, southern Colorado.

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Apr 2, 2012 - 02:47pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 2, 2012 - 03:24pm PT

Heerman's...One was seen the other day outside Tucson!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 3, 2012 - 10:22am PT

Ha! Love those Ekat!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 3, 2012 - 11:04am PT

Riley, thanks. I do have good beta* but the wife is afraid to go to Guadalupe
Canyon cause it is literally right on the border. The sad thing is we
camped there about 25 years ago - it is an idyllic place. This time I
think we will motel it in Douglas and get up at the crack. BTW, Guadalupe
Cyn is the first known breeding locale for Buff-collared Nightjars. There's
no way she will consent to a nighttime foray for them. I guess I'll just
have to be happy with the Tyrannulet and Violet-crowned hummer I will get there. :-)

*6 pairs are said to breed there.

guido

Trad climber

Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific

Apr 3, 2012 - 11:17am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 3, 2012 - 11:29am PT

Them fookin' Bushy-tailed Tree Rats gots no manners!

Riley, we'll be there May 23-24. Then we're on to Lost Cruces for a wedding and will spend the 27th and 28th somewhere in SE AZ on the return.
Have fun in Sedona!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

How's this for badazz? Not mine, duh.
It is a pity the light was so flat.

Shot with $17K worth of Nikon gear:
D3X 400mm f/2.8
1/500 iso 400 F/4
Maasai Mara Kenya

Martin Best
Kenya/Tanzania Wildlife Safaris tailor-made for photographers
Nikon Equipment available for test.

Tawny Eagle on a kill

Do click on it to see it BIG!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 3, 2012 - 10:29pm PT

shot with $3,000 worth of Canon gear :)

#137

My FIRST Oriole... Hooded Oriole in Oceano St. Park

It was in the tree above the truck.
We saw it after searching for a Green Heron for 30 minutes.
Funny how when you stop trying... they're waiting for you in the parking area!

Gonna try and see that Caracara in San Simeon and the elephant seals tomorrow.
I doubt we'll catch it but who knows. It'd be major if we saw it. My 8 yr old would do flips.

dipper

climber

Apr 3, 2012 - 10:41pm PT

A Pigeon Guillemot that washed ashore after heavy local surf.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Apr 3, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 3, 2012 - 10:56pm PT

And totally on topic, StahlBro.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 3, 2012 - 11:00pm PT

I used to have two of the squirrel flippers! Tons of entertainment watching those persistent fur balls try over and over again. There was always one who would take one for the team and jam his leg in, make it stick and burn up the motor. Got tired of replacing the motor so finally switched to the non-mechanical one. Not nearly as fun, but more effective at keeping squirrels from getting fat on my dime.

Gary

climber

"My god - it's full of stars!"

Apr 3, 2012 - 11:59pm PT

Stahbro, that's hilarious. I got to get one of those.

Slater, great pics. We saw our first hooded oriole just last week, beautiful birds.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 4, 2012 - 12:14am PT

Thanks Gary...

so can we count Pea Fowl if they're wandering the countryside?

What about the Farm Goose?

Does anyone count these on their list? I have not, but just wondering... they ain't pets, and they are birds, and I'm not doing any official competition.

Darn those Pea Fowl are beautiful.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Apr 4, 2012 - 12:16am PT

Freaking chipmunks are a killing me right now! I used to think they were cute ;-)

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Apr 4, 2012 - 11:13am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 4, 2012 - 11:46pm PT

Whimbril??

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 5, 2012 - 12:36am PT

Yep, Whimbrel. Just saw about 1,000 in Morro Bay!

I also need help with these two... (first two pics is Hawk 1, second two pics are Hawk 2)

I included their underparts 'cause I know that helps.
My guess is Redtail and Sharp-shinned???

Also saw (new ones for me!)
Black Turnstone
Black Oystercatcher
Lesser Yellowlegs
Rufous Hummingbird
Bullocks Oriole

About 50 birds in all. No Caracara though.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 5, 2012 - 09:28am PT

Red-tailed and Coopers - agree on your guesses.

Nice stuff!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 5, 2012 - 10:24am PT

Crimps, you are just too agreeable even when you agree to disagree! :-)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 5, 2012 - 12:23pm PT

Thanks guys. Although I think I said Sharp-shinned. So if you agree, do you agree it is it a sharpy or a Coopers? :) confused

This is how I have ID them so far. Correct? Sorry, hawks are hard for me!

Riley that rufous is so consistent that I can just drive to that tree and it is there every time, fighting off the Anna's. Jealous little sucker. He moves so fast, hard to get a shot off!

500th!!!! dang!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 5, 2012 - 01:33pm PT

Red-tail and I'd lean towards Cooper's too. I wouldn't bet my life on it, 'cause none of the features looks like a slam dunk, but they all seem to lean in that direction. The flat-topped head, capped look, thick-enough-looking legs, and rounded-looking tail all point towards sharpie.

EDIT - der, yeah I meant ... point towards Cooper's. Head looks small and the eye looks big though. Whole thing seems kinda svelte. Eye color is NOT indicative of any Accipiter, although Coop's tend towards the orange at full maturity. But they can be blood red just like the other two species as well.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 5, 2012 - 02:37pm PT

The flat-topped head, capped look, thick-enough-looking legs, and rounded-looking tail all point towards sharpie.

I think you mean Coopers. Man you guys are confusing ha ha.

red eye = Coopers characteristic too

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 6, 2012 - 12:12am PT

CG and I finally got out of town for a fun weekend visiting old friends in Palos Verdes CA and chased a few birds while we were there...

Gary

climber

"My god - it's full of stars!"

Apr 6, 2012 - 11:24am PT

Terrific, BrassNuts.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 6, 2012 - 11:30am PT

Sorry about the confusion! I thought Coopers failing to realize I was not agreeing with you. However, I'd never hold myself up to solidly IDing a Coopers versus a Sharp Shinned! Heck, I had one LAND on me once and still wasn't sure. (Might have been the shock I was in).

BN is holding out. We have lots of cool photos from our last trip. Such fun!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 6, 2012 - 12:29pm PT

Dr F, it's an Allens that didn't like BN's portraiture, although I do.
But, oh, BN, for a bit more DOF, eh? Still a great shot.

You are certainly right about the Gnatcatchers in the Back Bay. I got a
Vermilion Flycatcher on the bike path just above the Back Bay.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 6, 2012 - 05:55pm PT

Definitely an Allen's. A VERY green back!

We actually didn't see single Rufous on the entire trip (they only migrate through that area and I guess we missed them).

When BN gets home, I'll nag, uh, ask him to post some more!

Oh and Riley - we saw a lot of the California Gnatcatchers which was really cool (on the property of the Trump Golf Course). The one pictured there was busy building a nest! He had a mate and we watched them both toil away. He certainly did more of the work it seemed. Adorable watching the shaping of it. They built if FAST. I wonder if by now there are eggs in it. We showed the nest to some local birders so they can keep tabs on it. I hope they raise many healthy happy babies!

edit: Dr. F, from what I understand, the first thing to look at to discern an Allen's from a Rufous is the back. Allen's = Green; Rufous = rufous. However, some Rufous show a green back so my guide suggested letting geography help. Open to other opinions, but I know that this bird (and the many others we saw) had a green green green back.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 6, 2012 - 08:46pm PT

Reilly, ah yes, more DOF, always a trade off between reach, aperture and DOF...
Dr. F, yes, many CA Gnat-catchers in the area we visited, but difficult for me to get a clear shot, fun to watch regardless :-)
Now, a few more springtime birds of So Cal...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 6, 2012 - 11:14pm PT

stahlbro... a little late on the response but classic video! The one just after that has the motor model was pretty sweet too!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 7, 2012 - 12:23am PT

BN,

Beautiful photos as usual. The CA Gnatcatcher has been elusive for me. Every time I think I might have found one, it turns out to be a Blue-gray. I'll have to make a point of hitting Newport Back Bay when I am down there in August. American Coot feet, I think.

Edit: A Harris's HAwk, wow!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2012 - 12:24am PT

Got the feet Tony! They are mighty wacky aren't they??

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 7, 2012 - 12:32am PT

Yes, I handled some of these guys in rehab and they can do some damage.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 7, 2012 - 01:29am PT

Gorgeous photos BrassNuts. Really good stuff!!

Regarding Allen's vs. Rufous, it is true that lots of adult male Rufous can have a varying amount of green on their backs, and a small percentage (1-2 %) actually have completely green backs - just like an Allen's. Rufous are moving northward right now, so they're overlapping in distribution. Also, Rufous can be exceedingly territorial during migration, so behavioral clues go right out the window. Unfortunately, the only way to know with certainty right now, short of bloodwork and DNA analysis, is by the width and shape of the rectirces (tail feathers). All that said, if it was looking like a pure adult male Allen's, right on the coast of Palos Verde, it probably was an Allen's.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2012 - 10:24am PT

Thanks Willoughby...you post --> I learn. Love it.

Cool also about the Coot's feet. I hadn't thought about them being a bit dangerous. It makes sense though. I've always thought of them as swamp birds since I see so many at Brazos Bend State Park in the Houston area (alligators!!!). But in Palos Verdes - they were gold course birds. Fun.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2012 - 04:33pm PT

My understanding is that when the golf course was established (pre-Trump) the city (or county or some bureaucratic agency) required they provide public parking and access to the beach. In addition, they cooperated to not only maintain, but enhance the natural terrain because the CA Gnatcatchers were happy and reproducing there.

When Trump bought from the previous owners (bankrupt), they made them honor that deal.

Thank goodness since the little guys are still there. I don't want to make it sound like there were "Carolina Parakeet" amounts - but we saw several. And several is better than none. Hope you can make it out there!

related links (and yes, they are doing better, but still endangered): http://www.isteve.com/Golf_Course_30_Years.htm

http://trumpnationallosangeles.com/html/newsroom_0905c.asp

http://www.caopenspace.org/oceantr.html

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 7, 2012 - 08:21pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 7, 2012 - 10:20pm PT

Darwin - nice Hummer on the nest shot, very cool.

Tony - hope you get to hear and see some CA Gnat-catchers soon, very cool little birds, fun to hear them squeak around in the brush, challenging to photograph (at least for me, perhaps you'll have better luck :-)

Riley - my aging eyes can't get a clue on your mystery bird but I'm sure one of the way honed bird masters on this thread will score...

All - keep the fun photos and stories coming - best non climbing thread on the Taco!

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Apr 7, 2012 - 10:40pm PT

The black Phoebe's are fun. I've had a pair living in my back yard continuously for about ten years now.

i have about 18" high PVC pipe stakes to support the hot wire that separates the dog's lawn from the Obamagarden. That's a convenient height perch for them for repeated feeding forays across the lawn. The male always shows up several weeks before the female. Never have figured out where the nest is. They will even follow me when I mow the lawn and swoop down behind me after bugs I've bolted to flight.

I know of one not to be disclosed location in the OC with at least a dozen and possibly several dozen CA Gnat Catchers. I've seen a half dozen feeding all at the same time in one small location.

If you saw the hummer in Calif it's probably an Annas, in Arizona probably a Rufus.

I've seen Rufus chase crows and jays. they can be spectacularly aggressive for their size.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2012 - 11:40pm PT

Like this Ron?

If I understand you, I think you are describing a juvenile White Crowned Sparrow.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 8, 2012 - 12:36am PT

BN,

I'll make a better effort for CA Gnatcatchers next time I'm down in SoCal. You managed to capture a good shot that showed the field marks well. The undertail pattern and that cool partial eyering.

The coastal access is pretty extensive due the existence of the CA Coastal Commission set up as a result of a proposition passed in 1972. It is still sort of an uphill battle to get enforced, particularly where there are exclusive coastal developments. Still, it seems a lot less coastline is inaccessible than would be otherwise.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2012 - 11:43am PT

I'm intrigued Ron! I hope you can get a photo of one so we can see it!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2012 - 07:09pm PT

Cute little guys! Thanks Ron.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 8, 2012 - 09:37pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 8, 2012 - 11:12pm PT

Thanks again Crimpie,, im not often stumped here in my own neck o da woods, and wasnt thinkin early nesters.

Ron, I can assure you they're not newly-hatched birds. They're second-year birds that haven't yet swapped out last year's headdress. These crown feathers are replaced, gradually, from January through May, and by the end of this month most birds will look fairly "adult." But there are always a few stragglers. The first pre-alternate molt in this species usually wraps up by the end May maybe pushing into early June for a few, but this time of year it's common to see mixed-up birds (with equal parts black and brown crown stripes). If you're seeing pure brown with no black feathers at all, then maybe they're just a little behind schedule.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2012 - 11:22pm PT

Willoughby - is there an official definition of "juvenile"? Or is juvenile not a technical ornithology term? Sort of a giveaway regarding the speaker - like when one says "look! a sea gull!"

And what is that term used to describe the feathering of particular molts? Juvenal?

Any more word on the earlier talk of a bird watching trip in that direction? We are happily filling up our calendar with adventures.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 8, 2012 - 11:23pm PT

Some good backyard activity today, the birdbath was a popular spot! Now, a few more Spring birds before heading back to cubeland tomorrow morning...

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 8, 2012 - 11:25pm PT

Awesome shots, Dave!!!!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 8, 2012 - 11:29pm PT

woooooo pretty pics guys!

I need help with a couple of these-

Made it to #145 over spring break.
Hoping to maybe get to 200 by the end of the year.
So far I still haven't birded outside of my own county of SLO!
I figured I'd learn the locals first!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2012 - 11:33pm PT

Slater - those birds are "Peep" and "Gull" in my world. :) Heh heh!

Nice shots!!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 12:03am PT

I suppose, but really it has lots of different meanings depending on usage and context. For example, for many passerines it best applies to a bird in juvenal plumage, but in many others, that plumage is almost never seen since it's swapped out almost immediately. But then other folks will refer to a 3 or 4 year old Bald Eagle as a juvie 'cause it doesn't look like a pure adult. And there's a wide swath of usage in-between those examples. I wouldn't worry too much about it, but realize that in most cases it's about as vague as saying "young."

Here's an example of a White-crowned Sparrow in actual juvenal plumage:

All soft and fuzzy and dingy and streaky. They don't look like this for long, and this bird was probably only a day or two out of the nest (late July, mind you, not early April). It had almost no tail to speak of, and you can also see the fleshy gape at the corner of it's mouth. Note also the dark lores indicating the oriantha or "Mountain" subspecies, which is what breed in the Sierra and Colorado as well. Your photo looked like a Gambel's, with that pale lore. They're from way up north. I guess it's worth mentioning that eastern birds have a dark lore too, but I have no idea if they ever get to Colorado.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 9, 2012 - 12:19am PT

Adorable! Nothing makes me as warm and fuzzy as the "rubbery bill" of a baby bird (as we call it). Just want to kiss it!

Hey, check out this juvenile in his juvenal plummage. He's since molted into his adult feathering which everyone here is more familiar with.

This juvenile (and nearly naked) BN was found in the early 1990s on Wunsch's Dihedral in the South Platte (top of first pitch). These are young Peregrine getting banded. They sought out BrassNuts so he could guide the people to the birds. Aren't they cute too!?!?!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 02:33am PT

Slater,

That gull looks pretty intriguing with the white primary tips. Could it be a first-cycle Iceland Gull? Glaucous Gulls have a two-toned bill. An Iceland Gull would be a pretty big deal around here (SF Bay) and I imagine where you are. I imagine local gull aficionados might be interested.

As for the sandpipers, the droopy bills make me think Western. Some of them seem to have a breast band like Least, but the feet are black. If this is current, there is a lot of variation in plumage. Semipalmated are pretty uncommon in CA

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 02:35am PT

Dr. F,

Thanks for that info. I'll definitely check that area out the next time I'm down that way. I've been to that area, but was mainly looking at the shorebirds.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 04:57am PT

Headed to Costa Rica in a few hours, with a camera and a mission to see everything from Acanthidops to Zeledonia. Check back in a couple of weeks to see if I got any worthy pics...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 9, 2012 - 09:26am PT

Have fun Willoughby!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 10:48am PT

Willoughby, if one tells an actor to 'break a leg' what do we wish you, 'get bit'?

Bon voyage!

I hope we don't bug you too much...

Not very good - I didn't have my macro with. Also, the little bugger flat refuses to pose!

"Their common name velvet ant refers to their dense pile of hair which most often is bright scarlet or orange but may also be black, white, silver, or gold. Their bright colours serve as aposematic signals. They are known for their extremely painful sting, facetiously said to be strong enough to kill a cow, hence the common name cow killer or cow ant is applied to some species. Unlike a real ant, they do not have drones, workers, and queens. However, velvet ants do exhibit haplodiploid sex determination similar to other members of Vespoidea (JH Hunt 1999).

Behavior

Mature mutillids feed on nectar. Although some species are strictly nocturnal, female mutillids are often active during the day. Females of Tricholabiodes thisbe are sometimes active up to two hours before sunset. Guido Nonveiller (1963) hypothesized that Mutillidae are generally stenothermic and thermophilic; they may not avoid light but rather are active during temperatures which usually occur only after sunset.

Life cycle

The male locates a female on the wing and mates. The female then enters an insect nest, typically a ground-nesting bee such as a bumblebee or wasp nest, and deposits one egg near each larva or pupa. Her young then develop as idiobiont ectoparasitoids, eventually killing their immobile larval/ pupal hosts within a matter of days."

Wiki

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 12:20pm PT

Ron,

Perhaps these are the same ones we saw on the Eastside last night. We saw about 200 soaring and gliding that eventually set down on Tinemaha Reservoir a little after 6 PM.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 9, 2012 - 01:02pm PT

Tony - thanks!

An Iceland Gull would be a pretty big deal around here (SF Bay) and I imagine where you are.

I was thinking maybe a Thayer's? but gulls are difficult. I was hoping for an expert opinion from some of you on this site. So, Icelandic would be a stretch?? or just early?

Size wise it was slightly smaller than the typical Western gulls.

Thanks!

Costa Rica! fun! I'm going next summer! I'll be a better birder by then I hope!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 01:05pm PT

Icelandic would be a stretch??

It would be a 'stretch' for Gumby! BwaHaHaHa! Not sayin' it ain't possible. ;-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 01:39pm PT

No offense, bra, but yer pic suks. I'm gonna forward it to my homie, Stevie Wonder. :-)
I'll take a stab - Aztec Thrush - BwaHaHaHa!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

ATTENTION!!! PHOTO TIP

Even on most point-and-shoots these days you can change your metering
preferences. The default meters most of what you see in the viewfinder.
This doesn't work so hot for boids. Check and see if you can change it to
'Point' or 'Center Weighted'. 'Center Weighted' usually implies the inner
25% or so and is OK if you are close but most of the time you aren't so you
want the tightest area or 'point' to be metered. This will really help when
that little dear is silhouetted against a 'high sky' or bright background.
On many cameras you can also change your focus preference in a similar manner.
Check it out!

ps
This tip will help with yer climbing shots too unless you really do want
only a silhouette of the rock denizen you are climbing with in case their
parole officer is surfing the net.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 02:34pm PT

Ron, a good tit is one thing but a nice shag is a whole 'nother category IMHO.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 9, 2012 - 02:58pm PT

Riley... sorry, I looked for a pic of your mystery bird on the last couple pages but didn't see it. Plus I might not be the best help :)

Experts wanted... what do you think?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 03:13pm PT

It looks a juvie Glaucous-winged to me.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 9, 2012 - 04:12pm PT

Riley, I was going to guess a "Sun Flare Thrush" on your bird. Thought I'd not be a smarty-pants for once though. :)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 9, 2012 - 04:26pm PT

Oh that picture, yeah that one sucked ha ha. It reminds me of my buddy who takes shots with his Iphone and then sends them to me to ID for him. No chance.

My guess is a Eurasian Collared Dove with a leaf halo.

Or Sun-flared Thrush.

One of the two.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 9, 2012 - 10:37pm PT

Slater, Reilly,

Certainly Thayer's or Glaucous-winged would be WAY more common, but a number of Iceland are found in the SF Bay Area each winter. I have never seem one, though, since they are usually found in large gull gatherings and I lose my resolve after a short try. This one is awfully pale and seems to have white primary tips, though, which is not the case with GW or Thayer's. Where is Willoughby when we need him? Oh yeah, Costa Rica.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 9, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

Say's Phoebe out in the sage above the Rio Grande today.

Saw a bunch of Sage Sparrows but they were out of the lens reach.

Hey Willoughby...have a great time and good luck with the birds.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 10, 2012 - 12:10am PT

Tony, I think the bill is too big for an Iceland and it doesn't look that
pale to me.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 10, 2012 - 02:09am PT

Reilly,

You are probably right. The bill looks big, with a significant gonydial angle. It was just that the primary tips look white compared to the rest of the wing and mantle.

How about if I use the last resort of gull nuts and postulate a hybrid?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 10, 2012 - 10:48am PT

Hey, Ron, still up for a nice shag?

SHAGALICIOUS!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 10, 2012 - 01:07pm PT

DMT - wham bam thank you mam!

They're probably talking about your hospitality right now though, and they'll be back. You're on their itinerary for next year.

Thanks for the help with the gull question. I appreciate it guys.

Gonna try and hunt down my Green Heron and maybe a Barn Owl. Those are two things I really want to see.

My wife watched The Big Year. I think she understands me better now :)

she said she didn't want to like it, but ended up liking it. Cool movie. I bought it. I have that movie to thank for all of this.

Bird on peeps

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 10, 2012 - 07:45pm PT

If anyone is in the market for a spotting scope I have this beauty for sale. Brand new (Pentax PF ED II 65mm AN Spotting Scope w/20-60x Zoom) that I would let go for $725.

Sharp as tack.

Pine Siskin at the feeder today.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2012 - 10:05pm PT

DEAR GOD RILEY! It is a Sun-Flare Thrush!!!!

:)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 10, 2012 - 10:26pm PT

it almost looks like a type of raptor except for the beak. hmmm...

big help huh!?

Any of you old timers read

Kingbird Highway: The Story of a Natural Obsession That Got a Little Out of Hand (1997) by Kenn Kaufman

Looking for a good read...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2012 - 10:32pm PT

Slater - I've read Kingbird Highway multiple times. It's a wonderful book! Don't wait - start it today.

I also loved Return of the Osprey. And I really enjoyed The Big Year (but with the movie, it seems difference).

I can't wait to hear what you think of these. :)

Gary

climber

"My god - it's full of stars!"

Apr 10, 2012 - 10:34pm PT

White crowned sparrows are still hanging in Sierra Madre. I miss them when they're gone, though.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2012 - 11:17pm PT

Hee hee! It's a pretty darn good name isn't it? :)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 10, 2012 - 11:32pm PT

OK, I know I'm totally out of my league here, and it's obviously not, but Riley Wyna when I saw the second picture (edit: but first bird), my immediate thought (or lack of) was: Oven Bird.

Probably not, eh?

(added in edit: yes sunflare thrush is a darn good name)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 11, 2012 - 12:22am PT

I just googled "sun flare thrush" hoping it took me to this site. It doesn't....yet. :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 11, 2012 - 12:54am PT

No idea about the thrush thingie.
Red-billed Pigeon, a Rio Grande specialty.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 11, 2012 - 03:09am PT

Riley,

I can't see enough to be confident, but from that angle it looks like a Red-billed Pigeon, which we saw in Belize. This was also where we saw Snail Kite, so ...

Edit: Looks like Reilly beat me to it.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 11, 2012 - 10:25pm PT

Here are some recent shots from a trip up the coast:

Started the trip with some kind of blue bird but didn't have my camera or mind about me yet (too early).

Saw some Black Guillemots

The would sit on the rocks as huge waves crashed. You can see two at the upper left here:

Saw some other friends flying around

And this lil guy (a moth?):

Some sandpipers by the shore:

a gull with a mow-hawk mullet

And some mating Brandt's Cormorants

Lastly caught a Western Grebe

and one more on the way back:

I hate when I forget to engage VR after taking it off the tripod.

I'll be posting up a more general trip report sometime..let u know when I do.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 11, 2012 - 11:13pm PT

cool shots Matty.

Went out today in between the rain squalls and saw some cool stuff at Oso Flaco Lake... These are just the decent shots we got, we saw a ton more.

All in all a fun hour of birding with the kids.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 11, 2012 - 11:37pm PT

Really great shots Slater and Matty...thanks.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 12, 2012 - 12:12am PT

Nice Marsh Wren shot.
I find the Marsh Wrens pretty frustrating to photograph. I hear them every day, but rarely seem them and if I do; they almost never sit still long enough to photograph.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 12, 2012 - 01:56am PT

Matty - that last one is a "house sparrow" with the grey cap

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 12, 2012 - 09:52am PT

A few after work shots from the other day... Spring is here!
Yes, Marsh Wrens are pesty little guys to shoot, but this one cooperated for a few seconds last year. Noisy little guy!

Gary

climber

"My god - it's full of stars!"

Apr 12, 2012 - 10:00am PT

Some really great photos here.

Up above, that's definitely not a band tailed pigeon. They have bright yellow beaks and feet. We have a band of them that visit the backyard. We really enjoy seeing them up in the foothills, too. They're mountain birds.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 12, 2012 - 10:03am PT

I would love to hear more about Flickers. Specifically how many Red-shafted have the back-of-the-head markings of Yellow-Shafted. Is this just some mixed breeding? Or does it represent something else? Willoughby!!!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 12, 2012 - 10:25am PT

WOW Brass some great stuff there, slater too. Keep em rolling everyone, love this thread! Best OT thread on the taco, maybe we should start another one "liberal birds beat back the right wing" it would probably get more action than this one ha ha ha...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 12, 2012 - 10:31am PT

Ya know brass you got me thinking with those awesome owl shots...

Separated at birth???

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 12, 2012 - 10:43am PT

good one matty

some fabulous shots in this thread. BN-you seem to get what I would think of as the shot of a lifetime several times a day!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 12, 2012 - 11:57am PT

It just the lenses Brass has, no talent required....

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 12, 2012 - 12:05pm PT

Ha!

By way of an example, I have access to the exact same equipment and I can't even get the bird in the frame. I can barely hold the stinkin' lens up let alone find the bird and get him focused.

I think BN takes amazingly great bird photos too. He really has no idea!

Love the 'separated at birth' photos. I got home from work and got several shots of this GHO enjoying some self-scratching. Utter joy on his little owl face. :)

You know, we do the Boulder/Denver HH all the time. If you guys ever get out here, we should do the Boulder/Denver bird watch/photography walks too. I am serious about heading to CA for the same. There was a brief discussion a few pages back about it.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 13, 2012 - 12:53am PT

Love the Yoda / Owl analogy! Very cool hand = foot kinda stuff...

Matty, here's the photo rig, you just gotta get real close for the good shots;
;-)

john hansen

climber

Apr 13, 2012 - 12:56am PT

Those Leica lens's have always seemed pretty good. I need to get one

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 13, 2012 - 09:55am PT

Hahahaha! Bunch of funnies here.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 13, 2012 - 10:12am PT

Yeah and if 8x optical zoom aint enough there's always digital lol!!!

You can bet if I'm ever in the denver area I'll let you know, would be great fun. I'm in the LA area and if anyone comes here let me know too, I have a guest room and an open door for taco friends!! Also for peeps alread in my area we should start have some get togethers too, whether they be HH's, birding trips or both!

Matt

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 13, 2012 - 10:43am PT

Matty! We just returned from the LA area. Bummer we didn't know sooner.

There will be some birding going on during the Gordofest event too. Will you be there?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 13, 2012 - 11:34pm PT

We had a heck of a lot of rain, 24mph winds, thunder and lightning... then in the afternoon after two days of rain... sun and blue skies. I was driving home after buying a bottle-brush bush (so we can plant it and watch hummingbirds ha ha... are we getting obsessed?).

I passed this ag field and there was a tiny drainage ditch that had water in it (usually dry) and on the fence were hundreds of finches. I nearly crashed the car and flipped a U-turn and another U-turn and pulled up over the curb and got out. Most flew away but...

In this picture there are 100 goldfinches... CAN YOU BEAT THAT!??? The little black dots below the top of the fence line are also finches. There were another couple hundred in the fields beyond. Never seen that before!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 13, 2012 - 11:47pm PT

Awesome photo! Love all the Goldfinch.

While in Rancho Palos Verdes, we saw lots of birds enjoying the Bottle Brush and the Coral Trees. You guys have great bird trees out there.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 14, 2012 - 01:02am PT

Slater,
That is a pretty cool sight. Are they American or Lesser Goldfinches? What is the crop?

Matty,
I page back, those are Pigeon Guillemots, closely related to Black. The black bars in the white wing patches is diagnostic, as well as the range of course. I look forward to seeing some of the Black Guillemots as well as many other seabirds in the Scottish Hebrides in a couple of weeks.

BN,
Mating Dippers! Are you kidding me? I can't imagine there are many similar shots.

We just got back from the Eastern Sierra. Again failed to see leConte's Thrasher, so had to be satisfied with the best-ever views of breeding plumage Chipping and Vesper Sparrows. The Vesper Sparrow even showed its chestnut lesser coverts. The field guides say they are rarely visible.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 14, 2012 - 02:43pm PT

BD, great shooting! Yer Lumix is doin' ya proud!

Those flippin' sparrows drive me nuttier than I already am.
But then you don't wanna get me started on immature gulls or shearwaters
while yer slippin' around on other people's puke neither.

Anyone up for a tango?

I know it ain't real sharp - I don't wanna spoil y'all.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 14, 2012 - 11:00pm PT

Nice afternoon here in Santa Cruz. Took a walk up through the campus and saw the usual suspects. Click on them for larger versions.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 15, 2012 - 01:09am PT

Woohooooo! Sweet Mike. Great day to bird!

Had myself a big day!

Went to Goleta Beach/slough and Los Carneros Lake and got 7 new ones! so I'm up to #154

Got some birds I've been looking for! FINALLY!

and about a million Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and more than I can list. My buddy got 20 new birds so he was stoked.
Great day to be out! Hope everyone else is getting theirs!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 15, 2012 - 01:30am PT

hey! some great shots and good birds Slater. Love that hummingbird and the gnat-catcher.

Those are Royal Terns in the winter plumage.

Maybe it is the perspective, but I'd be a little uncertain about the Greater vs Lesser Yellowlegs.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 15, 2012 - 01:43am PT

It looks a Lesser to me too. Something about the way she walks. Or maybe
it is just her boyish figure.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 15, 2012 - 02:28am PT

Slater,

Looks like a Glaucous Gull. They are huge, bigger than Westerns. Damn, you are doing OK on gulls. I'm still leaning toward Iceland on the earlier one. You should show that photo to some gull nuts. I also agree that that looks like a Lesser Yellowlegs. The bill seems straight rather than upturned. You certainly had a great day of birding. We used to participate in the Santa Barbara Xmas Count. They are usually in the top four or so count circles. Too bad I wasn't birding in my first year of college at UCSB. Even so, I managed to about flunk out with too much surfing, etc.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 15, 2012 - 02:49am PT

Thanks for the comments and insight guys.
Lesser it is.
Glaucous... don't have one yet! Now I do!?

I should have surfed Campus Point but it would have cost me some birds!
Off shore and peeling pretty good!

I even had the board in the car...

birds have taken over...

am I crazy?!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 15, 2012 - 03:05am PT

Slater,

Yes, you are crazy, like the rest of us.

I think it looks pretty good for a 1st-winter Glaucous Gull: chalky white, large size, two-toned bill. Were there other "reference" shorebirds? That would help to nail down the Yellowlegs as a Lesser. The Greater is about the size of a Willet. The Lesser is about the size of a Dowitcher.

The sad thing about my year at UCSB (1966-67) was that it was the worse surf in recent memory. There were only a handful of good days.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 15, 2012 - 10:14am PT

Eggzellent new bird pics, Thrashers, peeps, Oak Tits etc. More birds! A couple more pics of the GHO happily preening - check out the tongue action on the talons...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 15, 2012 - 11:30am PT

Yes, a Greater Yellowlegs then for sure, it was exactly the size of a willet. I saw it from ACROSS the channel and it was still fairly large. Thanks!

Speaking of feeders...

It's OFFICIALLY SPRING in Slater's backyard...

A blackhooded Grosbeak!

#155 !!

and all I had to do was wake up and look out the window of my kitchen.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 15, 2012 - 11:31am PT

Nice stuff Slater! We see few Black-headed Grosbeak here at our feeder-ville - like one each Spring. No sighting here yet. Jealous!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 15, 2012 - 01:29pm PT

A note on equipment. I've been using a Nikon D7000 plus Nikon 70-300mm f/4-f5.6 VR up till a couple of weeks ago. This is a nice lens that is plenty sharp from 70-240mm and the vibration reduction is excellent. But, got a good deal on a Nikon 300mm f/4 and bought it. I wish it had vibration reduction, but that aside it is a clear step up from the prosumer 70-300mm. Sharper (incredibly sharp), better contrast and deeper (whatever that means) colors. 300mm is a little short some of the time, but being patient and getting closer works most of the time.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 15, 2012 - 02:16pm PT

A few more from Central America...

I'm camera-less for the first time in years..feel somewhat naked.

Sold all my gear. Looking forward to the new gear coming later this week.

Really great photos from everyone.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 15, 2012 - 02:35pm PT

Bob - did you keep track of species count on your honduras trip? If so, what was it?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 15, 2012 - 02:45pm PT

Mike..I think close to 175 or more...have to look at my records. I saw a sh#t load of birds. The Neo-tropics are pretty amazing. Next trip is to Copper Canyon and then over to the Sea of Cortez in the fall.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Apr 15, 2012 - 09:00pm PT

I took a short trip over to Kenai this morning. The river is breaking up and and a few of our migrants are arriving. I saw Mallards, Pintails, Snow and Canadian Geese. One American Wigeon. Several immature Bald Eagles, some Barrow's Goldeneyes way out in the inlet and a Loon, too far away to identify which species. I also saw one Yellowlegs. On the flats I saw two Lapland Longspurs, but I was unable to get good photos of them. They are a new life bird for me so very exciting.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 15, 2012 - 09:52pm PT

Gorgeous! Thanks Cyndi -

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 15, 2012 - 10:37pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 15, 2012 - 10:39pm PT

The word 'ethereal' comes to mind. Pretty!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 15, 2012 - 10:52pm PT

Cool shots. I like the last hummer shot MB, unusual "pose"...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 15, 2012 - 11:09pm PT

yeah Mike, look a those wings!

Cyndie, stay warm up there and enjoy the show!
More birds coming your way soon!
They're flying from my backyard to your tundra!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 15, 2012 - 11:17pm PT

Yup BN - I can't remember ever seeing one feed this way. It was doing the usual hover-and-feed thing, then for just a second grabbed the branch. Got lucky to catch it with a shot.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 16, 2012 - 12:38am PT

Cool shot Mike...

Great Horned Owl, near Penitente Canyon, southern Colorado.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Apr 16, 2012 - 12:56am PT

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 16, 2012 - 05:50pm PT

Crimp/Brass/whomever else - Don't think I'll be able to make it to the gordon party. Have to catch ya next time.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 16, 2012 - 07:03pm PT

Solongs as wees postings ups owls...mays wells continues;)

Gary

climber

"My god - it's full of stars!"

Apr 16, 2012 - 09:19pm PT

Really great photos!

Slater, we had our first black-hooded grosbeak in the yard Sunday. Cool bird.

Also, another first, a cowbird. Not so sure I'm thrilled about that, but what the hell, they got to make a living, too.

I do wonder where the Cooper's Hawk went to, though. Plenty of doves hanging around.

And a cool story about a school that switched to native plants and the birds that followed:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bird-school-20120416,0,1384226.story

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 17, 2012 - 12:04pm PT

Dooodes yous guys are getting really cool shots of owls!

I've only seen two, great horned owls, at night.

What do I gotta do to see an owl in the day time!?

OK so let's play MOST WANTED! - Name your 2 most wanted birds...

MY TWO MOST WANTED BIRDS!!!!

1. Barn Owl

2. Green Heron

(I'm listing two I should be able to get but can't so far, after multiple attempts)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 17, 2012 - 12:18pm PT

Just for slater:

knocked off both those at the salton sea a few months ago. My top two off the top of my head since I dont keep a list yet:

snowy owl

Another type of Ibis (I've only got a glossy so far)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 17, 2012 - 02:01pm PT

Curse you Matty!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 17, 2012 - 02:13pm PT

Newt Gingrich was bitten by a penguin at the Saint Louis Zoo on Friday during a private tour, zoo officials said.

The candidate was on the tour before giving a speech to the National Rifle Association convention when "he was nipped on the finger" by a Magellanic penguin, Susan Gallagher, the zoo's public relations director, told Reuters on Monday. A Band-Aid, she added, "took care of the injury."

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/newt-gingrich-bitten-penguin-zoo-place-where-loves-154916520.html

Now I can state that you have to be a real azzhole to get bit by a
Magellanic. Those guys are so mellow they make Wavy Gravy look agro.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 17, 2012 - 04:02pm PT

oh please please don't turn this thread into a political thread...
it's my last refuge.

Boids only please

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Apr 17, 2012 - 08:59pm PT

My two most wanted in Alaska are:

Black Oystercatcher and a Yellow-billed Loon

These guys are around my area but I just can't seem to be in the right place at the right time to see them.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 17, 2012 - 09:50pm PT

I just got my first black oystercatcher about a week ago in Cambria/San Simeon area. Cool ocean bird with color.

I was also impressed with the stilts. Good luck!

My mentor with over 900 birds said he didn't have a Glaucous Gull yet so I am kinda stoked on that one! Thanks guys!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 17, 2012 - 11:00pm PT

I've been posting my photo(s) (only a Barred Owl recently) on the big year thread. RE bitterns, which I've never seen in my life!; our local birding hotline pointed me towards the following link. I'm not sure where the photographer took the shot, but I think it was somewhere here up in the PNW.

http://www.pbase.com/jvhigbee/image/142725300

Cool photo of the Barn Owl.

RE Magellanic Penguins and aggression: I sympathize with Reilly's statement. A Magellanic's idea of jumping bad is to slowly extend its head towards you while rotating it(the head) a 1/4 turn.

Cyndie: Are there Harlequins near you?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 18, 2012 - 01:52pm PT

come on guys, you're slowing down!
Anyone getting out? Post up some pics!

I'm getting the new Canon Powershot sx260 (500mm point and shoot).
While the quality won't be bitchin' I'm hoping it'll help me ID birds, and save me from toting all that big heavy glass around.

I have the 70-200mm L series lens but hope this gets me closer to ID stuff.

I'll probably carry it EVERYWHERE since that'll be an option. #200 here I come! There are around 450 in my county so I'm shooting for the half-way point my first year!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 18, 2012 - 09:15pm PT

Slater, I'm camera-less....waiting for my new Olympus OMD5 and Canon 7d with 100-400mm lens.

The Sony A77 (great camera) just didn't fit my hand right.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 18, 2012 - 09:42pm PT

Ooooh the 100-400 is NICE!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 18, 2012 - 09:48pm PT

I'm excited about OMD5 with 100-300mm lens (200-600mm 2x crop) size for traveling and birding.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Apr 18, 2012 - 10:44pm PT

Darwin, yes we have Harlequins every summer in Homer and Seward.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 18, 2012 - 11:26pm PT

A few from Ecuador a few years back with my son Adam.

Great trip...this was near Mindo and the jungle town of Puyo.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 18, 2012 - 11:32pm PT

what is the middle one (cinnamon colored)?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 19, 2012 - 12:18am PT

HA that leaf shot could be a postcard

john hansen

climber

Apr 19, 2012 - 12:25am PT

Cyndie, I always wanted to see a harliquin ...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 19, 2012 - 11:50pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 20, 2012 - 12:22am PT

Great Blue Herons are a dime a dozen here he Seattle, and I suspect a lot of places. They have to be one the most photographed birds around, because they are big, stationary, and relatively tolerant of our presence. A little earlier this Spring I saw 18 (19?) of them along one 50' stretch of Lake Washington. Nonetheless, I present three shots from just the other day but from not the most common angle.

And in the same tree the following is my first decent bird photo from a few years ago:

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 20, 2012 - 12:47am PT

Still often my kids favorite bird of the day.
They get close.
It's big.
And damn cool looking.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 20, 2012 - 01:39am PT

If you want to see some good shootin' check this guy out:

James Ownby

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 20, 2012 - 10:35am PT

Thanks for the pointer Reilly (to http://www.ownbyphotography.com/Default.htm ). That's well worth a click. I like the little bit of writing he gives. Some of the photos seem a bit intense on the color (e.g. http://www.ownbyphotography.com/newpage5.htm); , but ain't that all our dillema as soon as we enter Photoshop or Gimp.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 20, 2012 - 10:45am PT

Darwin, I thought the majority of his shots were well balanced. I thought
he did crank the saturation a bit on his Bandurria Austral so I hope I am
excused for liking mine better. :-)

Bandurria Austral aka Black-faced Ibis

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 20, 2012 - 11:50pm PT

Nice shots everyone...here is a American Kestrel shot with the new rig today. Shooting into the sun, so a little glare.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 22, 2012 - 07:16pm PT

Took a nice walk this morning at Wilder State Park

john hansen

climber

Apr 22, 2012 - 07:51pm PT

Mike , are you sure that's a Says Pheobe,,, could be a western kingbird.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 22, 2012 - 07:56pm PT

Good call John - had a small discussion about this with my wife and I went with her ID even though I was thinking that the belly was way too yellow. But, I wasn't coming up with an alternate name and didn't have the book. But, of course you are correct!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 22, 2012 - 07:57pm PT

Great shots Mike...I think it is a Kingbird.

I had a great day along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM...lot's birds and a new 11a route on the basalt

Black Phoebe

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 22, 2012 - 08:18pm PT

Bob, I'm not sure that's an Olive-sided but I would be if heard him calling
for a "quick,three beers"! ;-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 22, 2012 - 08:30pm PT

Reilly..could be a Black Phoebe..shitty shot...still trying to learn the new camera.

Edit..I'm going with Black Phoebe...thanks Reilly.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 22, 2012 - 09:20pm PT

Bob

Nice that you got the climb in too!!!! My shoulder is getting stronger and better, so hopefully I'll be posting some climbing photos with Tony soon (knock on wood).

I suck at IDing Sparrows and Finches.
Is that "just" the always beautiful House Finch? Evident stripes ... .

So going back to Mike Bolte's Fox Sparrow. Could it be a Lincoln? It sure seems to have an evident eye stripe and fairly delicate beak? The Fox, Lincoln and Song Sparrows seem to vary so much up and down the W. Coast, so that's my excuse if I'm lamely off base.

(ps added in edit: really nice photos Mike. Thanks)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 23, 2012 - 09:10pm PT

Just back from a VERY short trip to Costa Rica, half of which was surfing. Unofficial tally is about 240 species in ~5 days of actual birding, and 165 lifers. I also managed to bring home around 1500 photos, and I'm sure 1000+ of those are birds. However, I suspect 975+ of them will look horrible on a screen larger than my camera's. Regardless, it will take me some time to go through them, and right now I'm catching up on work. I'll try to trickle a few in over the next week or so, starting with this artsy-fartsy Turquoise-browed Mot-mot:

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 23, 2012 - 10:18pm PT

Here is another view. Darwin, I think you are right about the mis-ID. Now I am thinking song sparrow rather than Fox or Lincoln.

EDIT: those damn lbb (little brown birds). In Sibleys they warn about the geographical variations among these particular sparrows. I wonder if there is interbreeding or just adaptations to local environments.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 23, 2012 - 11:10pm PT

Mike you and Reily must be correct: Song. Our Song Saprrows are a little grayer and darker. Comparisons between ours and the guides books always confuse me. Or I'm just wrong, wrong wrong. This is what I call a Song.

And the below added in edit what I think is a Lincoln: "crisper stripes on the breast and flank" better defined pattern on the back. I hope I'm not digging myself into too deep a hole. Like I say, Sparrows are really tough for me, and we're undoubtedly running into some geographical variation.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 24, 2012 - 12:07am PT

I had a meeting with the BLM up at Penitente Canyon and made it into a little birding trip. Had a really good day..Spotted Towhee were taking over the canyon.

Check out this bad boy that was at the Monte Vista NWA on the drive back.

This was a prize (White Faced Ibis) in a little pond just off US 285 near Romeo, CO

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 24, 2012 - 12:45am PT

yeah! owls!

how in the heck do you guys find them in the day time!?!?!?!

Did see a goldfinch and hooded orioles in my yard feeder today!

and finally found my green heron.

Still want a barn owl. What do I gotta do... crawl up into every palm tree in town!?!?!

costa rica... sigh...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 24, 2012 - 01:24am PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 24, 2012 - 01:31am PT

Let's start with some trogons!

This one has a few orangish feathers in the mix, but I'm calling it a Collared. Could be an hybrid/intergrade, but probably too much red for Orange-breasted. Personally, I'm not sold on this split, anyhow

I love the little yellow guys!

Saw a whole bunch of these at La Selva, but never did see a male

This one's crappy, but it's a one-handed shot with my point and shoot. Surfboard was occupying the other hand!

And, of course, that biggest and baddest of the trogons

mouse from merced

Trad climber

merced, california

Apr 24, 2012 - 01:36am PT

In a novel I read of the herons supposedly located in the Kern River and nesting in a tall tree. It was a novel about a kid who grew up on the Kern.
I wonder if anyone's been to the area and has some insight. And has anyone the vaguest notion of this novel? And is the nesting place referred to as a heronry or what?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 24, 2012 - 01:41am PT

Owls, Ibis and Trogons! I guess I'll stop with the Sparrow photos, now. ;-) Thanks you all. Nice detailed photo of the Great Horned(?). And What can you say about the Trogons but: wow!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 24, 2012 - 02:13am PT

Great stuff Willoughby...really beautiful.

Here is another one from today.

Darwin...love the sparrow shots.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 24, 2012 - 09:02am PT

Woke up to some awesome photos. I love the Motmot as well Riley. Beautiful all - including the sparrows!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 24, 2012 - 10:14am PT

Riley..yes it is a Swainson's.

Also some colorful Barn Swallows.

Zander

climber

Apr 24, 2012 - 10:18am PT

Spotted Towhee in Coyote Gulch Saturday.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 24, 2012 - 10:19am PT

Riley - it was a good time. We arrived on Tuesday and headed home late Sunday. Even got in a couple of mornings of dedicated birding. Got 67 species. We've been swamped since returning home. Hopefully Dave can get some bird photos up the next day or two.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 24, 2012 - 11:13am PT

Riley, I went back a ways but I didn't see anything like a cuckoo.
Here's a Squirrel Cuckoo from Iguazu...

Willoughby, awesome trogonidae!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 24, 2012 - 11:16am PT

What a beautiful way to greet the morning. Meadowlark singing.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 24, 2012 - 11:42am PT

If she is Mrs Squirrel it is no wonder she is skulking. He hubby has it
goin' on in comparison. I don't think she is a Squirrel Cuckoo. She almost
looks a Striped Cuckoo but I'm not seeing her superciliary and it is hard
to see how long her tail is. It is hard to guage her size but it doesn't
look 11-12" either. She's definitely not the 17-19" of a Squirrel Cuckoo.
She looks more thrush-like to me especially with the malar stripe.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 24, 2012 - 11:45am PT

Riley, I've never been to Puerto Rico (beyond the airport), but I'd suggest Pearly-eyed Thrasher. Seems a good fit, and they're super common there.

Squirrel Cuckoos have red eyes, are sexually monochromatic, and most importantly, don't occur in the West Indies.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 24, 2012 - 11:48am PT

Squirrel Cuckoos have red eyes

Uh, see above... :-)

Jan

Mountain climber

Okinawa, Japan

Apr 24, 2012 - 12:55pm PT

I thought it was domestic and feral cats?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 24, 2012 - 02:36pm PT

Blackcapped Chickadee on the hike this morning.

Busy little things.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 25, 2012 - 11:53am PT

sorry, had to bump the thread off the 3rd page with a Eurasain collard dove!

It's from my new Canon Powershot sx260 w/ 500mm lens!

Shot from my car, across the street.

OK birdies now I can carry this pocket size bazooka every where I go...
and not look like a nerdy birder w/ binocs and massive lens! I got a monocular to go with this stealth set up.

Stealth baby, stealth. They'll never see me coming...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 25, 2012 - 12:15pm PT

Turkey in a tree at school.

Neither shot did I photoshop or crop in.

Just two side by side comparisons.

The camera was out the door $299.

12MP & 500mm zoom and fits in my pocket.

I didn't know turkey's went into trees!!!
I always just see them walking on the ground.
Thought it was a taradactyl.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 25, 2012 - 11:36pm PT

Nice Turkey!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 26, 2012 - 11:27am PT

A few from today walk.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 26, 2012 - 11:45am PT

This guy is bivying on my front door jamb today.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 26, 2012 - 12:23pm PT

Glad your door jam guest is not flat Reilly!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 26, 2012 - 01:17pm PT

yeah the wide angle is 24mm so that's pretty rad too.

Maybe we'll all hit the Yosemite Christmas bird count!?
Saw a bald eagle and peregrine and Pileated Woodpecker last time! Big sucker!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 26, 2012 - 10:34pm PT

Toucans, motmots, and an owl...
Chestnut-billed Toucan

Tossing back berries. That thing is a weapon

Sadly, all my Keel-billed shots look like this

Mega-crop of a distant Collared Aracari

Emerald Toucanet, close up and curious

Broad-billed Motmot, looking like Samson after a haircut

Rufous Motmot. I was surprised by how BIG these bruisers are. I'm also impressed that Photoshop could pull any color or detail out of this, since it was taken at twilight and was basically a black image on my viewfinder. Moments earlier, there were two on this branch, doing the tick-tock tail-twitch.

Best tail in the game, although I think the Turquoise brow may be even more impressive

Spectacled Owl

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 26, 2012 - 10:38pm PT

Awesome stuff! Thanks Willoughby and welcome back.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 27, 2012 - 12:23am PT

Ooooh how exotic!
Like the colors!

Today's walk... walking never was so much fun!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 27, 2012 - 10:08pm PT

Two in the yard today.

Great stuff Slater and Willoughy.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 28, 2012 - 01:23am PT

I know some of us spend some time thinking about digital photography. Slater's Canon SX260 is a revelation to me, and I can hardly wait until he points it as some surf breaks and climbs, as well as birds of course. I rarely put a whole out of the camera image on Supertopo. Instead I have a script that automatically enhances and shrinks using the open source software ImageMagick. Then I'll often crop it before posting. Here is my most recent Sandpiper photo with the straight automatic treatment that I've optimized over a couple years:

For convert I used the options " -contrast-stretch 0 -sharpen 4x0.2 "

And the same photo that I manually enhanced using Gimp. I like my automatic treatment better.

If there is any interest and when I have time I'll try a Photoshop session and just cutting and pasting the shrunk photo to compare. I keep the raw files but if the lighting is decent, I never use them.

Credit to Tony for helping me a lot getting the camera settings dialed in.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 28, 2012 - 02:38am PT

Thanks guys, I'll try to keep adding pics, but I upgraded to the latest Silverlight, and now my browser crashes every time I try to post one. Maybe I'll try Firefox.

I think there is a record for one of those at Bentson?
Can u imagine!
Holy moly...love ur birds

I can't imagine, at all. I believe you're thinking of Stygian Owl, which is pretty damn crazy too.

Where did you go in Costa Rica?
Please give us a little Blue print for birding and surfing.

Whelp, this was my first time, so I'd hardly say I nailed the perfect trip. Further, due to airline shenanigans, a little bit of rain, and the ziplining demands of my friends, I lost a couple days of what was only an 11-day trip to begin with. That said, it was good! I did a day at La Selva on the Caribbean side, which I HIGHLY recommend for several days (stay there, too - it's worth it). Then I did two nights at Rara Avis, which I can't recommend for folks on a tight schedule. Killer spot, and a cool experience, but the forest is DENSE, the birding is tough, and you burn up too much time getting back there. Then two nights in Santa Elena (1.5 days of birding). I spent 9 hours in the Santa Elena Reserve, and it was killer. Next morning, I cruised around a bit, and parked it for a few hours at the Monteverde Gift Shop hummingbird feeders. I think I had eight species of hummer there. Then I sorta birded by car on my way down the mountain and around the Gulf of Nicoya to Malpais. Spent the rest of my trip there, surfing.

If you really wanted to do THE birding/surfing trip, and you only had two weeks, I'd probably pick a mountain locale like Santa Elena, or possibly one closer to San Jose, and then go down to Carrera National Park for several days. This spot is right at the junction of the drier NW Pacific, and southern Pacific ecological zones, so it's a tremendous convergence of the two fauna. Plus, you're just a short hop from the ferry over to the Nicoya. I'd also like to visit Cabo Blanco next time I'm in Malpais. Malpais was awesome, but I think I was glad to be there in April, as the season was winding down. Super friendly locals, laid back, nice, but I think it's a big ol'party Dec-Feb. April's a pretty nice time for the birds too. Gobs of passage migrants (Chestnut-sided Warbler and Swainson's Thrush were probably the most common species of the trip), and lots of breeding and and displaying and nesting. Lots of molt too, which made for some ratty looking birds (mountain birds and migrants), but c'est la vie.

Okay, here's another batch:

Rufous-tailed Jacamar at Twilight. I saw several of these taking dustbaths in the road, and nearly ran one over

Big surprise of the trip was finding this pair of nesting Great Green Macaws. They took turns going into the cavity, and would walk up and down this branch to access it

I kept a respectful distance, so this is a monster crop from miles away

Violet-headed Hummingbird

Purple-throated Mountain-Gem

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 28, 2012 - 09:25am PT

Very cool tropical bird pics Mr. W! Looks like a great trip. Here's Callie checking out the hummers at the Monte Verde gift shop - quite the variety there (sorry for the lame P&S photo...)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 28, 2012 - 09:33am PT

Oh, that was fun! They buzzed so close to my face I could feel it. They could have cared less we were there. Stumbled upon this place and ended up staying for hours.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 28, 2012 - 10:44am PT

A few shots of an American Dipper at a stream near my office. Very cool birds, beautiful song and entertaining behavior, diving into rough water and all!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 28, 2012 - 06:29pm PT

Getting ready to spend a three-day weekend in the Ramsey Canyon AZ area. Tips from you guys on must-go-to places? I have books, but hearing from you guys is always better.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 28, 2012 - 07:14pm PT

BN, great shots of a hard-to-shoot and John Muir's favorite boid!
Am I delusional or is that a White-eared? Where is Monte Verde?
Is it Mesa Verde, NP? Can't be a White-eared then but the crown looks green
but the throat is red (purple in White-eared)? A hybrid White-eared/Broad-tailed?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 28, 2012 - 07:21pm PT

Reilly - Monte Verde in Costa Rica. I need to get my guide (or Willoughby will chime in) to remember what the birds were. LOTS of hummers!

The Dippers have one baby in their nest. It's been fun watching dad feed while mom hangs in the nest with junior. They are amazing -how they move around under water is baffling. Dave got a soft shot of one with a mouth full of little green worm/larvae/something gross. Wondered what they were gleaning under the water.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 28, 2012 - 08:19pm PT

CRIMPS AND ALL YOUS OTHER PEOPLE

Tell us where the heck you are seeing these boids so you don't drive me
any battier than I already am!

So it is a White-eared! Woo-Hoo! I'm gonna get me one of them little fellers
in SE AZ in three weeks. I just know it! I think there's a Berylline waiting
for me there too. ;-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 28, 2012 - 08:23pm PT

We'll just miss you in SE AZ Reilly. Looking forward to the treats it'll bring. Can't wait to hear what you find.

I *thought* I remembered it being a White Eared, but I do not trust my memory at all on that stuff. :) Good call.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 28, 2012 - 09:07pm PT

Here are a few from the local park today:

Cheers all!!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 28, 2012 - 09:12pm PT

Riles, yes, Miller and Scheelite/Ramsey are top of the list. Then I want
to hit Sycamore and/or California Gulch right down on the border if I can
convince the wife she won't get kidnapped and sold as a white-slave to a rich
Republican in Scottsdale. California Gulch is a gimmee for Five-striped
Sparrows and almost a gimmee for Buff-collared Nightjars. STOKED!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 28, 2012 - 09:23pm PT

I want YOU Reilly!*

* This bird seen on the internets at http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.narba.org/html/behu2McD.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.narba.org/%28S%28qd1nufuxeaknt155gud2k555%29%29/default.aspx/act/newsletter.aspx/category/Field/MenuGroup/Home.ht../NewsLetterID/1541/startrow/13.htm&h=368&w=400&sz=22&tbnid=qt_XaqAJGJrEJM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=98&zoom=1&docid=Edv6gLbcXKQAIM&sa=X&ei=D0mdT_23HIbHtge_tLGnBA&ved=0CGMQ9QEwBA&dur=361...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 28, 2012 - 09:25pm PT

Nice photos Matty! That is a Bushtit on top. Huh huh. Huh huh. :)

Have you been to Ramsey Canyon before Reilly? It'll be our first time.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 28, 2012 - 09:30pm PT

she said tit...Huh huh....Huh huh....Huh huh...Huh huh...

Thx for the ID!!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 28, 2012 - 09:34pm PT

No, the last time we hit SE AZ we went to Cave Creek and Guadalupe Canyon.
Back then Guadalupe wasn't a drug corridor and you could still camp there.
It was freaking heaven. If I had the time I would still go there as it is
still probably the best place to see Rose-throated Becard and Violet-crowned
Hummers. Botteri's and Cassin's Sparrows are fairly thick just at the
canyon mouth so it is tempting to go back there.
Do you have the ABA book on SE AZ by Taylor? The Tucson Audubon book by
Kaufman is good too but I might give the nod to Taylor's. Best to get both. :-)

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 28, 2012 - 09:50pm PT

If you are coming to Costa Rica to bird you can get a lot of bang for your buck by going to the Carara/Tarcoles area. By combining some time in the forest, open country, Pacific coast, Tarcoles River estuary and mangroves you can get a great sampling of birds. When I used to do big days we'd start in Carara and by the time we were heading out at 09:00 for the highlands we'd already have 200+ spp under our belts. Besides it's close to San Jose (less than 1 hour from the airport with the new highway) and is easy to roll into trips that head north or south from there.

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan was lumped with Black-mandibled Toucan last year by the AOU, if you care about that sort of nit-picking.

I'm at La Selva now and saw your RT Jacamar dust bathing in the driveway this afternoon.

later, JZ

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 28, 2012 - 11:35pm PT

Do have the SE AZ book with the forward by Kaufman - will look for that other. Looking forward to your TR!

edited to correct author names

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 29, 2012 - 01:54am PT

http://slatervision.com/www.slatervision.com/Carrizo%20Plain%20April%202012/

CARRIZO PLAIN ROAD TRIP

Too many shots to post up here but easy enough to check out if you're interested.

Great sick day event (hardly had to leave the car).

(note: can't figure out how to change my copy right 2010 to 2012... Lightroom 2 ... help?)

Started at Atascadero Lake and moved east on Hwy. 58 to Carrizo Plain.

Wait

For

It...

Bam!

Wahhhhhoooooooooooo!!!!!

Ken

Trad climber

Arroyo Grande

Apr 29, 2012 - 01:58am PT

i took the above shots in 2010 wtf

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 29, 2012 - 10:01am PT

Nice Barn Owl! In Morongo last week, we watched one flying around quietly in the tree tops. Got several nice views of the bird, but no photos. Lovely birds!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 29, 2012 - 12:34pm PT

Nice shots Slater...CONGRATS on the barn owl gotta be nice to check that one off. Were those shots with your new P&S or your DSLR or both? I'm planning on taking a trip up to the Carrizo Plain soon, know you've been there a few times...any advice to a first timer?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 29, 2012 - 12:51pm PT

Just to keep things moving forward...

Cranes?????

BE WARNED...I'm not afraid to use cheap puns as an excuse to post more boids.

Did I mention I love this thread...

...it's such a HOOT...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 29, 2012 - 11:25pm PT

yeah nice owl shot!!!!

i took the above shots in 2010 wtf

Ken... you tard...I was asking how to change my watermark (it's automatic) and has been on 2010 since 2010. It's now 2012 so these shots were obviously from my last trip... don't make me come up to your house and give you a beating. Hurry up and finish my picnic table!

Oh, forgot this dude... not sure how, there were a ton out there on Hwy. 58...

Matty PM me and I'll tell ya what I know about Carizzo!

Heck yeah Sandhill Cranes... where you find those!?

I used my new point/shoot Canon for stationary objects (500mm zoom!) and the Canon SLR 40d/200mm for faster moving targets where quick focus was needed (owl shot).

So stoked I got that one! I was on my way out of the park. It was my one and only new bird for the whole day/200 miles. #161 didn't come cheap.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 29, 2012 - 11:57pm PT

Great stuff everyone...Here are a few from my weekend climbing trip to Penitente Canyon.

The Northern Pygmy Owl was a real prize as was the Golden Eagle.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 30, 2012 - 12:19am PT

Mongo like Pygmy Owl :-)

At the Gordo-Fest, CG and I got out for some birding at nearby Morongo Valley a couple of mornings. Perhaps the best of the bunch were the Vermillion Flycatchers - a pair were out and about both mornings. Here are a few shots - very beautiful birds, super colorful and only found in very limited areas of the desert southwest...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 30, 2012 - 12:22am PT

Man ya gotta love the red, what a cool bird! One of these days I'll leave the county :) and get me somethin' exotic!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 30, 2012 - 11:14am PT

American Bittern/Monte Vista NWA, southern Colorado.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 30, 2012 - 11:19am PT

HaHaHa! Good one, Bob! Those doofusses always think they're such good sneaks! HahaHa!
Now, Least Bitterns, there's a serious sneaker. I've only seen the one.

Any climber/birders with a boat near Coos Bay, OR? We need to hook up and
sneak out to the Leach's Storm Petrel colony off of Bandon. Who's on?
I'll be there next month and I'll cover the bail if we get caught.

phylp

Trad climber

Millbrae, CA

Apr 30, 2012 - 12:42pm PT

Hi Birders! I'm not one of your tribe but I had a nice experience a few days ago I wanted to share:

I was with a climbing partner at a area called Moderate Mecca in Calico Basin Red Rocks the other day. This area is usually very crowded because if the moderate nature of the routes but as it was spitting down rain all day and we wanted to climb, easy cracks seemed like a good plan, and the place was empty because of the rain. My partner had just lowered me from a route and she said " Phyl come and look here, I think there's a dead owl on the ground." There at the base of a scrubby bush, not 3 feet away, was an immature great horned owl. Of course it wasn't dead! As I was peering at it, it's eyes widened and it blinked.

It was so beautiful!! Such fluffy, downy feathers! About 12" tall - it almost looked like a little barrel cactus, it blended into the area so well.

Of course we had been talking and laughing in this area for a while, but as soon as we saw this bird, we got silent and packed up to go as quickly as possible. We heard some owl calls while we were packing up. Later we listened on the internet to great horned owl calls and it sounded like what we heard. We wondered if it was the mother calling for it's little one.

By the way, the only was we knew this was an immature Great horned owl was that we walked through the Calico Basin nature exhibit on the way out and they had a "local animals" board. The mature great horned had the same feather pattern as what we saw, and we found a bunch of photos on the internet later of the immature bird.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 30, 2012 - 01:11pm PT

Wilson's Phalarope in the front and Long Billed Dowitcher in the rear. San Luis Valley, Colorado.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 30, 2012 - 02:15pm PT

Uh oh, now you've done it phylp! You saw a bird, adored it, listened to its call and posted about it here. Welcome to the tribe! :)

mouse from merced

Trad climber

merced, california

Apr 30, 2012 - 05:26pm PT

Since non-natives seem to be invading a "nesting site," and they are of the knowledgeable variety, this is a gentlemanly time to ask about the Owl Roof and the origin of that route's name.
"Who"
has
this
knowledge?
Athena appears to wonder the same thing. Maybe, no, certainly, Werner knows.
but he's probably still asleep. nudg, wake up!

Phylyp, I was getting curious about the results of your climbing trip. Neat.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 30, 2012 - 05:32pm PT

http://www.stanford.edu/~clint/yos/owlroof.htm

That one?

Maybe Werner can help?

edit: I posted before seeing your edit regarding Werner. Thinking he definitely knows.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 30, 2012 - 06:35pm PT

Riley...thanks and I did have a great two days of birding and climbing. The San Luis Valley is a very special place.

From one extreme to the other.

phylp

Trad climber

Millbrae, CA

Apr 30, 2012 - 07:31pm PT

Thanks for the welcome Crimpie. I'll drop back here to visit now and again.

I do love my birdies. We're lucky to have a nice environment right in our backyard - a bunch of large live oak trees. We get a hawk nesting back there. My husband tries to identify them - he has the good eyes and the good binocs. Last year it was a sharp shinned. And some hummingbirds live back there. When I go out on the deck they often come and say hello.

:) Phyl

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 30, 2012 - 07:47pm PT

That hummingbird has freckles Bob!

Got these on my commute home!

This is the mystery bird...???

ALL SHOT FROM THE CAR ON MY WAY HOME WITH MY POINT AND SHOOT!

The red shoulder hawk has a band... ??? Didn't know they did that to common species. Should I report a sighting or something?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 30, 2012 - 07:57pm PT

F*#KING AWESOME SH#T EVERYONE!!!!

Slater - the sandhill cranes were from my trip last February to the salton sea. I keep seeing new stuff in my photos every time I look back. I was only there half a day but saw a ton of radness. Must go back...

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Apr 30, 2012 - 10:22pm PT

hey there say, all.... sure love the birds... here...

saw two hawks over my large oak tree in back yard... city, though,... this part of town... well, lots of woody areas, thogh, as this is mich...

got the ol' robin back to the shed, to nest... so fun!!! to see her hopping around the yard and the dad robin, too!

cardinals come, too,and a few others, when i can get seeds, etc...
wish i could take better pics of them... i will have to see if my camera can get a close up lens, but one, they said--the store--that there is none to be had.. camera is too old and none are made for it now... :(

will take them this little kodak and as ask about that now...

would love to join teh fun posting these cute critters :))

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 30, 2012 - 10:23pm PT

Bird bump... a few feathered friends within 20 miles of the Gordo-Fest last weekend.

sandstone conglomerate

climber

sharon conglomerate central

Apr 30, 2012 - 10:58pm PT

http://metobs.ssec.wisc.edu/aoss/cameras/hawkcam-flash.html
this is pretty cool. mama redtail is pretty busy, all the time.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Apr 30, 2012 - 11:43pm PT

hey there say, all... my twin buddies and me, were having some camera talk... they helped me with my last camera, and so did nature, a ways back, well... now that i need more pixels, we are doing a share:

we've found a point and shoot olympus down to 60 bucks...
so we're working this out...

i HOPE to be getting better BIRD PICS, soon...

they, by the way, do GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY, too...

recently they got a few eagle shots up, at the ol' facebook...
though--they specialize in horses...

you all will be the first to know if i get some great bird shots,
too! say, you never know--i JUST may catch sight of them hawks,
that i've seen lately!

thanks again for sharing all these birds...
my mom taught us to love so much from the woods... and not only that:

but all the birds that came to our yard.. she said:
give them water, and they WILL come, ;)

Todd Reeves

Trad climber

Fort Collins, CO

May 1, 2012 - 01:07am PT

Black and white bird...Colorado state bird...Lark Bunting

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 1, 2012 - 01:10am PT

Matty - I gotta get out to that Salton Sea... I see it on so many bird photo tags! on the list man! Way to glean the old photos!

Brass- taken with your point and shoot I suspect ;) NICE

Got these on the way to a meeting tonight after the fog rolled in ...

Eggses my precioussssss!!!!!!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 1, 2012 - 09:06am PT

More terrific photos here. Thanks all!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 1, 2012 - 12:50pm PT

Slater, unless you can read the number off that band, there's really nothing to report to anybody. Color bands are a different story, but a basic aluminum band won't tell anybody anything without knowing the number that's stamped on there. If that bird cooperates, however, you can usually read the number with a scope. Sometimes I'll go out and read bands off geese or gulls in the winter, if there's not much else going on birdwise.

Ron, unlike book publication dates, bird distribution is not a static thing. It's always changing a little bit, and some species change a lot. Great-tailed Grackles have definitely expanded their range in the West in the last couple of decades. Also, Nevada is the most underbirded state in the Union, so maps for NV tend to be pretty lousy anyway.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 1, 2012 - 02:15pm PT

How many of you own birding scopes (not binoculars and monoculars etc. I'm talking the real deal)???

They seem to be good for viewing birds that stay relatively still (larger birds). But in my limited experience I can usually get relatively close to those and see just fine with binoculars.

Maybe ideal for sea birds way out in the ocean? or in an area where access is limited so you have no choice? or a nesting falcon way way up on a cliff.

I did stop by a herd of birders who had them and they showed me a white faced ibis from like a mile away. It was a little more than a speck in the view finder. (still wondering if I can even count that on my list??? would you???) He has the second most birds in the county and he knew what he was doing and what he saw, but still it just looked like a dark egret of some kind hanging out in the mud-flats).

Scopes seem really expensive.

Do I need one to continue my bird quest?? or is it icing on the cake?

A lot of the birds I need for my county list are tiny little buggars that hold still about as well as my 4 year old daughter when she has a full bladder. I'd imagine a scope would be worthless.

Give me your wisdom people! please and thank you

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 1, 2012 - 02:30pm PT

Cardinal or Cowbird? Thoughts? Two Cardinals have already fledged.

edit:

Nice question Slater. I had a scope but rarely used it. And when I did, I was never psyched about it. Though a Nikon, it just wasn't crisp or something. Be interested to hear others' thoughts.

john hansen

climber

May 1, 2012 - 11:27pm PT

A 20 power scope is great for some place where lots of water fowl hang out, like Greylodge or something,,in places like that you can scan large flocks for things like Eurasian widgon or sandpipers.
There are people that use them for specialty birding like trying to see as many spiecies as possible while staying in one spot. Wide open places where you can see many diverse ecosystems, like Bolinas lagoon or Bodega bay where you can spot pelicans flying past at sea, but turn around and see turkey vultures inland. Maybe a fresh water pond for some ducks, some open beaches for dunlins and sandpipers, with rocky shores for oystercatchers and shore birds. Maybe some tall spruce for the verio's and nut hatches and stuff.

Now that I am thinking of it, there is a place up past fort bragg at mcericher (sp) state park that would be great for that.

I like to keep moving around, try to keep the sun behind me,,

I have some what started leaving the binos behind, and just use a long lens on my camera. to much work to carry both and switch back and forth, and the photos are good for identification even if they are not perfectly sharp.

Enjoy the hunt.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 1, 2012 - 11:41pm PT

Slater...I use my scope maybe once in every twenty trips. Always bring my binoculars.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 2, 2012 - 12:00am PT

I use my scope a lot, but I am often at the beach and the tide dictates the distance of the birds. It is not fun to hike around with the scope. It is more of a drive up and set up deal.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 2, 2012 - 01:14am PT

The tides in Alaska fluctuate like 24 feet or something like that, right?
man here in Calif we only worry about 7' max swings.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 2, 2012 - 01:19am PT

^^^ HaHaHa! The two utes* almost lost their canoe to the Cook Inlet tidal
bore. They were shuttling loads to the truck and not paying attention when
they saw their vaunted wilderness reputation about to float away. Luckily
they still possessed a semblance of their hitherto awesome sprinting abilities.
Ho, that woulda been a tough one to live down!

*aka the two doofusses

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 2, 2012 - 03:28am PT

Slater, I use my scope almost every time I go out "birding," and it lives in my car just in case, as do the binoculars. Never know when I'm going to need to pull over and get a better look at something. Depends on the habitat, and what I'm really up to, but you get pretty fast with it, and there's just no substitute for a closer look. Kowa TNS-823 with a 32x double-wide eyepiece. Shorebirds, gulls, seawatch, hawks in the stratosphere, showing others what I'm looking at (esp. guiding tours, leading walks), anything in somewhat open habitat, a little digiscoping now and then, occasionally reading bands, and basically anything that will sit still for a second. Soooooo worth it. They're even useful for dragonflies and whales and planets and ... they're just completely worth it.

I should also add that my Kowa got a little moisture in it after a trip to Patagonia, and they repaired, cleaned, repurged and resealed it, and replaced a bunch of parts and the whole outercasing - under their lifetime warranty - FOR FREE. All I paid was the shipping to get it to them. GREAT customer service and company!!!

I'd also add a vote for flourite-coated lenses. Brings a little more light and definitely a bit more color, especially in very low light conditions. You pay for it though.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 2, 2012 - 09:08am PT

Callie
Where were those taken? Cardinals in your trees?
Wow, I've not seen one of those since I moved west!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 2, 2012 - 09:19am PT

No SteveW - RARELY Cardinals here on the Front Range (though we had one last year in town).

My friend Joe, who lives in Austin took these. He's been following their development. About 5 days ago, he became convinced one was a Blue Jay. Someone told him that Jays drop eggs in other birds nests. :/ Not so.

Anyway, I assured him the bird was not a Jay. Still, he was convinced something was different. I was chatting with him about Cowbirds, but I wasn't convinced that was the case - until yesterday. The whitish tips on the feathers were suspicious.

So I showed the photos to our ornithologist extraordinaire here (Willoughby) and he confirmed - two baby Cardinals and one Cowbird! The Cardinals had already fledged. The Cowbird was really developmentally behind (in fact, he's still in the nest). I mentioned that as far as a cowbird, he's been a FAIL as he hasn't harmed the growth of the Cardinals.
:)

Edit: Willoughby - is this the same scope as yours? I can't find the model number you posted: http://store.birdwatching.net/store/-strse-1153/Kowa---TSN-dsh-883/Detail.bok

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 2, 2012 - 10:36am PT

A few more from the San Luis Valley.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 2, 2012 - 01:27pm PT

Willo & Reilly - so what's an inexpensive but still worthwhile scope...

or is that an oxymoron?

I'm guessing a 2k scope is still about 15 years away (I have two kids, one still in pre-school $$$ and two 13 year old cars about to give way).

Ha ha... stuck with $30 binocs huh!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 2, 2012 - 01:46pm PT

Oh, besptted one, I'm a cheapskate (except for camera gear) so I've gotten
almost 30 years out of my old Bushnell scope. You pretty well get what you
pay for with all that stuff but I have found that there is good value in
some of the lesser ballyhooed brands and Bushnell is one of them. I have a
really good pair of Bushnell binos that, sadly, took a really hard knock and
the prisms are out of alignment. I tried to do it myself and did make them
better, believe it or knott! I was going to shell out for a pro job but the
wife got me a really nice pair* for Xmas before I did. I should still have
them fixed as they are worth it.

But I digress. Check out Eagle Optics - they don't have a house brand
spotting scope unfortunately as I would expect but they carry all the brands.
I haven't looked at scope prices in a while and just shocked myself! The
better Bushnells are now $850! Yikes!

.
*Eagle Optics Ranger Pc's made by Celestron, the telesope company.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 2, 2012 - 04:42pm PT

A few from today hike

Mountain Chickadee and Song Sparrow. Also had a Blackheaded Grosbeak at the feeder.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 2, 2012 - 10:41pm PT

Posted these on the blog today. SO PRETTY!!

No surprise people travel to see these birds.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 2, 2012 - 10:42pm PT

From Arizona or J-tree, Callie?
So pretty!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 2, 2012 - 10:46pm PT

Still haven't headed to AZ (very soon though). Those are from Covington Park which is adjacent to Morongo near J-Tree. A very friendly bird!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 2, 2012 - 11:51pm PT

Nice photos, Bob and Crimpie! thanks.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 3, 2012 - 12:27am PT

Just got home from a quick look at the Kenai River area and I saw Bald Eagles, Mew Gulls, Herring Gulls, Bonaparte's Gulls, Sandhill Cranes, American Wigeons, Eurasian Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Greater Yellowlegs, Hudsonian Godwits, Pacific Golden-Plovers, Pintails, Mallards, Crows, Ravens, Harrier and two sealions.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 3, 2012 - 12:41am PT

Cyndie;
And it's totally still light, isn't it (8:40 your time)?

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 3, 2012 - 12:48am PT

It is light until about 11:00PM now and getting lighter every night. I have to remember that I need to work in the morning and force myself to head home.

Brunosafari

Boulder climber

May 3, 2012 - 01:21am PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 3, 2012 - 02:46am PT

To answer a couple of questions upstream regarding scopes, mine's probably getting close to 15 years old, so 1) they make that model anymore (looks like objective lenses got 6 mm bigger, which should pull in more light, I suppose), and 2) I haven't been in the market for a long, long time so I really don't know what's out there. I got mine more or less pro-deal at ~ $1050 at the time, so it's been a very good investment from an amortization point of view. But it's been priceless from the images it's burned into my brain. Callie, I'm sure that model you linked is the modern equivalent, and I'm sure it's completely stunning. All the modern scopes I've looked through in recent years have been really impressive.

I will add that zoom eyepieces were still pretty useless back in 90s, but they've improved by leaps and bounds, if you're into that sort of thing. I'm pretty happy with my 32x double-wide. It's killer for panning and scanning, as well as just locking on to stuff that's not that far away.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

May 3, 2012 - 08:51am PT

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/18058426/pet-parakeet-returned-to-japanese-owner-after-telling-police-his-address

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 3, 2012 - 09:03am PT

Thanks Willoughby. You've planted a very dangerous (and expensive) seed. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 3, 2012 - 10:57am PT

Warbler?? I need help.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 3, 2012 - 01:35pm PT

Orange-crowned.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 3, 2012 - 02:17pm PT

Time for another batch of photos from Costa Rica.

Here's a Squirrel Cuckoo in Alajuela

And another in La Selva, and one less cicada buzzing over the bird sounds:

Howler Monkeys have nothing on Gray-necked Wood-Rails when it comes to making a pre-dawn racket. I have a bunch of photos of them on the lawn at La Selva. Even got a fuzzy one of one standing on another's back, but I prefer this one in the forest at Rara Avis, looking a little more wild

Couldn't shake a stick at the Santa Elena Reserve without hitting Black Guan. Dig those sublime purple tones on the facial skin:

Santa Elena Reserve has a tower that gets you up above the canopy. Great chance to see a few raptors flying around. Here's a distant Bat Falcon

And a few not so distant Swallow-tailed Kites. Hard trying to get these in focus as they buzz the tower at high speed

Terrible photo of a great bird. There were tons of Collared Redstarts at Santa Elena Reserve, but they never sit still, scaring up prey by flitting about with their flashy plumage

Lots of these too: Slate-throated Redstart, Monteverde area

How 'bout some more hummers? The long and lean Green-crowned Brilliant, Monteverde Gift Shop (MGS)

Violet Sabrewing, MGS. This purple beast is half a foot long.

Tiny little Scintillant Hummingbird, MGS. I imagine this a young male.

Magenta-throated Woodstar, MGS. Serious molt going on with a lot of these hummers. This species sounds just like a bumble bee in flight, a definite favorite. Too bad they all looked like hell.

Pretty sure this is a Steely-vented Hummingbird. Had a bunch of these elsewhere, but didn't expect one at this elevation, MGS. Again, lots of molt.

Green Violet-ear, MGS. They flare those ear patches when they're feeling feisty, which is often.

Green Hermit, MGS. I found a lek of these at Rara Avis one morning, going bananas. Very large, very vocal. This is a female.

Long-tailed Mannakin,young male. This guy was a total surprise, hanging out at some scrubby spot on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere on the Nicoya Penninsula. I was stunned to find him in such dry habitat.

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Malpais

White-fronted Parrot, Malpais. Didn't manage too many parrot photos.

Female Rose-throated Becard, Malpais

White-throated Magpie-Jay, Malpais

Yellow-Green Vireo, Alajuela

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 3, 2012 - 02:52pm PT

Awesome shots Willoughby...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 3, 2012 - 04:59pm PT

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!

Very cool birds!

How was the surf in Malpais?

Going next year to vacation, bird, and surf!
You're making me really look forward to it!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 3, 2012 - 05:00pm PT

Agreed. Not much more to say except WOW!

Heading out for some birding this weekend. Hope to see lots of birds. I'll report back in later...

(but don't expect anything on the scale of what Willoughby has! WOW!)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 3, 2012 - 05:33pm PT

Slater, I don't have much perspective on "how" the surf was, as it was my first time ever. So, as far as flopping around in the froth was concerned, it was great! Plenty of real surfers out on the bigger breaks getting some though. Fairly short rides on the breakers right off the beach, but it looked good to me, and I know there are many, many other breaks in the immediate area, depending on what's in and good that particular day.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 3, 2012 - 08:11pm PT

We tried to get to Mal Pias but the roads were under 4' of water and we were in a RAV rental so went to Jaco instead.

Today's catch...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 3, 2012 - 08:29pm PT

Sweet pics Willoughby

Going to Josh for the weekend ... I'l have my camera...but lots of other plans too (both for climbing and photography - Full moon!) Hope to get some birds while I'm at it if they're able and willing. Happy birds everyone

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 3, 2012 - 09:05pm PT

Sitting with brassnuts who adds "wow" to the conversation!

We will try to get some moon photos this weekend too. Lets post them here!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 4, 2012 - 11:17am PT

Crimper and Brass under one roof!

buy more beer!

and imagine the crushing power...

OK so I hesitate to post the baby hawk pic it is so lousy (and this thread seems to be about photography as much as it is birds) but it is with my 500mm and they were waaaaaaay up there!

There were TWO baby hawks and now I see only one... what gives? Is there something going on in the animal kingdom I don't know about like the biggest pushes the littlest out of the nest due to competition etc???

Also a grossbeak visited my feeder again! cool!

you should see my 8 yr. old son and I go into high alert at 7am running around the house for binos and cameras!!! funny stuff. Miracle it was still there!

Footloose

Trad climber

Lake Tahoe

May 4, 2012 - 12:04pm PT

Willoughby,

No birds up here yesterday!

Nor white-tailed jackrabbit pellets. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 4, 2012 - 12:09pm PT

This pretty fella in the yard yesterday.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 4, 2012 - 01:22pm PT

Footloose - early season "mountaineering," I see? The Mighty Duane Bliss Peak!! I'll bet it was windy up there yesterday. Those young hawks were super fun to watch: quasi-barrel rolls, dive-bombing each other whenever one of them landed on a tree, lots of shenanigans. But now I'm embarrassed that you've exposed my chicken scratch on the Internets. I'll just be over here working on my penmanship.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 4, 2012 - 02:55pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 4, 2012 - 07:32pm PT

Nice Mike...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 6, 2012 - 01:10am PT

Riley you can get one of those small tripods and attach it to the bottom and use it like a handle.

TWO new birds for me! A Western Tanagers #162! (saw like 3 in two different locations today... they're all over now!)
The photo sucked it was so high up in the trees and in shade, but it was good enough to see the yellow rump and head etc.

Also saw my first Pigeon Guillemot of Port San Luis Pier in Avila! #163!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 6, 2012 - 02:33am PT

Slater; good photo of the Pigeon Guillemot. I saw one today but today, but it was much too distant to see the black notch in the field of white and didn't get a photo.

I had a good long birding bike ride for the stby, and saw some birds that surprised the bejeepbers out of me. The Guillemot was a surprise, but I also saw what I'm calling Marbeled Murlets (?Kittlitz's?). I would love some confirmation on those from y'all out there, and I think the photo's good enough. Tony, come home!
Photos from the whole day are at: http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_05_05_DiscoveryPark , but here are three cropped ones. These were all from the same ride around Discovery Park and Shilshole, Seattle. Oh and I saw Caspian Terns, too.

I saw my first Townsend's Warbler of they year and got some photos of it (above link):

The Murletes (the were !small!, i.e. Murlet sized:

Finally, the gulls are driving me crazy!!!!!, but I liked this photo:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 6, 2012 - 02:51pm PT

Bullock's Oriole in the yard today.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 6, 2012 - 03:26pm PT

Darwin, all you need see is the bill size. That and the fact it is highly
unlikely there would be a Kittlitz south of Glacier Bay.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 6, 2012 - 03:32pm PT

Nice shot of the Townsend's!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 7, 2012 - 09:24am PT

Monday morning Boids...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 7, 2012 - 09:45am PT

We just returned from Southern AZ. Fun birding there. Can't wait for BN to post those photos. And to see everyone's photos too!

Captain...or Skully

climber

May 7, 2012 - 09:50am PT

Hey, BirdPeople...Have ya'll been watching the Eurasian Dove invasion?
Or is that a foolish question? Cheers.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 7, 2012 - 11:19am PT

Gud shootin' BN! That was definitely a 'scrub' jay! Looking forward to yer Violet-crowned Hummers.

DON'T MESS WITH BIRDERS!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Bird justice: Observer's vigilance protects downtown L.A. ravens

Marcos Saldana watched from work for years as a pair of ravens raised their young in a nest at the vacant Hall of Justice. But this year he became concerned that renovations could harm the protected birds.

By Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times

May 6, 2012, 9:51 p.m.
To work in the file room of the downtown criminal courts building is to be a librarian of evils. Its shelves hold the official records of rapes, murders, robberies and thousands of other offenses prosecuted in the courthouse and the clerks there know the ugliness of society by name and case number.

It is perhaps not surprising then that on his lunch hour, an employee named Marcos Saldana was drawn to a scene of natural beauty. It was a ravens' nest on the ledge of a building across Temple Street and Saldana watched each spring as the same pair of birds rebuilt the nest, hatched their chicks and taught them to fly.

"Birds are beautiful," Saldana said, standing at his usual vantage point, a window in the L.A. courthouse's 13th floor snack bar. "They can fly away and go wherever they want, whereas we are stuck to the ground."

This April, Saldana's fifth watching the ravens, the view changed in a way that made him fear the birds and their chicks were about to join a group with which he was well acquainted: victims of violence.

Saldana raised an the alarm in keeping with his soft-spoken, unassuming manner. He whispered his worries to a file room patron, a reporter, and offered photos — with an apology for their quality — of purplish black parents dropping food into the gaping mouths of a blurry brood.

In doing so, Saldana appears to have accomplished on his noontime repast what two government-paid biologists did not. He guaranteed the safety of the birds and might even have prevented a federal crime.

The nest in question is on a window sill of the vacant Hall of Justice, the historic former jail and courthouse. Shuttered after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the Beaux Arts pile is undergoing a $231-million renovation into offices for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and district attorney. When the project received funding last summer, Saldana wondered vaguely how it would affect the ravens, but his concerns grew this spring when workers built a protective canopy over the sidewalk beneath the nest and there were courthouse rumors about a giant power wash planned for the granite exterior.

"I wanted the babies to have time to get out," Saldana said.

Ravens don't normally get that kind of human attention. They are the geraniums of the birder world, their prevalence a bore to serious connoisseurs. They thrive throughout the country, often on a diet of other birds and garbage, and even the name of their species — common raven — carries an implicit yawn. But as Saldana, who spends weekends watching rarer birds, was quick to note, ravens can be captivating. They fly in an elegant progression of swoops and dives. They usually mate for life and share child-rearing duties. And they are intelligent. The Audubon Society's field guide puts their reasoning ability at "comparable to that of a dog."

Given their smarts, it was hard not so see some ironic wink in their choice of home. For centuries, ravens have been a near universal symbol of death, and Saldana's birds were roosting on a building whose cells housed Sirhan Sirhan, Charles Manson and Richard Ramirez and whose basement coroner's office was the site of the autopsies of Marilyn Monroe and Robert F. Kennedy.

While their presence riveted Saldana, no one at the construction site seemed to take notice, an issue because the ravens are protected by federal law. A 94-year-old statute, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, makes harming native birds or their nests a crime punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of $15,000.

"It seems kind of ridiculous when it's a common species, but when birds have an active nest, it's against the law to destroy it," said Kimball Garrett, the ornithology collections manager at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum.

Told of the Hall of Justice's raven residents, a manager at the county Department of Public Works expressed shock.

"We just had a biologist out there, and they didn't find anything," said assistant deputy director Jim Kearns.

To ensure compliance with the law, the county has a three-year, $40,000 contract with an engineering firm whose biologists are to survey the site every 10 days during nesting season.

"No active bird nests or nesting birds were observed on site," a supervisor from Burns & McDonnell Engineering wrote in a report summarizing the results of four site visits since late February by a pair of biologists.

During an April 18 visit, he wrote, the biologists saw a single raven "circling and perching" but noted that it had no mate and was not nesting.

"It would be hard for a biologist to miss that," said veteran bird watcher Ron Cyger, the former president of the Pasadena Audubon Society. "A raven nest is pretty large. You couldn't miss it really."

After The Times' query, a biologist, a county project manager and the contractor went to the site and located the nest. The biologist initially identified the birds as American crows, a close cousin of the raven also protected by federal law. But informed by a reporter that Garrett, one of the country's most eminent bird experts, had said the birds were ravens, a county spokesman said the biologist would revisit the identification. A few days later, he said the biologist had concluded the birds were indeed ravens.

No work on the exterior of the building is planned for several months, but the project manager said in a report related through a county spokesman that the area around the nest will be cordoned off "to assure no disturbance for the next four weeks or until we can confirm the hatchlings have fledged."

After the chicks are gone, the nest will be removed "to alleviate future use," according to the report.

Saldana is betting the birds come back anyhow.

"I would like to think I've been able to keep them safe," he said.

harriet.ryan@latimes.com
Copyright © 2012, Los Angeles Times

Bird Justice

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 7, 2012 - 10:48pm PT

Brewer's Sparrow??

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 7, 2012 - 10:54pm PT

Vesper!!

Dig all that cheek pattern, and the really bold eyering. You can even see a little chestnut peeking out from the shoulder. Brewer's aren't that interesting to look at.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 7, 2012 - 11:03pm PT

Thanks.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 8, 2012 - 12:04am PT

I need a good tutorial on Sparrows. Just returned from birding in AZ and I know I missed some I couldn't identify. Maybe Vesper will stick with this conversation.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 8, 2012 - 12:27am PT

Downloading the Sibley eguide to my droid right now. Do you guys use guides on your smart phones? Thoughts?

Captain...or Skully

climber

May 8, 2012 - 12:34am PT

Nevermind, then. Sorry.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 8, 2012 - 01:23am PT

A Barn Owl Story

I got to see a barn owl a couple nights ago and my 8 year old son Owen saw the photo and wanted to go see one too. So we got into the car and headed for Dana Foothill Rd. and the fields in the eastern part of Nipomo near the foothills. We rounded the turn and headed down Melschau Rd. and parked by the yellow barn (the place of the last sighting). We watched the sun set. We saw two redtail hawks come out and feast on top of telephone poles. But no barn owls... we waited and waited. 8:20pm -- It was time to go.

Dad was probably the most disappointed. We had gone a tad too early due to the fact that Owen still had homework to do. So we drove across town and headed for home and I said... "Well Owen, we'll have better luck next time..." Twenty seconds later and literally one street from our house a barn owl flew across the road and landed in a tree on the side of the road. I stopped the car and hit the brights. Owen, my little girl Charlotte and I peered at it for about 45 seconds, then it took flight and disappeared into the night.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 8, 2012 - 03:21am PT

Sorry Capn' or Scully, missed the question earlier, but it's a good one.

Have ya'll been watching the Eurasian Collared-Dove invasion?

Yes. On tenterhooks. At least in my immediate area. In particular, I've closely followed their regional arrival ~ 15 years ago and spread from rural NV (amazingly, they seemed to hit the Pyramid Lake area first) to southern Reno and Carson, and then up the hill to Loyalton and the Sierra Valley, invading one Truckee neighborhood at a time (first Sierra Meadows, and more recently Glenshire), and finally into the Tahoe basin (South Lake). The first Tahoe record was 2008. Then a couple of scattered sightings per year, until last year, when I think the first birds probably bred (or at least attempted to). I think we got 18 on the South Lake Tahoe Christmas Bird Count a few months ago (which is a lot for our first CBC record!), and now they're seen almost daily, transiting the Upper Truckee Marsh.

And sparrows are the business! All that detail is sublime. And there are some good songs among that group, too. Brewer's may be lame to stare at, but it's surely my favorite to listen to. Pretty conflicted about the longspurs getting tossed out of that group, though. I think they're up in front of the warblers now. Huh?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 8, 2012 - 08:23am PT

Think I've got a sparrow ID book that I'll take on the plane with me today. As someone said (Kaufman?), one learns the birds one at a time. Maybe I can get a couple to stick!

edit: NO! I take my new Sibleys guide on my smart phone!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 8, 2012 - 09:43am PT

Crimp wrote: I need a good tutorial on Sparrows.

I just ask Willoughby. :-)

Mu buddy has the smartphone down load and uses quite a bit.

Hope Dave and you had a great trip to AZ?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 8, 2012 - 09:50am PT

Super fun in Az. Sad to see Miller Canyon so burned. I am now en route to San Fran and he is heading to Red Rocks later this week. When he gets back, he will post some photos of the AZ birds.

Am always game to bird in AZ!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 8, 2012 - 09:57am PT

Speaking of birds...saw this rare one yesterday in a small canyon in northern New Mexico.

We call him Fertility Man.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 8, 2012 - 05:52pm PT

Black Chinned Hummingbird in the yard today...beautiful.

Captain...or Skully

climber

May 8, 2012 - 06:17pm PT

Thanks, Will. Those things are everywhere these days!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 8, 2012 - 11:19pm PT

My 8 year old found a Bald Eagle from a mile away.

Oh to be young again!!!

Twitchell Reservoir, about 10 miles east from the coast of Guadalupe, CA.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 8, 2012 - 11:29pm PT

A couple of the black headed boys showed up today.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 9, 2012 - 10:58am PT

Attention birders with iphones

The app store has several birding apps on sale right now for way way cheap. I got these last night and feel they are all worth it for the price (normally each is $20-30):

ibird explorer pro - now 99 cents

Peterson guide - now 99 cents

Audubon Birds - now $2.99

The cool thing about them is they each have some useful features the others dont have. Audubon has eBird which is a feature that will show bird sightings in your area recently, like bird alerts on the go, or just a way to discover some new spots, or find a rare/unusual bird you didn't know was around. Cheers-

Matt

tarek

climber

berkeley

May 9, 2012 - 12:46pm PT

Major bonus points for anyone who can ID this chick (I know what it is).

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 9, 2012 - 01:37pm PT

On my hike today...I'm going with Plumbeous Vireo.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 9, 2012 - 01:52pm PT

Thanks Matty, sounds like a sweet deal.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 9, 2012 - 05:07pm PT

It is a sweet deal, they have drawings, photos, samples of the birds singing, checklists, regional information, searchable databases etc... now I have 3 guides in my pocket and they're faster than a book yet contain more information. All for 5 bucks! If you don't have a iphone they may be on sale for your platform too if you check.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 9, 2012 - 05:53pm PT

What an adorable chick!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 9, 2012 - 06:07pm PT

tarek, I hate to accuse anyone of dissembling but without telling us whether
said chick is domestic or wild, let alone its locale, I fear I am inclined
to do so. In lieu of any disclosure I'm going with a Great Bustard. And
I mean the bird.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 9, 2012 - 06:32pm PT

Yeah Tarek, how 'bout a continent of native provenance, for starters?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 9, 2012 - 07:55pm PT

Crimp...I going to Southern New Mexico and Arizona the first week of June...where is the hot spot...been to Patagonia and Maderas Canyon.

Thanks in advance.

Anybody up for a short trip (4-5 days)??

Da_Dweeb

climber

May 10, 2012 - 10:31am PT

First time seeing an American Crow at my mealworm feeder. Luckily I had the camera running, it was good to get a close video of this beautiful and intelligent animal.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Da_Dweeb

climber

May 10, 2012 - 10:52am PT

Adorable. <3

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 10, 2012 - 11:30am PT

Bob, ya gotta keep up - we covered that a week or two ago! ;-)
The ABA book by Taylor - A Birder's Guide to SE AZ is da bomb. However,
the Tucson Audubon book by Kaufman has some better info on certain areas.
Buy 'em both although if yer only gonna get one get the Taylor.
We're gonna miss you by a week.

Here's the Tucson Audubon blog page for rarities:
Tucson Audubon Rarities page

Rufous-capped warblers in Florida Cyn*! Woo-Hoo!

We're going to hit Scheelite Cyn to see the famed Spotted Owls. Then
Ramsey Cyn in the afternoon for hummers. Then I think we're going to
Guadalupe Cyn way down in the SE corner for Violet-crowned Hummers, Tropical
Kingbirds, Beardless Tyrannulets, LeConte's Thrashers, Botteri's and Cassin's
sparrows. On the way back we might try to see the warblers in Florida Cyn
if they're still there, hit the famed Patagonia Rest Stop for Rose-throated
Becards, and go commando in California Gulch for Five-striped sparrows and
Buff-collared Nightjars. Cave Creek might get a stop for owling - Elf and
Whiskered Screech are pretty reliable there.

There's so many fabulous places it is a tough call. If this is your first
trip I heartily recommend Cave Creek and environs, Scheelite/Ramsey Cyns,
and Madera Cyn..

*Note that there is a Florida Wash and a Florida Canyon and they're only
a few miles apart! The wash is in the lower part of Madera Cyn while the
canyon is on the east side of Mt Wrightson.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 10, 2012 - 12:19pm PT

Bob, put Portal AZ (SE corner of AZ) on your list, Ramsey Canyon (south of Sierra Vista) and San Pedro riparian corridor (good trails at San Pedro house off 90). Great stuff!

slabbo

Trad climber

fort garland, colo

May 10, 2012 - 01:46pm PT

Hey all, the hummingbirds have just started slamming the windows. One went down for 15 minutes today.
Do those window alert decals work ?? i have tried taping up tissue and such with no luck.
thanks

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 10, 2012 - 02:25pm PT

Thanks Reilley and Dave...Reilly, I'm a old man, give me a break. :-)

tarek

climber

berkeley

May 10, 2012 - 03:56pm PT

I don't actually know much about birds, so that was a bit of a poseur move. But, I work in SA rain forest, therefore see some pretty amazing critters.
Black Curassow chick, very cute, follows you around and then perches on your feet while you sit eating or working.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 10, 2012 - 09:45pm PT

hey there say, bird folks....

just got a lucky shot of this, this morining, when i was watching robins, in my backyard--this was up, and over (about one house over)...

silently by, thay moved--not like the canadian geese, that give you a warning to get your camera ready, :))

had black feet ...maybe they are swans?
*whistling swams, maybe??

we do see them in the waters, here...
there is also a few mute swams, as well here...
(they've had to protect them from abuse, sadly)...

veryyyy large birds.. lovely sight it was...

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 10, 2012 - 09:53pm PT

hey there all, say... another fun pic, of my yard-shed robin...
there are two... this is one of them...

:)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 11, 2012 - 11:25am PT

Took a short drive down one of our country roads and saw these two, both new for me.

Before birding I thought all birds that were blue were all the same bird!

That Lark Sparrow... spririted fellow. Cool white trim on his feathers when he flew, feisty little guy with some neat head pattern.

mctwisted

Trad climber

e.p.

May 11, 2012 - 11:51am PT

northern harrior??? owl like head

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 11, 2012 - 12:04pm PT

mctwisted, generally all you need to see is the low coursing flight. That
and the white rump.

Neebee, love the robin on the chair shot! Very rural Andy Warhollish! :-)

Da_Dweeb

climber

May 11, 2012 - 08:59pm PT

Some close footage of my two Black Phoebe buddies having breakfast

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 11, 2012 - 09:14pm PT

Caught some hummingbirds this evening. Allen's vs Rufous has me a little bit confused.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 11, 2012 - 11:40pm PT

Mike;
Nice comparison of the humming birds(!) and nice photos. Thanks.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 11, 2012 - 11:42pm PT

Mike - a few pages back Willoughby discussed the Rufous vs the Allen's. Maybe you missed it.

I am almost finished reading "Of A Feather: A Brief History of American Birding" by Scott Weidensaul.

Really interesting and packed full of all sorts of stuff I'd never heard nor considered. Ron A - there is a photo of a female taxidermist from the late 1800s there. Totally recommended to you all.*

* caveat: I'm a bit of a nerdy reader.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 11, 2012 - 11:42pm PT

Man, that Allen's looks a lot like a Rufous...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 11, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

Not sure if it is useful, but this text is from the Cornell site:

Similar Species to the Rufous:

Male Allen's Hummingbirds have a green back and rump. Rarely, male Rufous Hummingbirds show a green back, so look closely. If you see any completely rufous feathers (not just rufous-edged) on the back, it is a Rufous Hummingbird. Female and juvenile Rufous and Allen's hummingbirds are nearly indistinguishable in the field - it's probably better not to try to identify them during migration, when their ranges overlap considerably. In Allen's Hummingbirds, the outermost tail feather is narrower than the other tail feathers. Among other female hummingbirds, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have paler buffy sides, lack rufous in the rump, and have little rufous in the tail. Calliope Hummingbirds have only a little rufous in the tail, lack rufous on the rump, and are smaller than Rufous Hummingbirds. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are grayish on the flanks rather than orange.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 11, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

Thanks Crimper!

wow - I missed some incredible BN shots and the costa rica bird images are really fabulous!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 12:01am PT

I feel like I finally learned the Rufous and the Allen's on that SoCal trip (though as Willoughby points out there is some variation).

We returned about a week ago from AZ. He got a lot of nice shots there. He won't be able to post them for a while as he's on the road to Red Rocks right now. I'll try to get him to post a TR from that!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 12:06am PT

I went back to look at some photos again and came across the Sun-Flare Thrush discussion.

Still laughing. :)

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 12, 2012 - 04:49am PT

hey there say, reilly.... as to the robin and the chair, i know, who'd have ever thought he'd sto there for a picture !!

lucky shot to be sure... he/she (they are both taking care of the nest in the shed) sat on one of patty ann marie (the ol' pup dog)'s SMALL wood-chewing pile... i was NOT quick enough for that picture, though, :))

keep trying to get some more, though, i will be doing... :)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 12, 2012 - 01:02pm PT

So i have been trying to develope my life list according to birds I have photos of. Wondering if these 4 little gulls are wintering bonapartes?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 01:06pm PT

I have almost not gull ID ability. Still, I like your photo. I like how these four are reflected. Fun!

If you don't mind, why do you think they are Bonaparte Gulls? Hoping to grab some tips from you.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 12, 2012 - 02:27pm PT

OK so here are my half asses inexperienced rookie reasons for thinking these are wintering Bonaparte gulls:

I basically just searched for gulls in my new bird apps that matched certain traits. They seem to be a little smaller than the average gull, but do not have the splotched grey look I'm used to seeing in juveniles. Also the bills are black, the legs are pink. Then there's that little patch of grey behind the eye and the tail area is darker/black.

Between that and what I read and saw in the drawings and pictures it seemed like a good match.

here's what audubon says:

"The Bonaparte's Gull is not a typical "sea gull." One of only five black-headed gulls in North America, its light body, long wings, and buoyant flight make it look more like a tern. Unlike any other gull, the Bonaparte's Gull nests in pine trees near water, which ties it to the fate of our boreal forests. Foraging over coasts and the open ocean during winter, this small gull rarely visits garbage dumps, preferring plankton, insects, and fish. On average, Bonaparte's Gulls weigh only seven ounces and measure 13.5 inches long with a 33 inch wingspan. Except for the rare Little Gull, the Bonaparte's Gull is the smallest of its North American relatives. From April to August, the head, bill and wingtips of the adult Bonaparte's Gull are black. The upper parts are medium gray, contrasting with the white lower parts and reddish legs. In flight, the ends of the upper wings flash white, and the black of the wing tips extends halfway along the trailing edge. After molting fully, wintering adults lose their black hood and retain only a black blotch over each ear, dark eyes, and a black bill. A very light gray may wash over parts of the head. The legs fade to light pink, but the rest of the plumage remains essentially the same. Immature plumages are complex, and Bonaparte's Gulls attain adult plumage in two years."

Check out pictures of wintering Bonapartes on google.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 12, 2012 - 02:40pm PT

Matty, how many times do I gotta tell yous guys to say where the hell you're
seeing yous boids, huh? Your "under the sea" could be the Caspian, nawmean?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 12, 2012 - 02:54pm PT

Sorry...that pic was from the salton sea (so. cal) in Feb.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 04:37pm PT

Thanks Matty. Cool info!

Can anyone identify the Cooper's breakfast in the previous photo BN posted? Too gross to look at for me. I prefer to think of it as a non-bird. :/

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 04:45pm PT

Everyone there thought it was a Phainopepla. Poor birdy.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 12, 2012 - 05:09pm PT

So, Crimpie, in lieu of a BD slideshow how 'bout you give us a brief itinerary
and bird highlight list?

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 12, 2012 - 05:26pm PT

Matty, were the Bonapartes retreating. . .????
hee hee hee. . .

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 05:27pm PT

Happy to Reilly!

We stayed at Ramsey Canyon B&B which is next door to the Nature Conservancy. Great location. We also went to Miller Canyon (charred from the fire) and hung out at the Beatty's Hummingbird Feeder area, Mary Jo Ballator's home (home and immediate grounds saved, all else burned), to the Army Base in search of Trogons and to the Riparian Area - San Pedro River.

Day one, we saw about 62 different species - and many of each of them!
Day two was bizarre. Not sure what happened - weather change? The super Moon? - but the birds were gone. And not just for us, for everyone. We saw 4 new species that day and few of any birds. And day three we picked up the remainder of the birds.

The rascally Red-Faced Warbler, a bird EVERYONE has seen, eluded me once again. Grrrr.

The list:

Black Headed Grosbeak
Mexican Jay
Black Chinned Hummingbird
Acorn Woodpeckers
Western Tanager
Painted Redstart (lots at the B&B)
Spotted Towhee
Lark Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Bridled Titmouse
Gambel's Quail (heard, never seen)
Crow
Yellow Rumped Warbler
Blue Throated Hummingbird (I was psyched as I'd really wanted to see one of these)
House Finch
Western Kingbird
Pine Siskin
Lazuli Bunting
White Wing Dove
Brown Headed Cowbird
Ladder Back WP
Bewicks Wren
Scotts Oriole
North Flicker
Turkey Vulture
Gila Woodpecker
Canyon Towhee
Wilsons Warbler (lots in many locations)
Townsend Warbler (lots in many locations)
Graces Warbler (first for me!)
Brown Crested Flycatcher
Broad Tailed Hummingbird
Broad Billed Hummingbird
Mourning Dove
White Breasted Nuthatch
Dusky Capped Flycatcher (with his sad little voice)
Magnificent Hummingbird
Lesser Goldfinch
Black Throated Gray Warbler
Common Grackle
Dreaded Pigeon
Red Winged Blackbird
House Sparrow
Starling
Hooded Oriole
Albert's Towhee
Cassin's Kingbird
Vermillion Flycatcher (LOTS at the Riparian area - saw a female on nest!)
Yellow Warbler (everywhere!)
Great Blue Heron
Yellow Breasted Chat (Riparian area)
Bullocks Oriole
Barn Swallow
Green Tailed Towhee
Summer Tanager
Song Sparrow
Mexican Mallard (Riparian area)
Pyroloxia (sp?)
Common Yellow Throat (Riparian area)
Swainson's Hawk
Common Ground Dove
Turkey
Elf Owl (!!)
Says Phoebe
Coopers Hawk
Hermit Thrush
Arizona Woodpecker (seen at the Conservancy and the B&B)
Hermit Warbler (a first for me yay!)
Plumeous Vireo
Red Tailed hawk
Song Sparrow
Lucy's Warbler (a first!)

There was also a hawk and everyone said "Gray Hawk!!" I didn't give it to myself as I couldn't ID it then or now. Gotta study them.

I found that the hummingbird watching was best at the Conservancy. Mary Jo lamented that there just are not nearly the number of hummers at her home since the fire (we saw two in several hours). The fire fighters dropped the retardant on her home and saved it and the immediate grounds. It's sad to see the mess the fire made.

Not seen -

Red Faced (Grrrr)
Green Kingfisher. Looked twice. Some friends here said that they saw him near the Casa de San Pedro (the B&B on the grounds there).
Olive Warbler. Convinced this is an imaginary bird at this point.
Trogon. There were 4-5 in a very small area - many saw them. We went on the odd birdless day. Saw NO birds at all. :/

Great fun. Can't wait for BN to share the photos!

edit: Ate one night at the "Outside In". It was really yummy though I admit to being a bit scared upon seeing it from the road. Recommended!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 12, 2012 - 06:24pm PT

Crimpie, no Spotted owls? :-( Or didn't you go to Scheelite Cyn?
Red-faced are a gimme if you drive up to Rustler Park out of Cave Creek.
Olive are pretty common there too as I recall as were Mexican Chickadees.
Trogons were almost a gimme in Cave Creek unless you were deaf and blind. ;-)

Bummer about the hummers.

Where did you see the Elf owl? Day or night? I'm so jonesing for one of them
lil guys.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 06:32pm PT

Found some photos on the point and shoot. Thought you may be interested as I know some of you are headed in that direction soon:

Beatty's Property. This is the place in Miller Canyon that has seen a world record (at the time the book was published anyway) 13 different hummingbird species in a single day. It got wrecked by the fire last year. The home and the hummingbird viewing platform was okay. The orchard was a total loss. And you can see much of the surrounding area was charred completely.

Mary Jo Ballator's home is a nice stop in the area. While neighbor's homes burned, hers survived. We saw lots of nice birds there, but almost no hummingbirds which was a shame. She said the three days immediately before the fire, they had a Yellow Grosbeak in her yard. She never saw it again after the fire.

Well, that is a scary photo! But it shows how welcome birders are here. Some of the wall/fence behind me was destroyed in the fire. THAT is how close it was to her home.You can see one of the trees behind me - it is in her fenced yard - is burned.

One of her feeders. Hard to see in the background what the surrounding area looks like.

Clearly it is set up for comfortable birding.

The Riparian area is lush. A definite good place to stop. We went there during the hottest time of the day and were not disappointed. It was terrific! Find a place to sit by the little river and watch. Good stuff.

More than birds at this place!

To give an idea what this is like. Beautiful stream/river surrounded by lots of big trees.

Cool plants there too!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 06:42pm PT

There were Spotted Owls there. A fellow birder saw one at the water plant at Miller Canyon. The area is burned to a crisp which made it easy to see. We only saw the Elf - no others. LOTS of owlers out there, and to my displeasure many using calls. At one point, I'm quite convinced that birders were actually calling to one another. :/

We heard some Western Screech and lots of Pygmy Owls, but saw none.

Saw no Olives and not a Chickadee anywhere. A local said there are no Chickadess there. ???

We did not go to Scheelite Cyn.

We didn't have time to go to Cave Creek on this fast three day trip. Were there two years ago where they hid from me also. I DON'T want to ever see a Red-faced. :) Wahh.

We saw Trogons in Cave Creek two years ago. Even a nest. BN got many awesome photos of him. There are a lot in Huachacha Canyon (mispelled). Have your ID and rental car or registration papers with you to get on base. We were there at 7am but failed to even hear them calling on the birdless day.

I can tell you where the Elf Owl nest is. Stand at the gate entering the pkg lot of the Nature Conservatory grounds. Turn right. Walk until you hit the fence. Turn left. Walk half way to the bldg. At the half way point, look to your right and there is a perfect little Elf Owl sized hole in the Sycamore. Maybe 15' high. Tree that is closest to the fence. You can't miss it. Good luck seeing it. They were pretty abundant there. So tiny and cute - hope you see one!

There is also a Western Screech Owl and Elf Owl about 400' before the gate to that property. There is a big tree in the road with some mail boxes next to it. In that area, there are allegedly these birds (we didn't find them). We did meet Doug Brown (birder & photographer) there. That was pretty fun.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 12, 2012 - 08:43pm PT

Callie - love these last few posts! Sounds like a wonderful trip.

john hansen

climber

May 12, 2012 - 10:30pm PT

Ok ,,,, now I see how BN gets all those great shots. What kind of lens is that?
And all along I have thought he was shooting with a 300 mm...
Or maybe that is a new toy.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 10:41pm PT

I'll do my best to answer. It's a 500 and he uses a 1.4 something thingy sometimes. He uses Canon gear. He got the 500 2 or 3 years ago. Hardly touched the 400 since it seems to me.

Still, even with nice gear, it ain't easy. First, it is HEAVY. And second it has a depth of field of .0001" (or so, perhaps I exaggerate). :) Third, sometimes the birds are too close to focus. (Okay that doesn't happen often). :)

I have tried to use this monster and failed unless I can prop it on my knees or something. Even then I usually get photos of where a bird once sat.

Kudos to all you excellent bird photographers!

There were a ton of guys out in So AZ with the 600. I wonder how long before it shows up at the house. :)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 12, 2012 - 11:25pm PT

Good on ya guys! You're out there getting to it!
Love the smiles and damn I have lens envy...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 12, 2012 - 11:26pm PT

Crimpie;

thanks for the TR! Really it's that simple. tfpu!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 12, 2012 - 11:30pm PT

#168, Caspian Tern.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 12, 2012 - 11:39pm PT

Nice birds!

john hansen

climber

May 13, 2012 - 02:16am PT

Crimpie,, Bn was the one who told me to use a single point of focus. That helped a lot. The 1.4 is probably a multiplier that makes the 500 a lot more powerful. I have a 400 with a 1.5 tele.

Over here in Hawaii only so many birds.. I got to get to the mainland again

Lens envy....

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 13, 2012 - 10:29am PT

Come on over John H! There is a Boulder area HH waiting for you, and lots of photography/birding!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 13, 2012 - 11:30am PT

Sherpa Dave. :)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 13, 2012 - 11:36am PT

Be interesting if Dave posted up a short description of his photographic techniques (perhaps he has and I missed it in this always-fast-moving thread).

Full frame or cropped sensor?

Tripod only or some handheld with the 400mm and up?

Rule of thumb for minimum shutter speed? Push the iso to achieve this or wait for better light?

that kind of stuff.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 13, 2012 - 01:29pm PT

Dave's wee birdie shots are da bomb! I know how he does it - nerves of steel,
forearms of steel, zen master breath control, and 'the eye'. It's simple, see?

If ya gots $14K layin' around you can kit yerself out with the new 36 Mp Nikon 800E
and a 600/f4 and get shots like this:

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 13, 2012 - 10:47pm PT

I went to the Homer Bird Festival today. I took a small boat tour out in Katchamek Bay and saw three new life birds for me. I saw a Black Oystercatcher, Kittlitz's Murrelet, and a Common Eider. Twenty three species total on the trip. It was cloudy, cold and the water was rough. We even had some snow.
Later in the day at Anchor Point I saw my first Alaska Great-blue Heron.
I will post some photos later.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 13, 2012 - 11:03pm PT

Greta stuff from everyone. Crimp & Dave, I'll have to give you a call for some beta in AZ...Going to Portal first and then west.

Here are a few from this weekend in the San Luis Valley.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 13, 2012 - 11:11pm PT

Nice Bob!

From this afternoon here in Santa Cruz on a mother's day stroll. Click them for larger versions.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 13, 2012 - 11:12pm PT

I'm make sure Dave sees this. He's on the road right now. I can answer a few things. First, he free hands it. No tripod. Pretty impressive imo!

I know he doesn't crop his photos in photoshop. I *think* his sensor is full frame, but don't quote me. The other stuff (e.g., iso) is like Greek to me. :) I'm sure he'd be happy to share. Thank goodness binoculars are easy to use or I'd be screwed.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

May 13, 2012 - 11:34pm PT

Great Marsh Wren photo Mike!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 14, 2012 - 12:10am PT

Love the photos Mike! Why do Wrens have their tails on upside down? Anyone? I love this quality about them. Why don't Cactus Wrens have their tails on upside down? They are so un-Wren-like to me. Cactus Wrens make me think of Mockingbirds more than Wrens.

I am reading another bird book. Hardly into it, but it is AWESOME! Titled "Bird Sense" What It's Like to be a Bird" by Tim Birkhead.

Anyone else read it? Really enjoying it.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 14, 2012 - 12:18am PT

Cyndie... dang you are a tough soul!
That is some tough birding weather!
Good for you, way to hang in there!

ps- I am a huge Tom Bodett fan. I believe he lives in Homer Alaska. I teach his "End of the Road" novel to my 8th grade students. They love that book. Are you familiar with his writing? Great stuff.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 14, 2012 - 07:49pm PT

It was a tough day for birding. Glad I didn't feed the fish. It was tough for photos too. With the boat rocking all the photos were blurry. Here are two photos for your viewing pleasure.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 14, 2012 - 08:29pm PT

Slater, I hate to disillusion you but Bodett forsook Homer when the big bucks
started coming in. The traitor lives in NH now I think.

Cyndie, nice puffins! Did ya get to take one home?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 15, 2012 - 10:39am PT

Great shots Mike.

Scaled Quail near the house yesterday.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 15, 2012 - 10:55am PT

Love it Cyndi and Bob!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 15, 2012 - 04:21pm PT

Reilly - do you really blame him?

Cyndie, nice puffin shot!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 15, 2012 - 11:38pm PT

A family of Black headed Grosbeaks visited the yard today...very cute.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

May 15, 2012 - 11:45pm PT

Gotta beware of them sneaky spy birds!

Turkey freaks over "Israeli spy bird"
Add another member to the Zionist Attack Zoo.

A bird found in Turkey, with markings indicating it was from Tel Aviv, has been called an Israeli spy by Turkish media.

The already dead bird was caught by beekeepers. Besides the words "Tel Aviv Israel" they saw the most nefarious tag saying "C43917," obviously a secret spy code.

The bird's left nostril was three times the size of its right nostril, leading Turkish authorities to conclude that it might be hiding spy equipment in its beak.

http://elderofziyon.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/turkey-freaks-over-israeli-spy-bird.html

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 16, 2012 - 12:27am PT

Poor little European Bee Eater. :(

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 16, 2012 - 09:33am PT

Great recent additions everyone - haven't checked in for a while, was out injuring my ribs in Red Rocks... Here's a few birds from AZ for a Wednesday morning. Perhaps I'll post up a few photo hints this evening for those of you who might be interested.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 16, 2012 - 10:06am PT

Joy!

Sierra Ledge Rat

Social climber

Retired in Appalachia

May 16, 2012 - 10:11am PT

I heard reports that there have been local sightings of the rare Norwegian Blue parrot in my area.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 16, 2012 - 10:21am PT

Great stuff Dave...can't wait to get to Arizona in a few weeks.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 16, 2012 - 10:47am PT

Bob - what's your itinerary? Where will you be going?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 16, 2012 - 10:54am PT

Crimp...going to Portal first and then going west to Patagonia and then maybe into Mexico.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

May 16, 2012 - 12:20pm PT

Is the difference in nostril size typical of Bee Eaters?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 16, 2012 - 07:48pm PT

Good Mother's day birding at Morongo on Sunday (yes Sunday was Mother's day). There were several mothers, sons and me.

Black Headed Grosbeak
Hooded Oriole
Annas Hummer
Costas Hummer
House Finch
Red Tail Hawk
Summer Tanager
Vermillion Flycatcher
Lesser Goldfinch
Brown Towhee
Phainopepla
Bewicks wren
Western Tanager
Bullocks Oriole
Yellow Breasted Chat
Scrub Jay
Brown Crested Flycatcher
Cowbird
Yellow Warbler
? Woodpecker (dang)
Swainsons Thrush
Bushtit
Black Phoebe
Gambels Quail
Ash Throated Flycatcher

5 new lifers for me.
Summer T
Ash Throated
Brown Crested
Chat
Swainsons

Mojave Red Rattler
Orchids
Damselflys
Night Lizards
Beetles
Desert Iguanas

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 16, 2012 - 08:27pm PT

great mother's day list! Some good birds on there plus the rattler.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 16, 2012 - 08:48pm PT

Yeah great mothers day list! And nice shots too BN!

I discovered a new (to me) park in the area and spent a few hours there the last two days. I'll post up pics later but my preliminary list is:

lesser goldfinch, house finch, spotted towhee, black phoebe, california towhee, black headed grosbeak, downey woodpecker, ash-throated warbler, coopers hawk, red shouldered hawk, red tail hawk, turkey vulture, crow, western scrub jay, california quail and a black chinned hummingbird.

Many of these will be "new" lifers for me because I only started my list a week ago, and have only included birds I have pictures of from the last year that I can ID.

EDIT: Oh yeah I'll probably need help/corrections with a few ID's so chime in please!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 16, 2012 - 09:38pm PT

We twice headed down to Morongo during the Gordon event. What a great place! Looking forward to your photos Matty.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 16, 2012 - 09:45pm PT

Ok, here ya go everyone ... hope you enjoy these as much as I have yours!

More later...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 16, 2012 - 10:09pm PT

OK now I need some help..is this a blue-grey gnatcatcher?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 16, 2012 - 10:11pm PT

It looks an Ash-throated Flycatcher.

BN, way to work the big glass! Really love that White-winged and the
Redstart was a nice poseur too! What do you pay those guys?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 16, 2012 - 10:13pm PT

Indeed. A Blue Gray Gnatcatcher is much smaller and has an eye ring. Ash Throated or a Brown Crested Flycatcher. Some of those flycatchers are hard to ID for me!

edit: You should have seen BN chasing that Redstart. Lots of colorful language coming from the photographer. :)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 16, 2012 - 10:36pm PT

very, very nice Matty!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 16, 2012 - 10:55pm PT

Ahh yes now that I've looked it up I recall seeing it before but somehow never made it back to that page.

Here's a bunch of hawks and vultures:

speaking of hawks...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 16, 2012 - 11:06pm PT

I skateboarded down my street and saw 17 species of birds...
the Waxwings were the coolest though.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 16, 2012 - 11:06pm PT

I first saw this hawk in a tree...didn't know what it was at first (other than not a red tail) so I snapped a shot then it flew off:

I see a trail leading up the canyon the hawk flew into so off I go...

...I find the hawk in a tree and after a few minutes a red tail hawk comes by and chases what turned out to be a red shouldered hawk out of the tree.

COOL huh?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 16, 2012 - 11:10pm PT

Very cool! Did you hear the Cedar Waxwings? So high-pitched. They are such neat birds. Are there any other in the North America with that color?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 16, 2012 - 11:13pm PT

Matty, where do you live?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 16, 2012 - 11:48pm PT

A very cool baby American Dipper - just out of the nest last week and already dippin...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 16, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

Great photos everyone, here are a few from this week.

Dick Erb

climber

June Lake, CA

May 17, 2012 - 12:26am PT

One of the nice things about Spring in June Lake is the arrival of more birds. Here are a few from the last few days.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 17, 2012 - 02:55am PT

hey there say, all...

my mom's 'mother's day gift' was to see this, on a walk (just past the san jose area)..

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/MigratoryBirds/Featured_Birds/default.cfm?bird=American_Dipper

she saw it with our younger brother, along a stream...
neat stuff! she'd never seen one before...

*usually they are up farther north, so she thought....
:)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 17, 2012 - 09:30am PT

Dee ee - I live in Santa Clarita.

Here's the coopers hawk I saw. First spotted it on a hillside and later confirmed it was a coopers by its call.

I knew it would take off at some point but my auto focus was locked on the background where it was sitting. Guess I should have pre front focused in anticipation, would've been nice if the bird was in focus here...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 17, 2012 - 09:58am PT

off to work now...cheers!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 17, 2012 - 10:32am PT

Wow. Went to bed and got up to a plethora of awesome photos. Love them all!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 18, 2012 - 02:26pm PT

Lunch time bird bump...

Also, here are some quick notes on my equipment and technique for those of you that have asked and may be interested:

• Canon 7D body
• Canon 100-400mm F4-5.6 and 500mm F4 lenses.
• Canon 1.4x extender frequently used with 500mm. 12mm extension tube sometimes used with either lens to shorten MFD, but you lose Max FD.
• Shoot aperture priority mostly, occasionally manual.
• Shoot 1/3-2/3 f-stop underexposed to avoid blow outs. Shoot in RAW.
• Usually shoot F5.6-8.0
• For Canon, use A1 or A1 Servo focus, continuous/high frame rate shutter.
• Usually shoot ISO 400, up to 640 if lighting demands and as low as 200 if lighting allows.
• Use single point auto focus, select high focus point to aid focusing on bird’s eye. If camera allows, choose custom points for both landscape and portrait orientations.
• Shutter speed generally as high as I can get depending on lighting. 1/500 or better preferred. For slow moving or still birds (e.g. Owls), can be slowed down in exchange for more depth of field. For small or flying birds, the faster the better.
• I shoot hand held 98+% of the time. Allows more flexibility and speedy set up for shooting. Higher chance of soft focus in some cases, but higher chance of actually getting the shot.
• Be picky about lighting! Try to get full frontal lighting with an eye catch light or nice side lighting. Use fill flash sparingly when necessary.
• Avoid blue sky backgrounds whenever possible for more interesting bokeh.
• In general, I delete any image that has soft focus on the bird’s eye – the eye must be sharp for a good shot.
• Delete duds. Be ruthless! Personally, any image that I wouldn’t consider printing in some manner gets deleted (unless it’s the best I have of that species or an unusual shot)
• Shoot a lot, have fun and enjoy the birds!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 18, 2012 - 02:32pm PT

thanks dave!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 18, 2012 - 10:32pm PT

Thinking it's an Ash Throated Flycatcher BN. Great photos.

Dick Erb - love your shots. Especially the photo with nesting material in the bill!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 19, 2012 - 12:45pm PT

PAGING BOB d'A!

A singing #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported on 5/13 (John Yerger) about
100 meters up-trail from the South Fork trailhead in Cave Creek!

Be there or be square!
BTW, if you go up to Rustler Park to see Crimpergirl's Red-faced Warblers
you might as well go to Barfoot and try for a Short-tailed Hawk. You'll
see it kiting above the trees looking for wee birdies. Its almost all white
underside is hard to mistake.

If you get down to Nogales the Least Grebes seem to be nesting at Peña Blanca Lk!
I guess if they've chicks they've definitely nested. Doh!
If you head down that way you might as well go grab yerself a Five-striped
Sparrow and a Buff-collared Nightjar at California Gulch. I'll be there
next Monday (28th).

At Pena Blanca Lake (annotated map: http://g.co/maps/9zm4m);,
up to 7 *LEAST GREBES (plus chicks) continued on the lake through 5/14 (m.ob.).

Tucson Audubon Rare Bird Alert

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 19, 2012 - 02:01pm PT

Reilly...thanks. Heading out from Taos on 5/2 for a week in AZ. Should be a great trip. Sorry I'm gonna miss you...would have be great to hook-up.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 19, 2012 - 03:19pm PT

Red faced warbleris a fictional bird me thinks. :)

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 19, 2012 - 06:26pm PT

Hey BN, what's bokeh????

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 19, 2012 - 08:17pm PT

Hey SteveW, http://bit.ly/sIYoZn

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 19, 2012 - 09:57pm PT

Canyon Wren...Pilar, NM

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 20, 2012 - 01:29am PT

Thanks, Willoughby!!!!

(and here I thought I caught BN with a spelling error)!
OOPS~!, my bad.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 20, 2012 - 01:32am PT

Steve W, you asked "Hey BN, what's bokeh????"
Bokeh is to photographers what yachts are to sailors - if ya gotta ask ya
can't afford it. ;-(

Actually, it is japanese for 'what the background looks like with expensive glass'.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 20, 2012 - 02:08am PT

Took a little walk around the UCSC farm this afternoon.

bokeh is the nature of the out-of-focus background in an image. Some lenses produce a more pleasing blurred background than others.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 20, 2012 - 06:38am PT

Bokeh has little to do with fancy glass, and much to do with focal depth. That said, it's easier to achieve with high magnification and fast shutter speed, and I suppose $$$ can contribute to both of those factors.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 20, 2012 - 06:48am PT

hey there say, all...
once again,... thanks for all the bird stories and pics...

i love birds... my mom and i...

i am so happy to have a yard full of sing birds, now,
:)

great pics....
thanks for sharing on the 'blurr background' info...

wildone

climber

May 20, 2012 - 08:44am PT

[img]http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/c0.0.960.573/s480x480/303414_10150797753275826_51
7050825_9933671_20341206_n.jpg[/img]
Ptarmigans in the arctic, hunkering down for the night. Taken a couple of days ago with the camera on my phone.

Edit: doesn't seem to be working for me. :(

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 20, 2012 - 09:54am PT

not sure why it worked for me, but here you go!

wildone

climber

May 20, 2012 - 11:41am PT

Thanks, Crimpie! I appreciate it!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 20, 2012 - 01:07pm PT

Cool Ron!

Your welcome Wildone. To get your photo to post, I put the url in my browser. It took me to the photo. Then I right-clicked on the actual photo and selected "copy image location". Then I copied that in the 'post a reply' box here on ST. Then I added the following it. (no spaces!).

Maybe that is what you did, but thought I'd share what I did in case it helps. Plus, it's a selfish maneuver to hopefully ensure you are able to post as many bird photos as you want. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 20, 2012 - 01:08pm PT

Great stuff Mike and Dave.

A few from this morning hike.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 20, 2012 - 02:06pm PT

Bob - do you know what the first bird is? Those type of birds are forever puzzling to me. Bird #2 is a pretty little Pine Siskin. Still waiting for them to show up here.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 20, 2012 - 03:09pm PT

Crimp...Spotted Sandpiper...Pretty sure. :-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 20, 2012 - 03:15pm PT

Bob's your uncle! I've waited yonks to use that appropriately, sort of.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 20, 2012 - 03:17pm PT

Busted!! Bullock's Oriole raiding the hummingbird feeder. My gosh they are beautiful birds.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 20, 2012 - 06:13pm PT

It's not as good a shot as all you pros but I thought I'd post this again. This nest was in our backyard a couple of years ago.

perswig

climber

May 20, 2012 - 08:10pm PT

Dale

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 20, 2012 - 10:58pm PT

I took a birdwatching float trip down the Kenai River on Friday in conjunction with the Kenai Birding Festival. We left from Skilak Lake at 7:30 AM, crossed the lake and got into the Middle Kenai. We saw 67 species of birds and got to Bing's Landing at 3:00PM. I got a new life bird, a Wandering Tattler. We saw a lot of Arctic Terns and many of them were involved in the courting ritual of bringing a small fish to the female and then mating. Lots of Bald Eagles on nests too. I do not have a telephoto lens so getting bird shots were not possible. But, I have included photos of the trip. We had great weather too.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 20, 2012 - 11:02pm PT

I also went to a talk by Julie Zickfoose on gardening for birds. She was fantastic. They served some cookies that were pretty incredible. I thought I would share photos.

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

May 20, 2012 - 11:06pm PT

I want cookie ---- NOW!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 20, 2012 - 11:24pm PT

Cindie - have your read Julie Zickfoose's book The Bluebird Effect? It's LOVELY. I can't decide what I like better - her stories or her art. What a fun event - jealous!

And agreed - those are some amazing cookies!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 20, 2012 - 11:46pm PT

Bird cookies - yum! Pretty unique. A few more birds from our AZ trip - lots of great areas to visit down there :-)

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 20, 2012 - 11:50pm PT

Crimpergirl, I bought the Bluebird Effect but I haven't read it yet. I have glanced through it to look at the art work. I really enjoyed her speaking engagements at the festival. She spoke about The Bluebird Effect on Thursday night and her husband Bill Thompson III spoke last night. He was funny and enjoyable too.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 20, 2012 - 11:52pm PT

Cindie - I hope they get out this way. I'd love to hear them both speak. Thanks for sharing that info and the cookies. They really are amazing!

BN - love the Common Yellow Throat's reflection in the water. That photos really captures his essence.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 21, 2012 - 01:55am PT

the common yellow throat is even above the usual sky-high standard for BN! Wow.

A black-necked stilt from this afternoon. Such elegant birds

nutjob

Gym climber

Berkeley, CA

May 21, 2012 - 06:26pm PT

Last year at Pinnacles NM with the kids.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 21, 2012 - 08:13pm PT

Great stuff everyone. I saw 7 condors circling the skies this weekend on a hike...but I didn't have my camera with me. Anyhoo here's some more from my favorite new park:

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 21, 2012 - 08:50pm PT

The Great 2012 SE AZ Expedition pulls out of the station at oh-dark-thirty
mañana. I'll try to leave some leftovers for ya Bob.
First stop-Scheelite Cyn and the Spotteds.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 21, 2012 - 08:56pm PT

Have fun Reilly...save just a few birds for me.

johntp

Trad climber

socal

May 21, 2012 - 08:58pm PT

Cool pics all.

I have a pair of mounrning doves that have just finished building a nest on my front porch. I'd post pics, but I am giving them a wide margin and trying not to disturb them. Over the weekend the male kept going out for twigs for the nest; the whistleing noise every time he takes off and lands is pretty trippy.

Edit No. 1: just took a quick peek, mom is thouroughly ensconced on the nest; I predict egg laying is immenent.

Edit No. 2: Hi Cindie!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 21, 2012 - 09:53pm PT

Nice to let them stay on your porch. Hope they don't become a nuisance. I wouldn't know, but I could imagine.

Here's a dramatic encounter...

and resolution...

I need help with this one...maybe a Grosbeak?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 21, 2012 - 11:27pm PT

Those darn House Finches, they are purty (orange and red).

Dude.....awesome photos.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 21, 2012 - 11:45pm PT

Yup Matty - a Black Headed Grosbeak. Love the House Finch series too!

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

May 22, 2012 - 08:56pm PT

Spent some time here in Talkeetna the other day shooting pictures of these guys.

I have a bunch more photos of the birds here:

http://alasdairturner.blogspot.com/2012/05/arctic-terns.html

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 22, 2012 - 09:10pm PT

I like the finch sequence too and the tern shot is wonderful

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 22, 2012 - 10:30pm PT

Yes! Beautiful Tern photo! Love it too!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 22, 2012 - 10:44pm PT

Good new additions everyone. Went out to chase birds after work today, but the wind had everybody hiding... Where do they all go when bad weather or nightfall comes? Inquiring minds want to know :-)

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 23, 2012 - 02:22pm PT

Time to start a new page of feathered friends...

TomCochrane

Trad climber

Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay

May 23, 2012 - 08:19pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 23, 2012 - 08:27pm PT

Great photos - did you take that Tom? Great photo!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 24, 2012 - 12:50pm PT

Great shootin' BN!

Annotated Trip Report:

Just back from 0400 trip to Guadalupe Cyn.
Of course it wasn't all it could be BUT I did
score a pair of Berylline Hummers at their nest!
Woo-freekin'-Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No pics, the nest was way up a Sycamore tree.
No N Beardless Tyrannulets :-( Tropical Kingbird was nice.
Then, on the way back, about a mile from the parking area,
I noticed something on an Ocotillo and stopped. I couldn't
believe my eyes. I had a good long look at about 75 yards at
a Flame-colored/Western Tanager hybrid! Now he should have
been up in the mountains! What was he doing down in the desert?

Got spanked at Scheelite Cyn yesterday - no Spotted Owls and,
believe me, we gave it the ol' college try in both forks. Did
see a nice Painted Redstart and got some sweet shots of a mama
Plumbeous Vireo on her nest. A N Pygmy Owl led us on a brief chase -
the dood was messing with us. Oh, and a Bigfoot, or something, did
some serious trundling on us when we had gone beyond the end of
the trail in the right fork. It was very spooky. Whomever/whatever
it was had quite good aim and some of the missiles were good sized!
As in football to basketball sized!

Spent a nice 1/2 hour or so at the Beattys' hummer farm. There was
a monster wind storm blowing, gusts to 56 mph in S Vista, but the
little dears still put on a show: Magnificent, Black-chinned, Broad-
tailed, Broad-billed, and Blue-throated. And a strangely plumaged
Indigo Bunting also appeared. He was in his fall/non-breeding attire-huh?

Off to Portal and the Rufous-backed Robin!

Adieu mes amis!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 24, 2012 - 01:35pm PT

Awesome tr Reilly! So happy you got the hummers you hoped for... On a nest even. Can't wait for the next installment. Sorry for typos....on the droid.

ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber

bouldering

May 24, 2012 - 01:49pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2012 - 11:40am PT

Bird bump. Hoping for a bird fix!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 25, 2012 - 12:17pm PT

OK here's another I need help with. I know I've seen these a lot before but don't know the name...

And here's one more fun fun:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2012 - 01:21pm PT

Phainopepla!

Lovely birds Matty!!

Thanks. I am sitting here trying to write a very difficult methods section and am in great need of bird breaks like this.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 25, 2012 - 05:04pm PT

Dateline - Lost Crutches, NM - 1500 local
Just in from Cave Creek. Bob, don't waste yer time there, no birds.
The winds are still blowing but I don't think that really explains it.
I've never been skunked like I was there. I think they've forsaken the
place since the '94 fire. The only bird of note I saw was a Yellow-billed
Cuckoo. No sign or sound of the Rufous-backed Robin. Went owling last
night and heard one N Pygmy and one Whipoorwill and not for want of trying.
Hiked the first 1/4 mile of Cave Creek this morning at 0530 and only heard
a few Cordilleran and Peewees. Drove up to Onion Saddle - very little has
come back since the fire 18 years ago - very sad. A few flycatchers and
one Redstart. Thought I heard one call of the Mexican Chickadee but nothing
more. A total bust. Everyone else we met said the same. :-(

Going to try and salvage some honor on the return via Nogales and Pena Blanca
Lk (Least Grebe) and California Gulch although the wife is nearly catatonic about being that
close to the border. I was mere yards from the border at Guadalupe Cyn,
she stayed at the motel in Douglas, and saw nobody and no sign of anybody.
From the intardnet apparently there is more activity west of Nogales so I
have agreed to not stray too far from the car so we may be able to bag the
Five-striped Sparrows at California Gulch as it is nearly roadside.

"Cover me, I'm going in... "

ps
Nary a snake anywhere either! :-(

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 25, 2012 - 05:13pm PT

Rielly...thanks. I think I head to the Patagonia area and then I'm heading into Mexico to Paquime. Lose habitat, lose birds...sad.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2012 - 05:39pm PT

Reilly, our friend Steve Wolfe was in Cave Creek while we were in the Ramsey Canyon area. Your TR sounds exactly like his. Blasting winds and virtually birdless.

Better luck on your next destination.

If all else fails, drive to the Riparian area near Ramsey. Great birds (though Vermillion is as exotic as you'll likely see) during the entire day.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 25, 2012 - 05:41pm PT

Here's another:

ash throated flycatcher?

need help with this one...

^^^seen in northern LA park

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2012 - 05:44pm PT

I defer to the better birders on your first bird. The last looks like a female Black Headed Grosbeak to me.

I wish someone could make flycathers (all those grayish ones!!) easier.

Nice photos.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 25, 2012 - 05:45pm PT

Matty...can't see the beak on the last one but maybe a female black headed Grosbeak?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 25, 2012 - 06:00pm PT

Thanks for the suggestions, probably right...sorry about the low quality photos...I'm digging the bottom of the barrel from my last trip out. hopefully more this weekend.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2012 - 06:28pm PT

Cute! While I enjoy a perfect photo, I love seeing the birds. Even if they are specks, or blurry, or a 'common' bird, or a body part is covered. I love them all! Thanks for sharing them!

We are headed out birding right now. Hopefully some more migrants have come to town. Certain the Yellow Warblers are here!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2012 - 11:32pm PT

Looks almost like a Snowy Egret Ron. Do you know? Pretty photo!!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 25, 2012 - 11:39pm PT

Hang in there Reilly.

I went to the beach at 6am to surf and the waves were already blown out.
So I got two terns instead.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 25, 2012 - 11:46pm PT

While looking for birds, we saw this cool guy!

Pretty Snowy Egret Ron. Thanks for sharing. Hey, did you see my post way back when about Martha Maxwell? She was a taxidermist in the 1800s. She's discussed in Of A Feather: A Brief History of American Birding (by Scott Weidensaul).

Thought it cool a female was doing this work way back when. Know anything about her?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 25, 2012 - 11:53pm PT

More Boids to keep Boids ahead of drama queen posting on the front page...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 25, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

Although last time I went birding I found this...

ya just can't win sometimes.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 26, 2012 - 12:04am PT

So cute!!! I want to pick up, kiss and gobble up that gosling!

Ron - check this out - Maxwell was small - under 5' tall. I can't imagine the work. More from the Weidensaul book:

"Martha Maxwell had no experience with stuffing animals, but she'd become curious about the process in Colorado and now found she was naturally adept at it. When in 1868 she allowed James to persuade her and their daughter to join him again in Colorado, she threw herself into collecting and mounting specimens. She must have been a dervish of activity; that fall at the Agricultural Society fair in Denver, she exhibited more than one hundred specimens, from hummingbirds to eagles, arrayed on cottonwood branches in lifelike poses."

"In 1876 she was asked to represent Colorado at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, with an enormous display of her work."

Here is a photo of the photo included in the book of this exhibit:

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 26, 2012 - 12:10am PT

Thanks Slater.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 26, 2012 - 12:12am PT

Isn't it? I am impressed and I have no clue what taxidermy even involves. The barriers to her doing it at a time when women weren't allow to do much of anything are clear though. Glad you enjoyed it. I thought of you when reading that section of this excellent book.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 26, 2012 - 04:40pm PT

We saw a Baltimore x Bullock's Oriole Hybrid this morning. Pictures coming soon. Very cool looking bird!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 27, 2012 - 12:38am PT

I'm guessing this is an immature Lawrence's Goldfinch or Lesser Goldfinch.

Any expert opinions out there? Thanks!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 27, 2012 - 12:39am PT

Wow Slater. What a neat bird. American Goldfinch it seems. Maybe a young male getting his breeding plummage?

I can't wait to hear the experts chime in. I hope BN puts up his hybrid soon too. Cool bird!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 27, 2012 - 09:43am PT

Here's an interesting bird we saw yesterday on the east side of Boulder - a Bullock's-Baltimore hybrid Oriole. Not a great pic (very long shot), but a very cool bird...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 27, 2012 - 08:58pm PT

A few from this weekend in southern Colorado.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 27, 2012 - 10:50pm PT

Ok..one more.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 27, 2012 - 11:27pm PT

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 27, 2012 - 11:32pm PT

Knot a very good pic, BN. . .

I wish I could take knot a very good pic as that. . .

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 27, 2012 - 11:45pm PT

A few from yesterday and today. Nice to have birding with my gal as an option when on the bench from climbing :-)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 28, 2012 - 12:29am PT

swarm

john hansen

climber

May 28, 2012 - 12:35am PT

Swarm,,,

I like it

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

May 28, 2012 - 12:52am PT

Great photos everyone. I went looking for a Red Knot that was seen around here on Tuesday. No luck today. It was raining and the birds were taking shelter.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 28, 2012 - 02:41pm PT

Keep em coming everyone, great stuff. I had a good weekend with some good practice shooting in some difficult conditions for me. Saturday went out for a nice hike in the the Los Padres national forest area. There were cliff swallows and violet green swallows all around the stream eating bugs out ofhte air, but never sitting still. forget autofocus! I had to manually focus about 20ft out and then hope to track a bird and get the timing right:

There was a black crowned night heron too:

Saw a few condors later on:

Dont know what this one is exactly:

^^^a flycatcher or oak titmouse

I'll report on sunday later....

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 28, 2012 - 09:23pm PT

Good job getting a few Swallow BIF pics - those little guys are like jet fighter planes!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 28, 2012 - 09:29pm PT

Great stuff all. Not an Oak Titmouse. Some sort of flycatcher I think.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 28, 2012 - 09:33pm PT

Dave great as usual, Matty wonderful stuff...here is one from today.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 28, 2012 - 10:08pm PT

Nice Bob, what is it? a jay of sorts?

Also Crimp why not a titmouse? too big? too sharp of color change from throat to eyes? how can you tell (cuz I sure cant)

Soooo on to sunday. Went for a walk with the GF to my favorite new to me local park. Right off the bat we saw a nice humming bird (anna's female??)

Then saw the coopers hawk again. I think I'm getting to know his area better. We watched a squirrel climb a near by blooming yucca to eat the flowers. The hawk watched from a nearby tree and I was really hoping he would swoop in for dinner but no such luck.

Found this guy asleep on the job...

Rounded it off by finding two new to me's. A pair of Nuttalls ferrying food to the little ones in a tree. Light was fading by this point and not the best shots but I know where to go back to.

And the second new one was a dark eyed junco. This was #70 on my list of birds I have identifiable photos of.

Ran into some nice birders while out and got some good tips on some other owls in the area!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 29, 2012 - 12:34am PT

Matty... you mean coopers hawk and breakfast...

A playful pair of peregrines.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 29, 2012 - 08:57am PT

Matty:

I confess, I've not good answer for you. And maybe I'm wrong. Somehow the first impression was flycatcher for me - the shape of the bill and the whitish belly said flycatcher to me.

But now as I look at some Juniper Titmouse photos, I'm doubting myself a bit. :/

We need an expert in here!!!

Nice Barn Owl photo!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 29, 2012 - 12:27pm PT

That Robin has DAMNED big horns!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 29, 2012 - 06:14pm PT

Mama Zone-tailed Hawk says:

"I HATE PHOTOGRAPHERS!!!"

attn Bob:
Do go to Peña Blanca Lk west of Nogales if you have the chance!
I guarantee you will see the Least Grebes:

Peña Blanca Lk Zone-tailed:

Plumbeous Vireo mama in Scheelite Cyn... Is that nest not an objet d'art?

I also saw this hawk in Garden Cyn into which Scheelite empties. It is supposedly 1200 years old.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 29, 2012 - 07:59pm PT

Cool stuff Reilly!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 29, 2012 - 08:09pm PT

Matty...Pinon Jay.

Reilly...I changing my trip plan and heading into Mexico to Madera. Thick billed parrots and the such.

Also going to check out the ruins at Paquime.

You scared me away from AZ. :-)

Great photos...hopefully I'll get a few good one to show.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 29, 2012 - 08:22pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 29, 2012 - 10:14pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 29, 2012 - 10:17pm PT

Well that's a really cute photo Slater! Love the swallows!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 30, 2012 - 12:00am PT

RTH..San Luis Valley, CO

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 30, 2012 - 12:29am PT

Sierra East Side list from this weekend.
Merlin
Red Tailed H.
Raven
Western Tanager
Brewer's Blackbird
Cassin's Finch
Red Breasted Sapsucker
Lesser Goldfinch
Clark's Nutcracker
Red Breasted Nuthatch
Robin
House Finch
House Sparrow
Rock Wren
Violet Green Swallow
Dark Eyed Junco-Oregon
Yellow Rumped Warbler
Northern Flicker
Turkey Vulture
Cali Quail
Western Wood Peewee
Black Billed Magpie
Scrub Jay
Mallard
Brewer's Sparrow
Yellow Headed Blackbird
Wilson's Warbler
Lark Sparrow
Coot
Pigeon

...and, what I think was a mutant Mallard with a black head and dusty brown breast shield

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 30, 2012 - 01:30am PT

yeah Mallards are sluts... they got all kinds of patterns/colors, don't let 'em fool ya!

Great list!

7 I don't have in there!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 30, 2012 - 01:53am PT

For yous newbies this is how you kick start a Cave Creek extravaganza.
Or did I mean kick it?

Did I mention a Yellow-billed Cuckoo had just flown by and we were mobbed
by Blue Grosbeaks, Pyrrhuloxias, Cardinals, and sundry other wee beauties?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 30, 2012 - 10:36am PT

Reilly - you are a tease! I've been chasing a flock of Blue Grosbeaks here in Boulder. Haven't seen them yet. So pretty! Only one I have seen was in Cave Creek two years ago.

Lokesh

Mountain climber

Big Bear California

May 30, 2012 - 10:59am PT

Here are a couple Owls spotted on the way home from the Canadian Rockies last week.
These in Eastern Oregon, Malheur NWR and Steen Mountains NWR

Lokesh

Mountain climber

Big Bear California

May 30, 2012 - 11:00am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 30, 2012 - 01:35pm PT

Super cool Lokesh!!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 30, 2012 - 02:31pm PT

Yeah...love owls! Only have barn and burrowing so far....next up spotted. (hopefully in the next week once I finish up the semester at work)

In the meantime other birds must do...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 31, 2012 - 03:56pm PT

Red Breasted Nuthatch

I'm going with Gray Flycatcher

Great shots Matty and Lokesh.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

May 31, 2012 - 08:14pm PT

Two Least Terns.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 31, 2012 - 08:24pm PT

Anybody in the Tahoe area might be interested in the 3rd Annual Lake Tahoe Bird Festival happening on Saturday. We have free, guided bird walks happening at various points around the lake that morning. More deets at www.tinsweb.org.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 1, 2012 - 08:39pm PT

Bird Bump

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Jun 1, 2012 - 11:03pm PT

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21869-chickadees-get-smarter-as-they-move-up-mountains.html

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 2, 2012 - 12:25am PT

tgt,

:-)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 2, 2012 - 03:56pm PT

So many new great shots every time I check this thread! Who would have guessed. Took a short stroll up at the UCSC farm this morning. Lots of baby birds squawking for lunch.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 2, 2012 - 04:53pm PT

Finally got me my Chihuahuan Raven, or two! Not a great shot but proof is proof...
Doods got some beaks to go with that neck!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 2, 2012 - 04:54pm PT

More excellent photos! Love them all. Really like the Swallow Mike.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Jun 2, 2012 - 06:31pm PT

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Long-Beach-Residents-Targeted-by-Dive-bombing-Hawks--156537835.html

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 2, 2012 - 06:37pm PT

Good bird doing her/his job! Would love to have a hawk nesting in my yard!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 2, 2012 - 06:57pm PT

Saturday afternoon boids - all spotted locally this last week.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Jun 2, 2012 - 07:50pm PT

This year we've had a Jay around for awhile.

no match for a pair of Mockingbirds.

He's moved on.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 2, 2012 - 08:45pm PT

I feel like Rodney Dangerfield.

"Man, tough crowd! I don't get no respect for my Chihuahuan Raven!"

And not a peep about my Least Grebe, either?
Just for that I'm not gonna show yous my Flame-colored Tanager! So there!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 2, 2012 - 09:03pm PT

Reilly - so true - I lost my mind. LOVE the Chihuahuan Ravens! Two at that. And a photo. How is the rest of the trip going?

PLEASE show your Flame-Colored Tanager...pleeeeaase!!?!?!

Today, was looking in a tree. Failed to see a bird, but did see an epic rattlesnake (yes I'm sure) vs. squirrel battle. Unreal! We only had the point and shoot and got some so-so photos. We left when the snake entered a hole in the tree. :/ Squirrel was still very upset. :(

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 3, 2012 - 02:02am PT

REilly...

there is a bit of the

"look at my bird"

"no look at my bird" going on but whatca' gonna do?

That's how show and tell goes.
I think we're all into what we're doing and sometimes posting about the previous guy's find is tiresome and it is hard to fake enthusiasm.
Eventually you'll connect with someone and they'll be fired up.
Or not.

Not a peep about my least terns either.
I don't care. #175 down and movin' on.

Yellow headed blackbird I'm comin' for ya!

john hansen

climber

Jun 3, 2012 - 02:23am PT

Slater, the terns are really cool. I think I am getting close to 300,,, I saw some Royal terns at Moro bay above Monterey. Kind of surprised that the eastern and western kingbird overlap so much Brassnuts....

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 3, 2012 - 09:22am PT

At least for me, I have poor water/shore bird knowledge. So, I least Least Tern and think "wonder what makes it a Least Tern. Pretty bird" versus "Holy moly!! A least Tern." Lack of knowledge here.

Feel free to offer text that let's us know why it's extra cool. No Tern Offenses meant. :)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 3, 2012 - 12:25pm PT

Yeah...I'm just a beginner and don't always know whats special either, and so much great stuff gets posted here it's hard to respond to every post but I do appreciate them all!

Know that many people will see, appreciate and be inspired by what is posted here even if no one directly replies. For example with the Chihuahuan Raven, I have never heard of one before, didn't even know there was more than one type of raven. SO while I was killing time at a retirement party last night I whipped out my phone and learned me about some new raven. Didn't post up, but still I now know more because of Reilly
and want to see one myself.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 3, 2012 - 11:18pm PT

Come on Reilly, show us the Flame Colored Tanager - Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz.... I enjoy everyone's posts, it's great to see all the different birds and everybody's enthusiasm! I went out for a walk in the open space near our house this evening sans camera and of course, there was a pair of Blue Grosbeaks posing...

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jun 4, 2012 - 12:37am PT

hey there say, all...

was going through the ol' pics and i found this from last year...

kind of matches that ol' robin that i got this year, posed on the chair...
hahaha....

:)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 4, 2012 - 01:14am PT

OK Reilly they poured out their love for ya... post that thing already!

(Least Tern... from Sibley - "Common locally around nesting colonies, uncommon to rare elsewhere" threatened in the sense that their breeding habitat is being lost. As in OHVs roaring over their nests in Oceano).

Good suggestion to offer text with birds and not just post pics, unless you want to just post pics... I dig them either way).

They are the smallest terns we have; For reference... Caspians = 21" Least = 9" , thus "least"

bird on

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 4, 2012 - 09:08am PT

Okay Reilly. Make me play hard ball here.

I'll show you my Flame-Colored Tanager if you show me yours. :)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 4, 2012 - 09:57am PT

I'll keep the ball rolling with some shots from saturday. I had a good time sat and sun as I explored the birding potential of another local park. Went well with a number of new to meeees.

So a bit later after seeing the mourning dove I see what I think is a Eurasian collard dove. After checking my guide it looks like their area doesn't extend this far west, but I checked another source and found they have been spreading throughout select west coast locations.

I also got what I believe to be my first thrasher...California Thrasher I believe, but that's just due to probability, not anything specific about the bird as the photos too bad to make much out...

More later...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 4, 2012 - 08:47pm PT

Just tryin' to get this thread off the 3rd page!

I know this bird... do YOU?

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 4, 2012 - 09:02pm PT

how big (small!) is a Least Tern...compare to Black-bellied Plover and Semipalmated Plover. It's pretty dinky.

Flame-colored Tanager is a backyard bird, ho-hum.

JZ

[photoid=250803]

MH2

climber

Jun 4, 2012 - 10:51pm PT

Thanks and respect to the bird photographers.

At least flowers sit still.

Wilson's warbler, doubling the mentions and photos I was able to find on ST previously.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 4, 2012 - 11:25pm PT

Monday evening bird pics - from this last weekend. Tweet tweet...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 4, 2012 - 11:30pm PT

So many awesome birds! Slater - is it a Savannah Sparrow? Not a great Sparrow IDer, but that's my guess without consulting books.

Love the Wilson's. And look! A Tern! :)

edit: Sorry about the name confusion Slater. :)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 4, 2012 - 11:30pm PT

Ron - yup, good job (or was that easy?).

I'm dreaming about a Salton Sea trip in February.
Is it too soon to dream?

Heading to Shuteye Ridge in a couple weeks to climb and see what birds are there. Then down to Pasadena to get my parrot! Man I better see one!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jun 5, 2012 - 04:20am PT

I'm finally getting around to processing photos from our recent trip to the Scottish Hebrides and Estonia (an unlikely combination, I know). The first leg of our trip was on a small expedition cruising ship which spends much of the summer in Arctic waters.

The Inner Hebrides had many birds common on the mainland

Along the coasts there were shorebirds and Eiders

The big birding attraction, though, are the huge seabird colonies. The highlight for us was getting to St. Kilda. The islands and stacks host the largest Gannet colony in the world.

Fulmars and Puffins also nest on the ledges and burrows.
[photoid=250850

We had tried to get to St. Kilda several years ago, but access is very dependent on sea conditions. This time we were able to spend much of a day on the main island of Hirta and cruise in a Zodiac around a huge Puffin colony. The islands host an endemic subspecies of Eurasian Wren

We also found an Iceland Gull, which is pretty uncommon there.

On our last landing on Lunga we watched Puffins digging, lining and fighting over their burrows.

There were also many nesting Black-legged Kittiwakes.

And also Reilly's favorite:

We finally managed to run across a flock of about 50 Manx Shearwaters.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 5, 2012 - 08:50am PT

Wow Tony! Love them all. Neat birds and great photos. Thanks!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 5, 2012 - 10:30am PT

What Crimpergirl said!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 5, 2012 - 02:30pm PT

Cheers Tony!! Crazy good stuff from what looks to be an awesome trip.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 5, 2012 - 06:06pm PT

Here are some more from last saturdays hike...

I was trying to find some spotted owls based on some vague info that they would be found near or a bit up a side canyon from the main trail. With canyons every few hundred feet I had a lot of exploring to do. I never saw the owl that day but did encounter a few other new to meees that I probably would have missed otherwise.

Here's one I'm unsure of...

All seen outside Santa clarita, CA

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 5, 2012 - 11:46pm PT

Matty I think you're right.

Tony - Cool European Robin and Iceland Gull pics!
It must be fun when you're in a new country for the first time and every bird you see is a new lifers! I can't wait!

Too bad I already went to Europe five times and Costa Rica once and Hawaii like 4 times, and across 38 states, Canada and Mexico and Baja... before I was into birding!!!! doh!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 6, 2012 - 12:35am PT

wow - great stuff Tony and Matty (and of course BN)

This guy must have thought I was dead. Came in pretty close.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 6, 2012 - 01:34am PT

Slater, you have a great reason to go back and revisit all of those places!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jun 6, 2012 - 02:53am PT

Slater,

I have been to Scotland two times previously, but still saw a few lifers. The second leg of our trip in Estonia provided many more new species. I've kept it to birds here, but I don't want to downplay the other aspects of the trips. One of the leaders of the Hebrides trip is an archeologist who has worked on St. Kilda and she brought alive the history of the numerous ancient sites we visited. Not just well-known places such as St. Kilda and the Calanish Stones on Lewis, but also the smaller, old sites that we stumbled upon.

I'll try to get some Estonia bird photos up soon.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 6, 2012 - 12:14pm PT

Slater, you have a great reason to go back and revisit all of those places!

+1

Tony - your trip keeps sounding better and better..

More from last weekend:

I went back sunday and saw the same birds mostly. I found a northern flicker nest.

I think this is one of the "babies" but it looks pretty big. I believe in total there are two adults and two babies. How do they all fit in there?

The acorn woodpeckers would stuff their nuts into the holes in the tree.

pull them out later..

and take them to a hole on top where they could crush and eat them

let me end by drifting off...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 6, 2012 - 02:09pm PT

Reilly...in Cave Creek now and killing it. Lots of birds and nailed a Flame colored Tanager. Could have spit on an Elegant Trogon and lots of flycatchers, woodpeckers, jays and more. Will post some photos later. I think I got a few good ones.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 6, 2012 - 10:10pm PT

Bob of course you'll get great shots...

I finally saw that spotted owl I'd been looking for on the second trip there. It was after the area I expected and I had kind of given up hope for the day. I was looking up and thought I saw a wasp nest in a tree. Got out my camera and hello hello!!!

It was awake and apparently had an itchy leg

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 6, 2012 - 10:13pm PT

Oh, so happy to hear you are seeing lots of good birds Bob! Look forward to your photos.

Awesome owl!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 6, 2012 - 10:22pm PT

Dave, Tony and Matty...great shots. I must say Portal, Az is amazing...had one of my best days birding and also managed to do about 20 new boulders problem at the campground I'm staying at. There is potential for maybe 50,000 routes or more with some of the biggest caves I have ever seen. Just an amazing place.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jun 6, 2012 - 11:00pm PT

You photographers are just incredible!!!!!

Thanks for sharing so much beauty.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 8, 2012 - 11:24am PT

I think this is an allens hummingbird (it would be #80 for me). It was gathering material for its nest.

This hawk looks like it just took a bath...and if not then maybe it should.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 8, 2012 - 11:51am PT

Great stuff Matty.

Here are a few to start from trip to Mexico and southeast Arizona.
Black-necked Stilt

Verdin

Arizona Woodpeckers

Elegant Trogon

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 8, 2012 - 06:18pm PT

Yellow Breasted Chat, Portal, AZ

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 8, 2012 - 08:44pm PT

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Portal, AZ

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 8, 2012 - 09:54pm PT

Brown Crested Flycatcher? Paquime, Mexico

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 8, 2012 - 09:56pm PT

Nice stuff Bob! Good stab at the flycatcher wish I could help more than saying it looks good to me.

Incoming...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 9, 2012 - 10:36am PT

Thanks Matty...here are a few more.

Pyrrhuloxia

Queen of the ball...this Flame colored Tanager was quite the talk of the town. They make an appearance every 10 years or so.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 9, 2012 - 11:00am PT

Good birding!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 9, 2012 - 11:16am PT

Crimp...had a really good trip. And the bouldering was great too.

Cardinal

Roadrunner with breakfast, Paquime, Mexico.

slabbo

Trad climber

fort garland, colo

Jun 9, 2012 - 01:58pm PT

Some baby hummers from 2011

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 9, 2012 - 09:10pm PT

Green Heron...Southern NM

Western Kingbird...Paquime, Mexico

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 10, 2012 - 10:40am PT

Blue Grosbeak, Portal, AZ

Black Throated Sparrow.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 10, 2012 - 10:55am PT

those black-throated sparrows are striking.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 10, 2012 - 10:57am PT

Love the Blue Grosbeak! There are several here in Boulder this year. BN has seen some, I've still missed them all. They taunt me.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 10, 2012 - 11:06am PT

Crimp...I missed out on a Yellow Grosbeak that showed up...I looked for it for a couple of hours but no go.

Mike...really cool looking sparrow the Black Throat are.

Curve billed Thrasher, Portal, AZ

Painted Redstart...Portal, AZ...not a great shot. They never stop moving.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 10, 2012 - 11:15am PT

Say's Phoebe...Paquime, Mexico

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 10, 2012 - 12:26pm PT

An Indigo Bunting has been hanging around the South Mesa trail in Boulder this last week - very cool!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 10, 2012 - 12:37pm PT

Nothing against the Lazuli Buntings we have here, but the Indigos are just so much more beautiful. Used to see tons in STL. The Boulder area birders are flocking to see this handsome bird. Think I've zeroed in on a nest location too. Likely mating with a Lazuli.

Great photos!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 10, 2012 - 01:17pm PT

Bridled Titmouse...Portal, AZ

Bullock's Oriole...Paquime, Mexico

Great shot of the Bunting Dave.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 10, 2012 - 01:31pm PT

Indigo Bunting is the species that got me into birds, way back in my mis-spent youth in Chicago. Here's Tahoe's first, which showed up after the Angora Fire a few years ago:

And here are a couple of a N. Pygmy-Owl I followed around the other day:

I think I now have over a zillion pygmy-owl photos, but still no shots of a Flam. Harrumph.

Good stuff, everybody! Digging the SW flavors and action shots.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 10, 2012 - 06:10pm PT

Love the owl!

Black Phoebe...

great blue in flight as black crowned watches...

yum ladybug...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 10, 2012 - 06:38pm PT

love the composition of the bunting shot, the first one of the owl with the rat, the very arty phoebe and this last on of the woodpecker with lunch.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 10, 2012 - 08:22pm PT

This is the thread that keeps on giving. Really love it. What a great group.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 11, 2012 - 12:12am PT

Cool shots all - especially the very hungry Pygmy Owl. I'll bet he went into a serious food coma after that rodent fest :-) Here's a few from this weekend round here...

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jun 11, 2012 - 12:59am PT

Kayaking on the Watson Lake system today and saw two Trumpeter Swans that I was able to get shots of. I also saw Alder Flycatcher, Bonapartes Gulls, Bald Eagles, Common Loons, Greater Scaup, Robins and Red-breasted Nuthatches.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jun 11, 2012 - 01:00am PT

I really enjoy this topic and all of the contributions and photos. Keep the birds coming.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 11, 2012 - 01:24am PT

Gambel Quail...somewhere in Chihuahua, Mexico

American Avocet and friends...Southern NM

Egrets...southern NM

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jun 11, 2012 - 01:41am PT

hey there say, willoughby...

i really love thoses little blue birds, too... have never seen one...
they do say, however, that there is some kind of little blue bird, here in michigan--forgot what it is...

say--love the owl pics so much!!!

well--the ol' shed robin's babies have left the nest... it seems there were two--i SAW them sat. IN the nest...

but today, i went out to water late--around 2, and there was a commotion going on, just as i let the ol' pupdog out... it was the mama robin..
THUS--i knew there babies somewhere...

sadly, only ONE--which i did happen to see... starteled, it hopped through the fence to the front yard (patty ann marie, had been smelling it, and it had moved my way--thus the mom was upset to protect it)...

(last year, i think two of the robins made it, or three?)....

i found the other on dead on the cement floor, :( im a corner, under the nest area--about three feet from it...

here is the babe, that i found... it had moved to hide in the hose area, where i needed to turn the hose on...

*will post more of this, tomorrow, am falling asleep and the
kids are here...
edit:
saw it across the yard, right after that...
saw the mama constantly there, calling to it, and hovering over it,
when i took it's pic...
saw it come back to the swingset, in bakc...
saw the mama looking for it, after it left...
saw it come BACK to the shed, walking around, and came out to
takes its pic, and it was BACK in the nest, :O

oh my.... :O

:)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 11, 2012 - 05:07pm PT

Black Phoebe near Taos today.

Pretty Yellow Warbler near Taos today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 11, 2012 - 05:13pm PT

Acorn Woodpecker. Portal, AZ

Rock Wren, Paquime, Mexico

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 12, 2012 - 10:12am PT

A few more from Mexico and AZ.

Elegant Trogon from the back side.

Canyon Towhee, AZ

Female Bullock's Oriole, Paquime, Mexico

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 12, 2012 - 11:21am PT

So, Bob, where did you see your Trogon? Was it around the campground?
Man, there was nuthin' further up the creek in the usual haunts.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Zone-tailed Hawk. This hawk has the most mournful call - very haunting.

Curve-billed Thrasher

The dutiful husband...my wife was jealous.

This guy acted like he was trying to fly...

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 12, 2012 - 11:53am PT

Stupid bears, driving down neighborhood resale values.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 12, 2012 - 11:54am PT

ha , the lizard push up is classic.

Love the Alaskan pics too... cool action of them taking off with that big country in the background.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 12, 2012 - 01:13pm PT

Reilly...up near the bridge. Saw the trogon several times. I camped at Idlewild and was up pretty early. Also saw the Flame colored Tanager near the bridge...quite the hot spot.

BTW...great shots.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 12, 2012 - 02:23pm PT

nice work Bob and Reilly!! I'll have to do a trip to Arizona sometime, never spent any time there, just driven through once.

The boids really liked the little berries from this bush.

I'm not sure what this one is...maybe a baby???

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 12, 2012 - 02:37pm PT

^^^I'm now guessing wrentit on that last one based on the eye color...but I'm still not sure.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 12, 2012 - 02:48pm PT

Female Bushtit. I admit to not knowing a Wrentit, but I do know that female Bushtit have yellow-ish eyes. The males do not. Cute bird either way.

Lots of nice birds!

Oh Matty, you gotta get to AZ. It's the best (for birds anyway)!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 12, 2012 - 10:42pm PT

Man I wanna score a phainopepla!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 12, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

Slater - we saw tons of Phainopeplas at Morongo near J-Tree. They are really beautiful birds!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 13, 2012 - 12:17am PT

Nice bird 'n berries photos! Phainopeplas are cool birds, love their feisty cresting :-)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 13, 2012 - 01:01am PT

Matty -

phainopepla
blackheaded Grosbeck
California Thrasher
Bushtit

Slater -
lesser goldfinch in the first shot?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 13, 2012 - 02:20am PT

phainopepla are pretty common round here outside of the city (Santa clarita near LA). And that looks like a lesser goldfinch to me Mike. Lessees also seem to be more populous around me than American goldfinches ( which I still need a nice photo of so I can cross it off my list.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 13, 2012 - 02:50am PT

That there is a Wrentit, Matty. Bushtit is similar in a lot of ways, but would never have a big blocky head like that.

Here's a repost of Bushtits for comparison. Adult females of two different subspecies:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 13, 2012 - 09:38am PT

To the books for me! Wrentit v Bushtit. Thanks Willoughby!!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 13, 2012 - 10:57am PT

thanks Willoughby!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 13, 2012 - 11:50am PT

Thanks for the help. It really is a blocky head isn't it. Before birding to many tittys was never a problem!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 13, 2012 - 01:16pm PT

Also note the stouter, longer, almost vireo-like bill of the Wrentit, vs. the dinky almost chickadee like bills of the Bushtits.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 13, 2012 - 01:19pm PT

Once pointed out it is obvious. I've been wondering about why the bushtits seems to have such a range in size. Now it is all clear. I've been lumping bushtits and wrentits.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 13, 2012 - 05:34pm PT

A few more from Taos today.

Black capped Chickadee.

Song Sparrow.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 13, 2012 - 06:56pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 14, 2012 - 06:21pm PT

That's one mixed up bird! I think the guy goes a little too far to "guarantee" that the females won't be interested. If female grouse didn't occasionally fall for novelty, this bird couldn't exist in the first place.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 14, 2012 - 06:24pm PT

Nice boids everyone! The video looks neat but it wouldn't quit cutting out on me. Vimeo is that way on my machine for some reason.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 14, 2012 - 06:49pm PT

Video gave me problems too. have to watch it later.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 14, 2012 - 10:54pm PT

BUMP>

I wanna' see/hear talk about birds.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 14, 2012 - 11:20pm PT

Took out the cub scouts to Oso Flaco, saw 43 species in 4 hours.

Then when my son and I got home we kept the ball rolling and when the darkness fell, we hit #60 for the day with a Great Horned Owl.

60 in a day was a record for me, and pretty darn fun.
That said... I didn't even want to look at birds today.

ps- check out he least tern over the shoulder in the background, upper left corner... that's what they were all looking for ha ha. Classic!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 15, 2012 - 01:30am PT

Wow Slater, very nice to get 60. That would be huge for me, I'm usually 10-20.

john hansen

climber

Jun 15, 2012 - 02:06am PT

We used to try for big days in Placer county. We would be out birding at 4 am and get our first bird calling, a killdeer around then. We got 123 our first try and 127 our second time. Had the routes all figured out before hand. The record now is close to 150 or something. They got a lot of owls and other stuff up above foresthill, they went the full 24 hours ,, but man those were fun days,,

PI on the TV or the Willit,, or whatever.. from the rice paddies out by Lincoln to Martis Creek , at 6000 ft, lots of habitats.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 15, 2012 - 09:19am PT

Feeding time at the local Wren hole...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 15, 2012 - 11:29am PT

Yay for birds feeding...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 15, 2012 - 12:46pm PT

Look at the BABIES! Sweet Matty!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 15, 2012 - 02:15pm PT

Great stuff everyone...wonderful photos.

Here's one from my hike with my wife Laurel and Eva the super lab. Beautiful Western Tanager.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 15, 2012 - 02:27pm PT

Western Tanager...gotta get me one of those sometime (soon I hope)

I went back with my tripod and got some better pics of the spotted owl...

check out the claws

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 15, 2012 - 02:47pm PT

Here's a fun photo that BN took - a male Orchard Oriole. There appears to be one very small area here in Boulder where one can find these birds. Had no idea they were here!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 16, 2012 - 02:43pm PT

The wren/wren babies series is great!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 16, 2012 - 03:15pm PT

Nice Mike!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 16, 2012 - 11:44pm PT

Good shot Mike! Where was it taken?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 17, 2012 - 12:17am PT

The hawk photo was taken at a little lake called "The Lagoon" between Vacaville and Fairfield right off of I-80

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 17, 2012 - 02:11am PT

A few from the last couple days.

rockermike

Trad climber

Berkeley

Jun 17, 2012 - 02:17am PT

who knows what the name of this bird is? saw hundreds in Michoacan, Mexico, (southern pacific coast) but can't identify. Then I see it on the cover of this book - but I don't own the book so I can't look it up, ha

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 17, 2012 - 10:13am PT

Black-throated Magpie-Jay on the books cover

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 17, 2012 - 11:13pm PT

A few more from Mexico...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 18, 2012 - 01:27am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 18, 2012 - 11:58pm PT

Great stuff Mike.

Here are a few from "climbing' day up in the San Luis Valley. Did a new 12a, several new boulder problems and got my ass handed to me on another new route and the birding was great.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 19, 2012 - 02:41am PT

Wish I could help with some of the mystery birds. Bob where was yours taken in Mexico?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 19, 2012 - 10:39pm PT

Matty..took the shot in Mexico.

Some more shots from yesterday.

john hansen

climber

Jun 19, 2012 - 11:03pm PT

Mike Bolt,, that is a tough one..the beak is long and narrow so not any kind of goldfinch,, my second thought was maybe a female oriole, but the white on the bottom of the wing does not fit... I dont think it is a flycatcher of any kind,,, Hmmm,, beak is not right for a tanager or sparrow either,,

Hanging out in a fennel bush...

Perhaps a female yellow warbler?? But the area around the eye is not right.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 20, 2012 - 07:01pm PT

Takeoff...

Flight with meal service...

Landing...

Another snack...

Then back to the hole...

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 20, 2012 - 08:25pm PT

Mike,
Great photos!
That's a hatch-year Orange-crowned Warbler. Just about the most plain, nondescript thing out there. Those buffy wingbars let you know that it popped out of an egg this year. They get an early start breeding, and then spread out all over the place (especially to mountain meadows and riparian areas of the Sierra Nevada) to chow down, put on fat, and molt before they think about heading south for the winter. They don't breed here at Tahoe, but amazingly the first hatch-year birds usually show up from downslope during the first week of June.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jun 20, 2012 - 08:39pm PT

A related question, Mike:
when did they start calling them Black-shouldered Kites?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 20, 2012 - 11:06pm PT

Saw my first Indigo Bunting (in San Luis Obispo California!) and it was epic.

john hansen

climber

Jun 20, 2012 - 11:15pm PT

Willougby, well at least I got the warbler part right. I was wondering if it could be an immature of some kind this early in the season. Thanks for the ID

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 20, 2012 - 11:30pm PT

Thanks for the ID Willougby. That was a tricky bird. My eye kept getting taken to the eye...something about it...I didn't know.

Fun!

Heading to Houston tomorrow with Binos in hand. I'll get to see 1,000s of Grackles in the Galleria area. Hopefully more interesting birds at my parent's property. Hoping for Roseate Spoonbills. They are always a treat!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 21, 2012 - 12:01am PT

We had gone through the same thinking as John. Thanks Willoughby!

Bunch of great additions to the thread today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 21, 2012 - 12:02am PT

What is this? Some weird Lesser Goldfinch?

Great shots Slater.

Slater...Young Brewer's Sparrow???

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jun 21, 2012 - 11:42am PT

Slater my best guess is a song sparrow??

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 21, 2012 - 10:19pm PT

Young Downy Woodpecker near the house.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 21, 2012 - 11:31pm PT

Bob D'A

Was it Finch sized? It looks larger in the photo. I can hardly wait until someone knowledgeable posts 'cause that one has me totally stumped even generally.

if big: Mutant {quetzal, oriel, kingbird}
if small: wtf?

Haven't a clue but thanks for the post. Was it really around Taos?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 21, 2012 - 11:59pm PT

Darwin..near Taos, in the mountains around 7,200 feet near a stream.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 22, 2012 - 02:22am PT

Bob - It is a lesser goldfinch.

In the Sibley's guide it says "some males have a black back"

and all the other markings are there.

So a rare looking lesser goldfinch would be what I'd say.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 22, 2012 - 10:28pm PT

Thanks Slater...here is one climbers might be able to relate too.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 22, 2012 - 10:40pm PT

he's an aid climber... I see hooks!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jun 23, 2012 - 02:22am PT

I just got home from the Kenai River bird viewing platform where I saw the first confirmed sighting of a Willet in Alaska. It was seen earlier in the day and as soon as I heard about it I dropped everything and went to see it. There were about six of us looking. It was in tall grass kind of far out but then it flew and we were able to get a spotting scope on it. Awesome.

Yesterday I got two new birds too. I saw a Northern Waterthrush and a Swainson's Thrush. And earlier in the week I saw a Blackpoll Warbler.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 23, 2012 - 02:38pm PT

Question.

Has anyone ever seen an Eared Grebe with red "ears?"

The Peterson book shows yellow ears with just a touch of red.

We were at the Mono Cty. Park near Lee Vining a couple days ago and there were two, what looked like Grebes, WAY out in the lake. A birder there had his scope on them and declared them "Eared" but they were still so far out no one there was totally sure. When I was looking the only thing I could be absolutely sure of was that the "ears" were very very red.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 23, 2012 - 09:32pm PT

Slater, that's a juv. Lark Sparrow. I don't think they keep that streaky plumage for too long.

Regarding an Eared Grebe w/ red ears, could be dietary, could be a mutation. Lighting? Distortion from the distance making that eye color bleed a bit? If everything else jived, I wouldn't sweat it too much.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 23, 2012 - 10:49pm PT

Was going to go bouldering but it was too hot...birding instead tonight.

Bullock's Oriole along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM

Common Yellow breast along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM

Canyon Towhee along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM

Here is a very cropped shot of Eared Grebe...look like some red in certain light.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 24, 2012 - 12:03am PT

New bird for me this morning!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 24, 2012 - 12:09am PT

Great shot Mike.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 24, 2012 - 12:21am PT

Mike B;
I know I should get with the program, but where(tf) did you see the Nutmeg Mainikin?

Thanks,
Darwin
(reasonable question, right?)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 24, 2012 - 12:41am PT

(1) this is a reasonable question

(2) Big Island (Hawaii)

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 25, 2012 - 12:32am PT

A friend in south Boulder who lives close to the foothills had some Kestrels take up residence in their Flicker box. The little ones (4!) fledged last week. Here are a few pics...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 25, 2012 - 12:43am PT

Beauteous shots, BN!

Got me a hawk shot the other day, a Tarantula Hawk. Badazz dude, er, young lady.

To keep the bird vein going the Roadrunner is one of the only predators of
this creature whose sting "is rated near the top of the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, second only to that of the bullet ant and is described by Schmidt as "blinding, fierce [and] shockingly electric".[4] Because of their extremely large stingers, very few animals are able to eat them; one of the few animals that can is the roadrunner." (Wiki)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I hope I don't get booted; caught some Pigeon Guillemots doin' the Wild Thang...
(dood on the left is lookin' a leetle too hard methinks).

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 25, 2012 - 09:10am PT

Awesome Kestrels! Soooo cute.

Cracked me up Reilly.

I'm in the Houston area. I've seen several Spoonbills and Scissortail Flycatchers. They have really declined in numbers here in recent years so I'm happy to have seen any. This morning I stepped outside to a verbal thrashing by some Mockingbirds. I knew what that meant and looked down - there he was, a fledged baby! So cute! But on the ground at my folks house is no place to be. :( (feral cats - boo). So I scooped him up (and got a pretty good attack - hahah) and put the baby in a tree in (I hope a safer place.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jun 25, 2012 - 09:52am PT

Beautiful shots, Dave!!!!
(good on you for being a savior, C!!!!)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 25, 2012 - 12:38pm PT

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jun 25, 2012 - 01:54pm PT

Love the baby Kestrels. Everyone posts such great photos.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 25, 2012 - 02:20pm PT

yup cyndie -

this is an incredible thread

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Jun 25, 2012 - 02:29pm PT

Had a pair of Kestrels nest in my eaves/soffit this year. Just fledged last week, looked to be 2 young.

Gotta fix the soffit, which will eliminate the nesting potential but I'd love to have them around...maybe a big nesting box will work. Awesome hunters, they were coming in with something about every hour for a while...big lizards, snakes...probably find all kinds of bone remnants when I pull the soffit.

Blitzo tried to get some pics of them, but not sure if he ever got any good ones. They never bothered me, but Blitzo keeps claiming them dive bomb him, even just walking around the neighborhood nowhere near the nest.

cyndie, if you ever get up near Fairbanks, check out Creamer's Field. Used to have my weekend espresso out there, great birding.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 25, 2012 - 03:51pm PT

Great shots Dave,Reilly and Mike...

Need help on this one...Maybe a Lesser Goldfinch again?

Western Wood Pewee.

Great Tailed Grackle

Not a bird but pretty cool...Long Tailed Weasel

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 25, 2012 - 04:34pm PT

Yo Bob - white undertail coverts = American Goldfinch

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Jun 25, 2012 - 04:59pm PT

Hey, Mike,

The Brandt's Cormorants at Natural Bridges are feeding some medium-sized
nestlings now.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 25, 2012 - 05:19pm PT

I like all the upstream photos, and the weasel is pretty darn cool. I posted my newest to the birders big year thread, but these are technically better photos. They are from a couple weeks ago out at West Point in Seattle (aka Discovery Park). I know it's a lot of photo for a gull, but I think he's a handsome fellow. (edit: and not a perv like B.N.'s Pigeon Guillemot)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 26, 2012 - 12:45am PT

Who knew there were hippie turkeys in downtown Eugene?
I guess everybody was there for the Olympic Track Trials.

"Hey, Mom, wait up!"

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 26, 2012 - 09:11am PT

Darwin- we saw several Nutmeg Mannikins at the Botanical Gardens near Rancho Palos Verdes, CA as well.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 26, 2012 - 10:01am PT

Reilly, Are the hippie turekeys just 'cause they were in Eugene, or did you partake with them? ;-)

Thanks Crimpergirl. I didn't realize they had become established in Southern California, but Tony mentioned it in email too. They look pretty "neat".

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 26, 2012 - 12:42pm PT

Darwin,

any new bird is a good bird, and nice photo too (so many awesome photos seen here, always worth taking a peek at this thread!!). Too bad it was an invasive species. It's pretty sad there in Hawaii - the showcase for invasive spp and the havoc they can cause for native wildlife.

There's another little introduced finch related to the Nutmeg Mannikin (genus Lonchura), called Tricolored Munia, that has invaded Central America in the last few years. It has been established in the Caribbean and in northern South America for awhile and has had an unsuccessful colonization attempt in southern Florida. I'm sure someday it will make it up to the US judging by the rate it's going. (BTW, we're still waiting for Eurasian Collared Dove to make it down to Costa Rica).

My apologies for the crummy photo (unlike so many of you I'm not a real photographer):

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 27, 2012 - 11:09pm PT

Just some random shots with the rig...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 29, 2012 - 02:57am PT

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 29, 2012 - 11:47am PT

so Mike, the theme of your photos is introduced-species-we-know-and-love, or were these taken in the each critter's native land?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 29, 2012 - 03:46pm PT

I've taken photos of about 15 species in Hawaii this week - not a single one is native to Hawaii. Must be Obama's open border immigration policy or something.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 29, 2012 - 07:59pm PT

Great shots guys! Red Crested Cardinal is cool looking!

Hawaii... don't complian too much...

Got 16 new birds on my Eastern Sierra road trip.

Trip report here...

http://www.supertopo.com/tripreport/tripreport.php?articleid=11529

full slide show here...

http://slatervision.com/www.slatervision.com/Eastern%20Sierra%20Road%20Trip%202012/

Man, I had no idea the Eastern Sierra was such a birding paradise!!!

I'm already planning a return trip!

My nephew got into it and saw over 65 species.

Also got in some great climbing and put in two new FAs at Shuteye on our way home too!

Bird on.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 29, 2012 - 11:02pm PT

Great stuff Slater and Mike...thanks.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Jun 29, 2012 - 11:11pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jun 30, 2012 - 02:51am PT

HELP - the 6 that got away...

any ideas on IDs with these? All were near June Lake or high altitude near Mammoth in forest. The hawk was near Bishop in more arid environs.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 30, 2012 - 11:01pm PT

Raven on the porch today.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Jul 1, 2012 - 01:43am PT

I caught this guy in the avocados a few days ago.

I watched him for a while without him knowing. I wanted a shot of his face, so I went "hooo HOOOO HOOOO HOOOO" to get his attention.

He still didn't see me, so I did it again. Worked this time.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 1, 2012 - 09:22am PT

I have yet to see an owl that well. Good for you!

On another note, I had a routine colonoscopy on the 26th and a mass was found. I had part of mt colon removed on the 29th. Everything is looking good, they removed it with clear margins and there was no other evidence of it spreading. I am feeling well, I have had an epidural so no pain thus far. Today the epidural comes out and unfortunately I am running a fever now too. It has been a whirlwind week of tests and bowel prep. No food to speak of, I am ready for something to eat.Anyway I have to see my birds through your efforts for awhile. Keep the great photos coming.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 1, 2012 - 09:54am PT

Cyndie! Love and well wishes!

Darwin
(up early watching the tour)

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 1, 2012 - 01:38pm PT

Thank you Darwin. I couldnt watch the tour in the hospital, no channels to choose from.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Jul 1, 2012 - 01:48pm PT

You get better, Cyndie. I'll go out and see if I can find some more birds.

The Tour's off to a great start. And there are twenty more stages left!

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Jul 2, 2012 - 01:39pm PT

Phainopepla? Black Cardinal?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 3, 2012 - 01:14am PT

Phainopepla.

Some ebony and ivory for ya...

Mighty Mouse lost the fight.

Tobia

Social climber

Denial

Jul 3, 2012 - 08:40am PT

Nice shot of the owl. I have a Great Horned Owl living in the woods behind my house. I can walk out there in the evening and see him real good; but don't do well with cameras.

He has been perching in the same tree for several years; sometimes he ignores me others he moves farther back in the woods.

I found the (few) remains of a Red-tailed hawk near his perch. I would love to know if he downed the hawk. It was a mature Red-tailed; so they were about the same size.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 3, 2012 - 11:06am PT

Your average Great Horned will outweigh your average Red-tailed (3.1 vs 2.4 lbs)
plus I think it is safe to say most would agree the Great Horned is un-matched
in its ferocity. Just ask the Minnesota forest ranger who was blinded by
one when he got too close to her nest.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 3, 2012 - 11:11am PT

Hairy Woodpecker near the house today.

richross

Trad climber

Jul 3, 2012 - 11:52am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 3, 2012 - 11:56am PT

OK, kiddies, it is book report time. Your next reading assignment will be

The Bird, by Coliin Tudge (Crown, 2008).

Oddly, given the copyright date, it is a new release. I stumbled, ok, sashayed
into a one-man book story in Eugene last week and the delightfully demented
owner had it on sale for $10, and hardbound to boot! He said it was a special
from the publisher. You might want to check with your friendly local dementee.
But I digress.

This is, so far, an incredible book. I can safely aver that by virtue of my
having been rapturized by the first 79 pages which are largely devoted to
the delights of phylogeny - a definite weak point in my avian knowledge. That
such a proverbially dusty topic could be made so ravishingly seductive is
rare praise. But what else would you expect from someone with the name of
Colin Tudge? Yes, of course, he hails from the ould sod.

The wonders of phylogeny appear about to give way to a somewhat lengthy
treatment of taxonomy, some snippets of which I have peeked at; I can't wait.

The third half of the book, to paraphrase The Tappet Brothers, is called
How Birds Live Their Lives. Then comes Birds and Us; I fear the denouement.

I see a perusal of his The Tree in my future.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 3, 2012 - 12:20pm PT

Best wishes Cyndie! Sorry to hear this, but good that you caught this.

Mike

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 3, 2012 - 12:32pm PT

Hope you are doing well Cyndie...take care of yourself and heal.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 3, 2012 - 05:08pm PT

Thank you for the well wishes. I came home from the hospital today. I am feeling remarkably well. Very little pain. One of the first sights I saw was a White-crowned sparrow baby and adult at the feeder. The baby was gapping and the adult would occassionally pop a tidbit into its mouth. I love my backyard birds!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 3, 2012 - 05:38pm PT

Hope everything wraps up OK Cyndie, I'll try and get post some bird cheer later.

Saw a mute swan (#90) at lake balboa (near LA) last week, kinda surprised to see it this far west but the books do list it as being introduced from Europe and expanding rapidly.

I am also heading to northern lake Huron to stay at a cabin for the next few weeks so I'm hoping for lots of new birds there.

Have a great holiday everyone...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 3, 2012 - 05:42pm PT

Cyndie..speaking of White Crowned Sparrows...took these today at Williams Lake, 11,500 feet near Taos Ski Valley. beautiful little sparrows.

Glad you are feeling better.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 3, 2012 - 06:04pm PT

Nice shots of the white crown Bob -

nobody chipped in on Slater's ID mysteries! The last one was a black Phoebe I think, I was not sure about the others.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jul 3, 2012 - 06:16pm PT

Slater's mystery birds -

1. Swainson's Hawk
2. Juvenile Chipping Sparrow (I'm only 90-95% on this one)
3. Western Wood-Pewee with color reflecting up from the vegetation below. Interesting photo for that reason.
4. Mutant of some sort. Honestly, I have no idea, but whatever it is, there's some hardcore xanthochroism going on.
5. Fox Sparrow
6. Dusky Flycatcher

Tobia

Social climber

Denial

Jul 3, 2012 - 07:40pm PT

Reilly,

Thanks for the info. I thought the weight difference would go the other way. I see the owl in the twilight and the hawks all day long.

The hawks got settled here and have been wrecking havoc on my place since. First they took out my chickens, seemingly to have run off my Purple Martin colony which I established 20 years ago when I put up the first gourds.

I had to quit feeding birds because they hunted the feeders. Now they perch everywhere, from sunup to sundown, including on the arms of my rocking chair, atop my bluebird houses, and stonewall lining my flower beds and walkways.

I'd love to evict them due to my dwindling song bird population but they don't read the notices. Mom, Dad and the two juniors hunt in a quadrant. It is interesting to watch. My presence doesn't bother them. Not too long ago Dad lifted off with a timber rattler in tow. I ran back inside to get the camera; thinking he didn't go far (I didn't see him cross the lake) but I never spotted him after I got the camera.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 3, 2012 - 08:54pm PT

thanks Willoughby and Mike!

Ok so Cyndie here is my #200 for you!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 3, 2012 - 09:05pm PT

And a few more for YOU!!!

Get better soon!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 3, 2012 - 09:39pm PT

ps- anyone ever use digital camera binoculars?

idea sounds rad but looks like the technology is behind.

Someday it'd be rad to use some binos that take a pic of exactly what you're looking at.

I bet the ARMY already has 'em ;)

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jul 3, 2012 - 11:44pm PT

Cyndie
Get better soon!
Thinkin' good thoughts!!!
(I get me second colonoscopy later this year. . . mmmmm).

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 3, 2012 - 11:47pm PT

Thank you Slater for the photos. Your titles made me laugh. Good photos of the White-crowned Sparrows too.
Here are my backyard photos from today, taken through the window so they are not great. Seeing my birds makes me happy and being happy helps with healing so....

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 4, 2012 - 03:21pm PT

yeah those are rad!

I have never seen a red-breasted nuthatch before (yet!).

How cool that they're in your backyard!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 4, 2012 - 04:18pm PT

Hey if anyone is interested I have an amazing pair of binocular for sale at a great price. I have two pairs and only need one.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/brunton-10-5x43mm-epoch-roof-prism-binocular.html

Almost new for $800.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 4, 2012 - 06:16pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 4, 2012 - 08:25pm PT

Great shots Cyndie, Slater and Mike.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 5, 2012 - 07:10pm PT

I saw the doctor this morning. No official report yet, but he said the pathologist saw clean margins and no growth outside the colon wall. The doctor says even if it comes back malignant I had the treatment by removing the colon section and there will be no chemo or radiation needed. Now I just need to heal up and get on with enjoying my life.

Thank you all for the good wishes.

Keep posting the great bird stories and photos.

Here is what I saw from the car this morning at the Kenai Flats.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 6, 2012 - 12:12am PT

Keep on keepin' on!

ps- Mike... wow great shot of the Allen's!!!

john hansen

climber

Jul 6, 2012 - 12:35am PT

Slater,,, wilson's warbler?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 6, 2012 - 01:40am PT

yep, black cap and all.

He was stalking me on the trail.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Jul 6, 2012 - 02:30pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 6, 2012 - 04:46pm PT

Good news Cyndie.

We had a great family trip up to Dinkey Creek last weekend (5 days).
The birding was good too.
Trip list, 5 life listers (*).
Raven
R.T.Hawk
Mourning Dove
Mtn. Chickodee
House Finch
Canada Goose
Robin
O. Junco
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Mallard
Townsend's Solitaire *
Wht. Headed W. Pecker
Brown Creeper
W. Tanager
Lazuli Bunting* (Margy saw this one and took me looking to share)
Calliope Hummingbird *
Nashville Warbler *
Orange Crowned Warbler
Red Breasted Sapsucker (2 pairs)
Fox Sparrow
Owl (big one at sunset-Great Horned?)
Allen's H.bird
T. Vulture
Brewer's Blackbird
Purple Finch *
Stellar's Jay
Rock Pigeon
Am. Dipper (Ouzel)
Williamson's Sapsucker
House Sparrow

The Tanager was the most vividly colored one I have ever seen, it was at Courtright Res. I wish I could have gotten some pics, the Calliope landed on a branch 10 feet away at eye level.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 6, 2012 - 09:24pm PT

Lopez Lake with the kids.
Saw a kingfisher and Osprey too.

No bikinis though.

Bummer...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 6, 2012 - 10:37pm PT

Rock Wren, Rio Grande Gorge, Taos, NM

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 6, 2012 - 10:50pm PT

BEST MONTH TO HIT SALTON SEA?

I know I know... depends on what you want to see.

I want to see stuff that I can't normally see here on the central coast.
(i live 8 miles from the coast so I see a lot of those birds).

I know around here (Central Coast of California) the weather sucks (rain) between Jan-March, with 1 or 2 storms usually hitting around mid-November. December a couple storms, and January rain often. But the wettest months are February and March.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 6, 2012 - 10:54pm PT

Mountain Bluebird, Rio Grande Gorge, Taos, NM

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 6, 2012 - 11:12pm PT

rock wren and bluebird are beautiful shots Bob.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 7, 2012 - 02:12am PT

Great pics everyone. Slater I think the weather at dalton sea maybe better than the coast most the time because it's more of an inland desert area. Let us know when u decide to go, maybe we can get a supertoposse to meet up!!! On my way to Canada now!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 7, 2012 - 08:27pm PT

Great climbing day along the Rio Grande just north Taos..saw the some what rare Rio Grande Willow Flycatcher and a beautiful Western Tanager. Great day all around.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 7, 2012 - 10:57pm PT

en route home. Miss this thread and our fellow birders. Got some fun shots we can hopefully post soon. Best wishes Cyndie!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 8, 2012 - 12:01am PT

I'm finally getting around to processing photos from the Estonia segment of our recent travels. The sparse population, limited development and lack of intensive cultivation result in a lot of good bird habitat. Estonia still has lots of bogs and forest and is in the path of Arctic breeders. We first spent a few days in the capital city of Tallinn. The well-preserved medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Then we headed to the west coast around Haapsalu and Matsalu Bay. We were too late for the wintering birds and large waves of migrants, but there were still many geese around: Barnacle, Bean, White-fronted (Greater and a few Lesser) and Graylag.

Lots of Swans, too.

In winter there hundreds of thousands of Long-tailed Ducks, but we only saw a few. Garganey was another lifer.

Waders also pass through in big numbers.

I had really hoped to see Great-crested Grebes. It turns out they were pretty common

In Europe, Horned Grebes are called Slavonian Grebes. It sounds much more exotic.

Several species of Gulls and Terns are breeders.

We then headed inland to several National Parks and Reserves. The Old-world Warblers are tough to ID. It really helped to have birdsong recordings.

We saw three different Wagtails. Grey Wagtail is out of range.

There are lots of Woodpeckers. We missed a couple, but were happy to see Black Woodpecker and Wryneck.

There were White Stork nests on many chimneys and other structures throughout the countryside.

We were too late to see lekking grouse, but did manage to see Black Grouse and Capercaillie

We didn’t manage to do any real owling, but were lucky to get shown a staked-out Ural Owl on a nest.

We missed the Great Grey Shrike, but did see some Red-backed Shrikes.

We saw a number of raptors: White-tailed, Golden and Lesser-spotted Eagles, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier.

As a bonus, we got killer views of Greenland and Baffin Island on the flight home.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 8, 2012 - 12:18am PT

Thanks Tony!

It was really cool to see the Garganey and the Black Woodpecker. Hey an Estonian totally distinguished himself in the Tour de France today!
fifth: Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis
and those above him were "the big boys". I imagine it's a big deal there.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 8, 2012 - 12:21am PT

wow Tony! That was a great tour.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 8, 2012 - 01:11am PT

Wow, I thought Europe's birds weren't supposed to be as spectacular!
That was a good selection.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 8, 2012 - 01:32am PT

Darwin,

Excuse my ignorance, but was this a mountain stage? If so, even more impressive since Estonia is very flat. The high point is 318 meters.

We returned to the Baltic region after a few weeks at home and saw many of the species we had seen earlier now with young. More to come.

Thanks Mike. If that wasn't enough, here are a few more.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 8, 2012 - 10:18am PT

Great photos Tony...thanks.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 8, 2012 - 02:52pm PT

Tony, fantastic share of a great variety of birds. I really liked the Great-crested Grebes. I am putting them on my must see list.
Thank you everyone for your kind notes and thoughts. I am feeling good and the healing is going well.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 8, 2012 - 04:33pm PT

Really great shot Tony and everyone else, I really dig seeing the wide variety of stuff posted here. I arrived late last night in Canada and am currently charging my battery to clean my sensor and start shooting. I did manage to catch a odd pair of reddish egrets in the upper pennsiula of michigan. I read they sometimes stray north so maybe it was not that unusual, but just from looking at the bird book map they seemed out of place. They were in an odd spot too, right in the middle of the grass divide seperating the interstate freeway lanes. I didnt have time to stop and dig out the camera and go back for a shot. Maybe on the way home in a few weeks?

Cheers-

Matt

EDIT - on second thought perhaps it was a tri-color or little blue heron although I remember a very reddish neck and no stripe on the front of neck either but both of those birds seem more likely.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 8, 2012 - 06:37pm PT

A few from today hike.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 8, 2012 - 09:51pm PT

Here are mine from today, attempt at digiscoping.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 8, 2012 - 09:57pm PT

Somwhere bicycling distance east of Seattle. My uploader is broken so these are links.

There are lots more (way unedited) at http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_07_07_Martins/

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jul 8, 2012 - 09:58pm PT

Tony, your shots are amazing! Love the Eurasian Siskin!!!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 8, 2012 - 11:37pm PT

Looks like a lot of us got out this weekend!

Nice photos Cyndie; I hope this means you're feeling OK. Aside from the Dowitchers and Yellowlegs, I loved seeing the little trees back of your feeder. It brings back life in Goldstream Valley over the ridge from Fairbanks.

I wonder if others get the same visceral reaction to the Common Swift (Tony's). Beautiful photo, and I tried for hours this morning to get one like that of the Martins. No luck.

but one more sitting one:

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 8, 2012 - 11:57pm PT

Tony is that place in Estonia like a destination for birding or are those just the birds you saw!?

amazing!

I love flying over Greenland!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 9, 2012 - 01:52am PT

This guy/gal flew ten feet from my head. I chased him/her down in a nearby tree

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 9, 2012 - 05:09pm PT

Nice cute Bullock's Oriole couple.

Headless Bullock's Oriole. :-)

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 9, 2012 - 06:05pm PT

Yesterday in the backyard and out at the mouth of the Kenai.

I am feeling better. I have my husband drive me around to look at birds from the car. I can't do much walking, a mile or so. But, I am healing.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 9, 2012 - 07:03pm PT

I'm glad to hear you are feeling better Cyndie.

I have a question for all you great bird photehogs. What is your camera setup? I'm wondering what would be the best and mostly the CHEAPEST best way to go.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 9, 2012 - 07:33pm PT

beautiful Alaska vistas, the magpie is cool and Bob's image of the pair of Bullocks gazing into the distance is nice.

Unfortunately, I've been finding that better lenses take better photos (for a given photographer). I use Nikon equipment. Upgraded from the 70-300mm f4-5.5 VR to a 300mm f/4 and the images are better in every way (sharpness, contrast, color). Tomorrow I'm test driving a 300mm f/2.8 VR II thinking it will become a nice 420mm f/4 VR II with the TC1.4 EII when I need more reach (all the time).

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 9, 2012 - 07:44pm PT

Cyndie,
It's great to hear that you are feeling well enough to get out and about. There are definitely some birds on my must-see list that merit a trip to Alaska.

Slater,
If I understand your question, Estonia is definitely a great birding destination. There are a number of hot spots we didn't get to. In particular, the larger islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. Also, a little earlier would have been better for Owls, Woodpeckers and Grouse, as well as for the migration. There were many bird observation towers throughout the country. We saw about 145 species, including about 45 lifers for me.

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jul 9, 2012 - 07:53pm PT

The 5th North American Ornithological Conference will be in Vancouver on 14 - 18 August. How many of you are twitching to attend?

http://www.naoc-v2012.com/

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 9, 2012 - 07:55pm PT

Dr. F - it was the distinctly yellow eyes that steered me away from a Coopers (strikingly red eyes), but with your prompting, I poked around the internet and you are right. Juvenile Coopers have yellow eyes. Thanks!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 9, 2012 - 08:41pm PT

Eastern Kingbird in Central California.

Quite rare in these parts...

East meets west... just chillin' with his cousins.

#203!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 9, 2012 - 09:41pm PT

Really fun thread and thanks to everyone for their great photos...really puts a smile on my face.

Heavy rain here in Taos today but it cleared up a little so I went down to the river and saw a few birds. Light was terrible.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 9, 2012 - 09:52pm PT

King Birds are a big deal in Seattle, especially Eastern ones.

For me the tail is one way to distinguish between Coopers (or Sharpies) and immature Red Tails.

I don't know what Bob's first grey bird with eye ring is. Oh! One of the Vireos (corrected spelling)? They confuse the bejeebers out of me.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 9, 2012 - 10:16pm PT

Darwin...Plumbeous Vireo.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 9, 2012 - 11:20pm PT

Tony anytime you plan a birding trip to Alaska let me know. I have some contacts here on the Kenai Peninsula that can be helpful and I would always be glad to go out birding. That goes for any of you Supertopo birders. We have room at our place for you to park an RV or a car and camp. Our house isn't big, but it is open for those who would enjoy a visit.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 10, 2012 - 12:55am PT

Bob - nice shots.

From today

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 10, 2012 - 09:42pm PT

Blue Grosbeak...

Magpie...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 10, 2012 - 11:33pm PT

Stoked to see everyone is out there and getting some good shots for our entertainment!

OK so here is mine...

A Coopers Hawk landed on my surf racks on my truck in the driveway and I stumbled upon it this evening around 8pm and just happened to have my point and shoot in my jacket pocket!

I was relaxing in my backyard and goofing off and had been trying to take pictures of the red, orange, and yellow variations of the ordinary house finches that hang in my backyard feeder and my camera was still in my pocket. Imagine that!

My son was with me and got to see it too... I lifted him up above the fence so he could see it! He got a great look. Then it took off for the Eucalyptus trees as another one came flying over the house with a mouse in its talons. Perhaps to a nest?

He said "Well, that was a once it a lifetime experience." I'm guessing he's right!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 11, 2012 - 12:02am PT

Cool stuff everyone! Slater - looks like the Cooper's really enjoys your roof rack, very cool! Here's an instant replay PS pic to show Crimper's infamous run in with a Cooper's a couple of years ago at the Great Sand Dunes...
Also, here are a few shots of some Tree Swallows doin' it a few weeks ago...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 11, 2012 - 12:38pm PT

ha ha ha

no other comment

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 11, 2012 - 01:48pm PT

Still my greatest birding moment ever. An excellent reenactment. :)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 11, 2012 - 05:24pm PT

Indeed!
Love the facial expression!

A+ acting and filming guys!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 11, 2012 - 05:37pm PT

It cracks me up every time I see it as well!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 12, 2012 - 12:29pm PT

Here is my mystery mountain bird seen up at Shuteye 7,000' elevation.
Any ideas? He was way up at the top of the tree and that's the best shot I could get.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 12, 2012 - 09:22pm PT

Scrub Jaybro

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jul 12, 2012 - 09:43pm PT

Oh Dave, give them some privacy, please!!!!

hee hee hee. . .

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 13, 2012 - 02:06am PT

It seemed too small and it didn't sound like one at all either. But maybe you're right.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 13, 2012 - 02:10am PT

#204! in the can! Searching for a pygmy nuthatch up in Cambria tomorrow.

OK so I got my next 100 birds for the year... up to 204 or so...

Slideshow at-

http://slatervision.com/www.slatervision.com/Birds%20101-200/

You can tell me which ones I screwed up on :)

Bird on,

Tom

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jul 13, 2012 - 02:22am PT

Yo Brassnuts, the female Tree Swallow has a leg band. Did you notice?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 13, 2012 - 02:33am PT

Nice website Tom!

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Jul 13, 2012 - 12:01pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 13, 2012 - 05:09pm PT

Ok birders...great deal here. These are so sharp and clear. Only selling because I have two pair...half price. $700

http://www.opticsplanet.com/brunton-10-5x43mm-epoch-roof-prism-binocular.html

splitclimber

climber

Sonoma County

Jul 13, 2012 - 07:21pm PT

Tony - your pics a few pages back are awesome. what a cool thread to follow.

Bob - i'm close to taking your bino's off your hands. great deal.

I wish I was a photographer to be able to share. Thx for posting everybody.

Hey Slater - you doin' any shorebirdin'. that'll get your life list up in a hurry.

your mystery bird may be an eastern kingbird that got off course. rare but it happens. Doesn't quite look like a shrike.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jul 13, 2012 - 08:29pm PT

Western Scrub-Jaybro, indeed. You can even see the supercilium.

Mike, your flycatcher looks big, with a massive bill. Pac-Slope is a little yellow guy with a bold, almond shaped eye-ring. I'd go Olive-sided Fly in a heartbeat if it weren't apparently so dingy all underneath. That's still probably what it was, and it does look a little gapey, so maybe it's just a youngster. But perhaps geography/habitat can help further. Where was that?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 13, 2012 - 11:35pm PT

Willoughby, the fly catcher on the previous page was in Santa Cruz. Size was bigger than a black Phoebe, smaller than an acorn woodpecker.

Here is a shot of what I think is an Ash-Throated Flycatcher from the same area. Quite certain they are different birds.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 14, 2012 - 01:20am PT

Spilt...you buy..I'll pay shipping. They are really amazing binoculars.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 14, 2012 - 06:53pm PT

Willoughby -

perhaps that is a Western Wood PeeWee on the previous page (I had guessed pacific slope fly catcher) Here is another photo I got today that shows the belly better:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 14, 2012 - 08:08pm PT

A couple from today...the Kestrel shot is a little washed out but pretty cool. Varmints...don't mess with birds of prey..you're gonna die.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 14, 2012 - 09:40pm PT

OPERATION BIRD RESCUE!!!!!

Sooo I have not had a chance to check off many new lifers while here in Canada thus far. I'm on a 3 acre island in northern lake Huron surrounded by 3000 other islands all are rockey and mostly deserted. Birding is tough, but it is an amazing place and I'm sure I just need to learn how to bit properly in this new environment.

OK on to the rescue...

Therr is a pair of yellow warblers that nest in a pine tree near our dock. One of their babies fell out of the best today and landed near the path. The parent(s) were goin crazy and it took awhile to even notice the little guy flipping around in the pine needles. I don't know what to do so I got a small plastic container, cut holes in the bottom, and lined it with paper towel and pine needles. I scooped the bird up without touchin it and I placed it in a secure spot low in the tree but the parents just kept going back to the spot on the ground to look for it. Worried I moved the makeshift nest back to the ground near where it fell. The parent eventually found the baby and I saw the baby get fed by one parent. What should I do???? Leave as is? Move makeshift nest back into tree? It might start raining tonight. The baby was not flying yet, but obviouslly got out of the nest and was trying to flutter its wings as I scooped it up. It was not even to the point of walking/hopping yet :(((( HELP!!!

Matt

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 14, 2012 - 10:47pm PT

nice Kestrel

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 14, 2012 - 10:58pm PT

WOW mike crazy good detail on that hummer. Was that with the 300 f4 or the 300 2.8? Did you get the 300 f4 new or used? Autofocus yes?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 14, 2012 - 11:12pm PT

That hummer is with the f4. It is the AFS (most recent model) and I picked it up used. The f2.8 is no sharper, but having VR and f2.8 is really nice at dusk.

Here are a couple of shots with the 300 f/2.8 VRII. Did not have that many opportunities this afternoon:

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 15, 2012 - 12:40am PT

Matty, my friend who is a song bird rescuer says to put it back in the nest. It is not true that if you touch it the parents will reject it.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 15, 2012 - 05:49am PT

Thanks Cyndie but although i think I know what tree the nest is in, I don't know where the actual nest is (maybe too high). I'll look again today and put it back if I can. The little guy survived the night (no rain yet) and I think I saw a parent feeding it just now....

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 15, 2012 - 03:50pm PT

Thx DMT always enjoy your input.

Just got back from
A boat ride. Found an osprey nest with 2 little ones and caught a parent down the channel fishing. Have pics but can't upload now.

Operation bird rescue continues...the baby flopped out of the temporary nest and has spent the day under some small plants. It looks better than yesterday and no rain yet.

Time to eat

Matt

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 15, 2012 - 07:02pm PT

OK Matty -

Did a pretty-good test of the sharpness (and contrast) of the Nikon 300mm f2/8 and the Nikon 300mm f/4. tweaked the microfocus adjustment, then used a tripod, fixed iso and shot away. To me, the two lenses are pretty much identical in sharpness for the apertures where they overlap. Wide open (f/2.8 vs f/4) the less expensive lens looks a little sharper.

karodrinker

Trad climber

San Jose, CA

Jul 15, 2012 - 10:28pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 16, 2012 - 12:23am PT

Bolting and birding in the San Luis Valley today...great day. Three new routes and a couple of good shots.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 16, 2012 - 12:39am PT

Good stuff, I especially like the baby Hummers - tiny! Here are a few more Kestrel shots from a few weeks ago...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 16, 2012 - 12:48am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 16, 2012 - 08:56am PT

Babies (birds that is) are my kryptonite! They are so adorable!!!

Bob, what is your second bird?

Beautiful all -

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 16, 2012 - 09:54am PT

Crimp...Swainson's Hawk. Really pretty.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 16, 2012 - 01:11pm PT

Thanks for the lens info Mike, I' love to have a big VR lens but too expensive at present for me.

Great shots everyone.

The baby warbler continues to live on the ground and gets fed regularly. It's moving around more today an will hopefully pull through and start flapping enough to lift off soon. I have lots of pics for later.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 16, 2012 - 01:40pm PT

Wow. Cool shot Bob. I've never seen such a dark one - usually they have only dark bibs but that boy has a dark belly too! Cool.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 16, 2012 - 01:57pm PT

Crimp...here is another shot of him...I got coming and going from climbing yesterday.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 16, 2012 - 02:33pm PT

Good looking bird!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 16, 2012 - 11:38pm PT

Monday night mystery bird... I think I know who this is, but please chime in :-) I only got one quick shot of him, then not to be seen again.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 16, 2012 - 11:59pm PT

A beautiful day at the mouth of the Kenai River.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 17, 2012 - 10:58am PT

Love the photos Cyndie. Any guesses on the mystery bird BN posted?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 17, 2012 - 11:06am PT

It looks a pale female Western Tanager to me.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 17, 2012 - 11:34am PT

Interesting thought Reilly. The bird makes me think Western Kingbird, but the wing bars are so strong. The gray head is confusing to me.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 17, 2012 - 01:58pm PT

Crimpergirl I thought Western Kingbird too, but I don't think that is it after looking at all my references. I am confused, probably a juvenile that is fooling us.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 17, 2012 - 02:04pm PT

On Saturday I took a birdwatching field trip with some of the Keen Eye Birders, a local birdwatching club that I am a member of. We went to Hope, Alaska and drove up the Palmer Creek Road. This is about a two hour trip one way and the Palmer Creek Road is about 10 miles of dirt road mountain driving from sea level to about 3000 feet. We saw 36 species of birds and I got three new Alaska birds; Olive-sided Flycatcher, Wilson's Warbler and Winter Wren. We had good looks at a lot of birds and the weather was fantastic. It felt so good to get out and do something that I love.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 17, 2012 - 02:43pm PT

Crimp...I thinking western Kingbird.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 17, 2012 - 06:43pm PT

Looks like a lot of fun Cyndie. My girlfriend wants to go back to Alaska and I have never been. So looking forward to it whenever that may be.

The baby warbler is still doing fine on the ground and is being fed delicious green bugs delivered by mom. It's flapping alot but not going anywhere really. More yellow appears each day in its feathers and it's beak is looking a bit more proper.

Cheers!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 17, 2012 - 07:07pm PT

Well the Bullock's Orioles near the house have a nest and this is one of the babies. Really cute.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 17, 2012 - 07:32pm PT

Awesome stuff everyone. I love going on bird walks with a group. I don't get to very much (busy and darn they are early!). Still, enjoy every one of them, and learn stuff from every one of them.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 17, 2012 - 08:24pm PT

I'm putting together a birding trip to Honduras in late February and early March...should be a great trip at a cost of $1,500 for nine days with everything covered but airfare.

The trip looks like this...expect to get around 200-300 species.

DAY ONE: Arrive in San Pedro Sula and transfer to PANACAM LODGE

DAY TWO: Pickup by Your native guide and driver, and we’ll head for Lake Yojoa, a very large, natural lake in central part of Honduras. This is a great place for water birds including Black Bellied whistling Ducks and Muscovy Ducks, Spotted Rail, Ruddy Crake, Gray Breasted crake, Northern Jacana and many more. We might get lucky and find other good species as well. We’ll stay at PANACAM on the lake for the next two nights and explore the lake region and surrounding mountains.

DAY THREE: We’ll spend some time in the morning birding the panacam lowlands for Prevost Ground-Sparrow, Green-backed Sparrow and the numerous hummingbirds in the lake region. After lunch, we head for the highlands of Cerro Azum Meambar National Park. We will get our first taste of cloud forest here. Thi is home and one of the best windows to find Keel-billed Motmot here,. Blue-crowned, Tody andTurquoise-browed Motmot should be seen along the way, as well as Collared Trogons. The lovely Black-crested Coquette, Wite bellied Emerald and many more Hummingbirds are found as well in the park at feeders close to the visitors' center., Red-capped and White-collared Manakins should also be present. We will probably see our first Bushy-crested Jays, Green jays and Unicolered Jays in here.

DAY FOUR: More birding in the Lake Yojoa area around Los Naranjos National Park in Pena Blanca. Then we’ll drive 3 Hours to Marcala and stay at the nice Hotel Finca Rosael for the next two nights.

DAY FIVE :We’ll make another early deparure to bird to Las Trancas Nature Reserve in the morning where we hope to find the rarest of the motmots: Blue-throated Motmot. If we are lucky enough to find this bird, and our guide does know where some nests are, we might be able to find all the motmots of Central America on this trip. Honduras is the only country that has all seven of them (although the Russet-crowned Motmot’s southernmost range may extend slightly into Guatemala).other species in here can be found:White Breasted Hawk, Resplendent Quetzal, Red Faced warbler, Gray Breasted Wren, and many others.

DAY SIX: We will bird in the morning in areas close to the Hotel and then we will leave to La Tigra National Park., it would take us up of 3 hours to get there so we will stay at Los Gloriales Inn for the next two nights, we will do birding in the areas of the hotel in the afternoon we can great looks of Black Vented Oriole, Magnificent Hummingbirds, Strong billed Woodcreeper, and many others.

DAY SEVEN: we need to make an early departure of about 5:00 AM for La Tigra National Park where we’ll hike up into the rainforest looking the Resplendent Quetzal, Slate-colored Solitaire, Singing Quail, Scaled Antpita, Green Breasted Mountain Gem and others.

DAY EIGHT: We’ll continue birding in the morning, then we’ll depart for Tegucigalpa 10 am, to the airport.

The trip would be limited to 8-10 people.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 17, 2012 - 08:26pm PT

Hmmmmm. :)

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 18, 2012 - 12:31am PT

Bob, how soon do you need the money for the trip? I am interested, but I need to be able to substitute teach to earn the cash.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 18, 2012 - 12:59am PT

Arctic Tern seen while kayaking on Watson Lake.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 18, 2012 - 10:10am PT

Cyndie...no rush...I would take a small deposit in December.

The guide I have is amazing. Speak English and know Honduras birding areas like the back of his hand.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 18, 2012 - 10:49pm PT

Posing on the feeder.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 18, 2012 - 11:01pm PT

Nice shot slater!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 19, 2012 - 09:31am PT

Cool sea series! Thanks!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 19, 2012 - 05:09pm PT

Nice Mike. Were those shot in Monterey Bay? I've never gotten such a good look of a Blue Whale. It sounds like they are around in big numbers as they were in 2010. We didn't make it out that year and need to do it soon.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 19, 2012 - 06:30pm PT

Ron - love the photos! I think you have some House Sparrows in that photo. Hardy little guys! I hope people don't fail to post less-than-perfect photos here. It's all about the birds - good and less good photos alike!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 20, 2012 - 02:37pm PT

Bird bump.......

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 20, 2012 - 03:20pm PT

Ron,

From what I could make out in the photo, I would have guessed it was one of those yellow-variant House Finches except that you said it had a long slender bill. Considering that I am at a loss.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 20, 2012 - 03:34pm PT

RON - the bird in question is the largest whiteish bird in each photo correct. Is another of the same bit also stickin it's head in the left side of the first photo you posted? I haven't a guess at the moment, but maybe later if I can do some searching.

BOB- the trip sounds really fantastic. Dont think I'll be able to make it, but who knows things may change.

OPERATION BIRD RESCUE -

The mission to save our baby yellow warbler failed last night. We checked on the bird before dinner. Went in for a few hours and checke again before bed and it was gone. Still no sign of it. Sad. I look at the spot every time I go by wishing it will magically be back. Who know what happened...raven? snake? mink? I'm so sad today =( my girl an I had named the little guy Cesar because of the little fuzzy crown of baby feathers he wore.

R.I.P. CESAR!!!!!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 20, 2012 - 04:12pm PT

Matty,

It could be the baby warbler has fledged. Yellow Warblers fledge 8-10 days after hatching. It might have just left the nest prematurely by a few days. You said it was flapping 3 days ago, right? I don't think it would be long after that they would be able to fly some.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 20, 2012 - 04:16pm PT

Ron - I guess I don't see (or can't see well enough) the bird you are describing. I *thought* you meant the House Sparrow (guessed above) but misunderstood.

Anyone??

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 20, 2012 - 04:39pm PT

Ron,

Is this the bird you meant?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 21, 2012 - 12:49am PT

Ron, in that picture I see two House Sparrows, one house finch (albeit and interesting angle), and what appears to be the back-half of a dove, likely a Eurasian-collared dove. All very common at a feeder and mix well together.
Throw in a western scrub jay and you got a backyard party!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 21, 2012 - 12:54am PT

One of the best shots of a swallow I've managed to take.
He was literally at my feet just outside the railing. He was checking me out.

Very brave, beautiful bird.

Big Mike

Trad climber

Jul 21, 2012 - 02:01am PT

I took these the other night on the way back from the crag. What kind of bird is it?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 21, 2012 - 10:35am PT

Great blue heron Mike. Nice reflection.

Yeah slater swallows can be tough. We have some that live by the dock here and are pretty tolerant of people. They will perch only a few feet away sometimes. Each year they have babies and we get to watch then learn to fly. Tough luck as the nest is under a roof that is over the water. If they fall it's straight in the drink.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 22, 2012 - 12:20am PT

What a great day...did a new 5.12b/c in the Gorge today and then saw this beautiful Blue Grosbeak. Life is good, very good.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 22, 2012 - 11:36am PT

Ned help on this one...Flycatcher? What kind? Olive-sided?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 22, 2012 - 12:02pm PT

bob, what state are you in?

I'd say a kingbird of some type but can't see the belly.

What color was it?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 22, 2012 - 01:24pm PT

Bob,

It looks like a Cassin's Kingbird with the contrasting white malar and pale tail tip. Although I can't see it, I'm assuming it has a yellow belly. The range is right, too.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 22, 2012 - 02:07pm PT

Yes, I agree. Cassin's Kingbird. Pretty!

And how did he make Ron's photo so sharp? I need whatever that is for all of mine.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 22, 2012 - 05:49pm PT

Tony and Crimp...I'm going with Cassin's Kingbird...thanks.

Here is another angle...breast is dull grey and yellow below.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 22, 2012 - 05:52pm PT

Some great shots Bob - what equipment are you using now? You can click these for larger versions.

Footloose

Trad climber

Lake Tahoe

Jul 23, 2012 - 12:49am PT

Can someone identify this large bird for me. I see them every so often above the mountain sides and peaks. For the longest time I've wanted to know...

It was taken today off the Sierra east side above the Carson Valley. A close up shows the white markings on the wings and tail.

Hawk? Eagle? A young one? It's about a 3' wingspan I'd say.

Thanks.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 23, 2012 - 01:28am PT

A few birds for a Sunday evening...

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 23, 2012 - 02:19am PT

Footloose,

First year Golden Eagle. The white "softballs" on the wings and at the base of the tail are diagnostic. The wingspan would be over 6 ft!

BN,
Gorgeous shots, as usual. I hope to get such a good look at a YB Chat sometime.

Mike,
We saw one of our local newly fledged Cooper's Hawks being chased almost into our window by a pair of hummingbirds.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 23, 2012 - 02:53am PT

really, really nice shooting Dave

Lacey

Social climber

Burns,Oregon

Jul 23, 2012 - 08:54pm PT

Malheur Refuge.....

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 23, 2012 - 08:59pm PT

BN, great shootin', as always. Luv the "WTF?" look on the Harrier!
Or is it, "Whoa! A Canon shooter, I better behave!"

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 23, 2012 - 10:23pm PT

Great stuff Dave, thanks.

Mike...shooting with Olympus OMD-5 and Panasonic 200-600mm Lens. Very compact.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 23, 2012 - 10:59pm PT

That Harrier meant business! He was super aggressive and clearly had a nest nearby.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 23, 2012 - 11:00pm PT

Come to Boulder Tony - we can show you more Yellow-Breasted Chats than you can shake a stick at! :)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 24, 2012 - 12:08am PT

What a nice series of photos above!

Here are some from my weekend. I got pretty lucky with the Hummingbird.

And I have a soft spot for Quail. This one was motoring pretty fast across the path.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 24, 2012 - 12:17am PT

All terrific! Love the hummingbird especially. :)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 24, 2012 - 12:44am PT

Damn Brass look at that lens!

Is that a 500mm with a 1.4x or a 2x ???

A 500mm on a digital is like what... 700mm? with a converter it is...?!?!?!

man, I wish!

Nice shots everyone!

68 more days until my pelagic trip out of Avila Beach!!!!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 24, 2012 - 12:50am PT

I think that LENS put him on the ground and he just thought it was the bird!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 24, 2012 - 01:14am PT

I love crows...and, yes, I did give him some of my samich.

Livin' large at the Bandon NWR, Oregon. Supposedly there's puffins and
murrelets on one or more of these rocks but I didn't see any. :-(

It is an awesome place in its own right...

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 24, 2012 - 01:26am PT

Crimpie,

I will probably take you up on that offer. I need to get back out there for some rehab climbing with my old climbing buddy who is coming off rotator cuff surgery. I've had two of those plus a new ankle and hip, so we will be quite the climbing team. Maybe I can try out Dave's lens on my 7D. Then I'll have to get one. I've been hoping to get one for a while. Of course, now they have come out with a new version that is even more expensive.

By the way, I used Photoshop Elements to adjust Ron's photos since I wanted to add the arrow. I usually use Lightroom to process my photos. Anyway, it was pretty heavy-handed. I used Auto-tone and bumped the saturation and sharpness just to bring out some field marks. I still have no idea what it is. Maybe an immature warbler. An unlikely wild guess would be a Palm Warbler. We get a handful in fall-winter, but not to likely this far inland in the west. Here is a similar treatment of the other photo.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jul 24, 2012 - 08:02am PT

Here's a few from the last couple of weeks

Not the best, but I had to climb a tree to get it, so it's ON-TOPIC for this forum:

I've been waiting to run into a Spotted Owl in the Tahoe basin for years and years, so it's nice to finally get one:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 24, 2012 - 09:44am PT

Cool! Love the baby Tanagers in the nest. :)

Willoughby - who is this? There was a bit of discussion about this bird upthread. Juvenile Western Kingbird?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 24, 2012 - 10:20am PT

Oh, that makes me wish we had a tv! No tv signal in this house so no extreme birding show for us. I'll look on google...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 24, 2012 - 10:35am PT

Great stuff everyone...Silver...Ecuador is amazing, I when birding in several different areas, (Mindo, Banos, Puyo) really cool. Going to Bolivia in November.

Black-headed Grosbeak at the feeder this morning.

Footloose

Trad climber

Lake Tahoe

Jul 24, 2012 - 11:42am PT

Tony, thanks for the identification.

Six feet in wingspan, wow!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 24, 2012 - 01:11pm PT

Eggzellent new shots all! Mongo really likes the Crow portrait and the Spotted Owl - very cool! Slater - the lens in that shot is a 500mm F4, usually with the 1.4x converter attached. Great reach, but obviously a handful and the DOF is small, but the results are nice when everything aligns :-) The new versions of the Canon super tele's look nice, but way more expensive! I'm glad I scored a first gen model. Ok, more birds...
Not a good shot, but an interesting bird. Me thinks it's a juvenile Yellow-Breasted Chat since adults were very close by and quite attentive...
Henri the Parrot - Callie's long term suitor :-)

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 24, 2012 - 02:43pm PT

Good shots everyone. I am enjoying your birds.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jul 24, 2012 - 02:55pm PT

Hey Crimpie, that's an oddly pale Western Tanager.

BN, that mystery bird labelled as a possible juv. chat is a Brown-headed Cowbird. I think you should go ahead and get one of the new generation super-teles (and give me your old one). Gorgeous stuff.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 24, 2012 - 02:56pm PT

Hey BN - how are you posting in the cube farm?? :)

Can't wait to see your birds Silver. My parents have roosters, and many are confused roosters who crow all night long. I'm used to it (and sort of like it).

Henri is a handsome fellow. :)

Hoping to get an ID on what we think is a juve Yellow Breasted Chat. Everything I find shows them to be yellow already. Hope Willoughby and others can chime in on an ID.

edit: oops - didn't see Willoughby's responses above. THANKS! They have been puzzling us!

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Jul 24, 2012 - 07:49pm PT

I started feeding these guys a couple months ago, and now they're going through three or four quarts a day.

How much does one hummingbird eat?

Assuming I had a *pet* hummingbird in some sort of aviary, how much food would I have to put out for him each day?

( not that I'm considering a captive hummingbird, I'm just interested to know how big of a flock I'm supporting )

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 24, 2012 - 09:29pm PT

This thread rules.

yep... all taken with MY 500mm lens... cough cough...

on my point and shoot.

Just not the same.

I hope I win the lottery someday!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 24, 2012 - 09:53pm PT

Lovely shots. I love flycatchers difficult as they can be to ID. Feisty little guys. :)

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jul 25, 2012 - 12:10pm PT

hey there, say, brassnuts, chaz,(recent posts) and all you birdfolks...

great pics, lovely birds and settings, :)

here is one i was lucky to see the other day, and get, ...course it is
hard to see, :))

tarek

climber

berkeley

Jul 25, 2012 - 01:43pm PT

Silver, basically, the W. Amazon is the place.
Where I work in S. Venezuela (lower diversity), there are still 500+ spp. in an area 1/10th of California.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 25, 2012 - 05:58pm PT

A couple from the feeders today.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 25, 2012 - 10:47pm PT

Any Los Angeles birders out there... ?

Going to Huntington Botanical Gardens to see a Red-whiskered Bulbol and some parrots, and maybe Santa Anita Cyn. to try and see a black swift and Dipper but you know how quests go... hit and miss.

any "you can't miss this place" suggestions?

Thanks!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 25, 2012 - 11:12pm PT

Need help on this one...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 25, 2012 - 11:38pm PT

Going to Huntington Botanical Gardens to see a Red-whiskered Bulbol and some parrots...

Oh, now you are just being cruel Slater! :) Man, I wish I were there to go with you!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 26, 2012 - 12:22am PT

Slater - South Coast Botanic Gardens a bit NE of Palos Verdes is an excellent birding spot as is the Trump Golf course property on the coast at Palos Verdes. Not sure how far that is from your location, but well worth the trip...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 26, 2012 - 12:42am PT

Palos Verdes...

I thought they just had big waves there...

Nice! a two-fer!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 26, 2012 - 02:22am PT

It's breeding season.

There are more photos of these than you could possibly want to see at
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_07_16_Yellow/index.html

First though here's a mystery bird that it took me forever to figure out, even though I saw the give-away field mark almost immediately (hint once they flew).

and the BIG hint

(they were actually pretty shy).

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 26, 2012 - 03:26pm PT

Slater - I'm near LA and would be down to hit the gardens too. Was just talking about them with a friend two days ago. I don't know about "must see" areas but I know a few good spots around Santa clarita and could show you a spotted owl. When are you planning to come down?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 26, 2012 - 03:36pm PT

Slater and Matty - be sure to hit the Trumps grounds at Palos Los Verdes too to see the California Gnatcatcher! Can't see them many places, but you can see them there.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jul 26, 2012 - 08:23pm PT

Thanks crimp, that's the last of the "California" birds I need.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 26, 2012 - 09:48pm PT

So, if you go to Trump and walk in - you are facing the ocean. You can go right or you can take trails to your left. Go to your left. You'll be walking parallel to the shore, pretty quickly you'll have a chance to head down toward the short on a path the takes off to your right.

This is the area we saw LOTS of California Gnatcatchers. Even watched some on their nest.

Good luck in seeing them!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 26, 2012 - 11:07pm PT

Cassin's Kingbird.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 26, 2012 - 11:50pm PT

Matty - a spotted owl!? how can I pass that up?
I will pm you... I got Wednesday to work with but not sure how long.
How far from South Pasadena/Huntington is the owl?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 26, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

You two will have a hoooot. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 27, 2012 - 10:32am PT

Rufous Hummingbird.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 27, 2012 - 12:44pm PT

Blue-Grey Gnatcatchers at City of Rocks Idaho

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 27, 2012 - 02:17pm PT

Love!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 27, 2012 - 10:37pm PT

BN throws down!!!!!

(thanks)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 28, 2012 - 12:04am PT

Bob - why do you think that is a Rufous rather than an Allen's hummingbird?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 28, 2012 - 12:10am PT

Mike...They look identical...we just don't get them up this area and this high.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jul 28, 2012 - 03:08am PT

While an adult male Rufous can show lots and lots of green on the back (to the point of being almost pure green!?!), an adult male Allen's will never show a pure rufous back. In fact, they rarely show much rufous on the back at all. Bob's hummer is a classic adult male Rufous Hummingbird - no question about it.

His kingbird, however, just above the hummer, is a Western. Note the pale outer webs of the outermost tail feathers.

Did somebody say "Spotted Owl?" Here's a youngster from last week:

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 28, 2012 - 03:12am PT

I agree it looks like a Rufous HB. Although a few Rufous can have a largely green back, I don't think any Allen's have a completely rufous back. Take that with a grain of salt, since I see almost only Allen's around here. They have different display flight. According to the range maps, Allen's are pretty much west coastal breeders.

Edit: Willoughby beat me to it. I also wondered about the white outer tail feathers on the Kingbird. It looks like both Kingbirds are normal in NM.
I'll have a couple of days in SoCal in late August. I doubt I can make it to Palos Verdes. I should be able to make it to Newport Back Bay. Dr. F and Dee Ee, can you give me any precise spots to look?

Willoughby, I need to get up to your neck of the woods to see the owls, etc. I imagine it's a bit late this year, but definitley next summer.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jul 28, 2012 - 02:08pm PT

Here's a recent, neat article about chimney swifts!!!

http://www.hcn.org/issues/44.12/save-a-chimney-save-a-swift

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 28, 2012 - 03:26pm PT

Well, the old "check the range" trick is a pretty good one of course.

Any opinions about these brown/green hummingbirds all from Santa Cruz?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 28, 2012 - 04:14pm PT

SteveW,

I know of at least two of these chimneys serving as Vaux's Swift migratory roosts in our area. The morning flyout and evening returns are quite the spectacles. We were pretty excited about the brickyard chimney stack at our new place. Unfortunately, it has been capped.

Here are a couple of photos I posted on a different thread.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jul 28, 2012 - 09:16pm PT

Amazing, Tony!!!!
Thanks for sharing!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 28, 2012 - 11:20pm PT

Hummers! :-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 29, 2012 - 12:56am PT

Thanks Tony and Willoughby...up in the San Luis Valley again doing some new routes and birding. Great day...wil post some photos later....in the Boulder area for a few days visiting my grandson and daughter and her husband. Really good life and lucky man.

Dave...killer photos!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 29, 2012 - 12:53pm PT

I thought I had a Cassin's Kingbird in the yard yesterday, I was very excited. He kept flying around and landing on the wire facing me so I was having a hard time getting a look at the tail sides. I watched for 30-45 minutes, I moved around the yard trying to get a better angle. I Finally got a good look. Western, dang.

In the afternoon I rode down to San Joaquin Marsh and PID'd several Semipalmated Plovers and forgot about the Kingbird.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 29, 2012 - 11:50pm PT

wow eerie swift pics...

A side by side comparison of Caspian Tern and Elegant Tern.

Note bill shape and thickness.

Yeah... #208! Simply Elegant!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 30, 2012 - 12:04am PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jul 30, 2012 - 12:18am PT

I'd venture to say Royal Tern... but could be Caspian. Bill color is key. Not thin enough for an Elegant.

oh, and I hate posts at the top of pages that don't have photos so I'll dig something up...

Pygmy Nuthatch in Cambria, CA, loving the Monterey Pines.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 30, 2012 - 01:41pm PT

Mike, the Caspian has the thick red bill with a black dot towards the end. They are also quite large, the largest Tern?
Can't tell from the pic if it has the black dot.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 30, 2012 - 07:24pm PT

A few more shots of Harry the Harrier at City of Rocks

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 30, 2012 - 08:21pm PT

I went on a glacier cruise out of Whittier, Alaska yesterday with some friends who are visiting from out of state. I could use some help with the bird ID on the iceberg. Anyone? It was a good day.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jul 30, 2012 - 08:49pm PT

The gulls are enjoying the spoils of the Kenai River dipnetting season. We were fishing on July 25th at about 11:00PM when I took this shot.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 31, 2012 - 01:26am PT

Great stuff...another trip to the San Luis Valley with more new routes and great birds.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 31, 2012 - 06:36pm PT

I have no idea what this bird is...Starling??

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 31, 2012 - 06:57pm PT

That is a baby Thrush of some sort Bob. Perhaps a baby Western Bluebird? To the books I go! Adorable!

edit: Western Bluebird is my guess. Anyone else?

Todd Gordon

Trad climber

Joshua Tree, Cal

Jul 31, 2012 - 07:15pm PT

This one is laying something on our back porch...

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jul 31, 2012 - 07:35pm PT

I think that fledgling thrush is a Townsend´s Solitaire, isn´t there some white visible in the tail?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 31, 2012 - 07:41pm PT

Crimp...I think Little Z is right. The babies are so cute.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 31, 2012 - 07:45pm PT

It's a juvenile Townsends' Solitaire. They are quite distinctive.

Here's one we saw in the Eastern Sierra.. It was feasting on red berries, hence the red poop.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 31, 2012 - 09:29pm PT

Cool!

That's what I get for editing. I first guessed baby Mtn Bluebird or a Townsends. Then I edited (my bad) thinking I should go with my first instinct (yet didn't) and went with Western Bluebird. At least I got the thrush part right. Adorable baby nonetheless. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 31, 2012 - 09:52pm PT

Crimp...I thought Thrush first too and then starling or something of the sort. I should have looked harder at the eye ring and habitat. It was in a Juniper/Pinon forest. Still pretty cool as this is the time for the young to be out. Nice call Little Z.

Not a bird but a beautiful butterfly on our hike in Santa Fe today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 31, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 1, 2012 - 12:14am PT

Hey Bob, I like your schedule! Are you retired now? Maybe you can start up a local hummingbird ranch, that would be cool... :-)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 1, 2012 - 01:03am PT

littlez beat me to it on the Townsend's Solitaire

Cyndie,

I agree several Black-legged Kittiwakes. The large ones I presume are Glaucous-winged Gulls, although I can't see the primary tips. Just going on the odds there. The one preening is intriguing. It looks black capped. Maybe it's a Sabine's Gull? I've only seen them on pelagic trips, but they breed up your way. Oh, and the one in the middle with the longer legs: perhaps a Mew Gull.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 1, 2012 - 01:11am PT

Dave...after the meltdown in 2008 I might be working until I'm 90. Not retired yet, just using my days off wisely. :-)

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Aug 1, 2012 - 09:00pm PT

Here are some birds from the last week of travels.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 1, 2012 - 09:37pm PT

Alasdair,

It looks like you were in the Andes judging from the Mtn Caracara photo. Whereabouts? Are the other two some of the Sierra-finches?

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Aug 1, 2012 - 09:39pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

One of three feeders, all wall-to-wall birds.

Kind of reminds me of Friday nights back in my bartending days.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Aug 1, 2012 - 09:43pm PT

These were all shot while sick with the flu in my tent at Condoriri base camp. Its amazing how good a bird blind a tent can be.
I think one is a andean boulder finch and the other a Plumbeous Sierra Finch. but im not sure.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 2, 2012 - 12:18am PT

Love the hummers Chaz. They just make me smile. :)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 2, 2012 - 12:39am PT

Nice shots Alasdair! Bob - I'd love to check off a green-tailed towhee on my list. Took some shots today just up the road at the UCSC Arboritum. Click-em for larger versions.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 2, 2012 - 10:58am PT

Great photos Mike and Alasdair...Mike, come on out and we do some new routes and check off your Towhee.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 3, 2012 - 07:19pm PT

--------------------------

BIRDING LOS ANGELES

Spent some time in Los Angeles.
These are from Boyle Heights/Hollenbeck Park 4th St. LA, Temple City, Huntington Botanical Gardens, and Chantry Flat.

I got 4 new birds and my son got 5 so it was a successful trip. Although it was just fun watching the plain old regulars like the Phoebe and Kingbird around my in-law's pool. Hollenbeck Park was a cesspool but still saw a Cooper's Hawk, Great Egret, Cackling Goose (first), and a Black-crowned Night Heron. Almost more birds than at the Huntington Botanical Gardens... Go figure.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Aug 3, 2012 - 07:51pm PT

Can't use those last ones, Slater~!!!!!!

But the other pics, as usual, are AWESOME!!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 3, 2012 - 08:10pm PT

BULBUL!!! I so want a Bulbul.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Aug 3, 2012 - 08:22pm PT

The birds in L.A. are just like the people; Most of them are from somewhere else.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 3, 2012 - 09:40pm PT

Crimper, they are all over in the Huntington Botanical Garden.
BUT I also saw one in Santa Anita in a regular neighborhood, it was cool. They're spreading out into other areas in LA.

The parrots are a hoot, they squawk and move from block to block much like crows when searching for the "right" tree to roost in for the night. Like winged sheep. Fun stuff racing in a car from block to block trying to see where they were going to land next.

One for you!

Matty, post up some pics man!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 3, 2012 - 09:43pm PT

Oh, I would love to see them. Are they there year around? The Red-Crowned parrot aka Green-Cheeked aka Mexican Redheads are very similar to my own birds - Lilac Crowns. Cool to them (not mine!) outside!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 4, 2012 - 12:07am PT

Great stuff Slater..thanks.

Here are a few from around the house today.

Tobia

Social climber

Denial

Aug 4, 2012 - 06:41am PT

Wishlist: a good camera and a steady hand!
Northern Harrier (not common in these parts but he has been here all summer), beautiful in flight and feather.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 4, 2012 - 11:48am PT

A few from this morning walk with Eva.

Kinda sad but cool link on extinct birds.

http://environmentalgraffiti.com/animals/news-11-rare-photos-now-extinct-birds#Vve8458SsXpPREq5.01

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 5, 2012 - 02:25pm PT

otisdog

Big Wall climber

Sierra Madre & McGee Creek, Ca.

Aug 5, 2012 - 02:39pm PT

Slater, thanks for posting the pics of the Bulbul...I had a nesting pair in my backyard this year , and couldn't figure out what they were. They have a beautiful song.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 5, 2012 - 04:33pm PT

Not so great shot of a Mountain Chickadee...little things jump around so much. :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 5, 2012 - 04:53pm PT

Mountain Chickadees always sound like drunk Black Capped Chickadees to me. Cute little buggers!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 5, 2012 - 06:13pm PT

Bob, I think we should all do a birding trip to your backyard!

Where they heck do you live man! Looks epic!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 5, 2012 - 08:12pm PT

Slater...you are always welcome...Taos is a pretty cool town and does have it fair share of birds.

Here are a few more from today. I though there was a baby kitten in the bushes but turned out to be a Gray Catbird.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 5, 2012 - 08:14pm PT

Yeah, you're pretty damn cute...but don't get too smug.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 6, 2012 - 01:27am PT

Thought I was looking at a Black-chinned then found I was wrong...

#214!!!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 6, 2012 - 11:35am PT

Good call on the hummingbird Slater!

Fantastic pics everyone.

F.Y.I. I am preparing to carpet bomb this thread with photos from this summer. I'm trying to get through a month of photos and I seem to keep taking new shots as well...but soon....

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 6, 2012 - 11:58am PT

Bob - you really live in a great area for interesting birds. May have to take you up on your offer and take a trip your way to check out the birds and climbing.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 6, 2012 - 12:35pm PT

camp/climb/birdfest!

Perhaps I'll try to dump my photos in reverse since there's way more at the beginning.

From Saturday:

Ironically the california condor was the first of the "california" named birds I got to check off when I started keep my list last Feburary. I'm sure I had seen california towees before I ever saw a condor, but I didn't know enough (or even care about) identifying it with a photo. On my list I only check off birds that I have a recognizable photo of. Just seeing or hearing a bird doesn't count for me. The California Gnatcatcher is the last one I need, and thanks to Callie's advice I know where to go.

^^^^ That was a new one for me...#102...

...and I know I have at least 5 birds that I'll need help with.

CHEER TO ALL!!!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 6, 2012 - 01:26pm PT

Here is an oak titmouse (I think?) from a short walk last thursday.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 6, 2012 - 02:42pm PT

Great stuff Matty...Mike...the door is always open for you.

Here are a few from today...got a Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron and Green Heron...not bad for the high desert.

The Kingfisher from a mile away..sorry about the quality.

AlasdairTurner

Trad climber

Seattle, wa

Aug 6, 2012 - 02:59pm PT

From a very quick look I would say...

Song sparrow
Towhee
Black Phoebe

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 6, 2012 - 06:04pm PT

I'm thinking my Costa's is just an Anna's after a second look today at same Hummer.
Anyone want to weigh in?

Can't wait for the shots Matty!

Keep em coming everyone!
Bob one looks like a Marsh Wren from back. Was is noisy?

Brass... nothing for a while...!?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 6, 2012 - 07:23pm PT

Slater...that is what I thought especially with the tail action...still no sure.

Here is another shot of the other one I can't identify.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 6, 2012 - 08:03pm PT

Wish I could help you Bob, but I'm running in circles trying to figure that last one out.

Here are some from the trip to Huntington Gardens. Slater and I just missed seeing each other. He forgot his phone and I was a few min late and we never found each other.

There were lots of red whiskered bulbuls around. I found it hard to get a good shot of them. They always seemed to be high in a tree and didn't stay put when I approached, or the tree got in the way. oh well

There were also some noisy parrot lookin birds up in the trees

There was a ton of humming birds

I have a few more shots of mystery birds from huntington that I'll try to figure out and post either way.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 6, 2012 - 10:39pm PT

Cool stuff...http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120806135125.htm#.UCBphzQKKG4.facebook

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 6, 2012 - 11:42pm PT

Here are few recent photos. A couple of days ago, I stopped at the Albany Mudflats to see what shorebirds have shown up. I was surprised to find a phalarope and figured I needed to decide on Wilson’s vs. Red-necked. To my surprise it turned out to be a Red Phalarope. They are currently migrating, but normally travel far offshore. Occasionally they get pushed in by severe storms. I was only able to get a digiscoped photo;

Yesterday, we went on our first pelagic trip of the season to the Farallon Islands. There were hundreds of Red Phalaropes where they are usually seen.

It was the most Tufted Puffins we had seen on one of these trips. They are always crowd pleasers.

Rhinoceros Auklets also breed here.

We saw a leucisitic Sooty Shearwater. These are rare, but regular. This one had a white head.

There is a lot of Krill in the water this year resulting in good numbers of whales. While we were marveling at being surrounded by Humpback whales spouting and breaching as well as a few Blue Whales, a call came in from the Farallones that the big target of the day had been spotted. It turns out that a Northern Gannet had shown up in April. This is not only a first California record, but a first Pacific Ocean record! Two birds had previously been seen in Alaska in the Arctic Ocean. This bird hadn’t been seen for about a month until a couple of days prior. Earlier in the day we had slowly motored around the islands looking for the bird to no avail. We immediately headed back to the Farallones to the location given to the captain. Sure enough there it was, providing excellent views.

It was about as good as it gets. We even had unusually calm seas after a period of very windy weather.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 7, 2012 - 12:04am PT

Matty - Yellow-chevroned Parakeet! Good job, we got one too just outside Downtown Los Angeles!

The above shot cracks me up... like they're rocking to 80's new wave or something...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 7, 2012 - 12:06am PT

I am putting pressure on BN to post. He just returned from a family visit in TN. Hopefully he'll put up some goodies tomorrow!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 7, 2012 - 12:14am PT

Nice shots Tony!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 7, 2012 - 12:49am PT

Really great photos everyone...really nice stuff.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 7, 2012 - 11:45am PT

Timid TopRope - Didn't know that about about hummingbirds. Male anna's are the only one with red on both chin and forehead. COOL. Hummers are kinda hard for me, especially the females. I would really like to see a Xantus's Hummingbird sometime. I know they are in california as vagrants. Just need to get lucky I guess (or go to Baha, but I'm not doing that!)

Xantus's Hummingbird (not my shot)

I really like the white stripe and unique beak.

Slater - LOVE those mullet terms!!! I got my first two terns check off in canada this summer and will post shots later. I think I like tern better than Gulls. Smaller, sleeker, faster, less annoying!!!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 7, 2012 - 12:16pm PT

OK here we go with the mystery shots from Huntington Gardens just outside Pasadena, CA.

Slater saw a orange crowned warbler there, but I don't this is one, right?
Somebody here knows the name???

Wasn't until after I looked at these on the computer did I realized that mom was puking up for the kids. For those of you with kids, next time they don't want to eat, explain how kid birds eat the parents puke and maybe they'll realize whats in front of them aint so bad after all.

Here is another one I cant quite nail down. I'll probably kick myself when I find out, but right now I'm at a loss.

Lastly, this one may be the same bird as the last one, but I'm not sure. Took this 10 min before but in the same general area.

Advanced thank yous for your input and best wishes to all.

Matt

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 7, 2012 - 12:26pm PT

Ohhh one more....confirm this is a band tailed pigeon...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 7, 2012 - 12:52pm PT

Matty: those are all Northern Mockingbirds! I raised one once from an egg. She was endlessly precious. Very adorable. :)

Edit: Can't help you with the pigeon though. Need to study up on pigeon...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 7, 2012 - 01:07pm PT

ALL mockingbirds???? even the first one? it would be a juvenile to have the spotted breast right? So was it the one being fed? Did I have it backwards and think it was doing the feeding?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 7, 2012 - 01:09pm PT

Crimpie, put yer glasses on and look at the size of that schnoz!
Bendire's Thrasher I'd say. I think I see a yellow iris too.

You can see the white collar of the Band-tailed.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 7, 2012 - 01:32pm PT

I seriously need to put on my glasses. Where are they?

But they all struck me as Mockingbirds. Baby Mockingbirds have the standard speckled belly that thrush youngsters do.

Do you think they are all Bendire's Thrasher Reilly.

...off to find my glasses...

edit: The baby has wingbars - Mockingbird, right?

The others are harder to see. Funny I never noticed how similar a Mockingbird and Thrasher is. Seeing the Mockingbird wing-wave makes it extra easy to identify them. I'm going to keep looking here...

I don't know, even with my glasses, my gut says Mockingbirds. What of the white chin of the B Thrasher. I don't see it. And the white in the tail says Mockingbird.

???

Love these mysteries!

double edit: And Matty, you've not lived until you had a bird barf for you. My mom's B&G Macaw had a thing about toes - especially when the nails were painted red. It triggered his "feed the baby" need. I'd be sitting there and suddenly get a little plop of regurgitated food on my food. He really loves me. :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 7, 2012 - 02:09pm PT

I'm only looking at #2 and 3; can't make a thing on 1.
I don't see any wing bars in 2 or 3. No way is that a mockingbird bill.
There is a little white on the throat re Bendires. The light undertail
I can't speak to as Sibley doesn't address that and my MRSA infected foot
precludes a trip to the bookcase for further research. And you must admit
it has a yellow iris, right?

AND WHEN THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE GONNA TELL US WHERE YOU SEE YOUS BOIDS, HUH? ;-)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 7, 2012 - 02:42pm PT

My mystery birds were all from the Huntington Gardens near Pasadena CA taken last week.

Here is another view of mystery bird #3

And another of #2

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 7, 2012 - 02:48pm PT

That is totally a Bendires and according to Sibley a rarity in coastal CoCal.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 7, 2012 - 02:57pm PT

both 2 and 3 are the same? Thats what I think but just wanted to be clear on your thoughts.

Wait, don't Bendire's have black on the bottom of the tail with only white tips?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 7, 2012 - 03:05pm PT

hope you know we care about what you say DMT! always good stuff

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 7, 2012 - 03:27pm PT

Agreed that 2 & 3 do look more Bendires/less Mockingbird - no wing bars either. So maybe Bendires? I know that Mockingbirds have white outer tail feathers.

Hmmm.

Well, at least I'm clinging onto #1 as a Mockingbird!

Reilly - ow on the foot. Hope it's better soon.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Aug 7, 2012 - 03:38pm PT

Crimpie's right - Mockingbirds, and the 1st one is a youngster

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 7, 2012 - 03:39pm PT

Sweet!

Thanks. You rascals had me doubting myself. :) Not hard to do really.

They are awesome birds! And that was a fun bird ID.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 7, 2012 - 03:54pm PT

Thanks Willoughby!

Here are a few of a bird (merganser?) fishing in a waterfall. It stayed within 5 feet coming up for breath every so often only to dive down again. There is a deep little pit at the base of that waterfall. I unexpectedly explored it headfirst one night while chasing firewood. That was 6 months ago and the water was raging. Good fishing I guess.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 7, 2012 - 05:09pm PT

Yep, mockingbird, I saw one too but didn't take more than one shot of it as I have seen them a ton. I think Hummers ruled the day though, tons of them!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 8, 2012 - 10:56am PT

Here are some from lake balboa last week.

juvenile night heron I think...

Great tailed Grackle

White Chinese geese

not sure about this one (sorry about the low quality)...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 8, 2012 - 11:15am PT

that last one is a wrentit

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 8, 2012 - 12:03pm PT

Thanks Mike, I thought that but wasn't sure.

Here are some from Placerita Canyon near L.A.

Caught at the nut store

And I few I'm questioning...

Olive sided flycatcher?

Coopers or red shouldered?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 8, 2012 - 12:10pm PT

This was the first brown wrentit I've seen. I guess there are variations.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 8, 2012 - 12:27pm PT

2 woots for wrentits!

WOOT WOOT!!!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 8, 2012 - 01:20pm PT

The whole bushtit/wrentit thing still confuses me. Need to see a couple in real life side-by-side. I won't hold my breath. :)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 8, 2012 - 02:08pm PT

I don't know much either but what I think is that both can have the white eyes so thats not enough. Wrentits will have bigger blockier heads and slightly bigger beaks they also have darker tails. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken or chime in if you know any more.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 8, 2012 - 03:17pm PT

Fun teet shots, heheh. I may have posted these before, but here are a few shots of a family of GHO's that nested near my office...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 8, 2012 - 03:37pm PT

Great stuff Brass. I wanna GHO!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Aug 8, 2012 - 08:13pm PT

I saw two Pergrine Falcons today, one was eating. They were too far away to get photos. In 10 minutes I saw the Pergrines, Bald Eagles, a Harrier, Yellowlegs, Shovelers and Glaucous-winged Gulls. Just a quick stop on my way to the dump.

john hansen

climber

Aug 8, 2012 - 11:06pm PT

Regarding the bush tit , wrentit thing. Wrentits are much more solitary birds and most often you find them in thick low bushes. I have usually found them after they start "neeping" at me and then waiting or "pishing' them out, till they pop up out of the brush for a quick look. Plus they have the very wren like tail.

Bushtit's are very social and always seem to travel in small groups of four or five birds. Imagine a flock of chickadee's moving thru the trees.
They even lean on their tails like chickadee's. They also have a distinctive call to keep the group together and seem to travel in the lower parts of trees rather than the thick bush's like a wrentit.

A wrentit will let you know it is there, very territorial.
Bushtits just go about there buisness.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 9, 2012 - 12:00am PT

Good points... and bushtits are like the size of golfballs...
It's the one bird I know without seeing.
Flocking from tree to tree, single chirps like mice, tiny suckers, plain...

PLUS the BUSHTIT has my 2 favorite things in it! :)
My wife giggles when I say that. Hope I didn't offend anyone.
If i did... get a life ;)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 9, 2012 - 12:10am PT

Wrentits also c*#k their tails 90 degrees wrt their backs too.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 9, 2012 - 01:31pm PT

Thanks for the insights everyone.

Here are a few from stoney point recently...

And a couple I'd like to be learned on:

1) I think this is a Bewick's Wren yes?

2) Not sure if this is an ash-throated or brown-crested flycatcher.

another of the same bird:

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Aug 9, 2012 - 02:21pm PT

I think this is a young one.

Right here in the yard.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 10, 2012 - 12:34pm PT

Wow, nice owl shots! I love owls and hardly ever get to see them.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 10, 2012 - 12:50pm PT

BN, wer ya usin flash? Hard to tell on
my hosp rm tv/monitor. Great shots!

I saw the morning commute from my hosp
rm at 0600. there is a wetland near the
hosp and at daybreak I saw geese,egrets,
and GBH's all heading to their day jobs
although I am at a loss as to where that
might be as they appeared to be heading
further into the Concrete Jungle. But
they might have been heading to the beach
to escape the heat of the San Gabriel Valley.
It was nice to see them and ponder their
resourcefulness; our dear wee friends don't
ask for much, do they?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 10, 2012 - 01:06pm PT

Hey Reilly, not sure what's up on your end, but take care and get well soon!!

Yes, the twilight owl shots were taken with fill flash at about -1f power using a Better Beamer flash extender and ~350mm focal length. Pretty cool having the moon available for a background. I couldn't get more detail in the moon cuz that required too slow of a shutter speed to get more background light... Owlz Rule.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 10, 2012 - 07:10pm PT

A real mountain Chickadee at 11,500 feet today on my hike to Serpent Lake in the Pecos Wilderness.

A headless Red breasted Nuthatch...

Not a bird but a bird dog...my lovely Lab Eva enjoying a swim at 11,500 feet in Serpent Lake.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 10, 2012 - 07:24pm PT

Looks fun Bob. Here are a few from my trip to Michigan/Ontario earlier this summer. Another chickadee to start...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 10, 2012 - 08:00pm PT

Invasion of the grosbeaks...must have been twenty in the yard today.

Nice stuff Matty and great owl shots Dave.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 11, 2012 - 11:07pm PT

Really handsome birds...Evening Grosbeak.

TomCochrane

Trad climber

Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay

Aug 11, 2012 - 11:28pm PT

we've been watching this family of Merganzers grow up from little fluffy things to big ducks

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 13, 2012 - 12:22am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 13, 2012 - 12:17pm PT

Nice Slater...

Here a few from today.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 13, 2012 - 09:27pm PT

Good guess Ron, but to me it seems early for them to be in california.

Here are a few more from Michigan last month.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 14, 2012 - 01:58pm PT

Slater,

Reddish Egret, very good bird. What is the little alcid that was washed up on the beach? or is it a grebe?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 14, 2012 - 02:17pm PT

It looks a Marbled Murrelet although the bill looks a tad large.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Aug 14, 2012 - 03:38pm PT

Some feathered friends at Crater Lake.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 14, 2012 - 09:28pm PT

Black Phoebe and Rufous Hummingbird.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 14, 2012 - 10:09pm PT

Ya gotta give them camp robbers a wide berth...

otisdog

Big Wall climber

Sierra Madre & McGee Creek, Ca.

Aug 14, 2012 - 10:25pm PT

I couldn't find the red-whiskered Bulbul in my Audubon field guide, so off to googleland I went...where I learned that California has an eradication program for the bird. Really?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 15, 2012 - 12:04am PT

Ha ha.
I doubt it. Where exactly did you read that?
Did they say why? Or their strategy?
They are only in Southern California.

They are in the Sibley guide.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 15, 2012 - 01:43am PT

The bulbul is in my Audubon app (but ibird is way better)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 15, 2012 - 11:43pm PT

Never get tired of these phoebes

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Aug 16, 2012 - 01:11am PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 16, 2012 - 02:04am PT

and I think a red-tail from below

amyjo

Trad climber

Aug 16, 2012 - 04:08am PT

Dear Mike,

What a beauty,

but
I can't make it into a Red-Tail.
No patagials. This is critical.
No medallion, no belly band,
wrong shape wing window, and doesn't have
the generous wide wing profile of a RT.

Not a Red Shoulder - no crescent.

I'm kind of rusty but I would say Swainson's.
Look at the Long narrow pointed wings.
The leading edge is light; the trailing edge is dark (if you squint)
Pale undertail coverts
(I wish the primaries were darker.)
maybe dark Juvenile??
I hope.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 16, 2012 - 11:08am PT

thanks Amyjo!

Sounds like you are way ahead of me. This was at the Yolo Bypass between Davis and Sacramento. Lots of these around - smallish (assumed juvenile). Here are a few more shots from the walk, but not of the same bird. Could be a mix of species (one red-tail for sure).

amyjo

Trad climber

Aug 16, 2012 - 02:28pm PT

Mike
Ahead..? whatever. I just like being out there trying to figure out
what's going on and am delighted when something clicks....I hope.
Last night I was mulling over this description from Jerry Ligouri,
"When Swainson's Hawks are gliding overhead, their wingtips project
well past the back edge of the wings..." Huh???
But this morning there's your second picture!
And a picture of one on the ground, they (can) feed on the ground!
and Location!
Quoting from a "Golden Gate Raptors" field trip to Yolo/Davis,
"After a busy summer raising young in the valleys of northern California , Swainson's Hawks congregate in the riparian and agricultural lands of the southern Sacramento Valley before flying en masse to Argentina. This trip shows us the immense variation in plumage in Swainson's Hawks. Light phase, dark phase, rufous phase -- these terms describe points on a continuum."
What else did you see? Any prehistoric looking black thingys?
Onward.
Thanks for the encouragement.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 16, 2012 - 03:34pm PT

Any prehistoric looking black thingys?

Amy! just wait till I get to my other computer tonight...

EDIT: these guys were there:

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 16, 2012 - 11:07pm PT

Correct! It was a reddish egret, pretty damn rare in these parts.

The one on the beach is a Pigeon Guillemot chick.

^^ above hawk is Swainsons.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 16, 2012 - 11:42pm PT

This is cool. Click on these to see them larger.

A mallard:

blow up of his eye: you can see me, the sun, the trees, the blue sky

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Aug 17, 2012 - 10:35am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 17, 2012 - 10:39am PT

WOW rad video. Imagine what it would be like...

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Aug 17, 2012 - 10:50am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 17, 2012 - 10:57am PT

That was pretty damn cool, TGT, but I fear for Tilly's dignity.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Aug 17, 2012 - 11:24am PT

Yeah, I preferred the Bedouin hack

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 17, 2012 - 04:49pm PT

Young Scrub Jay in the yard today...very pretty.

More hummingbird shots.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 18, 2012 - 12:07am PT

Great evening on the lake.
Also saw a Barn Owl in the fields, Northern Harrier, CB Chickadees, and a Common Yellowthroat Warbler.

My whole PHOTOSTREAM here...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28154077@N02/

Should be good if you're bored and like looking at birds!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 18, 2012 - 10:43am PT

Yo Birding Experts

White Faced Ibis Question!

I was at Dirty Socks Hot Springs yesterday on the way back from backpacking in the Sierra. It is at the extreme southern end of the Owen's Valley. There are almost always some interesting birds there.
There was a flock of around 50 Ibis there. I spent the longest time trying to see the white face mark of the White Faced as the book says that the Glossy Ibis are rarely that far west (but can be). It also says they are often seen together. I finally believe I saw the white mark on one. They are beautiful with color like black abalone.

Whaddayathink?

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 18, 2012 - 02:54pm PT

Slater,

great photos. Never seen a N.Rough-wing looking so good!

TGT, I liked the video of Gyrfalcon hunting the Houbara Bustard better than the Golden Eagle. Why? because the falcon's camera was placed on its head unlike the eagle that had cameras mounted on its back. Look how stable the falcon image is - there is no extraneous movement. That's the amzing thing, that through all their twisting and turning and vigorous wing beats they can keep their head dead still. The Golden Eagle does the same but we don't get that same feel on the video because the camera was placed on the back.

The bird that the Gyrflcon was hunting, the Houbara Bustard, is highly prized by Arabian falconers. Unfortunately the species has been driven towards extinction from overhunting (or trapping birds which are then "released" by falconers to their falcons, as is shown in the video) as well as habitat destruction and powerline collisions. Add to all this the real kiss-of-death for any wildlife species - its meat is considered an aphrodisiac.

Here is another photo of a prehistoric looking black thingy. Not my photo, but I was with my friend Kevin when he took it. Unfortunately the bird then lept on him and tore him limb from limb, but at least he got the photo.

Keep it comin'...

JZ

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Aug 18, 2012 - 03:24pm PT

One was a Falcon eye view, the other a third person view.

You learned something about the falcons hunting tactics from one, saw pretty cinematography in the other.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 18, 2012 - 03:29pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 18, 2012 - 06:39pm PT

Pretty bird Cos!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 18, 2012 - 11:16pm PT

Three new routes in the San Luis Valley today and some good birding to top it off.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 19, 2012 - 11:23am PT

A few more from my climbing trip to the San Luis Valley yesterday.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 19, 2012 - 05:45pm PT

yep, it has an established breeding population in my county.

I expect to see a lot of rad pics from the weekend hunts! Post up!

Jo Jo

Mountain climber

Lacey, WA

Aug 19, 2012 - 07:54pm PT

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Aug 19, 2012 - 07:56pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

They followed me home, Dad. Can we keep them?

EDIT: Outstanding shot, JoJo.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 19, 2012 - 08:32pm PT

JoJo, when I have the time I'll relate my ignominious encounter at Mt Rainier
with Nurse-Ranger Ratchet when she caught me with a Camp Robber perched on my Husky hat.

"Honest, Ranger, I have no idea how those peanuts got on top of my hat!"

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 19, 2012 - 08:33pm PT

Great stuff everyone...birds are beautiful.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 19, 2012 - 11:09pm PT

No guesses on my exotic finch!??
Man, I expected someone to know! I do... but I'm waiting for someone else to flex their exotic muscle! (oooh... sounds dirty, sorry)

Where is Brass?

Crimper?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 19, 2012 - 11:16pm PT

Don't know about the finch Slater, but it is a pretty bird.

A young red-shouldered from last week:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 19, 2012 - 11:23pm PT

Slater...Nutmeg Mannikin.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 19, 2012 - 11:33pm PT

Indeed Slater - Nutmeg Mannikin is what your bird is! Very cool to see him. We saw some at the Botanical Gardens near Rancho Palos Verdes earlier this year.

We just got in from nine days out west (Donner Summit and Tuolumne). Had almost no internet connection while we have been gone. Great time and we saw SO MANY tacos! Still, we missed several we hoped to cross paths with. I guess we'll have to plan another trip. :)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 19, 2012 - 11:43pm PT

I'm not sure Bob/Crimper:

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 20, 2012 - 12:04am PT

bingo

Nutmegs are gorgeous, I'm bummed they're not native here!

I'm so tired of house finches!

Anyone been on a Pelagic boat trip?

I'm going on one Sept. 29 out of Monterey and I am STOKED!

Hoping to see some new birds!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 20, 2012 - 11:56am PT

Ever get the feeling you're being watched?

Dad bringin' home the bacon...

Even at a distance and from behind there wasn't any doubt about this guy...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 20, 2012 - 01:20pm PT

I followed Alex and Dr. Pepperberg's work for decades. I was crushed when Alex died. Crushed.

As far as the Mannikins, I think the first photo is an adult adn the second a juvenile. Or perhaps male and female? Willoughby? Beautiful birds. I used to know them as pets called "Spice Finch". Like them better in the wild.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 20, 2012 - 08:20pm PT

A few from today's hike.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 20, 2012 - 11:45pm PT

nice and interesting birds Bob -

on my early evening walk

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 21, 2012 - 12:41am PT

Slater,

The pelagic birds are going to blow your mind! It's a completely different world out there and it's most of the Earth's surface. Monterey Bay is amazing in that you will get to deep water not far offshore and as a result see lots of birds that are normally much further out to sea. Albatrosses, for example.

We are in the Eastern Sierra for a few days and will participate in the Owens Lake Fall bird census with thousands of migrating shorebirds and ducks. Today we saw lots of our favorite desert birds: Sage Thrasher, Sage Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Sage Grouse, Pinyon Jay, etc. I won't be able to process the photos for a couple of days.

[edit] Bob,
MacGillivray's Warbler, Evening Grosbeak and ???

Mike:
Where was the Oystercatcher chick? It seems rather late. Maybe a second clutch?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 21, 2012 - 01:32am PT

Hi Tony -

Natural Bridges park in Santa Cruz.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 21, 2012 - 10:39am PT

Tony...red wing blackbird.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 21, 2012 - 05:53pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 21, 2012 - 09:36pm PT

Tony, stoked to hear that.

When is the Owens Lake fall census? Sounds like a blast. I was on the east side in June and got 16 new birds. AND did some sweet climbing! East side rules!

EDIT: here is the info online- Man I WISH I COULD GO!!

Wednesday August 24, 2011 is Owens Lake Fall Big Day, sponsored by Eastern Sierra Audubon. The lake will be surveyed for all birds of all species during the peak of fall migration. Small groups will census every bird habitat at Owens Lake to have a ‘snap shot’ of a single day. Expect to see thousands of shorebirds. Past counts have totaled 40,000-60,000 birds!

Meet at 7:00AM at the parking lot of Diaz Lake County Park 3 miles south of Lone Pine on Hwy 395.
To sign up contact survey coordinator Michael Prather at (760) 876-5807 mprather@lonepinetv.com.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 21, 2012 - 09:53pm PT

A few more from tonight's walk.

Added bonus...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 21, 2012 - 10:51pm PT

whoa!

that is an interesting looking coyote. Pretty different than we see here in central california

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 23, 2012 - 12:55am PT

Nice birds all. Was going to get out to bird today but winds and rain thwarted that. Maybe tomorrow...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 23, 2012 - 01:08am PT

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Aug 23, 2012 - 01:10am PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 23, 2012 - 01:23am PT

Nice Chas!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 23, 2012 - 11:38pm PT

OK a little story. I came on a covey of quail with a lookout up on a rock. As I approached all they all ran around in circles and on average migrated to the bushes and safety. The lookout stood his/her grounded bravely but increasingly agitated as I approached. He/she twitched, but did not budge till the last of the tribe was safely hidden away in the bushes.

Also got a nice shot of an Allen's hummer

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 23, 2012 - 11:57pm PT

Beautiful shots Mike.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 24, 2012 - 11:55pm PT

Mike, nice shot of the wht tailed kite with passenger! ha ha

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 25, 2012 - 10:58pm PT

How was the Owens Lake bird count!?

Help... this is a juvenile red-throated loon... right???

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 26, 2012 - 01:17am PT

Slater,

The Owens Lake count was fun. Thousands of Western and Least Sandpipers, Avocets, Phalaropes, etc. It was very HOT! You should come for the spring (April) count. The temps are more comfortable. Also more ducks. I didn't have much time for photos, but here are a few.

We also did a little birding at Hilton Creek and Crowley Lake.

By the way, nice Dowitcher (Short-billed?) photo.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 26, 2012 - 02:01am PT

Sweet!!

Pinyon and Bairds would have been new ones to me!

I'm gonna try and get one tomorrow morning!

I think I got a red0throated loon (juvenile) but am waiting for confirmation!

Thanks for the share!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Aug 26, 2012 - 04:16am PT

Slater, it may be a juvenile Common Loon...blue/gray bill, whitish scalloping on their scapulars. I am not sure.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Aug 26, 2012 - 04:20am PT

I went to a local lake today, Centennial Lake in Kasilof and got these photos of a Common Loon, through the spotting scope on the close up. Just wanted to share.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 26, 2012 - 10:56am PT

A few from my early morning walk to today...really great photos everyone.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Aug 26, 2012 - 04:10pm PT

Here are a few juveniles from the mouth of the Kasilof River.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 26, 2012 - 10:48pm PT

Tonight walk.

Added bonus...American Beaver.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 26, 2012 - 11:19pm PT

Bob - what is the long dark gray bird?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 26, 2012 - 11:52pm PT

Mike...Townsend's Solitaire. I think that is what you are talking about.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 27, 2012 - 12:22am PT

We haven't been out chasing birds much in the past couple of months, but here are a few shots of some local feathered friends in recent weeks...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 27, 2012 - 01:44am PT

Oooooo Brass is back with some nice ones!
Bob, was that gray one a gray catbird? Nice shots and I envy your walks.

Yeah, two new birds!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 27, 2012 - 10:45am PT

Brass - Says Phoebe is my bet, lookin' pretty too!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 27, 2012 - 10:49am PT

Slater...yes it is a Catbird. My walks are really nice. Taos is very beautiful.

A few from this morning.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 27, 2012 - 12:35pm PT

Slater,

Forster's Tern and Baird's Sandpiper? Hopefully I'll be seeing them both down here in Costa Rica soon. Already have a few landbird migrants showing up. Yesterday saw my first Yellow Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush for the 2012-13 winter season. Black-and-white Warbler and Western Wood-Pewee have already been around for a week or so.

Love the photos.

JZ

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 27, 2012 - 01:49pm PT

My wife's favorite new bird...Western Scrub Jay. Very pretty.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 27, 2012 - 04:04pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 27, 2012 - 05:48pm PT

Ohhh
Ahhh

Little Z - you nailed them both. I'm at #220 at the 10 month mark...

2 more months!

Those are all seen in California, and probably 202 are county birds. I think I got like 4 in Los Angeles and 16 in the Eastern Sierra (but have since seen some of them in the county as well).

Not bad for a guy with a full time job, 2 young kids (under kids), wife, 2nd job, mortgage... basically a weekend warrior!

Can I claim a handicap like in golf? :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 27, 2012 - 05:57pm PT

American Pelican riding high.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 27, 2012 - 06:44pm PT

Yes - agreed - BN that's a Say's Phoebe. I think the buff belly is the key, right?

I want to be a flycatcher expert. Most are so darn hard!

And BN, you are holding out. I know what you have been taking lately...share! And give Ron an eyeball shot!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 27, 2012 - 07:21pm PT

Looks like a Say's Phoebe to me.

Here is one from south of the border.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 27, 2012 - 08:06pm PT

OK...great shots everyone!!!

I have just been working and climbing lately, no time for bird photos...but I still have lots of shots from earlier this summer.

The following were from near Killarney provencial park in Ontario Canada. Basically on the north shore of Lake Huron.

This warbler was the parent of a little one that fell out of the nest early.

We tried to keep track of the ground bound baby bird, but it disappeared into an evenings dusk less than a week after it fell. Probably got taken by something as it seemed still to small to fly and we never saw it again. We named it Cesar for the crown of fluff it wore. This was him towards the end.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 27, 2012 - 10:02pm PT

Matty, great shot of the bald eagle.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 27, 2012 - 11:48pm PT

Ok Ron, here is a round of eye shots... The zoom/crop is so drastic that quality obviously takes quite a hit, but it's still kind of a cool exercise...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 28, 2012 - 12:21am PT

LOVE The eyeball shots! I want an entire book of bird eyes like that. Awesome stuff!

The Turkey Vulture upthread is really gorgeous.

I like to think that Baby Cesar made it. We have a wildlife rehab shop in the area (Greenwood). I've taken a few babies their this year. Used to raise the ones I found, but don't have time any longer. Happy to have Greenwood and happy to support their terrific work.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 28, 2012 - 12:38am PT

Here's one more eye shot, severely cropped.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 28, 2012 - 12:49am PT

Cool stuff!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 28, 2012 - 01:15am PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 28, 2012 - 01:27am PT

Slater,
That's an auspicious start! Quite a county list already. My best for Alameda County was 212 and I was already retired. The top folks had 260+.

Matty: I'm with Crimpie on your Yellow Warbler. It's a pretty short time from nest to fledging,. I choose to believe that, in absence of evidence to the contrary it made it.

Back to the Owens Lake fall census, I neglected to mention that this came about when the Los Angeles Dept.of Water & Power was required to take measures to control the alkali dust storms emanating from the dry lake bed that had developed after the water diversions that began about 100 years ago. One of the methods has been shallow flooding parts of the lake bed. After this was initiated migratory birds began using the lake as a stopover site in the spring and fall, just as they had for many years before the diversions. There are now tens of thousands of shorebirds, ducks and other birds recorded every year. It is also the largest inland breeding site for Snowy Plovers.

Here are a few shots from our visit last fall (not for the count).

Here are five species in one frame. There was one more (LB Dowitcher) just out of the frame.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 28, 2012 - 10:35am PT

Tell him Ron! I want an eyeball book!!! Or at least I bird portrait book!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 28, 2012 - 09:03pm PT

Slim pickings today...Yellow rumped Warbler.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 29, 2012 - 12:25am PT

A few more eyeballs for ya Ron...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Aug 29, 2012 - 03:06pm PT

I think Ron has an eyeball fettish.

What's next? Bird feet?

;)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 29, 2012 - 03:26pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 29, 2012 - 03:30pm PT

Love the eyes! More feet! How about a Lilac Crowned Amazon eye? They are beautiful. :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 29, 2012 - 03:34pm PT

Feet only a proud mother could love...

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 29, 2012 - 05:49pm PT

OMG, Bigfoot is in the house! ^^^ Great shot Reilly.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 29, 2012 - 05:52pm PT

I want to pick up that flamingo and give him a big fat kiss! Adorable!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 29, 2012 - 07:06pm PT

Good god dem some big footlegs up der Reilly!

Cool drift to eyes and feet. digging it.

Here is a common loon. Don't often get to see their feet. struck me as big and powerful. guess it needs to be to catch dinner as it swims!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 29, 2012 - 07:15pm PT

Owl eye Matty?

Great photos!!!

Feather close ups are cool too. (hint hint)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 29, 2012 - 07:16pm PT

yes, burrowing owl

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 29, 2012 - 07:21pm PT

Beautiful!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Aug 30, 2012 - 03:32am PT

I went back to the Kasilof River today before high tide to scan the mud flats and look for a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper that had been seen the day before. I was successful, no photos as it was too far out on the flats and as they moved closer I lost track of the bird.
However, my husband, Jerry, was with me and when the birds hit the shore he took some photos and I thought I would share the Godwits. I believe they are Hudsonian Godwits.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 30, 2012 - 11:00am PT

Cyndie, they look Bar-tailed to me - no white rump or wing bars.

Check out this Green Heron who uses bait to fish with!

Bait-using Green Heron

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 30, 2012 - 11:20am PT

Cool video Reilly!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Aug 30, 2012 - 02:43pm PT

I agree Reilly, Bar-tailed Godwits. They are rare up here so it is even more exciting.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Aug 30, 2012 - 03:35pm PT

Western Sandpipers from the Kasilof River, August 29 2012.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Aug 30, 2012 - 06:03pm PT

Thanks Cyndie...great stuff that I don't get to see round here.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 30, 2012 - 07:10pm PT

really nice images Cyndie

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 31, 2012 - 05:08pm PT

A few beauties from today's walk.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 31, 2012 - 06:10pm PT

Cyndie, gud shootin'! But I'm having hard time with that last one being a
Pectoral. It looks too small, the bill's too small, and there isn't enough
'pectoral'. It looks more like a Western to me.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Aug 31, 2012 - 10:57pm PT

Ok Reilly you may be right. I was with another birder from our club and that is what he told me, I just went along.

Today at the Kenai River boat launch ponds I saw two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Another rarity for around here. Migration is on.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 1, 2012 - 01:16am PT

Cyndie,

I have to agree with Reilly that the first ones are Western Sandpipers. Aside from the large size, Pectoral SPs have yellow legs and prominent streaking almost to the belly. Here is a photo of a Pectoral with Westerns and a Least Sandpiper:

Nice photos. The Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are distinctive, no?

Reilly,
Thanks for the fishing Green Heron link. I had read about it, but hadn't seen them in action.

amyjo

Trad climber

Sep 1, 2012 - 02:35am PT

Cyndie
You are seeing such great stuff. Almost makes me want to go to Alaska.
Reilly
Ditto on the Heron. Thanks.
Tony
Playing Hardball at Owen's Lake
re: Here are five species in one frame.
OK. Here goes

1. Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa
(Greater has bill longer than length of head and the bill droops a bit at the end)
2. Red-necked Phalarope, F. - Phalaropus
(on Wilson's the gray goes all the way down to the bill)
3. Least Sandpiper (?) at least one leg is yellow - Calidris
4. Red Knot - Calidris
on the far right of the photo
5. Western Sandpiper - Calidris
6. another Red-necked - Phalaropus

Never was very good at math.
or Sandpiper's, yet.
That's only 4.
What did I miss?

With respect,
Amy Jo

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 1, 2012 - 11:11am PT

White Breasted Nuthatch.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Sep 1, 2012 - 01:24pm PT

OK, I changed my Pectoral Sandpipers to Westerns. Thanks all for the ID help.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 1, 2012 - 03:28pm PT

Wouldn't want to fit this dood for contacts...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 1, 2012 - 10:31pm PT

Late day light.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 2, 2012 - 12:47am PT

here's my take on the Owen's Lake 5:

Wilson's Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Pectoral Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper

Jerry Dodrill

climber

Sebastopol

Sep 2, 2012 - 01:50am PT

I found myself in the midst of five hunting barn owls the other evening here on the coast and snapped some pics...

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 2, 2012 - 03:02am PT

re: Owens Lake waders: little z nailed it

Jerry,
Very nice images. Barn Owls are so ethereal. We seem to hear them around here, but have failed to see any yet.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Sep 2, 2012 - 12:00pm PT

Cyndie--lovely shots of the sandpipers!

Jerry, same for your owl pics!!!

amyjo

Trad climber

Sep 2, 2012 - 12:17pm PT

Tony
little Z
Pectoral Sandpiper. Wow. Wonderful.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 2, 2012 - 12:26pm PT

Great shots Reilly, Cyndie and Jerry. Great eyes shots Brass.

Kind of a woodpecker morning.

And a Chickadee to top it off.

Caught this Scrub Jay going for the suet.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 2, 2012 - 08:41pm PT

What an amazing day birding today...over 60 species. New Mexico is amazing.

And the views are quite nice too.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 2, 2012 - 11:16pm PT

Oh yeah, well Pismo Beach is pretty amazing too ;)

Nice Kingbird and Kingfisher dude.

2 new county/lifers today!

-both semi-rare around here so it was a good day

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 3, 2012 - 02:04am PT

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Sep 3, 2012 - 02:27pm PT

Great photos everyone! I really like this thread....keep your binoculars up.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 3, 2012 - 08:50pm PT

Great photos Slater and Mike.

Here are a couple from today...I'm getting extremely pissed at these Wilson's Warblers, can't stay still for a second.

Two for one. :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 4, 2012 - 08:59am PT

Great photos all. We just returned from a long weekend in Southern Co. Not very birdy. BN got some photos though. For few birds in numbers, we did see Yellow Rumps, Townsends, Virginia, MacGillivray and other warblers. A warbler is always a treat!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 4, 2012 - 10:36am PT

DMT,

that ain't no Reno Raven, where'd you run off to?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 4, 2012 - 11:03am PT

Not a Raven - Hooded Crow-Corvus cornix
Our cryptic correspondent could also be much further east. Maybe he is
seeing Karla so we must await his mea culpa. That is unless he re-found
the one that was visiting Staten Island in June,

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Sep 4, 2012 - 07:49pm PT

Well's it's pretty cool looking whatever it is.

Here are a few more from lake huron this summer.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 4, 2012 - 07:51pm PT

Trying to KILL me with that baby bird Matty? Seriously, I want to pick him up and snuggle him!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Sep 4, 2012 - 07:53pm PT

Also watched this documentary on hummingbirds last night as was quite amazed by what I learned about these crazy little creatures. Very highly recommended.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1380512531/

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Sep 4, 2012 - 07:56pm PT

More baby birds for Crimp...

...but watch out...

YER GUNNA DIE

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 4, 2012 - 08:00pm PT

ACK!!! Gurgle. Spurt.

:)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 4, 2012 - 08:07pm PT

Got babies?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 4, 2012 - 09:03pm PT

Aw. Love baby birds.

Baby Pickle (Lilac crowned Amazon):

Baby Gabbie. He is and always has been a mama's baby:

Baby Grace and Gabbie:

The flock in 1998:

These birds DESTROY me.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 5, 2012 - 02:23am PT

Speaking of baby birds reminded me to post photos from the second leg of our Baltic/Scandinavia trip this summer. After visiting Estonia in May, we returned to the region to find many of the bird species we had seen earlier in the early breeding season now with young in the nest or fledged. Before studying up for these trips, I thought like Dee ee said, that there wouldn't be that many birds, but if you go to the right places there are lots of great new birds to see.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Sep 5, 2012 - 03:28pm PT

Crimper highjacking BN's computer

A baby bird extravaganza!!

BN is in Boston. Hopefully more bird photos from him when he returns.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Sep 5, 2012 - 04:35pm PT

Is anyone else amused that the(Chinese) Ring Necked Pheasant is the state
bird of two of our states?

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Sep 5, 2012 - 04:42pm PT

Heh. A friend had a raven living with her in Jackson Hole (found with
broken wing as a baby, never flew).
One of their favorite tricks was to put a bit of cat food in the bottom
of the big mug used to hold pens, then replace all the pens.
"Go get it, Val!"
There would be so many pens in the air at the same time!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 5, 2012 - 11:05pm PT

Flycatchers...

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Sep 6, 2012 - 12:45pm PT

Blackburnian Warblers at my house on Monday.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 6, 2012 - 11:58pm PT

It's amazing flycatchers can even hold their huge heads up.

A few from a walk in MY neighborhood :)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 7, 2012 - 11:42pm PT

Not surprisingly, I'm a fan of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

The law has been really valuable. At about the turn of the century, many birds such as egrets and herons were nearly totally wiped out - nearly extinct!! - as people used bird feathers for hat decorations. Hat decorations! So the federal law made having feathers or eggs or bodies in possession illegal.

The law saved many species. So while it seems dumb, it really made a big difference. I'd rather see a beautiful heron or egret or even starling (yeah, I know people hate them) than a bunch of women with tons of feathers in their cap.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migratory_Bird_Treaty_Act_of_1918

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 8, 2012 - 06:46pm PT

Nice post Crimp...laws were put in place to protect these beautiful creatures, glad they exist.

Nice shots Slater.

Here are few from my walk today with a new lens.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 8, 2012 - 06:50pm PT

Nice stuff. Really like the Yellow-Rumped, but I'm totally biased. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 8, 2012 - 07:30pm PT

Thanks Callie...hope you had a good trip to Penitente Canyon...Beautiful spot.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 9, 2012 - 12:57am PT

Ooooo new lens! Sweet! I bet you're stoked.

Here are a few from today.

In one shot (a single frame), I had a spotted sandpiper, green heron, juvenile Black Capped Night Heron, mature BC Night Heron, and a Snowy Egret. It was like a birders wet dream (they were in a creek).

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 9, 2012 - 12:09pm PT

Beautiful shots Slater...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 9, 2012 - 09:28pm PT

MacGillivray's Warbler??

Wilson's Warbler....beautiful little birds.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 10, 2012 - 11:55am PT

This morning hike was so beautiful.

Williamson's Sapsucker.

Red-Naped Sapsucker.

Belted Kingfisher

Female Western Tanager.

Yellow Rumped Warbler.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 10, 2012 - 12:52pm PT

Bob,

your Warbler looks more like a Nashville than a Mac's.

Love it when you and Slater get in a duelin' photos mode. We are all the beneficiaries of your talents...

good work.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Sep 10, 2012 - 01:41pm PT

Yesterday I went hiking up the Palmer Creek Road out of Hope, Alaska. While sitting at the end of the hike I heard and then saw two White-tailed Ptarmagin. Sorry for the poor images, no tripod. This was a first sighting for me.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 10, 2012 - 07:06pm PT

Nice shots Cyndie.

Here are a few more from today.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Sep 10, 2012 - 07:45pm PT

More from Ontario this summer...

Cheers!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 10, 2012 - 07:52pm PT

Great roadrunner and the one of the immature bald eagle Bob

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Sep 10, 2012 - 08:02pm PT

You're in good hands.

A still life.

this just in

climber

north fork

Sep 10, 2012 - 11:25pm PT

Don't know what bird this is, but thought it was cool. Took it in Boston.
Looking forward to climbing this weekend Slater.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 10, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

TJI - love your photo. Looks like a House Sparrow. Some would say an ordinary bird and even a pesty bird. But I love it. And the photo. These guys are smart! I like watching them at rest areas plucking freshly killed bugs off the front of parked vehicles. Thanks for sharing it. Nice photo.

Here is a photo from the I love climbing site. A friend posted it on facebook. I really like it.

Baltimore Oriole.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 11, 2012 - 12:02am PT

Matty nice roof top shot, I like the perspective.

This Just In, of course you'd post something artistic!
Macabre and really cool.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Sep 11, 2012 - 12:06am PT

Cemeteries are good bird spotting places. I have found many species of birds in cemeteries and some are even noted as birding hot spots.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 11, 2012 - 10:56pm PT

In fact, for several years our Xmas Bird Count area was in an Oakland cemetery.

Yesterday, we went to see some Red Crossbills in the Berkeley Hills. These are pretty uncommon around here except in irruption years. Hopefully there will be lots of other northern birds around this winter. There was a pretty sizable flock flying from tree to tree, working on the cones.

There were lots of Nuthatches in the same area.

I got my best-ever view of a couple of Hutton's Vireos. I had never noticed the break in the eye-ring shown in the field guide.

If I were more ambitious on bike, I might be able to add them these and a number of other species to my ST Big Year List.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 12, 2012 - 01:55am PT

There is an oak tree in my town where I can always seem to find one.
Now if they'd just hold still long enough...

Nice work Tony.

I want to see a red crossbill! Sucks I'm always at work when the sloco birders (retired folks) are out posting about crazy new birds they find!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 12, 2012 - 07:25pm PT

Yes, very nice Tony. Who me? Breathe a sigh of relief when I realized you didn't bike there. Never, I'm rooting for us all to do well in the STBY. Do you think they'll winter there? It's not too late to bike.

;-)

Here is a quiz that I think is fair, and maybe too easy. All the same bird. This was just in Seattle, but I've seen more of them in the greater SF Bay Area.

PS added in edit: I'm jealous as heck about the Vireos. I just got my first *good* sighting of just a simple Warbling Vireo, and didn't get close to getting a photo of it.

Also I just looked up-posts and loved them all, but big extra credit to Crimpie for getting a climbing/bird shot.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 12, 2012 - 07:53pm PT

Duck Butt!!!

Love it!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 12, 2012 - 09:18pm PT

Darwin,

female N. Pintail?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 12, 2012 - 11:43pm PT

Little Z: Awesome! Yes, but I have admit that I couldn't tell if they were Juvenile or Female. Here is more of the same duck.

Edit:
It's weird, but in the last few days, fall has arrived here in Seattle w.r.t. bird migration. Wigeons, Scaups and Ring Necked Ducks just started showing up along with more Coots. Get out the ice tools (not that I do that).

I saw a big Sharp-Shinned Hawk today. It's another one I'm uncertain about:
"quick sharp wing beats"=yes, "flying hammer"=yes ; but it looked big with a long tail. Still I'm going with Sharp-Shinned.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 13, 2012 - 12:00am PT

Great photos everyone. What a wonderful thread.

Getting used to my new lens.

Tony...I'll be in the Bay area in early October...My son's band is playing at the Strictly Hardly Bluegrass Festival. You want to get out for a day?

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Sep 13, 2012 - 01:21pm PT

Darwin, here's a hawk tip, from the Golden Gate Raptor group, via amyjo:
if you think you can count the wingbeats, it's a Cooper's.
A Sharp-shinned is a twinkling.

That Pintail is beautiful!

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Sep 13, 2012 - 01:25pm PT

Had a great time yesterday watching a fleet of White Pelicans on Struve
Slough in Watsonville. As they moved along, a large number of Great
Egret groupies would position themselves in advance of the Pelicans. The
anticipation was palpable. Numerous Cormorants riding as escorts alongside
the fishing fleet.

amyjo

Trad climber

Sep 13, 2012 - 02:08pm PT

nice

Dear Scuffy,
Can't believe I'm being quoted.
The controversy is endless and intense and voluble
but,
with a Bunch of Clues,
it's often possible.
Yay.
Bird on.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 13, 2012 - 02:25pm PT

Una familia de Cauquenes disfrutando las aguas milagrosas del Lago Nordenskjold (Las Torres del Paine)

Even Groucho Marx would have envied this dood's eyebrows! Not to mention his 'do!
Talk about a ladies' man! (Plush-crested Jay - Iguazu)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 13, 2012 - 10:43pm PT

Reilly...that Jay is badass...great shot.

Gray Flycathcher??

Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 13, 2012 - 11:30pm PT

Fish are friends!

Flipper for dinner!

The fishing pole.

any more captions for me!?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 14, 2012 - 12:26am PT

Agreed Dr. F. My first thought was also "Ruby Crowned Kinglet"

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Sep 14, 2012 - 12:56am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Bird is the word.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 14, 2012 - 01:22am PT

TimidTR,
Clark's Nutcrackers in the Berkeley Hills! That would be a gas. I'm not holding my breath, though. Was it in the coastal mountains north of SF?

Bob,
That would be great. I will be free after Oct 1. Hopefully, more of the wintering birds will be around by then. That is a good time for unusual migrants, as well.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 14, 2012 - 01:26am PT

It's not evident in my photo, but there is no black bar beneath the lower wing bar. This also appears absent in Slater's photo, too. Also, the bill looks too stout. You had to have been there, but the movement wasn't frenetic enough either.

The Crossbills may stay around, but they would probably move around as they deplete the cones in each area. They had been in this one area for a number of days. They are much more regular in the winter in San Francisco, often in the Presidio.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 14, 2012 - 09:24am PT

I'll have to try that trick more often to see more birds. :) Hey, that's no Jay upthread...we need more photos... :)

Thanks Tony!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 14, 2012 - 11:40am PT

Just a few from this morning walk...they were really going off.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 14, 2012 - 11:41am PT

Plumbeous Vireo - Scheelite Cyn, Fort Huachuca, AZ

I was very curious as to her home-building materials. I can't say that
I saw the meerest scrap of trash or refuse in Scheelite Cyn. She may have
brought it from the picnic areas further down the main canyon although those
looked fairly tidy too.

Just a Curve-billed Thrasher but the light was nice...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 14, 2012 - 11:56am PT

Beautiful photo Reilly (of course). I love these birds. I've only seen one on nest...in AZ as well.

richross

Trad climber

Sep 14, 2012 - 12:22pm PT

Ceramic hawk on Gunks route Hawk.

this just in

climber

north fork

Sep 14, 2012 - 01:15pm PT

I don't contribute to this thread really and don't know much about birds, but this is one of the best threads ever. Love the photos, some really good photographers. Thanks for that and for allowing me to lurk.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Sep 14, 2012 - 01:55pm PT

tji, it is an exceptionally good lurking spot. Shhh....

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 14, 2012 - 02:24pm PT

Bob,

Is that first one a Gray Catbird? We don't have them around here, and I have to admit my first reaction was, WTF!? Assuming I'm right(?), I was pretty chuffed with myself that it was the first bird I looked up in the book. Neat looking bird although I guess it's pretty common in your neck of the woods. Sometimes I have a real weakness for the plainest birds, e.g. Brown(Calif.) Towhee.

Reilly; The jay was spectacular, but my heart was stolen by the family of Cauquenes.

Darwin

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 14, 2012 - 02:28pm PT

You nailed it Darwin...Gray Catbird.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 14, 2012 - 02:37pm PT

To me, Gray Catbirds are like Northern Mockingbirds in formal attire. They are shaped similarly and behavior similarly. We rarely see any Mockingbirds here in Boulder (which is sad - love them), but we have lots of Catbirds. Yay!

First one I saw was in Atlanta Georgia. Funny how I can remember that stuff, but rarely remember someone's name. :/

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 14, 2012 - 05:38pm PT

Cat birds are way cool..they keep a low profile in bushes and their cat-like calls are really amazing.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 14, 2012 - 06:15pm PT

Can't get enough of the Wilson's Warblers! Thanks for sharing. Sure love them.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Sep 14, 2012 - 06:59pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 14, 2012 - 07:16pm PT

Townsend's Warbler a long way from home.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 15, 2012 - 12:18am PT

"It's a brown pelican!"

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 15, 2012 - 01:08am PT

TGT, is that the Air Force Academy mascot on a C-17's throttles?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 15, 2012 - 01:13am PT

Awesome photo Slater!!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 15, 2012 - 07:47am PT

Reilly,

can't say doo doo about the airplane, but that may well be Oblio, the Air Force Academy's anatum race Peregrine Falcon.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 15, 2012 - 04:54pm PT

Great shot Slater.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 15, 2012 - 05:17pm PT

Looks like that last one is a CFW.

Confusing Fall Warbler.

But I think a yellow rump, eh? Just want to give him a big kiss on the face!!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Sep 15, 2012 - 05:21pm PT

Crimpie beat me too it, Slater--but it's still a great photo!!!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 15, 2012 - 05:32pm PT

Crimp...it's a Yellow rumped.

Don't know this one yet...any ideas?

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Sep 15, 2012 - 06:07pm PT

Bob- Swainson's or Hermit Thrush I believe.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 15, 2012 - 06:29pm PT

Cyndie...I thought that too...or a Pipit...somewhat dull, the eye ring is real prominent.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 15, 2012 - 06:30pm PT

I vote for Thrush as well. Or a Laughing Gull. Not sure.

:)

Hahaha. While I'm way not an expert, I think of Pipits and thinner. Love to hear the thoughts of others.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 15, 2012 - 06:52pm PT

Swainson's Thrush, by that pale eye-ring and the little pale bar above the lores that give it a sort of spectacled look, also uniform brown back and tail (tail is more reddish in Hermit Thrush)

Cool to see the march of the migrants as the season changes

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 15, 2012 - 07:31pm PT

Speaking of "march of the migrants" see this cool link:

http://people.mbi.ohio-state.edu/hurtado.10/US_Composite_Radar/2012-9-14/

It's a wind map, but to expert birders (not me), it shows big migration. I'm all ears for someone to offer more info...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 15, 2012 - 09:16pm PT

Thanks everyone...I'll go with Hermit's.

Another migrant along the Rio Grande...this Osprey was way above the river.

Couple others from tonight birding trip.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 16, 2012 - 03:25pm PT

finally have some photos to share. Found this Great Tinamou nest with 5 eggs on a hike through the forest this morning.

The eggs are about as big as goose eggs. The male flushed off the nest when I walked by (males alone take care of the eggs and young). It is a big chicken-size bird, although it's more closely related to an ostrich than a chicken. I have to go back in there on Thursday. Now that I know where the nest is maybe I can get a shot of the male on the nest.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Sep 16, 2012 - 04:40pm PT

TGT, is that the Air Force Academy mascot on a C-17's throttles?

KC-135

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 16, 2012 - 06:05pm PT

TGT, that was actually my first thought but the glass cockpit threw me off.
I didn't know KC's had been modernized to that extent.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 17, 2012 - 12:04pm PT

A few from this morning hike.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 17, 2012 - 03:33pm PT

Bob, looks like the new lens is working out well!

Cool pics everyone! Fun break from work, this thread is. (yoda speak)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 17, 2012 - 03:53pm PT

This is by David Schultz of La Conner, WA.
He took this last winter during the big 'Canadian invasion'.

He's pretty badazz:
DavidSchultzPhotography

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ __ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

HELP!!!!! I'M BEING ATTACKED BY CRAZED FRIGATEBIRDS!!!!!!!!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 17, 2012 - 06:05pm PT

"Órale, señor, yo no gonna stand aqui all bleedin' day!"

OK, this was only at the San Diego Zoo but this dood was rockin' it!
I've no idea who he is although he does resemble a Squirrel Cuckoo.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Sep 17, 2012 - 07:24pm PT

Haven't been birding in a while, but that wont stop me from digging up some new old shots

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 17, 2012 - 08:54pm PT

Wow, more great pics of great birds.

Reilly, that cuckoo is awesome. It's a Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, native to SE Asia and Indonesia.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 17, 2012 - 10:31pm PT

An uncommon juvenile American Golden Plover we found near Morro Bay, Ca.

I also played a Red-breasted Nuthatch call up at Shuteye Ridge and one came out to the nearest tree. Pretty cool how that worked out so well! Some birds could care less, but with some it really draws them out.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 18, 2012 - 11:36am PT

Yesterday when I was coming home from work without a guide (or camera) I saw a small Sparrow-like bird that I got really excited about. I was thinking perhaps Lapland Longspur or a Pipit, both not coincidentally would have added to my STBY list and both are easily possible here and now.

I got home to the guides, and couldn't make it into either as much as I tried. We have a lot of Savannah Sparrows in Seattle, especially in early and mid-Summer, and I see a lot of them and think I have them down pat. But the best that I can make out from Sibley is a "Reddish Typical Adult" (not even mentioned in my 5th ed Nat.Geo. guide). It acted a little different than the other Savannahs here, frenetically feeding on the muddy/grassy margin of a pond. WRT to Pipit: I have a hard time judging bills, and this one was moving around too fast and was a little too far away, and I just couldn't get a good view of the bill. I still think it might have been a first year female L. Longspur, but it was just a little too yellow up around the lores and malar.

I know, much ado about nothing, but it was very pretty and different bird.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 18, 2012 - 04:34pm PT

Great Photos Reilly and Matty.

Here is one from today...Townsend's Warbler showed up in the front yard. Really beautiful little birds.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 18, 2012 - 10:44pm PT

Saw my first Townsend's of the season today too.

Also saw this guy

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 19, 2012 - 12:11am PT

Great shot Mike.

This little beast wakes me up every morning around 6am...beautiful colors.

Evening Grosbeak and Song Sparrow from my morning walk.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 19, 2012 - 03:09pm PT

little z,
Finding that Tinamou nest is amazing. I'm envious as they were just too elusive for us in Belize and Chile, although we did hear a couple.

I thought I had better get out and see what migrants might be passing through. There were lots of Yellow Warblers all over, especially in the fennel.

I managed to see a number of species new for me in our fairly new location. Two of these were MacGillivray’s and Nashville Warblers. They weren’t cooperative so no photos.

I saw a couple of Pacific-slope(Western) Flycatchers and Western Wood-peewees

A Western Tanager, feeding on blackberries, was also a new bird for me around here.

Here is a Red-breasted Nuthatch feasting on toasted pine cones in a recently burned area

Nuttall's Woodpeckers are common near here, but a Downey was a new one.

There are still some Allen’s Hummingbirds around in addition to the resident Anna’s.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 19, 2012 - 03:19pm PT

great shot of the nuthatch. Those little buggers don't stand still for long.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 19, 2012 - 03:26pm PT

Great stuff. I see Matty posted some Crimpie Kyptonite - a baby!!!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 19, 2012 - 04:04pm PT

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Sep 19, 2012 - 04:55pm PT

Hey Mike,
why didn't you correct me when I claimed to see Blackburnian Warblers a
couple of weeks ago?
Obviously, they were Townsend's.
I hope you can make it to the Thursday Thrash. We can listen to the Saw-Whet.

Bill Mc Kirgan

Trad climber

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Sep 19, 2012 - 05:38pm PT

Interesting research on how parrots get their names!

[Click to View YouTube Video]

The narrator reminds me a bit of 'Randall' of 'This is the Honey badger' fame

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 19, 2012 - 05:42pm PT

Parrots are so cool.

Kestrel from today.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Sep 19, 2012 - 08:13pm PT

hey there say, all...

i been getting some artwork links for stuff that i like that is similar to what i do, or like to do... and i found these bird artists that you may like:

the links JUST go to yahoo images, you may look the folks up
and learn more about them, if you wish:

bob hautman:
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=slv8-msgr&va=artist+bob+hautman

robert bateman:
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0PDoS_NXlpQBVgAjDqJzbkF?p=Robert+Bateman%2C+bird+paintings&fr=slv8-msgr&ei=utf-8&n=30&x=wrt&y=Search

as with yahoo images, there may other stuff stuck in there, as well,
but just keep clicking 'new images' as much as you need to...

have fun... i love discovering all these folks, :)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 19, 2012 - 11:34pm PT

ARGH! A bucket of baby parrots. Oh, I can still smell their fragrance. I love baby parrots!!!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Sep 20, 2012 - 12:56am PT

A couple of the regular locals in recent weeks...

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Sep 20, 2012 - 10:59am PT

Plover? Kildeer?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 20, 2012 - 11:09am PT

Red Tail Hawk, Taos, NM

Chaz...looks like a Killdeer.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Sep 20, 2012 - 11:41am PT

Thanks!

Blue Heron ( juvenile? ) hanging around the docks in LaConner ( probably waiting for a handout )

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 20, 2012 - 12:51pm PT

as promised...the Great Tinamou on the nest. This was about 1/2 hour before sunrise. It never flushed, neither with the flash pre-dawn nor when I walked out later this morning.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 20, 2012 - 01:20pm PT

Cool! Love all of it!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 20, 2012 - 05:48pm PT

Black-Capped Chickadee...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 21, 2012 - 11:48am PT

A few from this morning hike. Beautiful morning here in Taos.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 21, 2012 - 09:57pm PT

ANY SPARROW EXPERTS PLEASE WEIGH IN!!!
On sage on beach.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 21, 2012 - 10:54pm PT

Slater...Purple Finch??

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 21, 2012 - 11:32pm PT

Hmmm... I was thinking juvenile Sage Sparrow. The bill doesn't look finch-ish to me, but more sparrow like- little longer and less triangular?? But what do I know!?

cts

Social climber

sw PA

Sep 22, 2012 - 12:22am PT

Super photos, Bob is that a Gilded Flicker, Slater a junvenille Brewers?
really enjoying all the birds. Cal

MH2

climber

Sep 22, 2012 - 12:25am PT

Wonderful.

I am grateful for the parrots-in-the-wild video: how they have "names."

Many of us hear birds often, yet have little idea what purpose the calls serve. It's a fascinating mystery right outside the door.

And beyond

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 22, 2012 - 01:50am PT

Slater,

I'd go with Savannah Sparrow. Although it's faint, I think I see yellow supraloral and the bill seems to big for Brewer's. Also no eye ring as for Sage and Brewer's. It looks like the the right habitat, too.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 22, 2012 - 01:23pm PT

CTS...Northern Flicker.

Here are few from today's hike...quiet and then I realized why.

Beautiful Cooper's Hawk been hanging around.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Sep 22, 2012 - 04:46pm PT

I want the "Poster Birds" to know how much I enjoy watching the birdies. You have one of the best gigs on the Taco here.

I have an excellent article here from my hometown rag, the Sunstorke. I mean Sunstroke. It was written by a teacher here at UC Merced.

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2012/09/22/2551228/brigitte-bowers-egrets-might-make.html

Even egrets err egregiously.--John Updike

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 22, 2012 - 05:25pm PT

Bob, very cool shot of the Coop! It looks like he's warning you.

"One more step, buster, and I ain't gonna be responsible!"

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 22, 2012 - 06:08pm PT

Sharpie came through so fast this morning that all I saw was the scatter and a puff of feathers. Looking at the feathers that fell, a House Finch got the chop.

Sorry little guy.

MH2 - the portrait of the Raven is stunning!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 22, 2012 - 08:44pm PT

MH2: great Raven shots. If this thread had to have an emblematic species it should be the Raven - the climber's companion.

Bob, I think your Coop might be a Goshawk. The wavy dark tail bands bordered by a very thin lighter edge would indicate that sp. Plus just looks hulking (note the really thick tarsi), and menacing, as Goshawks are like to do.

Slater, I'd agree with Tony, looks like a Savannah Sparrow

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 22, 2012 - 10:02pm PT

More little brown birds from today.

mctwisted

Trad climber

e.p.

Sep 22, 2012 - 10:31pm PT

last week up in the valley

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 22, 2012 - 10:45pm PT

Gilded Filcker???

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 22, 2012 - 11:37pm PT

McTwist - that is a rad looking owl! must have been cool to see that!

Thanks guys, Savannah it is then.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Sep 23, 2012 - 08:08am PT

CG and I came across a nest of Western Wood Peewees a few weeks ago, right near the foothills. The first two pics are from the first day we saw them (morning)...
We went back the next day, late in the afternoon and there was much feeding going on and the babies had grown/changed quite a bit...
I went back the next day and the babies had fledged - Mom & Dad were teaching the little ones about flight and bugz high up in the cottonwoods - I couldn't get any good shots this day... Very cool to watch such a progression over just 3 days!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 23, 2012 - 12:23pm PT

continued incredible photos!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 23, 2012 - 02:48pm PT

Yesterday at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanc. Not bad for a cheapo camera.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 23, 2012 - 07:40pm PT

Great shots Dave!

Nice DeeDee.

Today's take.

New route in the Rio Grande Gorge...5.11c plus, tons of Flickers on the migration trail.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 23, 2012 - 10:55pm PT

Nice set Bob!

From today

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 23, 2012 - 11:06pm PT

Beautiful Mike.

john hansen

climber

Sep 23, 2012 - 11:08pm PT

Just got in last night from the Big Island of Hawaii for two weeks of west and welaxation. September is not the best time for birds in California but I got 31 speicies today:

Turkey Vulture
California Gull
Western Bluebird
Pied Billled Grebe
Coot
Acorn Woodpecker
Anna's hummer
Bushtit
Nuthatch
Titmouse
Flicker
Scubjay
phainopepla
Brown towee
Red tail hawk
White tail kite
canada goose
Mallard
Western Bluebird
Coopers hawk
Downey Wood pecker
Lesser gold finch
mocking bird
Common Egret
Red winged black bird
Brewers Black bird
Meadow lark
Black Pheobe
and ruby crowned kinglet

The typical birds you would expect this time of year in northern Cal..
Some of them I only could hear their song ,but I know these locals pretty well.

Heading up to tahoe and down the east side for Facelift next week
Took a bunch of pics today but did not get the Vibration Reduction going till later so hopefully I got a few good ones.

Getting ready to check out the photo,s from today. I will post some if any of them are good enough for this thread. Aloha

John Hansen

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 23, 2012 - 11:12pm PT

Great stuff!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 23, 2012 - 11:19pm PT

My buddy Pakku, from India, is in E Africa tearing it up!

"Yo momma's so ugly, uh, ..."

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 23, 2012 - 11:35pm PT

!@#*$!(*$!$!!!

Love it!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 24, 2012 - 12:05am PT

Mike that bushtit photo is one of my all time favs! That is some classic stuff! ha ha ha

nice africa shots too

When is the Salton Sea gonna go off???

Hansen - Sept is in the throws of fall migration, what are you talking about! Great birding right now! We got warblers galore and shore birds showing up daily (just saw my first RUFF - Sibley "a rare visitor from Eurasia" - sweet!!!) Saw a Golden Plover, Black Necked stilts showing up, Pectoral sandpipers... yeah for Fall migration!!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Sep 24, 2012 - 12:40am PT

Good stuff! Mike - really cool cross-eyed 'tit' shot. Is that a Bobcat or Lynx? I'm guessing Bob...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 24, 2012 - 12:50am PT

Thanks Brassnuts,

that's a bobcat

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 24, 2012 - 12:18pm PT

Reilly....great shots from Pakku.

So it has only taken about fifteen separate attempts but I finally got a half decent shot of Wilson's Warbler today. My god they are active.

Also saw this little baby beaver today in very low light conditions. So cute.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Sep 24, 2012 - 12:29pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 24, 2012 - 07:49pm PT

A couple from today drive with my wife.

Cool video...http://vimeo.com/31158841

john hansen

climber

Sep 24, 2012 - 10:55pm PT

Slater, you are right, any day birding is good. I forgot to mention, it was mid day, 90 deg, and all the birds were hunkered down in the bushes. A lot more action on the coast then where I was at the 1500 ft elevation in the foot hills up by Auburn. The warblers never seem to show up till mid october or later,,still pretty good first day.

I forgot a few I saw like YB Magpie and a wild Turkey.

Today I went back in the early morning and got a few more, then drove up to tahoe to see my brother and ended up at Mono Lake.
Too much driving and not enough birding but I did get,,

Roufus sided Towee
Killdeer
House finch

Stellers Jay
Junco
And Raven(at tahoe)

Then at Mono Lake I got
Avocet
Marsh Wren
Eared grebe
White crowned sparrow
Shovler
Ruddy duck
Gadwall
Marsh hawk

For a two day total of 48

My computer died a couple month's back so tommorow I will get a new photoshop program to edit my photos.

Had a cool time this morning with two Flickers playing ring around the rosie around some tree trunks, really good early morning light.
I always like to crop my photos at least, but here is one of the Flickers.

Nope not working, got to resize.
Dont want to post some huge picture, will wait till I get photoshop,,

Good birding all, see you at the face lift.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Sep 24, 2012 - 11:36pm PT

A few more recent sightings...

john hansen

climber

Sep 24, 2012 - 11:42pm PT

BN could that be a lesser Yellow legs? Or greater?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 24, 2012 - 11:52pm PT

I'm going with Greater: bill bi-colored and a little longer than the length of the head.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 24, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

John H.; Try Gimp and ImageMagick. They are free and only marginally more difficult to use than PhotoShop.

Here's my overview of early Fall at Montlake Landfill in Seattle. I haven't seen anything spectacular but for N. Pintail butts (see last posting). I finally did see a Green Heron for the year, but didn't get a photo of the dear.

Captions at the top.

To paraphrase Tony, there sure are a lot more birds in the fall:

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Sep 25, 2012 - 06:16pm PT

Nice eKat!!! lol

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 25, 2012 - 08:10pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 25, 2012 - 08:17pm PT

I trust Mike Bolte! Water birds are a mystery to me. :) Nice shots!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Sep 25, 2012 - 08:58pm PT

Brassnuts and Crimpie, definitely a Greater Yellowlegs. I see them almost daily.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Sep 25, 2012 - 11:58pm PT

Ahh, finally! A clear shot of the infamous Fruit and Veggie Owl..... awesome! What's his call?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 26, 2012 - 12:06am PT

Oh eKat, how could you!?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 26, 2012 - 04:25pm PT

Some Flicker action from today...

There's a bird in there somewhere.

The eyes know...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 26, 2012 - 11:25pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 26, 2012 - 11:26pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 26, 2012 - 11:31pm PT

Not sure if it's me or reality, but Townsends seem really thick this year. Very happy for it! Nice photos as usual Slater!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 27, 2012 - 12:22am PT

yeah, I ran into a flock of about 15 or so in Oceano, crazy! also saw a Summer Tanager! (finally!)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Sep 27, 2012 - 12:22am PT

And here it is!!!

My 8 year old son spotted it...

"Dad... SUMMER TANAGER!!!"

He wasn't joking!

#230 for the year! and my first.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 27, 2012 - 01:13am PT

And you got a nice photo of it Slater!!! Very beautiful.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 27, 2012 - 09:55am PT

Very nice Tanager! Congrats on a year in birding. It's the best isn't it? Wasn't it the case that initially your family teased you a bit? Nice to see them engaged too. Who can not be captivated by these gorgeous creatures? Happy anniversary!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 27, 2012 - 11:10am PT

beautiful tanager shot!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 27, 2012 - 10:49pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 27, 2012 - 11:49pm PT

Great shots Mike...wonderful Tanager shot Slater.

A few from my morning walk.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 28, 2012 - 05:54pm PT

Been chasing this Lewis's Woodpecker for weeks...finally got a half decent shot. Really colorful woodpeckers.

john hansen

climber

Sep 28, 2012 - 08:11pm PT

Good stull all.

Here are some of an Ouzel aka Dipper

They have some wild thing with their eyelids,,,

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 28, 2012 - 08:51pm PT

Up in the San Jacinto high country yesterday. Saw at least 100 of these guys and gals. A little higher than normal altitude for the Western BB.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 28, 2012 - 10:34pm PT

The Lewis's Woodpecker is a nice one.

From late this afternoon on the UCSC campus:

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Sep 28, 2012 - 10:43pm PT

Mike B--what do you mean "almost a great shot of a northern harrier. . ."
IT IS!!!!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 28, 2012 - 11:06pm PT

Thanks Steve! - the eye was not quite in focus.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 29, 2012 - 08:29pm PT

OK - this is a poor picture of a very uncommon bird (despite the name) This is a Common Cuckoo. Only the second sighting of one in the lower 48. Saw the one bird and about 300 birders today.

Also saw lots of other stuff including this Downy Woodpecker

and a Black-crowned night heron

john hansen

climber

Sep 29, 2012 - 10:31pm PT

Very rare Mike.

Avocet's winter plummage, Mono Lake

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 30, 2012 - 12:13am PT

So many terrific photos! LOVE the cuckoo. What a treat!

Gary

Social climber

Monza by the streetlight

Sep 30, 2012 - 12:33pm PT

The white crowned sparrows have returned. The backyard is filled with their song.

Like them, we head into the Sierra in the summer and return to Sierra Madre in winter.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 30, 2012 - 02:13pm PT

Had a great time birding the Rio Chama near Abiquiu, NM

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 30, 2012 - 04:32pm PT

The Parrot Pledge. :)

john hansen

climber

Sep 30, 2012 - 09:59pm PT

Here are a few from the last few days.

Slater, I finally saw a warbler.. up in Tuolume Meadows. Been all along the rivers in Yosemite and down the east side from Tahoe to Bishop and that is the only one I have seen so far. Hopefully better luck in Fort Bragg next week.

Got this Raven out by Taft point.

White Crown at Mono Lake

Not sure about this one..

Taken at Marys Lake above Mammoth Lakes.

Perhaps a chippimg sparrow? Hard to tell with winter color and perhaps an immature white crown or ??? Anybody??

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 1, 2012 - 12:06am PT

Great photos John...a few more from this weekend near Abiquiu, NM

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 1, 2012 - 12:07am PT

Pelagic Trip Report – Monterey Seabirds

A buddy and I hooked up with Sacramento Audubon and their outstanding leaders and took a boat out Saturday 9-29 with Monterey
Seabirds (I recommend them). It was gray, and stayed that way the whole day. As far as trips go, I heard it was slow, although it was my first pelagic trip so it was great! I got 11 new birds and learned a lot, and I am sure I’ll do it again.

Interesting moments --- when a red-breasted nuthatch was spotted (15 miles off shore) and flew right into a cloud of gulls. It made several circles around the boat, as if deciding whether or not to land in the branch the captain had placed on top of the boat for just that occasion. It didn’t. And it was quickly eaten by a gull (see photo slide 21). The flip side is that another two Red-breasted Nuthatches DID find rest in the “tree of life” (photo slide 28) and after resting, escaped the gull gauntlet and headed towards land.

Besides hanging out with many fine people, and learning a
ton, we were able to do the side excursion to Watsonville to see the Common
Cuckoo (slide 36).

Also hit Elkhorn Slough for icing on the already iced up cake.

Digital slide show in Lightroom…

http://slatervision.com/www.slatervision.com/Monterey%20Pelagic%202012/

Enjoy the slideshow!

Common Cuckoo, Watsonville 9-29

Only second sighting in lower 48, one other in 1981 in Main.

totally bitchin'!!!!!

Anyone else go see it!?

john hansen

climber

Oct 1, 2012 - 12:08am PT

Slater, dude.. a Ruff and a Cockoo..? You are a lucky man.

I don't suppose Jerry Langam was there,,

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 1, 2012 - 12:11am PT

It was seriously like a clip out of "The Big Year".

People all over... then my buddy says... "I got it" in a calm voice.
I book it over, then the hoards coming steaming over!

Total Chaos! That bird gets props for popping out so many times for everyone to take a peek!

Is it still there?? Anyone know?

UPDATE: still there as of 9-30 evening.

John... nice shot of the warbler too! They're hard to get!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 1, 2012 - 12:51am PT

Nice slater!

great shot of the Cuckoo. Hard to get that guy/gal. Hangs out deep in the foliage. Lots of nice shots from the boat trip.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 1, 2012 - 10:54am PT

Nice shots on the previous page of a black-capped and mountain chickadee

A few from yesterday

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 1, 2012 - 11:21am PT

Great shots Mike and Slater. Here are a few posers from my walk today.

john hansen

climber

Oct 1, 2012 - 11:25pm PT

From today.

Wilson's Phalarope. Mono Lake. A week ago there were none

And an Audabon's warbler.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 2, 2012 - 11:47pm PT

Really love the colors on this Lewis's Woodpecker...really beautiful.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 3, 2012 - 12:19am PT

The oldest known Arctic Tern was banded and at 26 years old was calculated
to have 1,000,000 kilometers under its wings. I get tired just thinking about it.

john hansen

climber

Oct 3, 2012 - 12:51am PT

It seems Flickers have been done here , but here are some shots I got the other morning when the light was just right, around 7:15am with the sun at my back. These two were chasing each other around the tree trunks and only about 20 ft away.

Heading over to Fort Bragg for a couple days tomorrow , then down to Bodega bay. Right now I have 70 speicies this trip, all inland birds. I hope to get to a hundred by this saturday with all the coastal birds before I fly back to the islands Saturday.

Got to work it.. Kinda funny, early one morning last week before it was light the movie "The Big Year" was on the TV.

Aloha

john hansen

climber

Oct 3, 2012 - 10:32pm PT

Ok , these ones are not real pretty birds, but they got me up to 80 for the trip. My only chance to get 100 in 2 weeks is to head for Bodega bay and get shore birds like Dunlins and Godwits and maybe ospreys and Brant,s and loons and stuff. Surf scooters.

I was hoping to get wood ducks and maybe a Piliated in fort bragg but its just too early,, kinda doubt I will make a 100. But I will push hard. If I do the stairs at point reyes Light house I can probably get murre's, and maybe a stray warbler,,hoping for a Bald eagle at Bolinas Lagoon.

Oyster catcher

Hermanns Gull

Yellow headed Black Bird

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 3, 2012 - 11:07pm PT

john hansen

climber

Oct 4, 2012 - 11:49pm PT

OK, this is pretty lame but I have a few pics I was hoping the super T birding community can help me identify. All of these were taken around Bodega Bay in California. The Bird's..

Most of these are really bad photo's but give a feel for the bird,,

Willouby?? Slater? Bob D??

Brown headed Cowbird?

Savanah sparrow?

Now they get really bad.

Gull,, or a jager? Really reaching I know. Just did not seem to be flying around like a gull.

Anna's or Allen"s?

Maybe a Gloucous Gull??

I know this is asking a lot , but what you think??

Thanks for the help.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 4, 2012 - 11:53pm PT

Newly listed as an Endangered Species:

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 4, 2012 - 11:56pm PT

hmmmm.... rough and tough on some of those...

that one was for sure a savannah sparrow.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 4, 2012 - 11:57pm PT

... and an Anna's (white line on head coming back from eye)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 4, 2012 - 11:59pm PT

fox sparrow (faint wing bars and big bill)

and a pink-footed shearwater

there you go, my best guesses!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 5, 2012 - 12:02am PT

Now some new shots from today...
ALL ON ONE STREET!

great pics ya'll, fall is here!

john hansen

climber

Oct 5, 2012 - 12:04am PT

Slater , page 62 in Peterson's Guide. Maybe a skua,,, most likely wishful thinking, but the head and tail are right.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 5, 2012 - 12:12am PT

john hansen

climber

Oct 5, 2012 - 12:13am PT

here is a fox sparrow i saw today in Fort Bragg, much darker,,

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 5, 2012 - 12:14am PT

john hansen

climber

Oct 5, 2012 - 12:24am PT

Hmmm, that looks like a tropical King bird. The whole breast is yellow.
Global warming maybe.

The local birders are telling me there is one up here at Bodega Bay.

Looked for him today, but no luck. There is also supposed to be a Cat Bird and a Baltimore Orial out there. One more day of birding before I fly south for the winter.

Aloha

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 5, 2012 - 05:47pm PT

A slight re-working of one I've previously posted.

Magellanic Woodpecker - same size as our Pileated. After three weeks in
Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia I was frantic that I was going to be skunked
by these guys. Then a half mile from the trailhead on the way out we ran
into a whole family right by the trail! So I now have proof my karma is
not wholly bad.

The missus:

And doesn't everyone fly 7000 miles to go see a House Wren in Patagonia?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Oct 5, 2012 - 06:04pm PT

^^^Sweet pecker!!

I was hoping to get a Pileated this summer in Ontario, but never ran into one. next year maybe...

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 6, 2012 - 12:16am PT

John,

My guesses for your photos are:
House Finch - plain face, curved culmen
Savannah Sparrow
Heermann's Gull - 1st Winter
Anna's Hummingbird - white line, no rufous in tail
Glaucous-winged Gull - Pale grey upperparts, no contrast of primary tips with rest of the wing

Slater,

I knew you would enjoy your pelagic trip. Even a slow day, like we had last week on a foggy Bodega Bay, is a treat. A Chestnut-sided Warbler landed on our boat. It eventually flew into the cabin and was put into a box for release upon our return. Unfortunately, it didn't survive that long. Not the best circumstances to see a life bird.

We also had a Red-breasted Nuthatch land on our boat.
It eventually took off, hopefully for land.

There were a fair number of
Ashy and Fork-tailed Storm-petrels.

There were also a fair number of Jaegers- Pomarine and Long-tailed.

Also, several South Polar Skuas like yours

After the pelagic and WFO conference in Petaluma, we went on two-day field trip to Humboldt County,. We missed a couple of the specialties such as Gray Jay, but did see Black-capped Chickadees in one of the few parts of CA that they can be found.

We had excellent looks at a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers.

There was a spot with a number of Pectoral Sandpipers. This was the first time I have seen a flock of them.

They were being stirred up by a couple of Peregrine Falcons

There was also a very relaxed Virginia Rail that we watched foraging.

By the way, regarding your post of a few pages back, it was very cool about your young son spotting and calling the Summer Tanager. I hope he is fully hooked now.

Tomorrow I will be birding in Point Reyes with Bob D'A. It should be fun.

[Edit] I hope the Common Cuckoo stays. I won't be able to get down there for a while.

Slater: That looks like a Western Kingbird to me. It appears to have white edges to the tail and not such a large bill. Also, Tropical has a notched tail.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 6, 2012 - 02:35am PT

nice bunch of additions!

No one has seen the Cuckoo since Wednesday.

Couple from this morning

john hansen

climber

Oct 6, 2012 - 10:46pm PT

This shot is not really worthy but looking for some ID help

I think the one on the right is a western sand piper, but am having a hard time with the larger ones on the left in winter plummage.

Taken at Bodega bay Ca

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 6, 2012 - 10:54pm PT

John,

The right one is a Least Sandpiper. Notice the breast band. Westerns have a white breast in winter.. The larger two at the left are Sanderlings.

[Edit] Maybe you meant the one that is half out of the frame at the right. That looks like it may be Western. It seems larger than the Leasts and seems to have a clean breast.

john hansen

climber

Oct 7, 2012 - 12:05am PT

Thanks Tony, I always think of sanderlings running back and forth by the waves, not hanging out in lagoons.. I think I have seen them from a distance more often and did not realize their realitive size to the sandpipers. The least, really are small.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 7, 2012 - 12:51am PT

John,

Those Sanderlings always give me pause when I see them in mudflats rather than at the shoreline. They seem much smaller when they are running back and forth at the shoreline. They are way bigger than the peeps, even they are in the same Calidris genus encompasses a pretty big size range - all the way from Red Knots down to Least Sandpipers.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 7, 2012 - 01:54am PT

Last week 4-5 days of birding in a row. Went to Bolsa Chica on Thur. with my sister Kathy, she took a few photos. A crow was harrassing this Osprey, You can see why. Finally saw some Reddish Egrets.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 7, 2012 - 11:15am PT

Not much time for birding lately and not too many birds locally these days, but here are some of our always fun to see backyard visitors...

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Oct 7, 2012 - 05:47pm PT

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2012/10/02/crow-adopts-family.cbc-network

john hansen

climber

Oct 7, 2012 - 11:26pm PT

Found this cool website, I think it would be easier to ID Gulls by their voice than visually. They are quite distinct. I think I will put these all on my phone for quick reference.

http://www.naturesongs.com/birds.html

And here is another for California Rare Bird Alert

http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN35464

mike m

Trad climber

black hills

Oct 8, 2012 - 12:18am PT

Anyone know what kind of bird this is? It was hunkered down at the base of El Matador at Devils Tower. It was not scared of me at all. I did not notice it until I was only about 2 feet away.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Oct 8, 2012 - 12:22am PT

Mike M. it looks like an American Coot.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 8, 2012 - 12:33am PT

John Hansen and Tony, that bill looks too long for a Least Sandpiper to me.

Did somebody say Coo Koo?

Squirrel Cuckoo

Yeah, he's like 18", 10" of which is tail.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 8, 2012 - 01:30am PT

it is a common moorhen I think.

I FINALLY GOT A CALIFORNIA CONDOR!

Pinnacles National Monument.

sorry picture sucked but that was with a 420mm lens!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 8, 2012 - 01:33am PT

Tony, did you see the slideshow I posted on the previous page about the Pelagic trip!?

Did you see the "tree of life" they had on top of the boat for passerines!?
We saved two RB Nuthatches with that branch! I guess it happens quite often.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 8, 2012 - 09:29am PT

A Coot getting ready to climb El Mat... now I've seen it all ;-)

A few more recent backyard birds for a Monday morning...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 8, 2012 - 11:09am PT

Those may very well be two of five in-focus photos I've ever taken. :)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 8, 2012 - 01:38pm PT

John,

I think Reilly is right about the sandpiper in your photo. When I blew it up on bigger display, what I thought was a breast band did not continue around the breast. Therefore a Western.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 8, 2012 - 01:41pm PT

Slater,

I did view your slideshow. Very nice! The Mola-Mola photos is very cool. I like the idea of the branch for lost passerines. I imagine it makes them more likely to remain on the boat until it returns to dock.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 8, 2012 - 11:53pm PT

OK get ready... BIG news --

I got the 12th county record of a Philadelphia Vireo!

Oooooooh
Ahhhhhhh

I don't even know what that means.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 8, 2012 - 11:57pm PT

Nice!!!

john hansen

climber

Oct 9, 2012 - 01:14am PT

Warblers are hard to photograph, nice work.

Yes and virieo's even harder

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 10, 2012 - 12:24am PT

Had a great trip trip to California to see my son play at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco. Thanks to Tong Brake for taking me to Point Reyes NP for a morning of excellent birding. Here are a few pictures from my trip to the Bay area trip.

john hansen

climber

Oct 10, 2012 - 12:28am PT

I was out there last Friday, where did you see the stilts?

And yes, Teradactiles still fly on this earth.

I got a picture of them.

DM88T

climber

San Juan Bautista, CA

Oct 10, 2012 - 01:07am PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 10, 2012 - 01:25am PT

Yes Bob, where did you see the Black-necked Stilts? Petaluma? It was a pretty good day at Pt. Reyes. The highlight for me was the Merlin-Peregrine battle. The Broad-winged Hawk was pretty good, too.

Wow Slater! That's a pretty good find. I think I probably saw a Philly Vireo last year while scouting our Xmas count area. I had a brief good look, but didn't know to look for the dark line through the eye. I went back the next day with camera in hand, but no dice. Even a Warbling Vireo would have been very unusual in December.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 10, 2012 - 11:01am PT

Tony and John...saw them at Petaluma along with these guys. Must be a great place when the marsh is filled with water.

Thanks again Tony for the great day of birding.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 10, 2012 - 11:26am PT

Awww. White Pelicans in Marin (Pt Reyes, Limantour?). I'm overcome with fond nostalgia!

Nice photos y'all.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 10, 2012 - 11:37pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 10, 2012 - 11:54pm PT

Nice shots Slater...

Here are a few more more from my California trip.

john hansen

climber

Oct 11, 2012 - 12:21am PT

I'm guessing Magnolia warbler.. nice shot

Edit ,, Townsend

Red Shoulderd

And a Brown headed Cowbird I think..

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 11, 2012 - 01:26am PT

I would guess Fox Sparrow for the above, but what a stout bill.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 11, 2012 - 01:34am PT

Bob,

Thanks for posting the photo of the Gray Fox. It was good to be first on the road, wasn't it?

Juvenile BH Cowbird seems right. They are very confusing to me.

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Oct 11, 2012 - 11:00am PT

Bird of Paradise Project...........very cool video..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTR21os8gTA&utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=5d401e6c4b-Cornell_Lab_eNews_2012_10_11&utm_medium=email

edit: Tony, your welcome......
it would be so cool if you got to go see a Bird of paradise.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Oct 12, 2012 - 07:10pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 12, 2012 - 07:35pm PT

Gorgeous Chaz!

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Oct 12, 2012 - 07:45pm PT

That put a face on all of the noise I've been hearing at night.

I wouldn't have seen him if a couple scrub jays hadn't ratted him out.

Whenever the jays or the mockingbirds are making noise. it's always interesting to go see what they're mad at. Usually it's an owl. Or a hawk. Sometimes it's a snake that sets them off.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 12, 2012 - 07:49pm PT

I think Chaz feeds 'em. Or is it breeds 'em?

Rosy Finches grazing on eentsy-teensy snow snakes at 12,000'.

Rosy mugging for the camera. What a hussy!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 13, 2012 - 01:19am PT

Nita,

Thanks for that video link. Of course, now I think I need to go there to see those amazing creatures.

MH2

climber

Oct 13, 2012 - 12:16pm PT

A few seconds at the end of a cormorant's day:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 13, 2012 - 10:21pm PT

A few from today...picking are getting slim around here.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 13, 2012 - 10:54pm PT

That's 'cause they're all over here on the coast on migration!!!!

We've been having a warbler fest over here at Oceano State Park, CA...

These guys are far from home...

up to 251 for the year

FUN!

SHOW ME YOUR WARBLERS (no butter-butts ;)

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 13, 2012 - 11:33pm PT

Nice photos, as usual.

Bob, could that bird labeled as Song Sparrow be a Lincoln's?

Slater, your warblers are great, they are hard enough to get in binos let alone a camera:
Blackpoll
Hermit
Black-throated Gray
Blackburnian
Townsend's

I'm stuck on 696 for my Costa Rica year list, but this should be my first year to go over 700 without a pelagic trip. I did managed to pick up both Red-footed Booby and Brown Noddy from shore this year, species that I usually have to get offshore to see.

when I saw this scene I thought of a pride of lions and old world vultures on the savanna...not quite though.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 13, 2012 - 11:39pm PT

Slater,

Nice clues. There have been a bunch of eastern warblers around here, too, but I've missed most of them. I did see a Black-throated Grey a couple of days ago close to home and there are lots of Townsend's around. Here are my ids:

1-Could it be an Olive Warbler? that would be awesome.
2-Hermit
3-Black-throated Grey
4-Blackburnian
5-Townsend's

[Edit] litle z is right, Blackpoll, not Olive

I agree, Lincoln's for Bob's sparrow. It has the buffy wash on its breast

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 14, 2012 - 11:36pm PT

love the warblers. It seems slim pickings for Bob are great days out for most of us!

From the last couple of days up in the south bay (Alviso). Click them for larger versions

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Oct 15, 2012 - 12:40am PT

I went out and saw a Northern Hawk Owl today. He flew from post to post and then out into the spruce and back. I watched him for about 20 minutes. I wish I could have put a scope on him, but I was on a busy dirt road with nowhere to pull over.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 15, 2012 - 11:22am PT

Wow, cool Hawk Owl.

Yes, the warblers are happening in the OC.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 15, 2012 - 05:23pm PT

HA Randisi that shot is epic! You could send that to stock photo and they'd use it as a poster! could apply to leaving the nest, growing up, graduation, etc. Total winner there !!

OK I NEED YOUR HELP -
HAS ANYONE EVER DONE A SELF-MADE PELAGIC TRIP BY GOING ON A LOCAL FISHING TRIP THAT ONLY GOES 1 OR 2 MILES OFFSHORE? WORTH IT? or AM I NOT FAR ENOUGH OUT?

I WENT ON ONE BIRDING ONE AND WE WENT 15 MILES OUT AND DIDN'T SEEM MORE THAN WHAT WE SAW 5 MILES OUT SO...???

experienced ocean goers pass on your wisdom!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Oct 15, 2012 - 05:34pm PT

Yeah super shot Randisi (assume it's yours... or give credit if its knott)

No time for birding lately, so I've been living through this thread. Cheers and keep the good work coming.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 15, 2012 - 05:54pm PT

Great shots Slater, Mike, Cyndie and Randsi...here a few from today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 15, 2012 - 10:18pm PT

Couple more from today...

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 15, 2012 - 10:42pm PT

Slater,

I've pondered that option,too. It all depends on the topography along the coast. I believe you went out of Monterey for your pelagic, right? Monterey is unusual in that it has deep water canyons (1000s of feet) just a few miles offshore. As an example, the situation is quite different not much further north on trips to the Farallons. They are still on the Continental Shelf even though they are over 25 miles outside of the Golden Gate Bridge. True pelagic species (shearwaters, storm-petrels, etc.) aren't usually encountered until you go out about 5 miles further. Since there are many thousands of seabirds breeding on the Farallons, you do see Cassin's and Rhinoceros Aucklets and Tufted Puffins near the islands. Of course, last year we saw a Laysan Albatross on the way back home. Sooty Shearwaters do often come close to shore, especially around Santa Cruz. In SoCal Black-vented Shearwaters do the same. Murres and Murrelets might be seen nearshore. You can check offshore depths with Google Earth. You should go for it anyway and give us a report.

[EDIT] I forgot to mention that it seems that steep dropoffs in the ocean floor that result in upwelling are the best for concentrating food and therefore seabirds. You can also see these features well on Google Earth. I'm sure any fishing boat captains are aware of these areas in their usual fishing areas.

amyjo

Trad climber

Oct 16, 2012 - 12:32am PT

Randisi

Por favor

Your photo 10/15 8:31am

I know someone has to go first
but yikes. Did it just crater?

The Holy Innocent

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 16, 2012 - 12:40am PT

Today driving through Halfmoon Bay noticed a big field with maybe 30 or more hawks standing around on the ground. Mostly red-tails with a few harriers mixed in. Some kind of convention.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 16, 2012 - 11:44am PT

Those are Wood Duck babies taking their first 'flight'. Sometimes they
may free-fall 20' or more! Ideally they land on a nice thick bed of leaves
but if mom didn't pick her tree hole with that in mind then...

amyjo

Trad climber

Oct 16, 2012 - 11:46am PT

Randisi, Reilly
Thank you for your reply
(Holy Innocent = Name of the Bird.)
or some awesome climb yet to come.
Hasta.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Oct 16, 2012 - 12:02pm PT

There's probably some footage of that on youtube or something.
I've seen it on TV shows. They just plummet, take a big bounce and
start running away after Mom.
Goldeneyes and some others also do it that way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2cWIqDpHPM&feature=related

this just in

climber

north fork

Oct 16, 2012 - 09:25pm PT

Here's a couple from fishing on the North Fork of the San Joaquin River. Have no idea what they are, but thought I'd share them.
This next one I always see at the beginning of a pool or at the end.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 16, 2012 - 09:39pm PT

It is pretty wild imagining cavity nesting ducklings jumping to the forest floor, but this is even more amazingBASE-jumping goslings without the parachute

It seems to be a low-efficiency process, but apparently has been successful evolutionarily.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 16, 2012 - 10:42pm PT

Hey 'this just in', I'm envious of your photos. I've seen Dippers a number of times, and never taken as good any/a photo. I'm not sure that it's a Black Phoebe, but: we don't have them up here (one in 40 years or something).

And I posted a new one to the Birders Big Year thread:http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1762186&msg=1955477#msg1955477

hint: [Greater] White Fronted Goose

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 16, 2012 - 11:12pm PT

this just in, thanks for the photos. Dippers are too cool. Your first bird looks like a Dark-eyed Junco.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 16, 2012 - 11:27pm PT

yup - Junko and dipper

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 17, 2012 - 12:19am PT

The Ouzel, so much more poetic than Dipper, was John Muir's favorite bird.

this just in

climber

north fork

Oct 17, 2012 - 11:25am PT

Thanks for the knowledge, cool to know the name of the dipper cause I see them all the time on creeks and rivers.

Prezwoodz

climber

Anchorage

Oct 17, 2012 - 03:03pm PT

I am working on tagging some images and I was wondering what kind of bird this is? I took this on the Brazos River in Waco, Texas.

Pretty I know...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 17, 2012 - 03:10pm PT

It's a Slum Duck, aka Muscovy - basically a domestic hybrid gone bad.

Prezwoodz

climber

Anchorage

Oct 17, 2012 - 03:20pm PT

Thanks Reilly!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 17, 2012 - 03:41pm PT

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Oct 19, 2012 - 06:57pm PT

Love the Bewick's Wren.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 19, 2012 - 07:26pm PT

Prezwoodz,

the wild version of Muscovy Duck, which is found in the new world tropics, is a bitchin' bird. Wild birds show no white in their plumage except for their wing patches (big in male, small in female). Their black plumage is iridescant green and purple in the right light. Most wild populations are hunted and so wild birds will fly away at close approach. They nest in large natural tree cavities. As with the Mallard, it's domesticated form is but a shadow of the real thing - a Slum Duck indeed.

S.Leeper

Social climber

somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'

Oct 19, 2012 - 08:23pm PT

birds as you've never seen them!

http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2012/10/18/bob_croslin_photographs_injured_birds_as_if_they_were_human_models.html

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 19, 2012 - 08:26pm PT

Nice shots Mike.

Here are a few from today. A couple of Mountain Chickadees.

S.Leeper

Social climber

somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'

Oct 19, 2012 - 08:29pm PT

wonderful pictures!

here's a highlight from the slate article:

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Oct 21, 2012 - 11:01pm PT

Rare bird sighting in Alaska. We have a Sky Lark at Deep Creek near Ninilchik. I went down today and saw the bird for about an hour working the wrack line near the parking area. The bird also flew and sang while I was there. This may be the first mainland sighting in Alaska of a Sky Lark.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 21, 2012 - 11:17pm PT

Cyndie...great shots.

Some from the last few days.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Oct 21, 2012 - 11:35pm PT

Bob, your first chickadees are mountain chickadees--notice the eye stripe.
Black capped don't have the eye stripe. Great photos!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 22, 2012 - 12:10am PT

Thanks Steve...they are near my house...just assumed.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 22, 2012 - 12:16am PT

I thought a sky lark was just a car...

:)

Is this a red phalarope or a red-neck phalarope? & Why (pseudo-experts only)
If you don't have phalaropes in your neck of the woods then don't even try!

it looked different than the other red-necked phalaropes out that day.

thanks, I'm trying to honestly figure it out.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 22, 2012 - 12:48pm PT

A few from this morning walk.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 22, 2012 - 10:21pm PT

Birds...more birds.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 22, 2012 - 10:39pm PT

skylarks! Nice.

Bob, that is a great shot of the magpies.

A couple from the last few days.

dipper

climber

Oct 22, 2012 - 11:07pm PT

Nice dipper Mike, a cousin of mine.

Here are some White Pelicans near the mouth of Drake's Estero.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 22, 2012 - 11:53pm PT

Slater,
I realize your two 'phalaropes' are purportedly the same bird but it doesn't
look that way. The easiest difference between the two is their bills. The Grey's
is much broader and 'taller' with a more rounded tip as in #2.
Your #1 looks more like a Red-necked with its much finer bill. There are
other differences the chief of which is that the Red's back feathers in
non-breeding are darker with a more pronounced whitish edge producing a more
contrasting look and overall darker. The Grey's back is more uniformly
greyish. It is rather unusual for a Grey to be seen this time of year
inshore, let alone on shore. There is a seeming population of Reds which
winter in the San Diego area rather than joining their mates off the coast
of Peru.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 23, 2012 - 12:05am PT

Reilly,

Phalarope was changing plumages I believe...

the photo was taken during the summer. aug. 12
I've been working on this one for a while. It is the same bird. It burst out of that plant when I got closer.
The bill looks thin because the bird is moving and it is blurry, and the fine edges are not well defined, they're fuzzy, so the bill looks thinner because only the center of the bill is solid. Does that make sense? But i assure you the bird is the same. So you're suggesting a Red Phalarope?

I appreciate you weighing in!!! THANKS!

same bird before it flew into bush...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 23, 2012 - 12:41am PT

Oh, no, it is clearly a Grey with that bill - the Red's is much finer and
pointier. It looks a moulting juvenile to me which might also explain his
presence inshore. You know kids - always expect the unexpected! ;-)

You should get Shorebirds by Hayman, Marchant, and Prater.

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Oct 23, 2012 - 12:49am PT

It's easy to think of Pelicans as sea birds, but they exist in huge numbers in places a long way from the ocean. I took these shots in Saskatoon, which is pretty much in the middle of the Canadian prairies. The Saskatchewan river flows through the city, and at one point is held back by a very small dam. The pelicans hang out in the turbulent water on the downstream side of the dam. (Technically, it's a weir, not a dam, but I have no idea what the difference is).

These aren't serious birder pictures, but they're fairly sharp and will blow up nicely if you click on them. And after you've done that, and had a close look, maybe one of you real bird freaks can tell me what the weird tab is that sticks out above the bill (easily seen in the second and third of the three photos).

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 23, 2012 - 12:53am PT

White Pelicans are rarely at the sea. The "weird tab" is for sighting in on
their prey. OK, it is really just a male showoff item in the breeding season.

dipper

climber

Oct 23, 2012 - 01:05am PT

Here are some more white ones plus a new friend from the north. Maybe you know that one ghost?

Reilly, I am told the notch on the beak develops only during breeding season.
Can you direct me to a source for more on the use of this bump for feeding?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 23, 2012 - 08:11pm PT

My wife took this great picture of a young Copper's Hawk enjoying lunch on our front porch.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 23, 2012 - 11:45pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 24, 2012 - 12:15am PT

Slater, did you see my comments at the end of the last page?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 25, 2012 - 12:13am PT

yeah, I sent you a PM.
What is a Gray?
I was thinking either a Red Phalarope or a Red-Necked Phalarope.
so I am confused. I've heard good birders suggest both, but I guess I'm going with Red-necked.

Heading for Pixley NWR and Kern NWR and then might slide by Carizzo Plain on way home. I'll post photos this weekend.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 25, 2012 - 01:07am PT

Slater, my bad - I often use the British names for seabirds and shorebirds.
Their Grey is 'our' Red (Phalaropus fulicarius). I didn't get your PM.

Chimango caracara - Tierra del Fuego Nat Park

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Oct 26, 2012 - 09:18pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 26, 2012 - 10:02pm PT

Speaking of Chimango Caracaras, here is quite a collection of them that we saw near Ushuaia. It seems a barbecue party left a large carcass which attracted all of them in the area, it seemed.

We had gone to the local dump to look for the other Caracaras,
White-throated and Southern Crested.

The White-throated made a more dignified appearance in the park.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 26, 2012 - 10:37pm PT

Bob, where there are doves there are Cooper's Hawks - nicely illustrated.

Reilly, your Milvago chimango looks alot like our Milvago chimachima (Yellow-headed Caracara) here in Costa Rica. Just added YH Caracara to my yard list earlier this month (they are slowing expanding their range northwards). Caracaras are cool, and diverse - Red-throated is my favorite.

Slater, nice Prairie Falcon, and the Accipiter smorgasbord. I agree with Reilly on the phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius, because of bill shape and unstreaked gray back.

Keep those raptors comin'!

Cosmic, have you ever had a chance to see wild parrots (any Psittacid)?

The pressure to post good photos is too much...so I'll stoop to posting someone elses photo (Ernesto Carman). Worse yet, It's a bird I've never seen, but I feel like I know it intimately after spending 6 hours out in a cold mountain drizzle looking for it (didn't get home until 3:45 a.m.). The photo was taken 2 night earlier at the same spot where we looked for it. Listing can suck, but when I finally get the little bugger it will be number 831 on my Costa Rica list. The Unspotted Saw-Whet Owl (or Unspotable Saw-whet as we like to say):

john hansen

climber

Oct 26, 2012 - 10:39pm PT

Want to see if this works. Ok it does..

I have always had trouble identifing Gulls. When I was on the mainland a few weeks back I got these 4 visually, but this seems like a good way to identify them

These recordings are pretty cool for hearing the difference between gulls
and if you associate them with these captions it may help to remember them.

The Herring gull, very straight forward. The simplest song.
http://www.naturesongs.com/herg1.wav

The Ring billed gull. Like the little brother or sister with the high pitched whine.. " Ow,,, Ow,,, Owww,,,

http://www.naturesongs.com/rbgu2.wav

California Gull, the big brother making fun of his little sister,,
Ow,, Ow Ow ha ha ha ha ha ha

http://www.naturesongs.com/cagu1.wav

And the Gloucus winged gull..the most elegant song of the gulls, they sound like the ocean calling and are the gulls that would make elves long for the sea in the lord of the rings.

http://www.naturesongs.com/gwgull2.wav

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 27, 2012 - 12:14am PT

lots of great new photos everyone!

from this morning:

and yesterday. An Anna's doing the quick-change thing

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 27, 2012 - 03:02am PT

Beautiful shots, Mike! Thanks!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 27, 2012 - 04:34pm PT

Couple more from this morning

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Oct 27, 2012 - 04:38pm PT

Great stuff mike those cats are awesome

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 27, 2012 - 05:01pm PT

Yes, very nice shots, Mike. I especially liked the first Anna's HB with the pollen visible on his bill and head.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 27, 2012 - 07:26pm PT

Really beautiful shots Mike...not much from me lately. I'm heading down into Copper Canyon, Mexico in two weeks with my son. We are driving and I'm after birds. Should be a good trip.

Here are a few from today.

cliffhanger

Trad climber

California

Oct 28, 2012 - 01:00am PT

Excellent article:

Out of the Shadows: Black Swifts, North America's Most Mysterious Birds

http://www.audubonmagazine.org/articles/birds/out-shadows-black-swifts-north-americas-most-mysterious-birds

---

Here's an article from 1927 of a nest found in Tenaya Canyon:

http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1363018?uid=3739560&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21101316943561

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 28, 2012 - 01:21pm PT

Cliffhanger,

thanks for bringing this to our attention. It is one of the coolest recent findings in ornithology, and pertains to a bird that all western climbers have a chance of seeing.

Here is a link to the full 1927 Yosemite article mentioned by Cliffhanger:

http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v029n02/p0089-p0097.pdf

and here is a much longer (and interesting) article, mostly about nesting habits and the history of dicovery surrounding the species. It was written in 2007 but meshes nicely with the latest findings:

http://www.aba.org/thecoolestbird.pdf

its full of tales of places and advetures that climbers should like.

enjoy

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Oct 28, 2012 - 09:23pm PT

Pine Grosbeak, female, at the feeder in the backyard. Photo taken through the window so it is a little soft. I have a male that frequents the feeder too.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 28, 2012 - 10:02pm PT

Two new 5.11's in the San Luis Valley plus some great birds. The Sandhill cranes are back.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 29, 2012 - 12:18am PT

Here are a couple of ones that would have been new for me for the STBY, but I had a cold and drove.
*And I had to have help from Tony to identify the "peep". * thanks.

From Discovery Park/ West Point Seattle.

ps in edit: I don't think either of them is real common in Seattle.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 29, 2012 - 03:02am PT

Here's an interesting tidbit about Black Swifts. The species account in the book ""Birds of Yosemite and the East Slope" by David Gaines (Mono Lake Committee founder) and Keith Hansen, mentions the work of Charles Michael who was an early solo explorer of "inaccessible" points in Yosemite and elsewhere, and after whom Michael Minaret was named. He and his wife Enid chronicled species of birds and plants in the Valley. It seems their solo climbing was crucial for documenting this bird species.

Ledges on sheer, well-shaded cliffs, often behind waterfalls, cradle Yosemite's Black Swifts. From their misty nesting habitats, these shadowy scimitars range far and wide, materializing over meadows, forests, lakes and even mountain peaks. In late July and August, when parental cares are probably past, flocks of over 30 have buzzed the summits of Mt. Conness (12,600 '-MC), Mt. Dana (13,100'-JH) and the Dana Plateau (11,700'-DG).
The ruggedness and inaccessibility of the Black Swifts' breeding haunts have defeated nearly everyone who has sought their nests. Not so Yosemite postmaster Charles Michael, who not only located seven nests in Tenaya Canyon (approx. 6000') in the 1920s, but also secured excellent photographs of nestlings. "It was the wild, erratic winging of a lone Black Swift," he wrote, "that first attracted my attention. Such bewildering speed, such coordination of mind and muscle... Somehow the thought came to me of a great winged spider gone mad... While I watched, the bird suddenly swooped and fairly seemed to plaster himself to the wall not fifty feet from where I stood... The nest site was in one of the most inaccessible sections of a gorge as grand as any in all the Sierra".
"The nest was composed of the delicate pinnae of the five-fingered fern. Great banks of these ferns hung from neighboring walls, and it would be quite possible for the swifts to procure material while on the wing. Perhaps, though, the swifts may gather nesting material while clinging to a wall, as I have often seen swifts alight on a ferny ledge above Vernal Pall... The nest was placed on a bit of projecting rock ...located within the shelter of an overhung wall, thirty feet directly above a deep pool in the creek. The inner chasm is here very narrow; the vertical walls stand not fifty feet apart. The channel is dark and cool; in the long summer days the sun lights its depth for but a brief hour. And at no time or season does the sun ever play on the nest of the swift-cramped quarters, I should say, for birds of the wide skies" (Michael 1927).

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 29, 2012 - 12:59pm PT

In Big Pine on Sat.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 29, 2012 - 03:17pm PT

little z,

Embarrassingly, I somehow missed your post before I post. Thanks for the links. The longer one describing the exploits of the people searching for nests is quite compelling. Fortunately, egg collecting has essentially ended.

Also, about your Costa Rica list. Wow! How long have you lived there?

dee ee,
We saw a smaller flock of White Pelicans south of Lone Pine the previous week, too.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 07:53pm PT

Some new birds have shown up for the winter around here. I had hoped that a Rock Wren might be a possibility in the rocky hills behind us, I hadn't considered one showing up along the water in the riprap. I found one there and it has been around for at least 5 days.

It seems to be pretty tolerant of all the human and dog activity in the park, so it might even stay for the winter. Of course, it is pretty good at quickly disappearing into the rocks.

Here is a White-throated Sparrow that appears to be one of at least 2-3 individuals around here.

In the fading light, I finally saw a Sora that I had heard a few times previously. Here is a blurry shot take at ISO 3200.

I was also delighted to see that the 2 young Otters that were reared in the same pond are still around. I don't know if their mom has moved on.

I also went to check out a Tufted Duck at Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland. This is presumably the same bird that has been showing up since at least since 2007.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 31, 2012 - 03:09pm PT

Great stuff Tony. A few Evening Grosbeak shots from this morning. Really beautiful birds.

This Flicker also made a short appearance.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Oct 31, 2012 - 11:29pm PT

Finally got a shot of the male Pine Grosbeak. He is more flighty than the female.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 1, 2012 - 12:34am PT

Nice Cyndie..great looking birds.

I'm hoping to see a yellow Grosbeak when I'm in Mexico in a week.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 1, 2012 - 02:01am PT

What Bob said about the Pine Grosbeak. Bob; where are you going in Mexico, and are you climbing?

Cyndie; Do you think McKay's buntings will show up at your pad?

Darwin

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Nov 1, 2012 - 02:32pm PT

I saw McKay's Buntings last year, not at my house but at my local birding area about 5 miles away. They should return again.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 1, 2012 - 03:04pm PT

Darwin...driving down into Copper Canyon to Urique and some other villages. Should be fun.

cliffhanger

Trad climber

California

Nov 2, 2012 - 11:57am PT

The soap opera of bird life:

Passerine extrapair mating dynamics: A Bayesian modeling ...

One striking paradigm shift in the study of avian mating dynamics has been the realization that monogamy in bird species is not the rule (Lack 1968) but the exception (e.g.,Grifﬁth et al. 2002). Many broods consist not only of off-spring sired by the social father (the male providing care)but also of extrapair young (EPY) sired by a male who has engaged in one or more extrapair copulations (EPCs) with the focal female but provides no care for her offspring.Variation in the frequency of EPY is dramatic, varying from species without any EPY to species where,on average,almost 80% of offspring are EPY (Grifﬁth et al. 2002). The current consensus explanation of this variation recognizes a hier-archy of processes affecting the probability of producing EPY (WestneatandSherman1997;ArnoldandOwens2002;Bennett and Owens 2002; Grifﬁth et al. 2002; Westneat and Stewart 2003). Differences across species are probably due to differences in the division of parental care and in the cost scenario (for both parents) that unfolds when an EPYis produced (Mulder et al. 1994; Birkhead and Møller 1996;Gowaty 1996; Møller 2000; Møller and Cuervo 2000). An EPY entails costs to the social father when he provides care for an unrelated offspring, and he may therefore reduce his care or stop caring for the brood altogether, which will have repercussions for the female. Life history (especially longevity) probably plays an important role in mediating such costs, because the social male is more likely to desert a brood in case of uncertainty in paternity in long-lived species than in short-lived species (e.g., Mauck et al. 1999).

http://www.academia.edu/1925702/Passerine_extrapair_mating_dynamics_A_Bayesian_modeling_approach_comparing_four_species

Basic evolutionary rules for pair bonded species:

1. Find the best mate.

2. Also find the best genes outside of your pair bond to mate with.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 4, 2012 - 01:22am PT

It's been a busy week: lots of birds especially at the feeder, but the light in Seattle recently has been somewhat suboptimal, like 24hrs a day.

First the Nothern Shrike.

and
I was pleased as punch to get these photos given the light, but then I spoke to one our local "real bird photographers", and he apparently has a couple with prey (insects and "Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie, ", aka mouse. Any they were probably sharp, too.

Then, there is what I think is a Mallard/Shoveler hybrid, but I am open to all suggestions. It was hanging with Mallards.

Finally some feeder shots:

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 4, 2012 - 01:53am PT

Some good ones back there tony, Bob, Darwin and Cyndie! I like the White-throated sparrow and pine grosbeak.

From this weekend:

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 4, 2012 - 01:16am PT

Mike, great shot of the Pygmy!

I had a great time Friday leading a visiting English birder around. About
six months ago I came across a website called birdingpal.org. I signed up
and forgot about it. Then this guy emailed me. It was great despite having
a common language that divides us. He has birded seriously in the Lower
Rio Grand area so I was only able to find him about six or seven firsts to
add to his worldwide* total of almost 2000! But he was happy to get them.
It turns out I actually have some Europeans he doesn't! HA! ;-)

*Europe, N America, Gambia, S. Africa, Nepal, India...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 4, 2012 - 09:09am PT

Nice Mike. Kind of like mine only better. ;-)

Anyone have an idea on my "Shoveler/Mallard hybrid"?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 4, 2012 - 09:45am PT

Been SWAMPED with work and haven't been able to visit as much as I like. Sure missed seeing all this great stuff! Makes my day -

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 4, 2012 - 12:38pm PT

Hi Darwin,

cool Northern Shrike, a nice find.

your duck is a domestic Mallard, they often show big patches of white like that. Structurally there are no signs of hybridization, pure Mallard, but from domestic stock.

thanks for posting the great photos.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 4, 2012 - 02:32pm PT

Great shots Mike.

Here are a few from early morning walk along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 4, 2012 - 02:40pm PT

A lot of our wintering birds have arrived. Here are a few eating the local fare.

This Horned Grebe had to really work at getting the Sandeel down. It kept wrapping around its head. Eventually, he was able to subdue the fish and get it down.

Numerous plants are now producing berries, which appeal Hermit Thrushes among others.

There was a very cooperative Merlin.

It suddenly started to cough up what I expected to be a typical pellet of indigestible material from a bird. Much to my surprise, it appeared to be a frog or newt.

It then stared at as if to say "What was that?".

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 4, 2012 - 04:40pm PT

what a good run of photos!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 4, 2012 - 04:47pm PT

Yes, great shots. Especially Tony's wildlife-in-action-shots. Never seen one of a Merlin casting up a pellet, that's one in a million. The grebe wrastlin' the eel is pretty cool too.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 4, 2012 - 10:21pm PT

My new friend. Dark Eyed Junco.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 4, 2012 - 10:41pm PT

A ladderback woodpecker and a merlin! Been trying to find both of these for the longest time.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Nov 4, 2012 - 10:46pm PT

My husband had a Merlin fly by while he was changing his tires to winter tires. The Merlin flew so close it knocked his hat off!

I had some late evening action at my feeder tonight. But, by the time I got the camera I was only able to see the Downy Woodpecker.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 4, 2012 - 11:20pm PT

I finally got the Black Throated Green Warbler and Chipping Sparrow today at the Santa Ana Cemetary. I went 3 days in a row before success was had. An Indigo Bunting was also seen there last week.

In the afternoon I went to Caspers Regional for a White Throated Sparrow, no luck. There was quite a variety there though including Oak Titmouse. No pics though.

I love the rare bird alert!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 4, 2012 - 11:53pm PT

HA Tony great sequence! Fun when you stumble upon something out of the ordinary! Way to be there and ready!

I spied the woody and the moon and walked around until I got them to line up, then he lifted his head out just as I was poised and ready to take the picture. Thanks Woody!

Anyone got any good shots of a VARIED THRUSH??? Tried to find some today but it didn't go so well.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 5, 2012 - 01:21am PT

Slater,
I only have Varied Thrush photos that are too bad to post. Hopefully I can rectify that soon, since I saw the first one of the season last week while scouting our Xmas count area. I will take my camera next time.

Here is the photo I meant to post of the Horned Grebe dealing with the Sandeel (or Pipefish)

Fossil climber

Trad climber

Atlin, B. C.

Nov 5, 2012 - 04:11pm PT

Is a little avian doggerel permissible?

This occurred to me after reading a comment in an ornithology paper to the effect that a flycatcher's behavior was "adulterous".

The Swinging Flycatcher
(Empidonax promiscuosis)

Researchers have seen some lubricious acts
When observing the flycatcher Empidonax.
One published an anthropomorphic particular:
This flycatcher has “affairs” extracurricular!

Some scholars have termed this behaviour “adulterous”.
When in reference to birds, why, the term is insulterous!
There is no such thing as a “sin” among birds,
And “husband and wife”, Homo sapiens’ words.

As the empids are hard of identification
Their mating might also be “miscegenation”,
As the species are harder by far to distinguish
Than Chinese from Swedes, or Mandingos from English.

In an age when odd unions are quite unassailable,
In these days when folks mate with whatever’s available,
We can hardly apply moral judgemental terms
To empids or aardvarks, to emus or worms.

“Polygynous” might be more apt terminology
In scholarly papers anent ornithology.
(Says Empidonax proudly in re his polygamy,
“I am serving two females - and I think that’s big o’ me!”

Sorry about that. W.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Nov 5, 2012 - 04:37pm PT

Singing Parrot - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YYmEviJK5Hs

Norwegian Blue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=npjOSLCR2hE

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Nov 7, 2012 - 11:37am PT

After working and then voting, I drove out to the wildlife refuge to a lake with some open water after being told there was a rare bird sighted. I got there before dark and saw a juvenile Hooded Merganser, maybe the first sighting on the Kenai Peninsula for this species. This was a two thumbs up day!
The open water won't be there much longer. It is minus two degrees this morning.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 7, 2012 - 12:05pm PT

maybe the first sighting on the Kenai Peninsula for this species

that is pretty cool!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 7, 2012 - 12:16pm PT

Nice Cyndie!

I've been over to the Westminster Memorial Park twice in the last week for a Varied Thrush but no luck.
There was a flock of Cedar Waxwings though, pretty cool.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 7, 2012 - 12:28pm PT

I'm hoping that a Varied Thrush will come to our yard again this year. I have some really crappy photos from a year or two ago, but I'll spare you all those. They are pretty common around here, but that doesn't mean I see them a lot.

After my last feeder shots, I got kind of pissed a myself for the relatively low quality and just tried to focus (figuratively) while I was shooting. So the difference between these ones(better right?) and a couple pages ago was dialing back the iso to 1600 from 3200(slightly better light), using a tripod as a sort of gun-mount to get more stability, pre-focussing on a spot and waiting for them to arrive and maybe just patience.

Here is a link to the non-cropped not-on-Supertopo images
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_11_01_Shrikes/slideshow_htmls/P1020714.html

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 7, 2012 - 08:38pm PT

I dare someone to post a worse varied thrush shot!

the damn thing wouldn't come up out of the indentation in the grass!

mother - @#!%$*!# bird!!!!!! Then it flew up into the trees and the sun set and that was it!!!!!

I drove 15 miles to see you !

You suck! ha ha

It counts though, but very unsatisfying it was!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 7, 2012 - 09:33pm PT

Very nice shots Darwin. They really capture the "personalities" of these birds.

We managed to see a lifer today at Hayward Regional Shoreline. There had been a Harris's Sparrow being seen over the last week, so we took the opportunity to look for it after dropping a friend at the airport. We had just about given up after about an hour, when the bird landed a few feet from me. We were able to watch it briefly before a guy walking by clapped and yelled for his dog. All the sparrows flushed into the trees. Fortunately, after a while, we found it in the tree and it came down again for extended looks. It was quite a bit easier to pick out from the Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows (same genus Zonotrichia). It is our largest sparrow and quite a handsome bird.

[Edit] A very good way to celebrate the election results!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 7, 2012 - 09:42pm PT

Slater,

I can easily produce a worse Varied Thrush shot, but won't embarrass myself. Good find for so far south.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 7, 2012 - 09:48pm PT

Darwin, nice shot of the chickadee man.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 8, 2012 - 12:03am PT

Thanks, and luckily for me I can't find my worse Varied Thrush shot. I don't know about you all, but all the thrushes seem tough. I was impressed that Tony got such a good shot back a page ago.

Tony; The Harris's is a pretty bird. I originally misread your posting and tried to turn it into a Larkspur.

cliffhanger

Trad climber

California

Nov 8, 2012 - 01:57pm PT

Migrating birds lost at sea

An appalling combination of fog and winds around England’s coast this week have created terrible conditions for migrating birds, with some fishermen reporting to the RSPB the deaths of many exhausted and disorientated ‘garden’ birds plunging into the sea around their vessels. A professional boat skipper, said: “While fishing about 10 miles south of Portsmouth, we witnessed thousands of garden birds disorientated, land on the sea and most drowning. Species included goldcrests, robins, thrushes and blackbirds. The sky was thick with garden birds. I estimate I saw 500 birds die and that was just in our 300-yard sphere. On the way home we just saw dead songbirds in the water: it was a harrowing sight.”

http://www.rspb.org.uk/media/releases/327453-migrating-birds-lost-at-sea

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 8, 2012 - 02:30pm PT

Tony,

nice Harris's Sparrow. I remember chasing down my first one, back in N. Arizona.

I've seen the phenomena that cliffhanger mentions down here in Costa Rica. Was out in a boat once just offshore on the Caribbean right after sunrise and waves of migrants that had come down after their nocturnal migrations were flying in off the sea headed for land. There was a strong offshore wind and the birds were down right at the waves really fighting. Exhausted birds (mostly Empidonax flycatchers and Red-eyed Vireos) started dropping in the water. Most slipped under but a few were able to spread their wings and float on the surface, and a few of these were even able to take flight again. This was at Tortuguero where I was working at a banding station during fall migration. The local guys who used to patrol the beaches when the sea turtles were nesting told us about occasionally finding the beach littered with dead birds. One local guy even brought us a bird band he got out of the stomach of a fish!

Migration is the biggest test for those species that participate in it. Many birds don't make it, for all kinds of reasons.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 8, 2012 - 04:09pm PT

On Mark Hudon's Peregrine vid thread LittleZ brought up the slaughter of
Amur falcons during their migration through India. It is very disturbing.
Here's the link and I expecially encourage you to read the comments below
the article, in particular the seventh by S. Subramanya.

Amur Falcon Migration Slaughter

Perhaps more disturbing is that migratory birds are still being slaughtered
in Europe mainly in Greece, Italy, Spain, and most egregiously in Malta.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 8, 2012 - 04:28pm PT

Reilly,

thanks for bringing that over here were it is more on-topic, although a disturbing topic. Got to mix in the bad with the good (all those cool photos we get to see here) every now and then. But, the thanks should go to Ron. I had not heard about this until he brought it up on the Peregrine for breakfast thread.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 8, 2012 - 05:05pm PT

Great bunch of photos Darwin!

The Harris' Sparrow is a striking-looking bird. Nice one.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 9, 2012 - 04:16pm PT

Beautiful Evening Grosbeak outside the house today.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 9, 2012 - 07:02pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 9, 2012 - 10:59pm PT

I want to see an Evening Grosbeak. I know we are in their range, but I can't remember seeing one. ... maybe once briefly in Leavenworth?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 10, 2012 - 12:25am PT

Bob,
What's the story on your Junco? Like Darwin, the Evening Grosbeak is in the range where I live/frequent, but I have never managed to see one. When I come your way I'm going to count on you finding me some.

Riley,
Thanks (I think) for the link. It is sickening, but important to know about. I could only stand to watch a bit of it. I hope the Indian government and organizations can really rein it in. Of course, there are many such slaughter "traditions" that should be abandoned.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 10, 2012 - 01:31pm PT

Tony...the little guy hit our window. He recovered quickly. I saved him from the magpie that thought he was his next meal.

I'll have no problem getting you a Evening Grosbeak when you make you visit.

Heading down to Copper Canyon later today. Should end up with some good birds.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 10, 2012 - 09:33pm PT

From today - click on any of them for a larger version.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 10, 2012 - 09:34pm PT

Mike B - I feel I'm looking out my back window. Lovely photos!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 11, 2012 - 12:22am PT

cool cat

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 11, 2012 - 12:25am PT

MH2

climber

Nov 11, 2012 - 11:12pm PT

Much fascinating bird lore and photos on this thread.

Eagle Creek, next to our house, is tiny. At the outlet the other day I saw a little gray bird and a couple big fish.

The American Dipper, or Water Ouzel. Its song can be heard above the sound of the stream (the music of the stream spiritualized according to John Muir), one of several adaptations to amphibious life.

Looking for food.

Got something. From my view behind the lens I thought it was a baby crab.

The bird spent several minutes slamming the critter against the rock, then downed it.

It could just be the lighting, but it looks to me like there could be an extra hook on the forward-pointing claws. Something to help climb and walk on slippery surfaces?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 12, 2012 - 09:37am PT

Sitting at the border (Mexican) waiting to get my auto stamp, they open at eight. Great shots everyone. Here are a few from my stop at Bosque del Apache yesterday.

mctwisted

Trad climber

e.p.

Nov 12, 2012 - 11:36am PT

question for you bird folks? i'm often trying to catch the peregrines in my lens, this shot is from far away unfortunately, but it looks like the falcon could be carrying an egg. is this possible? or is it just the light playing tricks on me, and my little point and shoot?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 12, 2012 - 12:01pm PT

I think yer camera is on peyote. You too if you think a peregrine is flying
around with an egg.

Just kidding, but it is highly unlikely. ;-)

BTW, you might get better results by not zooming out quite so far and
then cropping the picture. If yer lens zooms to 300 try shooting at only
250. It might turn out sharper. You could also send me the original jpg
and I could sharpen it with my Nik Sharpener Pro program for you. You
might be amazed.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 12, 2012 - 01:50pm PT

Hey mctwisted,

a red Peregrine? well, turns out there are a few groups that are capturing migrating Peregrines for study and they mark each captured bird with a red dye when it is released. They do this so that they can tell when a new bird shows up at their nets/traps, i.e. not waste time trying to capture a bird that has already been processed, plus avoids the added stress of re-capture for the bird. The dyes don't represent individual distinctive patterns, however, each bird has a large color band on its leg that is unique and can often be read when the bird is perched. The dyes are natural and eventually fade, and the feathers will be replaced anyway during the bird's annual molt. Mct, the bird in your photo looks to have a full crop (big egg-like bulge), which means it just had a good meal.

Where did you photograph the Peregrine? There are researchers working on Padre Island on the Gulf coast of Texas, Assateague Is. off Maryland, and along the Washington state coast that all use dye on their captured/released birds (there are probably others). Here's a link for one group:

http://www.earthspan.org/42-years-of-peregrine-falcon-studies-at-assateague-island-md/

A painted Peregrine showed up here in Costa Rica last winter and was originally thought to be a Hobby (a European species that would have been a mega-find). Made for some great bird sleuthing to get to the correct answer. Here's a photo of that bird, the dye has mostly faded and pretty much only stains the belly, hence the confusion with Hobby:

NH2 - on another note, the Dipper in your marvelous photo sequence seems to be munching on a little fish, maybe some type of bullhead or catfish that show those sort of lateral spines. Thanks for posting.

Slater, you've got to comment on that Cali Condor? Wow, that's an awesome photo!

Bob, buena suerte en Méjico, can't wait for the report.

wilbeer

Mountain climber

honeoye falls,ny.greeneck alleghenys

Nov 12, 2012 - 06:02pm PT

hey dan,they tried in downtown rochester to re intro perigrines over the last few years,to cut the pidgeon population.those falcons had red dye around their necks,it turns out alot of them relocated,they were also tagged and tracked, some of them wound up in the tetons.one of my riding buddies is a falconer,he teaches it for the nydec,he has told me before that most falcons prefer live meals,they are not known to raid nests,like some wierd crows here.but who knows?cheers

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 12, 2012 - 11:49pm PT

Here are a few from Casa Grandes, Mexico to start.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 12, 2012 - 11:53pm PT

Nice Bob! Looking forward to your shots from this trip. I like the American Dipper sequence up there. That is a sculpin it is eating. If you take 5 shots, you will get one with the strange eye cleaner in place. This is true of a surprising number of birds.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 13, 2012 - 12:06am PT

Got this guy after climbing all day out at Figueroa Mountain, Los Olivos CA.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 13, 2012 - 12:11am PT

Bob,

I'm quite jealous of your trip. !!! but grinning from ear to ear. I hope you'll tell us about any climbing you did.

Check out our parallel Yellow Legs photos;

(ok I did mirror it hoizontally, and it's from July this year)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 13, 2012 - 07:56pm PT

Darwin...no climbing, just some bouldering. This place is loaded with quality rock and boulders.

Here are a few from today's catch.

Heading down the canyo to Urique tomorrow, should be great for birds.

Just had to post this photo...overhanging crag with maybe 30 to do classics. Just one of maybe 500 I have seen in just the last few days.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 13, 2012 - 08:18pm PT

Bob,
That outcrop is limestone, right? 'Cause of its size and depth, I assume Barrancs del Cobre is very heterogeneous geologically and contains everything from limestone, sandstone, granite and basalt. Damn!

Dar

MH2

climber

Nov 14, 2012 - 02:35pm PT

Thanks for the help on the dipper story. I have seen tidepool sculpin here, very close to where the dipper made its catch:

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 14, 2012 - 05:23pm PT

Where did you seen the Harlequin?

(added in edit: that's right, you live in Alaska, right?)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 14, 2012 - 05:26pm PT

Kick arse birds! I'm in Chicago working and the beautiful photos makes me home sick.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 14, 2012 - 07:25pm PT

Not much going on bird wise here in the CO front range lately, so thanks to all you folks for posting up fun new bird pics... Like the Dipper sequence a few posts upstream, they are very cool. Here's a few from a local Dipper family this spring...
A few days later, the Dippers get after it
A few weeks later, the baby tests the waters
Very cool birds - can't wait to see them again!
Happy birding all :-)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 14, 2012 - 09:55pm PT

Nice Dipper photos BN!!!

There are stong hints of another Snowy Owl irruption this winter. That's what the word is on the Tweeters (WA State+) mailing list: more than 12 on the beach up at Boundary Bay just north of the Canadian border, several seen around Seattle, Stanwood and the Nisqually Delta.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Nov 14, 2012 - 10:07pm PT

Just AWESOME photographs, all.
Thanks!!!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 15, 2012 - 07:44pm PT

A few more from Urique, Mexico

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 15, 2012 - 11:51pm PT

We don't get too many Painted Redstarts up here in Seattle, I say in my driest most understated humor tone of voice.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 16, 2012 - 12:54am PT

Bob, your b&w warbler looks more like a black-throated gray as I can see the yellow near the bill. That and the head pattern don't match up. Look in your guide and you'll see.

B&W Warbler...

party on

Nice redstart!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 16, 2012 - 12:24pm PT

A few more from Chihuahua, Mexico.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 16, 2012 - 12:56pm PT

Two other quickly identifiable differences between 'Blacks' are the shorter
and stouter bill and the much darker auriculars of the Black-throated Grey.
The Black and White's bill is finer and de-curved and the auriculars are a
much lighter grey.

BTW, Bob, cool shot of the Black-eared Bushtit!
Still a sub-species but who knows? ;-)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Nov 16, 2012 - 09:05pm PT

yeah, what Reilly said too...

;)

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 16, 2012 - 09:13pm PT

been playing around with digi-scoping, see if I can get some presentable photos. just a point-and-shoot hand held up to my scope. Here's a pair of Jabirus that were out in a rice field today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 16, 2012 - 11:04pm PT

A few more from Mexico.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 17, 2012 - 12:52am PT

Z, if you were only holding the camera up to the eyepiece then I'd say
that is more than acceptable. Besides, the one guy seems really happy to
pose for you.

Bob, that Thrasher shot is fantastic!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 17, 2012 - 02:36am PT

Bob,
Funny that you should post a photo of a Painted Redstart. I managed to see one that had shown up at Pt. Reyes. It seemed that it had been the end of rare migrants passing through, but another pulse must have shown up.

There were also a bunch of Palm Warblers around there. I had previously only see two of this species, but there were numerous individuals around the same spot.

Another lifer for me was a Tennessee Warbler at a nearby spot. Its green upperparts blended in with the Hemlock where it was foraging.

Last weekend we went on an Audubon boat trip around SF Bay. There was nothing to unusual until near the end when we were headed back into the dock. One of the folks on the boat spotted an owl on a barge used for construction of the new span of the Bay Bridge. I assumed it would be a Barn Owl, but instead it was a Short-eared Owl. It took off, chased by a couple of gulls, circled a couple of times and then headed off toward land. I managed to get a few shots.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 17, 2012 - 07:09pm PT

I saw a Short Eared Owl here in the OC at Fairview Park last week. I saw a report of a Harris' Hawk on the RBA (rare bird alert)and kept going back several days in a row. The second day I saw the owl and followed him (her) around for an hour or more in the tall dead shrubs. At first I thought Barn Owl but after 5 or six separate looks I realized Short Eared. I was glad it was as it was a lifer. I did get some good slope glider action there, Fairview Park has a good bluff and the wind was perfect out of the NW.
There was a Peregrine there, also confirmed on the RBA. No Harris though.

Yesterday a report of a Zone Tailed Hawk appeared in Lake Forest. Went on down this morning but no luck.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Nov 17, 2012 - 11:08pm PT

Had this Downy Woodpecker at the suet feeder this morning.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 17, 2012 - 11:18pm PT

A few more...Tony and everyone else, great shots.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 18, 2012 - 01:49am PT

Ooh,

Mexican Jay and Arizona Woodpecker. I got only unsatisfying views of both of these in my one short birding outing in Arizona. Need to get back there for those and many more that I missed.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 18, 2012 - 08:05pm PT

wow - some great shots and lots of birds I'd like to see someday!

I'm on the big island this weekend.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 19, 2012 - 01:00am PT

Great shots Mike!

Cranes...Bosque del Apache, New Mexico...one of those special places in the world.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 19, 2012 - 01:22am PT

Harris Hawks...Chihuahua, Mexico.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 20, 2012 - 10:16am PT

Cranes, Bosque del Apache, NM

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Nov 20, 2012 - 12:57pm PT

An Alpine Chicken (Ptarmigan)

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/65037107@N07/8165945266/]{{img}}h~~p://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/8165945266_31dbf2c843_z.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/65037107@N07/8165945266/]IMG_0802[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/65037107@N07/]jkmnomads[/url], on Flickr

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 20, 2012 - 08:48pm PT

very nice Ptarmigan photo Chewybacca, fits well with the climbing theme.

Here'a another digi-scope photo, another big wetland bird that stands still for long periods thus allowing me time to fumble with scope and photo gear. This is cool because it is a pretty rare critter here, or at least seldom seen. The Pinnated Bittern.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 20, 2012 - 10:17pm PT

A few more from Mexico.

tom Carter

Social climber

Nov 21, 2012 - 12:25am PT

Thanks to everyone

I come here nearly everyday to see your photos and listen to the good vibes

Thanks!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 21, 2012 - 12:37am PT

Bob - what is that last hawk?

A couple from today.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 21, 2012 - 12:42am PT

Chewybacca,
Nice one of the Rock Ptarmigan. It's interesting to see it in mid-molt. I have only seen one in the winter with its pure-white plumage.

little z,
I'm always excited to see an American Bittern. A Pinneated Bittern would have been a great sighting on our Belize trip, but no dice.

Bob,
Any idea on your 3rd photo? Some sort of flycatcher? Those Rock Wrens sure do get around.

I was delighted to see this Black Scoter nearby today. It's like meeting an old friend. Well, actually I only saw it last winter, but I'm always fascinated about where they have been in the interim. This guy was very entertaining last season with its displaying to Greater Scaup. It has this very plaintive whistle.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 21, 2012 - 12:43am PT

Mike,

I think it is a Ferruginous Hawk. Anyone else?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 21, 2012 - 01:40am PT

I concur although it would be nice to see the photo lightened up, which I
could do if I wasn't so lazy. But I'm 96% sure its a Ferruginous. The head
seems a little dark but I see the gray cheeks and everything else looks good.

I haven't seen our resident go-to ID Master Willoughby for quite a while.
Did we piss him off too?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 21, 2012 - 09:45am PT

I pretty sure it is a Ferruginous Hawk.

Here is another shot that I lighten up a little. Little more detail.

Tony...it is a Say's Phoebe.

Really nice morning light from Paquime Ruins.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 21, 2012 - 09:59am PT

What is this...Tufted Flycatcher?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 21, 2012 - 11:29am PT

Bob, it looks a Buff-breasted Flycatcher except for the 'tuft' and the
white under the tail. I'm not seeing the whitish lores but I am seeing
the eye ring to some extent.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 21, 2012 - 02:07pm PT

A few from the yard today.

Back home to the grind.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 21, 2012 - 11:48pm PT

A few more from Mexico.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 22, 2012 - 10:54am PT

I think these Pinon Jay's are thankful for our feeders.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Nov 22, 2012 - 11:11am PT

What, no wild turkey pics?????

hee hee hee. . .

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 22, 2012 - 03:58pm PT

Bob,

looks like you had a good time in Mexico, thanks for taking the time to post photos during your trip.

I'd agree with you that that little flycatcher looks more like a Tufted Flycatcher that a Buff-breasted. The hawk is a Ferruginous and I can almost hear the whimpering cries of all those Pinyon Jays when I see that photo. That call will always remind me of Pinyon-Juniper country out west.

Got some digi-scope photos yesterday of a Merlin. A bit far away and not so sharp or bright, but a hard bird to find perched here. They usually come screaming past in hot pursuit of some little bird. Notice that this guy (yes it is a male) seems to have something wrong with his right wing which droops a bit.

Well, this morning I was working about 3 miles from where I saw the Merlin yesterday. While standing there looking out at some field I started to see little feathers drifting past blown by the strong wind which was at my back. Started looking around and the only tree is about 150 feet away and so I walk over and find a Merlin hiding there plucking a White-collared Seedeater. Ran back to the car and got the scope and got these photos:

Look at the droopy wing, it must be the same bird from yesterday. Pretty cool. Obviously it seems to be getting by alright with the gimpy wing. Didn't see that it affected its flight when the bird took off yestreday.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 22, 2012 - 06:36pm PT

Great Merlin shots. I like those birds.

How about a Turkey Vulture for Thanksgiving? On our morning walk.

and a beautiful Kildeer

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Nov 22, 2012 - 06:52pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 23, 2012 - 05:22pm PT

A couple from the gray and rainy Northwest.

The Olympics from Discovery Park

Nice seeing the Black Scoter way up page. I'll never even start to confuse them again. This Surf Scoter gets better when expanded with clicking.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 25, 2012 - 03:25pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 25, 2012 - 06:37pm PT

Great shot Mike.

A few from today.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 25, 2012 - 07:03pm PT

yesterday we had a national duck count here in Costa Rica. Spent all day slaving over a hot spotting scope. I will now bore you all with losuy photos of great birds (for Costa Rica). The digi-scope photos will go from good to bad, but the worse the photo, the better the bird.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 25, 2012 - 08:05pm PT

Nice stuff Littlez...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 26, 2012 - 01:10am PT

It's called IMAX!
;-)

dipper

climber

Nov 26, 2012 - 01:19am PT

I came across this recently, what a resource.

http://losfarallones.blogspot.com/

All about the birds and other critters on the Farallones Islands off the Golden Gate.

A friend of mine is out there right now.

10b4me

Boulder climber

member since 2002

Nov 26, 2012 - 01:21am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 26, 2012 - 10:35pm PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 26, 2012 - 10:36pm PT

from this afternoon

Plus a bonus cat

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 26, 2012 - 11:46pm PT

WOW cool cat Mike.

I'm enjoying everyone's photos and stories even if I haven't post much here lately. Here are a few I dug up

Not sure what this last one is. Seen this summer in Michigan.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Nov 27, 2012 - 12:53am PT

It is wonderful to see my summer residents in your photos further south. Winter gets lonely as far as bird watching up here. Daily I see gulls, crows, ravens and eagles. At my feeder are black-capped chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches, and the downy woodpeckers. It is a quiet time in the cold north.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 27, 2012 - 01:20am PT

Flicker Fest from a few days ago... Love these guys!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 27, 2012 - 07:49pm PT

Great flicker shots Dave.

Love woodpeckers.

This little guy was outside the house this afternoon.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Nov 27, 2012 - 09:31pm PT

As usual, lots of great shots.
Matty, your last one looks like an immature robin
to me. . .but maybe knott. . .

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 28, 2012 - 05:53pm PT

A few from the yard today.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 28, 2012 - 06:18pm PT

BN, gorgeous Flicker!

SteveW, I agree about the Robin although the face disconcerts me slightly.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Nov 28, 2012 - 06:40pm PT

Reilly--I'm not totally certain, but those would be
the mottling due to the immature phase. . .

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 28, 2012 - 06:49pm PT

No, I mean that the supercilium and the malar stripe seem to meet to form a 'C'.
But I still give it a 97% probability of a Juv Robin.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 29, 2012 - 01:57pm PT

How many Lessers can you count? They just love this tree next door.
Haven't figured it out - they always seem to hang out in it when the
weather is 'bad'. 'Bad' being a relative term here in Paradise.

BTW, I just got the Peterson app for my iPod. It is pretty awesome. I
didn't see that there was also a Sibley app available so I didn't check it
out. Pretty happy with the Peterson but ignorance is bliss.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 29, 2012 - 05:59pm PT

The Black Scoter is still around. He is displaying to Greater Scaup with his plaintive whistle and poor results. Here is some video that I captured:

[Click to View YouTube Video]

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 29, 2012 - 06:10pm PT

Reilly if you aint got it yet i-bird pro is the best app I've found.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 29, 2012 - 06:26pm PT

A few from today walk around hood.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 29, 2012 - 07:06pm PT

Matty, now you tell me! iBird Pro does look good* and it is on sale for
only $5 rather than the usual $30 so how could I say no? But it is taking
like forever to download! Oh, wait, it is 577MB! Zowie!

*The customer ratings are astronomically high!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Nov 29, 2012 - 10:02pm PT

I love i-bird pro!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Nov 29, 2012 - 11:41pm PT

Two of my winter locals.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 30, 2012 - 12:05am PT

Wow Bob a photo of a Lewis's! Do you see them often?

Thanks Cyndie. How have the Lights been?

Tony, I really loved the confused Black Scoter. Laurel says: "I would be confused, too." Greyness has settled on Seattle again, but there are Snowys around town which I've tried to track down on my bike [ed], but to no avail.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 30, 2012 - 01:09pm PT

Nice shot's Darwin and Cyndie...the Lewis's are in the area. Saw four different woodpecker yesterday from my yard.

Today's catch.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Nov 30, 2012 - 02:20pm PT

Thanks to those who ID's my bird as a young Robin even if uncertain it's more than I knew before and I appreciate that.

chirp chirp

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 30, 2012 - 02:30pm PT

OK, so I am at a complete deadend on ID'ing this guy. Saw him in an oak
tree a few miles from the Mexican border west of Nogales in May. I mean
he has a beak like a Tropical Kingbird (it even has the little hook) but
the plumage looks more like a Grey Jay!

I'm going nuts! OK, make that nuttier!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Nov 30, 2012 - 05:41pm PT

great pics on the last few posts.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 1, 2012 - 11:42am PT

Cool pic Dirt.

Here are a few from this morning at the feeders.

TomCochrane

Trad climber

Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay

Dec 2, 2012 - 02:42am PT

i didn't take this picture, but did see something like this along the Columbia River the day before yesterday

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 2, 2012 - 12:20pm PT

as always, some great photos. Love the cardinal.

Back in Hawaii for a few days. Adult and immature night-crowned heron

and the sunset last night

john hansen

climber

Dec 2, 2012 - 01:42pm PT

Hey Mike, A bay?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 2, 2012 - 04:14pm PT

Good call John! A-bay it is.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 2, 2012 - 04:38pm PT

Good stuff Mike.

A few from along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM today.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Dec 2, 2012 - 08:31pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 2, 2012 - 09:11pm PT

Dang! You feed that lil guy some birdseed laced with 'ludes
To get him to pose like that?

NICE SHOT!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Dec 2, 2012 - 09:15pm PT

I cheated and ran the song on iBird pro (you're right Cyndie).

Two flew into the campsite and this one was singing and sat still long enough ;-) The never seem to stop moving...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 3, 2012 - 09:45pm PT

Today's catch along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 3, 2012 - 09:59pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 4, 2012 - 09:35pm PT

Yo, NorCalers, the Falcated Teal/Duck is back at the Colusa NWR near
Sacramento. They believe it is the same individual which spent a couple of
months there last winter. I sure wish it wasn't a 6 hour drive.

Falcated Duck!

perswig

climber

Dec 5, 2012 - 12:59pm PT

Dale

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 5, 2012 - 11:44pm PT

OK,now that I'm geeking it with my iPhone Ana iPad I gotta put another plug in -this time
Birdwatchers Diary app. They have country lists available, etc.

ps
Back in Sept a Crested Caracara was seen and photographed in New Joisy! WTF?

pps
This just in from the ABA = Xantus's Murrelet is being split into
Scripps's (how do you like that spelling?) and Guadalupe Murrelets.

Gray Hawk is being split into Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus, Mexico to western Costa Rica)
and Gray-lined Hawk (Buteo nitidus, central Costa Rica into South America).

ppps
Anybody checked out eBird.org? It was started by the Cornell Ornithology Lab
and functions as a freely accessible database. Pretty geeky, but in a good way.
Of course, there is an app!

BirdLog App

I don't see myself hauling out the iPhone to tot up every bird while actually
birding but at the end of the day it would be cool.

Here's a screen cap of their database for Fort Huachuca Spotted Owl sightings:

Pretty darn cool, eh?

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Dec 6, 2012 - 06:11pm PT

I like the Audubon app for ebird, it has it built in and from what I remember was cheaper than the other apps that had ebird. The others are good for submitting sightings, but I never do that so I get all I need from the audubon app...it has all the sightings, maps etc...you can search by bird or check out local sightings from the past.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 7, 2012 - 12:29am PT

Dirt Claud - that shot of the red cardinal in the snow covered branches was ALL TIME. I hope that before I die I can get that shot! It'd be a poster in my house! Nice shot! Beautiful contrasts of nature. Thank you!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 8, 2012 - 10:50am PT

A few from the yard today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 8, 2012 - 03:58pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 9, 2012 - 01:50am PT

Great shot of the evening grossbeak, Bob!

Totted up my lifers - still 15 or so short of 500! :-(
Gotta make a trip to Florida and the Rio Grande.

Ps If you want big gull beta go to

Www.tertial.us/gulls/variability.htm

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 10, 2012 - 12:32am PT

Beautiful grosbeak shots.

From the weekend. Click any for larger version.

MH2

climber

Dec 10, 2012 - 01:55pm PT

Aaah, birds are so... cheering. It is good to see these pictures.

(And I started out cheerful - this thread feeds into my point-of-view.)

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Dec 10, 2012 - 02:49pm PT

Wow, the bushtit didn't look like that through the binoculars!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 10, 2012 - 04:31pm PT

Really nice photos Mike...love the Lynx.

Here are few from today along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Dec 11, 2012 - 06:18pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 12, 2012 - 11:13am PT

Finally getting a half decent shot of this little guy.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 12, 2012 - 02:46pm PT

Downy's do love the suet. I see my Downy family daily on the suet feeder.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 13, 2012 - 11:18am PT

Hairy Woodpecker at the feeder this AM.

Beautiful bird.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 15, 2012 - 12:47am PT

Finally! A moment to check in on the beautiful birds here! Too busy with work these days. Great stuff everyone.

Have a new Hairy visiting our feeders these days. A new visitor - love it!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 15, 2012 - 10:52am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 15, 2012 - 12:54pm PT

Gorgeous birds Bob! Love the perky little head feathers. :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 15, 2012 - 06:05pm PT

RED ALERT!!!!!!
White Wagtail at San Pedro! Gonna go tomorrow!!
I have one, of course, from AK but a Cali one would be nice!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 15, 2012 - 07:15pm PT

Chasin "Wagtail" in SoCal eh? Sounds fishy to me...
Not much bird action here lately, but snagged a few pics here and there over the last month or so...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 15, 2012 - 07:20pm PT

Go Reilly! Our friend Steve Wolfe (lives there in San Pedro) got some nice photos of the White Wagtail last week. I hope you can get some too!

And YAY! BN has new photos up!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 15, 2012 - 08:41pm PT

Great photos Dave.

Front and rear shots.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 15, 2012 - 08:42pm PT

Great shots BM!

Crimpie, I just pm'd you re your friend down there for more beta. Thanks

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 15, 2012 - 10:16pm PT

Bird butt shots - hehe. Get 'em on a slab next time for some birdie stink buggin :-)

A few more from recent times out:
That's all I have for now - the folks in the warmer regions will have to keep the picture supply fresh :-)

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Dec 15, 2012 - 10:31pm PT

Dave
Your pictures are STUNNING!!!!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 15, 2012 - 10:54pm PT

Reilly - if you haven't met Steve Wolfe, you are in for a great surprise. Really nice guy and master photographer. We've met him several times this years for birding/photographer. More planned for next year. Can't wait to see what you get!

MH2

climber

Dec 15, 2012 - 11:08pm PT

Not recent: maybe the 50s?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 15, 2012 - 11:23pm PT

Don't you love the Muscovys? I do. Great photo of the light feathered one and the dark feathered one MH2. :)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 16, 2012 - 11:17am PT

Almost got away... almost.

My first, and very fun to see!

Can you find it???

Don't give it away if you do.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 16, 2012 - 12:04pm PT

Allons enfants du les oiseaux
Le jour du gloire est arrive!

White Wagtail, ABA Code 3, present and accounted for, Sir!

Photos, such as they are, to follow.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 16, 2012 - 12:25pm PT

A few from this morning around the front yard.

The Lewis's Woodpecker has really been a tease. I'll get a good one soon.

Good job Reilly...looking forward to the pictures.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 16, 2012 - 12:34pm PT

Beautiful shot of the Flicker Bob.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 16, 2012 - 12:35pm PT

Congratulations Reilly!!! Looking forward to your photos...

Not as exotic, but we had a Common Redpoll at our feeder this morning. Very cool!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 16, 2012 - 01:48pm PT

I did the Christmas bird count yesterday. It was clear and about 9 degrees. I found 8 species with a total of 39 birds.My best find was the only Spruce Grouse seen in our circle. Our group had 34 species with most being Bald Eagles, over 500 total. I drove 58 miles of backroads and spent about 5 hours out looking.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 16, 2012 - 01:50pm PT

Saw four different woodpeckers at the feeders and in the yard today. Taos is a pretty cool place for birding.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 16, 2012 - 02:27pm PT

Way to tough it out, Cyndie! Did the Xmas count in Wasilla and don't think the wife and me broke 50. But we did see a Kingfisher which got 'em way excited back at HQ. Also saw a
Brown Creeper!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 16, 2012 - 02:42pm PT

OK, we'll get the star of the show, and the worst pic, outta the way.

Sanderling flash mob...

Marbled Godwit doing breakfast...

Least Sandpiper...

High-steppin' Least... I want to call him a Long-toed Stint but...

Feral puddies here :-(

Feral humans...or dinosaur molars?

What man hath wrought...

Contemplative Whimbrel...No, wait, it's an Eskimo Curlew!

Willet or won't it?

How many do you see?

There were three of these lil guys there as a bonus...

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 16, 2012 - 07:36pm PT

Glad you found it! Not easy! That was in Yosemite, right off Tioga Pass Rd. where they closed the road near Crane Flat.

Did CBC in San Luis Obispo, 76 Cedar Waxwings and a Golden Eagle were the biggies in our section.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 16, 2012 - 08:23pm PT

Slater,I'm afraid my eyes aren't good enough to see your mystery bird. What was it?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 17, 2012 - 01:18am PT

I had to work for this one for the ST Biking/Hiking big year. Four hours of biking in 38F wind driven rain in beautiful Seattle/Ballard got me to a Snowy Owl. I also searched with no results for a Summer Tanager that's been hanging by a suet feeder in Wallingford. A house guest saw a luecistic robin at Magnuson Park today, but I missed it.

Me back at the home bikeport trying to get the pain out of my thawing little pinkie.

The snowny owls seem difficult to photograph because of the large dynamic range of their feathers.

And the owl watch scene in Ballard. I didn't see it, but there is apparently another one a couple blocks form this one.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 17, 2012 - 04:14pm PT

Great stuff Darwin.

Here are few from along the Rio Grande today near Pilar, NM

john hansen

climber

Dec 17, 2012 - 04:21pm PT

Rielly, try ckicking on the photo to enlarge.

I could not find it till I enlarged it.

Try the lower left above the big clump of snow.

Sorry Slater:)

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Dec 17, 2012 - 07:57pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 18, 2012 - 01:49pm PT

Snowy Owl! How cool!

Stahl, beautiful bird, wish pic was bigger.

OK so yeah it was a White-headed Woodpecker.
I saw it and then watched it walk backwards down the trunk of the tree as I frantically tried to zoom and focus in the dim conditions. I snapped it and thought I was too late, but when I got home I saw its head sticking up!

Ha ha, I try and have a photo for ID "proof" for all my birds, and that'll have to do!

Here is the ultra-zoom in so you can see waldo...

I also saw this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfKAYnZwCQI

and some crossbills, both yellow and red, way way way up near top of pines like 150' up

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 18, 2012 - 06:46pm PT

Finally got a good shot of this beautiful bird.

Lewis's Woodpecker, Taos, NM

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Dec 18, 2012 - 06:48pm PT

Nice Bob!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 18, 2012 - 10:33pm PT

It's a beauty Bob.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Dec 19, 2012 - 12:17pm PT

Really hard finding the fifth Willet, Reilly. Or are there six?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 19, 2012 - 11:35pm PT

One more chestnut from the feeder just a few days ago.

(I tried to digitally tone down the cap of the suet feeder,
because it was overpoweringly cyan,
and you can see some artifacts from that. otherwise is honest.)

see
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_12_16_Owls/display/P1020785.jpg
if you care.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 19, 2012 - 11:38pm PT

Gilded Flicker Darwin?

Very cool! Are the common in your area?

edit: Waydaminute! Gilder Flickers are not in Seattle, no? Very cool. Story?

double dog edit: Gorgeous!!!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 19, 2012 - 11:59pm PT

I don't know and didn't think so. I think it's (just) a Golden Shafted Northern
(unusual enough around here), but now you have me wondering.
I would have to defer to more established birders.

Originally, I thought "that's a pretty good picture
and aren't most of ours Red Shafted?
Then I totally forgot about the Red vs Yellow vs Gilded,
so you (Crimper) get the spotting award a me the dufus prize).

I'll make the rest of the photos that I took of it available
(with better views of the back and no digital fiddling) available.

In edit:{
OK, now I think I see your point:
red malar with yellow shaft has to be a gilded?}
Is that true y'all.

Crimpergirl, thanks.

http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_12_16_Owls/display/P1020783.jpg
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_12_16_Owls/display/P1020784.jpg
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_12_16_Owls/display/P1020785.jpg

and one of an owl
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_12_16_Owls/display/P1020775.jpg

Crimpergirl <- Cyndie in edit oops, sorry

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 20, 2012 - 02:17am PT

Darwin,

I think it is an intergrade Northern Flicker: Yellow-shafted x Red-shafted. It has yellow underwings and undertail and red on the nape like a Yellow-shafted, but a red malar stripe like a male Red-shafted. Also, the head and face is sort of combination of the two subspecies.

We found a similar intergrade on our Xmas count, but it was a female and had a different combination of characters. My photos aren't as good as yours which shows all the field marks. I had to use different ones to see the different field marks.

Are those Snowy Owls still going to be around in February when we are in Seattle? I'm also hoping for Reilly's White Wagtail to remain in San Pedro so I can see it next week while visiting SoCal. There has also been a Zone-tailed Hawk in the area.

dipper

climber

Dec 20, 2012 - 03:00am PT

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Dec 20, 2012 - 01:10pm PT

Great photos people. That last one Darwin took was really sharp.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 20, 2012 - 03:00pm PT

Great photos everyone....little cold here in Taos this morning.

Western Scrub Jay getting some early morning sun in the 0 degree weather.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 20, 2012 - 03:21pm PT

DIRT CLAUD!!! Amazing photo!

And Tony thanks for the info on the Flicker above. Cool bird regardless, and nice to learn that stuff.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Dec 20, 2012 - 04:03pm PT

Got it from this cool webpage on FB.

https://www.facebook.com/Beautiful.Amazing.World

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 22, 2012 - 02:46pm PT

dirt Claud- we're having trouble IDing your drinking bird! I better get a book out. I didn't know a bird was capable of striking that pose.

I've had a good week chasing the rare bird alert here in the OC. I saw the Eastern Phoebe, two Mason Pk. visits, White Throated Sparrow (tan morph), Irvine Park, Pacific Loon, one try Dana Point, and finally after 6 visits the Pygmy Nuthatch and Pine Warbler, Cowan Heights. We struck out on the Golden Crowned Kinglets.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Dec 22, 2012 - 07:44pm PT

My brother just sent me this link to the Audubon Magazines 100 greatest photos of the year. I thought you good folks would appreciate them also. I'm amazed at the talent of these photographers. Enjoy- http://www.audubonmagazine.org/multimedia/2012-photo-awards-top-100-0

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 23, 2012 - 12:38am PT

A few from my trip to Bosque del Apache today...such a beautiful place.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 23, 2012 - 01:10am PT

some beautiful shots the last week Bob

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 23, 2012 - 07:09pm PT

The shortest day of the year stayed rain free long enough for me to cycle out to Discovery Park/West-Point (Seattle). There weren't tons of birds, and most weren't cooperative photography wise, but it was a good day to get out.

River Otters even though it's salt water.

Our v. common Mew Gulls (unless I get corrected).

More Mew Gulls. The one on the left must be some hybrid mutant. ;-)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 23, 2012 - 08:19pm PT

Here is a 30 second video I took of an American Dipper, doing what it does best...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfKAYnZwCQI

You can actually see it swimming underwater!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Dec 23, 2012 - 09:32pm PT

I went to Kasilof River today to look at birds. It was 6 degrees above zero, the warmest day we have had in weeks. There was a stiff wind blowing so it was cold out there. I saw about 100 Common and Barrow's Goldeneyes, and 500 or more Rock Sandpipers. They were flying in large flocks up and down the beach white clouds of birds and then they turn and the clouds of birds are black. A beautiful sight.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 23, 2012 - 11:35pm PT

Thanks Slater and Cyndie. Cyndie, glad you got out and it was a really evocative post. Even though I lived in Fairbanks, I still whine about the lack of light and length of days even in Seattle. Getting outside, regardless of the conditions, helps. (edit: double wow!, I posted before the photos. loved'em)
Slater that was amazing Dipper footage. I've seen a fair number of them, but they've mostly always been hopping rock to rock. Y'all check it out.

(edit: I wish I could get as good a photo of a Northern Shrike as the Loggerhead, Bob.)

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Dec 23, 2012 - 11:45pm PT

You won't see many bird pictures from me -- two or three in this entire thread -- and I'm not a birder, but I love looking at your photos. Keep 'em coming.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 24, 2012 - 12:02am PT

The Dipper video really made me squeal! I love the way they bob up and down. And seeing him dive in was awesome. Really terrific share. Thanks. And thanks to all of you. This continues to be the best thread on the taco imo. :)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 25, 2012 - 12:14am PT

Slater,
I just saw your Dipper video. It is great. I've never been able to see much of what goes on underwater.

Cyndie,
That's some hardcore birding. I'd love to see even one Rock Sandpiper, let alone a flock.

With the recent rains, it seemed time to head out to Cosumnes River Preserve in the Central Valley to check out the wintering wildfowl. There weren't so many Cranes as Bob sees in New Mexico, but they are always a delight. These two seemed to synchronize their drinking
http://tonybrake.smugmug.com/Nature/Local/i-c2JnbDk/0/L/Cranes-2-L.gif

There were thousands of geese, mostly Greater White-fronted and Snow.

There were also these Aleutian Cackling Geese.

Many Tundra Swans, as well.
.

Of course there were lots of ducks such as this handsome Cinnamon Teal in other ponds.

We encountered an oddly behaving Great Blue Heron. Instead of flying off as we passed close by, it just squaked its disapproval and stood its ground.

A juvenile Peregrine Falcon made an appearance

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 25, 2012 - 01:00am PT

Wow... that's hardcore Cyndie!

Tundra Sqan... gotta get me one!

thanks for the postive Dipper feedback. I just love how they dip and the noise they make. One of my favorite birds now. Plump and full of pizzaz!

Here is my Christmas Bird for all you "turkeys" out there who love birds...
Saw it today on Christmas Eve...

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 25, 2012 - 01:27am PT

Summer Tanager - perfect holiday gift! Thx!!

dipper

climber

Dec 25, 2012 - 01:54am PT

Nice dipper slater, cousin Bob I believe.

A few from Tomales Bay today...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 26, 2012 - 12:09am PT

Still going through thousands of shots and finding boids I forgot about...

Una Torcaza/ Eared Dove - Iguazu

Toco Toucan/ Tucan Grande

I'm thinking the Toucan should be the Taco mascot.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 26, 2012 - 10:27am PT

Taco Toucans! Like!

Sioux Juan

Big Wall climber

Costa mesa

Dec 26, 2012 - 11:22am PT

Swans are bad ass birds.......if one comes after you ? ya better run

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Dec 26, 2012 - 11:37am PT

Slater, Thanks so much for the video of the water ouzel....I've watched it several times, Love it!!

If you go to Hwy , 99 between Chico and Gridley, you will see hundreds of Tundra Swans..

If by any chance you want to attend this, http://snowgoosefestival.org/
you can crash in our spare bedroom.

Field trips.
http://snowgoosefestival.org/events/field_trips.php
Tundra swan district # 10 viewing, on Saturday, jan, 26th.

edit.. for Lucky Pink...Next time you go to Delevan or Sacramento Bird refuge..call us.....

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 28, 2012 - 11:44am PT

AL the Laysan Albatross returns to Pt, Arena Cove MEN

The Laysan Albatross nicknamed "Al" (although sex is undetermined as of yet)and is the mascot of Point Arena Cove community and surfers, has returned once again to seek peace and quiet in the cove. Foraging at sea, this bird routinely returns to the cove to rest and sleep during non-stormy periods. I rate chances of seeing this bird from the dock during it's normal winter stay of early December through mid March as about 50:50. If you choose to travel to Mendocino County to see this bird I suggest to plan on at least a two-day stay ...and check the cove every few hours during the day, and especially right before dusk.

This year we feared that something may have happened to "Al" as we had no confirmed observation reported until recently. We were elated when the bird was reported on December 22nd. However, one visiting birder from Illinois (Donnie Dann) thought that he saw the bird fly by on the outside of the cove on December 3rd or 4th ... but was hesitant to count it as the bird had not yet been reported as "returned". Yesterday I was informed that a local Pt. Arena person did in fact see the bird on the water on December 6th by the buoy but did not know to report it to anyone. I think the bird avoided the cove for most of December due to stormy sea conditions (Pt. Arena cove is not a well-protected cove/dock).

Also, Chuck Vaughn, who is the "gatekeeper" for eBird reports in Mendocino County, recently found out that Richard Redmond, formerly of Chico and now from Texas, saw a Laysan Albatross at Pt. Arena Cove on February 15, 1991 ... which pre-dates Tod Easterla's and Jim Booker's finding the bird in 1994 (assuming same bird). It is anyone's guess as to how long the bird has sought refuge at this local.

Here is the history of this (assumed same) bird at Point Arena MEN:

15 Feb 1991 reported on eBird by Richard Redmond in 2012.
????? to 28 February 1994 when first discovered by Todd Easterla and
> Jim Booker – fed anchovies by Todd
> 30 Nov 1994 to 27 Mar 1995 report of two birds in
> synchronized flight beyond the "cove"
> 5 Dec 1995 to 14 Mar 1996
> 3 Dec 1996 to 26 Mar 1997
> 27 Nov 1997 to 8 Mar 1998
> 12 Dec 1998 to 21 Mar 1999
> 4 Dec 1999 to 12 Feb 2000 with a fly-by-the-cove (same bird?)
> on 2 Apr 2000 (G.Chaniot)
> 26 Nov 2000 to 26 Feb 2001
> 28 Nov 2001 to 24 Mar 2002
> 21 Nov 2002 to 12 Mar 2003
> 25 Nov 2003 to 28 Feb 2004
> 28 Nov 2004 to 21 Feb 2005
> 26-30 Nov 2005 to 19 Mar 2006
> 25 Nov 2006 to 16 Mar 2007
> 7 Dec 2007 to 5 Mar 2008
> 22 Nov 2008 to 23 Mar 2009 5:26 PM
> 18 Nov 2009 to 23 Mar 2010
> 22 Nov 2010 to 28 March 2011
5 Dec 2011 to 20 March 2012
3 Dec 2012 to ?? ?? 2013 (confirmed Dec 6th)
>
Since Laysan Albatross are so long-lived (50+ years) it is absolutely unknown as to how many years prior to 1991 that this bird may have been using Point Arena Cove un-noticed. Again, this is probably the only place on the west coast (WA/OR/CA) where one can reliably see this species with the observer standing on solid ground (not on a boat).

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I find it so intriguing, and a touch maudlin, that this solitary
soul returns to this lonely corner of the world each year.

I might add that this is courtesy of CALBIRDS@yahoogroups.com

LuckyPink

climber

the last bivy

Dec 28, 2012 - 03:21pm PT

Nita, thanks for your post re the snowgoose festival. checking out the art gallery online! I've enjoyed some of our best birding at Delevan et al.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 28, 2012 - 09:15pm PT

I am reticent to post this from Birdforum.net but I trust this won't result
in a mad dash to Wawona Meadow, except by me! ;-)

"My husband just met The Great Gray Owl of Wawona Meadow, Yosemite, just south of the edge of the golf course, about 9:45AM, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. The owl was sitting on a stump near the meadow loop trail and Stan was riding his bike. He was sitting so quietly and only about 15 feet from the trail, just looking at Stan. Stan talked to him and he flew up to a nearby tree where he had to peek around a branch to see as Stan talked to him. The owl talked back, making low squeaking sounds as if talking, too. Stan rode his bike underneath him, and when he looked at the owl, the owl made a face at him as if that was unacceptable behavior, and so Stan took that as his que to leave, so he did. It was an exciting encounter with a Great Gray Owl."

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 28, 2012 - 10:00pm PT

Reilly, so lucky!!!

Like your pic of the dove too... fancy feet!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 29, 2012 - 02:08pm PT

Slater, get yer butt up to the Modoc NWR - there's a Common Crane there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There can't be but one or two Cali records for them, if that!

Oh, and for the record, I swallowed my pride and sought professional help with my AZ
mystery bird I posted a page or two ago. It was a Mexican Jay! It just looked so totally
And blandly grey compared to the lovely bluish ness that Sibley portrays.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 29, 2012 - 09:59pm PT

Up on Whidbey Island over the holidays. Lots of birds.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Dec 29, 2012 - 10:44pm PT

Mike, that Varied Thrush is gorgeous!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 30, 2012 - 02:03am PT

Yes, Mike. Very nice shot of the Varied Thrush (and the others). They are very skulking and tough to catch.

While visiting SoCal for the holidays, I have managed to get out birding a few times. On one outing I visited Bolsa Chica Wetlands, which has been improved dramatically since my youth in the area. A Yellow-crowned Night Heron was reported last month. I managed to find it on my visit. The plumage has changed since it was first seen, so it was easier to pick out.

Here it is with a juvenile Black-crowned for comparison.

This spot has also become reliable for watching the wild foraging antics of the Reddish Egret year-round.

Blue-winged Teal, which are scarce in the SF Bay area, are also present.

We also saw this Large-billed (Savannah) Sparrow. They were formerly a separate species and may get split in the future.

I missed seeing a Zone-tailed Hawk that has been reported to be hanging out at a big Turkey Vulture roost. It turns out that it had flown in earlier than usual and was probably perched in the trees where I was watching. Damn! I will probably be able to give it another try before heading home. Maybe we will take the coastal route home and see if we can find a Gray Hawk in Carpinteria.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 30, 2012 - 02:28am PT

There was a White-faced Ibis at Bolsa Chica last week.

The Gray Hawk has been pretty reliable at Christmas Tree Ln.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 30, 2012 - 09:52am PT

So many awesome photos!

Lokesh

Mountain climber

Big Bear California

Dec 31, 2012 - 10:59am PT

[photoid=281369]

I'm Definitely not the kind of birder who goes for Big Years...Probably more birds got away then got counted this year, but it was a kick none the less and full of Great Memories and adventures from Denali to the Dry Tortugas. I hit 300 birds yesterday with an Elegant Trogan in AZ and a pair of spotted's in a flood ravaged wash in the Huachuca's. Ok for a beginner, and a lot of fun. I'll post a few more pics in the days ahead. Happy New Year!
And good birding to all in 2013!
Scott

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 31, 2012 - 11:05am PT

Congrats Scott - love the Trogon. Can't see enough of those!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 31, 2012 - 11:08am PT

Don't talk to me about Spotteds in the Huachucas! You're part of the disinformation
plot, right? Spent a good 4 hours scouring both branches of Scheelite last
May looking for them! But I'm happy for you, really. So, how did you find 'em?

ps
I'm grumpy this morning cause I got rained out of Bolsa Chica yestereday
looking for the Reddish Egret and the White-faced Ibis. :-(

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 31, 2012 - 11:20am PT

Yeah, cool Spotted Owl shot - he/she looks quite content all fluffed up and such! We also wondered around a few drainages last year in So AZ looking for these guys with no luck, maybe next time :-)

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Dec 31, 2012 - 12:28pm PT

I saw around 2,000+ White Faced Ibis yesterday at Pixley NWR in the central valley of CA. I couldn't count the number of Sandhill Cranes.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Dec 31, 2012 - 12:33pm PT

This thread just keeps on giving. You photographers are AWESOME!!!!
Thanks for sharing!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 31, 2012 - 05:21pm PT

Great shots everyone...really nice stuff.

A Cooper's Hawk paid a visit to the feeders today and didn't go away empty handed. I couldn't get a good angle on the bird but here are a few shots anyway.

A few random shots from the past few days.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 31, 2012 - 05:35pm PT

Saw a pretty ordinary bird today - a Mallard. What was unusual is where we saw him: Inside the Chase Bank Lobby on Table Mesa!

It was snowing and cold and there he was behind us waiting to make a deposit or something. I got a box and picked him up. He was perfectly fine with that (and made a deposit at that moment).

We drove him to a nearby lake by our home where we know there to be other Mallards and let him go.

Fun distraction from the day.

WBraun

climber

Dec 31, 2012 - 05:37pm PT

And loving it ^^^^^ ......

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Dec 31, 2012 - 05:52pm PT

Hooray for Crimpie and BN!!!!!
You two are WUNNERFUL!!!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 31, 2012 - 06:15pm PT

I'm not surprised at the Mallard's choice of bank. You ever watch those
drakes chase their wimmen?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 31, 2012 - 06:34pm PT

Nice photos all and what Steve said about Mallard rescuers! Mike Bolte; you don't live in Washington, do you?

I recently started frequenting nearby Magnuson Park here in Seattle. The birds there seem to be trained to pose better ;-), and the sun came out off and on over the last few days; thus, I had an easier time getting photos.

Don't worry about me getting it too easy with the sun coming out, though. I've been cycling a fair bit searching for Red Crossbills that are reported to be in every conifer stand in Seattle except for the ones near my house. For every minute the sun isn't out, it seems to be raining and misting and I'm not sure biking around a hilly city in darkish wet conditions in traffic is the best idea unless one is 24 yrs old and invincible. I am neither.

On one of these treks to the Arboretum, I stumbled on a cosmic bird grove
with a Pileated Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Golden Crowned Kinglet and
flocks of Waxwings.

I don't think that I've ever seen a Bohemian Waxwing, but in this flock there were some with lime and gray bellies (Cedar), and some with all gray bellies. I am tempted to call the gray bellied ones Bohemian, but *they lacked the white and yellow in the wings, and I saw no evidence of a tawny rump (ok undertail coverts, but I like the incorrect tawny rump better).
It's the time of year that they both might show up here. Unfortunately, the ones that looked larger were colored most like Cedars. They were very active and it was dark and rainy, or else I might have tried for some photos.

For now, I have to call them all Cedar Waxwings, but *if any of you North-Mountainwesterners can give me pointers about distinguishing between Cedar and Bohemian, I'm all ears.*

These first two photos are from Magnuson. There were also a ton of Scaups, mostly Lesser but some Greater.
Surprisingly, this was a first for me for the Hike-and-bike-STBY.

I wished I had used my new monopod Christmas present for this shot.

And the Wigeons are from near the Union Bay Landfill/Nature Area, which is even nearer my house.
(and a larger version:
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2012_12_22_Gulls/posting/w1.jpg);

The "under the wing color of an E. Wigeon.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 2, 2013 - 11:01pm PT

We went to visit Chase (the rescued Mallard) yesterday. It's been bitterly cold. I sat on the shore while the ducks asked for bread. Chase came up and sat down next to me in the snow. He enjoyed being pet. I want so badly to bring him home to live in the house!

We'll go see him tomorrow and bring him some wheat bread treats.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 3, 2013 - 12:10am PT

Cold and snowy Duck bump...

amyjo

Trad climber

Jan 3, 2013 - 12:41pm PT

Hi Slater
Fine images as always
Thank you.
I was looking at a line of Cranes high above Arrowhead Marsh (Oakland)
Blowing my little mind. Never saw them there before.
Maybe coming to take a look at the Coast?
Then I saw your Central Valley post & started researching.
Perhaps Pixley NWR? 6000 in January. Lodi?

Brandon-

climber

The Granite State.

Jan 3, 2013 - 12:44pm PT

Anyone got a list of what to look for in Panama/Costa Rica in a couple of weeks?

I'll be along the Panama/CR border the whole time.

Is it worth the effort to look for Quetzal (sp?), or is that a pipe dream?

For clarification, I'm not a birder, but I've always been fascinated with the sheer volume of birds when I've been down there in the past.

I've always wanted to see a harpy eagle, but I know for sure that's a pipe dream.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 3, 2013 - 12:59pm PT

Brandon, check out www.birdforum.net. Here's the Panama Forum:

BirdForumPanama

Today's top thread is a "Nesting Resplendant Quetzal" and two down is
"Crested Eagle feeding a young Harpy Eagle"!!!!!! Holy Quetzal, Batman!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 3, 2013 - 01:06pm PT

Brandon...I saw a Quetzal below Volcan Baru near Boquete. We also stayed at this place (http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g298424-d678426-Hotel_Finca_Lerida-Boquete_Chiriqui_Province.html); which also has amazing birding.

Also go to Pipeline Road near the Canal if you get a chance...Over 500 species spotted (not by me):-) in a 24 hour period.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jan 3, 2013 - 01:45pm PT

What, no pictures of Chase, BN?????

hee hee hee

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 3, 2013 - 01:50pm PT

Darwin - looks like you have a Eurasian Widgeon mixed in there. (Now I see what scuffyb was talking about at the gym last night).

Was up in Washington visiting family over the holidays. Sent you a note ahead of the trip but did not hear back.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 3, 2013 - 04:53pm PT

Mike and Darwin,

It actually looks like both a male AND a female Eurasian Wigeon. The female with the slightly rufous rather than gray head in two of the photos also seems to be sticking close to the male Eurasian Wigeon.

On our way home from a holiday visit to SoCal we managed to see the Gray Hawk that has been in Carpinteria for over a month. This is the first California record.

We were able to watch its accipiter-like flight as it hunted over the iceplant along Hwy 101. It was good we were prepared for a juvenile as it would have been a very confusing ID.

This made 4 lifers for me on this trip! First there was the Yellow-crowned Night Heron that I posted earlier. I finally saw a California Gnatcatcher, which has been a nemesis for me.

It took three tries but I finally saw a Zone-tail Hawk that has been wintering at a big Turkey Vulture roost.

A pair of local Crows had no problem distinguishing it from the Turkey Vultures

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 3, 2013 - 11:04pm PT

I saw the Zone Tailed in Lake Forest as well a few weeks ago, it took 3 tries.

We, Margy, Jake, the Vogel's and I started the year with a "Big Year" start. In M's case it is a "Large (Marge) Year." We got 46 on the first day of the year. I'm up to 50 now but I've been working till after dark.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 4, 2013 - 12:11am PT

I went to visit Chase today but didn't get a photo of him. I'll try to tomorrow. It won't be BN caliber, but it'll still be my buddy!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 4, 2013 - 01:26am PT

Tony,

Now that was a good trip to visit the inlaws. The Gray Hawk is prettier than I was expecting and the Zone-tail Hawk is such a boss looking bird.

Did you scope out the surf as you drove back? Does that section of the coast mostly just catch south swells (Slater?).

Darwin

Da_Dweeb

climber

Jan 4, 2013 - 09:47pm PT

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Jan 6, 2013 - 12:55pm PT

^Hehehe^

Great thread everyone, the photos here are inspirational to me. A couple of weeks ago I decided I was going to learn to take pics of birds in flight. I've always failed at bif shots and figure it is about time to remedy that.

We've been going to an area south of my house where lots of raptors hang out in the winter. Mostly light agriculture and pastureland, with a good dose of wetlands mixed in.

Here are my first attempts at BIF shots. I can see I have a whole lot to learn but I'm really enjoying the challenge.

Our first day out we came across a deer carcass about 150 yards from the trail. There were about 8 baldies lots of ravens and a couple of red-tailed hawks.
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The weather got a little rough but we were dressed for it.

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The next trip we saw lots of rough-legged hawks. Here is one taking off.

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Also saw a bunch of western meadowlarks. One of the more colorful winter birds we have here.
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More bald eagles as well-

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Yesterday the sun actually made an appearance. Turned out to be my best birding day yet.

A juvenile baldy with a full crop and poor table manners. Note this bird has only one leg.
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My favorite part of the day was when this rough-legged hawk let me get some bif shots.

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Here is an American Kestrel we saw on the drive home. Usually I avoid man-made objects in my wildlife snapshots, but I made an exception in this case.

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I hope you enjoy the pics, I know I've enjoyed yours. Looking forward to learning a lot more about birding and bird photos.

slabbo

Trad climber

fort garland, colo

Jan 8, 2013 - 05:30pm PT

Unless Pterrordactyls have come back, these look like wild turkey ? pretty big

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 10, 2013 - 11:55am PT

Love it Chewybacca (and others)!

Question for you. What field marks point to that being a Rough-Legged versus a juvenile Red-Tailed? Is he just way bigger? I would have mistakenly called that birds a young Red-Tail.

I've not seen a Rough-Legged before. Looking forward to your thoughts.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 10, 2013 - 12:29pm PT

Go Riles! A Flammulated must be damn rare down there.
Did you see my crappy pic of the White Wagtail I scored?

So it is rainy today and, like clockwork, the Lesser Goldfinches show up
in the tree next door. Not a leaf on it but they love that tree, when it
rains. I haven't figured it out. They just seem to hang out in it. It sure
doesn't seem all that special, to me.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Jan 10, 2013 - 12:30pm PT

Not much for me lately...too much climbing etc...but here are a few from yesterday..

Keep up the wonderful stuff everyone, I love this thread and seeing all the neat things that pop up.

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Jan 10, 2013 - 12:53pm PT

The Cornell lab of Ornithology put up this video...Its a pretty cool nature watch..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0Mmd70n36w&list=PLgSpqOFj1Ta7RLy1xxEuIY8nCTr-q6I0m&utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=076f6ef6b4-Cornell_Lab_eNews_2012_10_11&utm_medium=email

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 10, 2013 - 12:55pm PT

We have a tree like that off our back porch Reilly. Loaded with Goldfinch (Less and American), House Finch, and Flickers. It'll be sad the day that tree goes away.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 10, 2013 - 02:10pm PT

Great new pics everyone. Not too much going on around here lately, but we did have a Cooper's (we think) in the hood on New Year's day...

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jan 10, 2013 - 04:51pm PT

Nice start to the new year, sounds like there are some interesting birds out there, and folks are posting up great photos of birds that we haven't seen much before here on the Taco.

2012 was a good year for my Costa Rica list (the only one I really keep track of anymore). Got to 727, one off my high of 728. So far so good here in 2013. Carmiol's Tanager (formerly "Olive Tanager") was my first bird of the year. A good forest understory bird that was outside my room (this was at a hotel) at dawn. Already up to about 225, and today picked up a species that I missed last year, the Violet-green Swallow. That's always fun. Someone photographed a Bonaparte's Gull out on the Guanacaste coast about a week ago. That would be new for my CR list but have been too busy running around with work and time at home is at a premium.

Here's one of my best birds so far, at least one of my favorites. Sorry for the crummy digiscope photo. I see this species a few times a year but hardly ever perched like this so nicely. In fact we saw one later that same day at another location. That one was up flying.

Brandon - get up into the highlands for your Quetzal, either around V. Barú there in Chiriqui, Panama (above Boquete as already suggested, or at Cerro Punto on the CR side of the mountain), or up along the Interamerican Highway on Cerro de La Muerte once you get into Costa Rica. There is a good spot at KM 71. It's the Mirador de Quetzales / Paraiso de Quetzales. It looks a bit hokey from the highway but it's probably the best bet, and they charge a reasonable price, and you can do it as just a day visit, although they have cabins too if you want to stay. Not the best time of year, but pairs are starting to court, and early in the morning they are making lots of noise and doing courtship flights.

Good luck with the Harpy. You're going in the wrong direction if you want that one - you should be heading to the Darien.

I think Crimpie's right about that one bird being an imm. Red-tail rather than a Rough-leg (and she worded it all so nicely!), and Brassnuts, your yard bird looks like a Sharpy rather than a Coop (those fragile little stick legs are a give-away). Good on ya' for saving the duck!

Anyway, everyone have a good year.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jan 10, 2013 - 06:25pm PT

So, BN, you guys didn't score on the cardinal. . .

boo hoo!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 10, 2013 - 06:56pm PT

SteveW - we haven't had a chance to look for the Cardinal yet. BN has been down with the flu (or something equally nasty). I've been working and delivering tea and food and dayquil and nyquil.

Thanks for the comment about the Red-Tail. It is the only hawk I feel like I nail 100% of the time relying on the patagial patch and 'apostrophe' on the underside of the wings (plus belly band).

I would love to see a Rough-Legged. Never have. Made me wonder if I've been seeing many and thinking RTH.

Your eagle is gorgeous Little Z! G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S.!

We saw some Quetzals in Costa Rica up at Monte Verde. Very fun finding him (without guides) and getting a nice look at him. We saw most of our other birds on that trip near the bathrooms and food vendors. It became a joke. Did see a Scarlet in the wild which was awesome!

Thanks for the Sharpie/Cooper thought. That bird sat there for an hour or so. Didn't even need binos. He seemed small so I thought Sharpie at first. Then it became a Coopers more. Frankly, I suck at IDing them. I thought his legs looked skinny. I'll trust that instinct more.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 10, 2013 - 07:54pm PT

LOVE THIS PIC! Missed it earlier. Thanks for the laugh!!!!

BN wants to know if these are trappist monk swallows??

drljefe

climber

El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson

Jan 10, 2013 - 08:08pm PT

As I was leaving for work this morning I made eye contact with a large hawk who was on the ground in front of my neighbor's house in downtown Tucson. Probably a Red Tailed or maybe a Cooper's, I'm not good with bird ID.
When I returned home there was a large pigeon taken apart in my driveway! I knew it must have been the hawk! Awesome.
Just thought I'd share that and say- great photos on this thread!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 10, 2013 - 08:18pm PT

great shots Dave - some nice birds in there everyone. Nice shot of the titmouse. I'd love to see a hawk eagle.

I was driving down through the lower central valley this week.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 10, 2013 - 08:21pm PT

Mike,
Nice shot of a Yellow-billed Magpie, California's only endemic bird species.

little z,
Wow! I had to visit 5 continents to see that many in my best year.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Jan 11, 2013 - 01:02am PT

Good catch Crimpergirl. I'm still learning about bird ID and made a boo-boo on that one. Thanks for pointing that out. I just spent the last hour visiting hawk ID sites and I think I've got it now.

We went back to the same area today and got a few more pics, including some roughlegs.

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SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jan 11, 2013 - 12:12pm PT

Wonderful photos, Chewy!!!!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 11, 2013 - 02:25pm PT

Like Steve said Chewy, spectacular!

This old chestnut has been rehashed with a number of subjects. My favorite that hit closest to home concerned the rejection of a scientific paper. I don't work for that boss anymore. Anyway this one is for you Coloradans(sp?).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdTTxTGcFQs]

I think there may be copyright issues, so look quickly. I know in the past the original movie owners have jumped bad. Actually it could apply to me and Red Crossbills or Varied Thrushes at the moment.

I saw Brown Creepers, Ruby Crowned and Golden Crowned Kinglets this sub-freezing morning, but no Crossbills. From a park a few minutes from my house yesterday:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inzxNQSudqk]

*obviously(?) neither is my video*

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jan 11, 2013 - 03:43pm PT

Wow Chewy,

amazing photos! keep it comin'

Darwin, that is so funny. I'm forwarding it to about a half-dozen of my friends who are all little Hitlers when it comes to listing and such. What a laugh!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 11, 2013 - 04:55pm PT

wow! great images Chewy!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 11, 2013 - 11:18pm PT

I have to say that w.r.t. image quality, y'all have upped the bar. I'll never even hint at dismissing expensive glass (or skill) again!

And the "skinny little stick legs" was a revelation. Nonetheless, it was a rare and erratically sunny day here, so these are from the commute today:

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Jan 11, 2013 - 11:28pm PT

it was freezin' in the Monument last Sunday and we had Quail Springs all to ourselves all morning.

This guy sauntered by and posed for pictures.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 11, 2013 - 11:30pm PT

Pelagic trip tomorrow.....whoooo hooooo!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jan 11, 2013 - 11:35pm PT

Git some!!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 12, 2013 - 01:15am PT

Great stuff. LOVE The Rough-Legged. I would love to see one. Fab photos Chewy.

Darwin - I'm still laughing at the Hitler video. We had some Common Redpolls at the feeder recently and I SO wanted to make them Hoary. Great stuff. Love the CoBirder element. Heh.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 13, 2013 - 05:05pm PT

Two from today. The Lewis's Woodpecker is a really beautiful Bird.

Bald Eagles along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM

Townsend's Solitaire

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 14, 2013 - 12:14am PT

I was in Sacramento for a week. I went out bird looking a few times. Here are a few photos. I got a Townsend's Warbler, new bird for me, no photo though.

And when I got home I saw my Pine Grosbeak.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 14, 2013 - 11:46am PT

Another great page on the birds thread! I love all the birds on it and Cyndie's photo compositions. I had a really good couple of days within walking/biking distance of my house. I got a good view of a Bohemian Waxwing (lifer for me) just around the corner from my house in a flock of Cedar Waxwings feeding in a juniper bush. And I finally saw my first Varied Thrush for the STBY, again a block from my house. I'm now calling that "the magic bird block". Sadly I have no photos of those. I saw and got sunny photos of the Red Crossbills that have been hanging in our area for a couple weeks now. They area apparently type-III, i.e. they mainly feed on Douglas Fir cones.

Sorry about the focus, it was cold enough that I could barely see through the camera (ok it was only freezing, but I'm a coastal wimp). The colors are accurate and pretty different from those in the book.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 14, 2013 - 11:50am PT

Darwin, I seem to recall Bohemians*, other than my rels, being fairly common
in Seattle BITD. Are they declining too?

*Believe it, or not, I am 1/4 Bohemian! :-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 14, 2013 - 11:52am PT

Love all the photos! I've yet to see a Crossbill. Too cold to go out when they are around. I'm a supreme cold-weather wimp.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 14, 2013 - 12:00pm PT

Crimpie, I do NOT believe it w.r.t. cold weather wimp.

Reilly; There are tons of Cedar Waxwings here in the spring and summer, but now I think it's a pretty big deal in the birding community if someone sees a Bohemian Waxwing, like I've only seen one other posted for Seattle this winter. There seem to more east of the Cascades. None of this is based on statistics, just my perception. I don't know about historically, as I've only seriously paid attention over the last two or three years of the twenty I've lived here. Cool about being Bohemian.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jan 14, 2013 - 12:13pm PT

take a look at this eBird generated map of Bohemian Waxwing:

http://ebird.org/ebird/map/bohwax?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=1900-2013&byr=1900&eyr=2013

(wow, that's a huge link) - EDIT: I see you have to first zoom in with the + - tool on the left to get to the state you want to see, then click the "show points sooner" box on the right to get the blue and red report pins.

the red pins are reports within the last 30 days. Looks like they are more common on the E slope in Wasington this year and are getting down into the Sierras around Tahoe and into Colorado. I had my life Bohemian Waxwings in Ft. Collins when I was at CSU. In winter they used to crash into the windows on campus (especially the dorms on the south side of the athletic fields) and we used the carcasses for practice in preparing study skins in my ornithology class. Still one of my favorite birds - so sleek.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 14, 2013 - 01:59pm PT

Nice stuff Cyndie and Darwin.

Chickadee's Black Capped and Mountain.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 14, 2013 - 02:41pm PT

Bob,

Both in the same tree?

Regarding Darwin's Crossbills and Waxwings, we have had high numbers in the SF Bay Area of some northern wintering species that tend to be irruptive: Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, Varied Thrush and RB Nuthatch. Maybe something up north is sending them further south this winter.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 14, 2013 - 03:47pm PT

Tony...same tree. We seems to get a lot different birds here in Taos.

I been chasing these Lewis's for months in my area. Move one of the suet feeders to this little Aspen tree and they have been showing up daily.

Really beautiful birds.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 16, 2013 - 11:07am PT

White Crowned Sparrow and Evening Grosbeak in the yard today. A balmy minus three.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 16, 2013 - 11:41pm PT

Hi y'all,
The pelagic trip was spectacular, we got 15 new life listers. The rarest one was the Manx Shearwater!

Here are a couple from the last couple of days with my new camera. The Harris' Hawk took 6 visits to Mile Square Park. There is really good birding there.
The Sparrow and Shoveler are from Bolsa Chica. I thought the Sparrows were eating bugs but I was wrong.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 17, 2013 - 12:25am PT

bob, go read your email!!!

Thanks!

Slater

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Jan 17, 2013 - 02:19pm PT

Awesome pics Bob DA and Dee Dee
Here is one off the net, but thought it was really cool.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 17, 2013 - 02:41pm PT

Dang! Beautiful photos. This thread just keeps giving!

john hansen

climber

Jan 17, 2013 - 08:28pm PT

If you dont mind me asking Dee. what equipment are you using?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 18, 2013 - 12:33am PT

John, I just got a Canon SX50 HS. I had an SLR in mind but after checking out all the options in my price range, and hooking up with a camera nut ("I'll talk cameras all day"), and an extensive conversation with Todd Battey that's what I got.
I read the manual and the features are mind boggling! 24mm to 2400mm, image stabilization, fish eye, movies, special effects, face recognition, macro....the list goes on and on. You can trigger the self timer with the blink of an eye. OMG.
I couldn't be happier!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 18, 2013 - 05:07pm PT

Hey Birders...

I am finishing up with the Southern California Climber's Guide and put a "Climber's guide to Birding" in the back with pics of 50 birds in the back.

I still need a good shot of a Calif. Towhee, Clark's Nutcracker, and a red Crossbill.

Closeups only please! I'll take your pic and put it in the guide!

Send them to tomslaterphotography@yahoo.com

thanks! Need ASAP!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jan 19, 2013 - 06:47pm PT

Sweet Dave!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 19, 2013 - 07:12pm PT

Riles and Crimps, despite living in Washington and Alaska I only have just
the Red Crossbill - no White-winged. :-(

Didja know crossbills have a specialized 'pocket' in the middle throat that they store extra seeds in?
An individual may consume as many as 3000 conifer seeds in a day!

A group of crossbills is a "crookedness" or a "warp"!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who comes up with that shiz?

edit:
I just checked my lifelist.
I do have a White-winged! It's been so long I forgot! :-(

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jan 19, 2013 - 07:52pm PT

"All ahead Mr. Sulu, Crossbill factor 1"

"Aye, aye Captain"

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 19, 2013 - 08:07pm PT

DE - those are some impressive pics for a P&S camera, cool. What was your range for those shots?

Hey Slater, below is a California Towhee shot I got last year in the RPV area. I'm happy to have you use it in your book if it fits your needs. This is obviously a low rez version - I can crop etc. the original as needed.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 19, 2013 - 08:09pm PT

That's not good enough, BN. HaHaHaHaHa! Just joking!
Really nice light. And it was nice of the petting zoo owner to let you
shoot there and pose him on the hay bale! ;-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 19, 2013 - 08:27pm PT

Brass Nuts, the range for the Harris' Hawks head was only about 30 feet. I have no idea what the magnification was. The others were farther, more like 100' or less 60'?
It seems like when I'm trying to get close the magnification is pretty maxed out.
I have gotten good closeups from REALLY far away, like 200-300'. It's better at 40-80'.

It's hard to get those fast moving birds.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 19, 2013 - 08:41pm PT

I have been amused by these folks I see with no binos and no books, just cameras. I've talked to some and they aren't even very concerned with what they see, till they get home. Then they ID and post.
I was stoked to get home with this one and get a life lister. My mother in law pointed out "no wing bar," but I'm still going with Red Naped SS.
What do you guys think, hybrid or...?

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 20, 2013 - 12:58am PT

Brass - a big YES. Send it!
Man, they're all over my backyard but I looked and ... nothing but crappy photos of them, ha ha.

How about the others???

Clark's Nutcracker?

Red-crossbills anyone? anyone?

Bueller???

this just in

climber

north fork

Jan 20, 2013 - 12:38pm PT

Slater saw this just east of J-Tree, yes you can use it.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 20, 2013 - 04:57pm PT

dee ee,

That looks good for a Red-naped to me. I just saw my first Yellow-bellied a couple of days ago and took many photos. In the majority the white bar was covered by flank feathers.

For more than you'd ever want to know about Sapsucker ID:
http://www.paradisebirding.com/picidae/HybridSapsuckers.pdf

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 20, 2013 - 06:10pm PT

De ee - While we were in Morongo over T'giving, we say some hybrids. I wonder if that is what you have going on.

If not, I lean toward the Yellow Bellied mainly because I see a glimpse of yellow on the breast of your bird (see first photo). Also think I see some faint yellow on his vent.

But also because male Yellow-Bellies can have some red on their nape. Some sources say the red nape is unreliably because of that reason.

Either way, beautiful bird you saw!

Thoughts anyone?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 20, 2013 - 06:17pm PT

Slater,

Here is the best I could come up with for an adult Red Crossbill.

I realized I have no photos of Clark's Nutcracker. I'll have to rectify that.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 20, 2013 - 06:20pm PT

I don't understand why they separate the Red-naped and Yellow-bellieds.
I see them as a cline. But for the sake of hitting 500 this year I sure
hope they don't get lumped!

edit:
Who wants to drive up to Davis tomorrow for the Iceland gull?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 20, 2013 - 06:25pm PT

I looked at the bird a while thinking "Red-Naped" but then noticed the bit of yellow. Then saw the glimpse on his vent.

I've battled with their IDs before. The link that Tony posted is nice!

Hard for me to get past the yellow knowing the red nape can be misleading for sure.

But I'm an amateur so I'd love to hear other thoughts too. I posted the Willoughby appreciation thread before this question. Sure makes his absence even more a bummer.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 20, 2013 - 06:26pm PT

I'd love to go Reilly. Wish I could! Too far a drive (heh heh) and I've got the crud right now. Boo on the crud.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 20, 2013 - 06:32pm PT

Regarding dee ee's sapsucker, all three (RN, RB, YB) have yellow on the underparts. They used to be considered a single species, Yellow-bellied. If it is a first-year bird, Yellow-belled are slower to develop adult-type plumage. According to the paper I cited earlier (http://www.paradisebirding.com/picidae/HybridSapsuckers.pdf), field guides fail to convey the complexity. I was forced to wade through this when we found a likely hybrid in Christmas count a couple of years ago.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 20, 2013 - 06:36pm PT

Good stuff Tony. I haven't read that link thoroughly yet. Crud is preventing that concentration. So is it that he seems to be developing slowly that makes you lean red-naped mostly? The lack of full malar stripe had me wondering red-naped.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 22, 2013 - 02:31am PT

Crimpie,

For first -year Yellow-bellied, I was referring to brownish color in the head well into winter. I have only seen juvenile Red-breasted, but here is an example of a juvenile Yellow-bellied taken in lat eFeb (not mine)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13237694@N00/6933115435/sizes/l/in/photostream/

I think dee-ee's is a female Red-naped judging from the white chin.

I concur that we need Willoughby to keep us honest.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 22, 2013 - 09:48am PT

nice shots tony

I'm in india for a few days.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 22, 2013 - 10:05am PT

Thanks Tony. I learn so much from you guys. I can read all day, yet a quick conversation offers 10 times more information. I'll see if I can coax Willoughby back to offer more Sapsucker tips. I guess it's no coincidence that the Cornell birding team of greats calls themselves the Sapsuckers!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Jan 22, 2013 - 11:36am PT

Hey, anyone got that Duckumentary link?

I went to PBS to show it to my students and the stupid PBS webpage has it but it won't play, there is not "play" button.

dumb

I got my students all psyched for it!
There is a 1 minute short on youtube... but not the same.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 22, 2013 - 12:59pm PT

Beautiful shots (as usual) Tony. I'm anxious to see the duckumentary link. I'd not heard of it before. I sent an email to Willoughby - maybe he'll come on by here.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 22, 2013 - 01:41pm PT

Or shorebirds for me. All birds within a mile of water are "peeps". :)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 22, 2013 - 02:12pm PT

I see nothing to suggest Dee ee's bird isn't a pure (or pure enough) Red-naped. In truth, most of my experience with hybrids is Red-naped x Red-breasted. There's a broad zone of hybridization (you can find lots of mixed pairs and hybrids around Mono Lake), so there's lots and lots of them out there, but they're also pretty easy to pick out. But with these two...
I don't know how little red on the nape it would take to make it a hybrid, or even a pure Yellow-bellied. The malar is bold and thick near the bill, but definitely peters out well before connecting to the bib, so that really leans toward pure Red-naped. The fairly limited white barring on the back also definitely looks like Red-naped. They ALL have a little yellow on the belly, as Tony stated, even Williamson's, so don't let that lure you in any direction.

Look at the malar on this bird, which showed up during the South Lake Tahoe Christmas Bird Count:

Makes me wonder. I know Steve Shunk, author of that article, and I think I'll send him these and see what he thinks. I hadn't even considered Red-naped x Yellow-bellied hybrid for this bird, figuring it was an older female with lots of red in the chin. Good chunk of red on the nape, not much barring on the back, but now the malar has me scratching my head.

Another thing to consider with sapsucker ID is that Yellow-bellied stays in juvenal plumage waaay longer than the other two. So if you see a juv. sapsucker in November or December (or even all the way into March), you have a Yellow-bellied. This Yellow-bellied showed up in Tahoe two Novembers ago:

EDIT: "Willoughby Appreciation Thread????" What the what???

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 22, 2013 - 03:17pm PT

Thanks Willoughby! I made it far more difficult than it needed to be. Learned some good sapsucker stuff though.

And hell yeah an appreciation thread! You are missed!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 22, 2013 - 09:37pm PT

Nice to have Willoughby back...I say Northern Shrike on this one.

Mike..great shots from India.

10b4me

Boulder climber

Somewhere on 395

Jan 23, 2013 - 05:49pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 23, 2013 - 10:10pm PT

Bob,

I'm not an expert on Northern Shrikes; but the bill looks right if you click and expand your photo. I can't really see the the face mask though.

Darwin

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 25, 2013 - 11:41am PT

Wow, good eye Crimpergirl, and thanks everyone for the comments.
I just returned from a Mojave Trail moto ride with a broken shoulder so I will have time in the next few weeks to study up on hybrids (and go birding!).
One of the coolest things about the ride was when we stopped at Marl Springs (a bug tub of water way out in the middle of the Mojave). Our 45 minutes there interupted the local birds daily drinking habits and by the time we left the brush was filled with hundreds of birds waiting to drink! I had a sort of epiphany that I was getting much more enjoyment out of birding than riding. A couple of hours later while trying to pick myself off the ground I was sure of it. It's a lot quieter as well.

Got this lifer right before leaving at Bolsa Chica.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 26, 2013 - 02:58pm PT

dee ee

Sorry about your shoulder. Shit! BUT cool about the bittern (American, right?), and you got a good photo of it, too! I still have never seen one.

I found that birding really went well with shoulder recuperation after my surgery 1.3 year ago. Find a good PT!

Darwin

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 26, 2013 - 04:06pm PT

Darwin...I agree. The beak has a hook at the end of it. Northern for sure.

Deedee, sorry about the shoulder. Hope you heal fast?

Here are a couple from today.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 26, 2013 - 04:13pm PT

Dee ee, yes, very nice! How did you get him to pose so?
One of my most prized lifers is a Lesser I saw fly by in Kansas about half
past oh-dark-thirty.

Here's a real lifer for y'all: Southern Giant Petrel.
He's a bruiser at about 35" long! Rarely seen anywhere close to shore we
were extremely fortunate to see him/her in the Beagle Channel south of
Ushuaia. They will come inshore in bad weather but this was great weather,
by Fuegian standards. Hey, it didn't rain but a few times that day and the
wind never got above 15 kts! Sweetness!

This is a 3rd year immature IMHO.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 26, 2013 - 10:26pm PT

Thanks for the well wishes y'all.
Wow that Giant Storm Petrel is rad!

I tried taking pics from the couch today. It was fun but the plate glass had an effect. Got a lifer though, A Lincoln Sparrow I believe.
There was one I am not entirely sure about. Marge found the perfect id in Sibleys but in Peterson she looks like an entirely different bird. I've been seeing them around but could never decide. I carry Peterson's while birding.
I was also a little confused by the large dose of oxycodone.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 27, 2013 - 03:22am PT

dee ee,

Sorry to hear about your accident. I imagine there were some cool desert birds at the springs you mentioned. It's good you have some nice birds to entertain you during your rehab. The first photo looks like an Orange-crowned Warbler. Maybe the oxycodone will produce some more exotic sightings.

Reilly, those Giant Petrels are definitley imposing. Here's a Least Bittern that was around two years ago. It was pretty entertaining to watch skulking around and fishing.

Michelle

Trad climber

Toshi's Station, picking up power converters.

Jan 27, 2013 - 02:24pm PT

Any taco birders here on the sf peninsula?

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Jan 27, 2013 - 02:59pm PT

Mr. Dave Evans, I hope your shoulder heals quickly.

I was supposed to go to Seward yesterday to look for the rare Siberian Accentor, however the winds were blowing 40 mph and the temperature was in the minus degrees and my birder friends decided not to go. I was disappointed and could have gone alone, but it is 180 miles roundtrip winter mountain driving. I chose to stay home. So, I took photos of my feeders instead. We had no wind but it was -18 in the morning and the high was 6 degrees.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 27, 2013 - 04:25pm PT

Thankyou Cyndie! Have fun up there in the cold!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 27, 2013 - 07:18pm PT

An albino Black-crowned Night Heron from Hahn Park in LA

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

Panorama City, California & living in Seattle

Jan 27, 2013 - 08:13pm PT

The Whitney/Williamson cam system

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 28, 2013 - 01:29am PT

Thanks for the photos:
Least Bittern, beautiful.
Red Polls a rarity around here, and darn pretty.
(weird) Black Crowned Night Heron
good photo of the Flicker

I paddled around a point in pre-Exon-Valez Prince William Sound and found myself in the middle of a raft of Harlequin Ducks. I recognized them immediately and have been fascinated them ever since. Since then I've only seen them four times or so, and I had never seen them in Seattle proper in the 20 years I've lived here. This year another bicycling birder mentioned a marina an hour's bike ride away where they sometimes hang. So, I know they are not the best quality photos (no sympathy deserved from Cyndie, but my fingers did get numb in the cold wind and rain) and there are too many of them, but they sure are cool birds. I'm still trying for a really good photo of them.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 28, 2013 - 08:29pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 28, 2013 - 09:33pm PT

Oregon Black-Eyed Junco at the house today.

This pretty Pine Siskin also showed up.

John M

climber

Jan 29, 2013 - 09:20pm PT

I don't know if this has been posted before, but its pretty cool. Birds of Paradise. Amazing stuff.

http://www.wimp.com/birdsproject/

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

Panorama City, California & living in Seattle

Feb 2, 2013 - 06:43pm PT

Sorry Kittie!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 2, 2013 - 11:03pm PT

Today I drove down to Seward in search of the Siberian Accentor, a rare bird in these parts. It was 36 degrees, no wind and light rain in Seward. I arrived about 10:00AM and there were three other birders from Anchorage looking for the bird as well. We all traded phone numbers and searched. At about 12:30 the other three left to look for other birds while I continued to look around "ground zero" a two block radius where the bird has been consistently seen. I got a call from one of the other birders as I told them that I had not seen a Yellow-billed Loon. They had one in the bay and in less than five minutes I was there looking at it through the scope. Now that is the way to bird! Back to "ground zero" where I saw a Brambling, a Gray-crowned Rosy Finch but no Accentor. Then the phone rang and we ran as quickly as we could on icy roads up a block where a local birder had the Siberian Accentor in sight. We all had good looks for about 30 minutes as it scratched at the clear ground under some spruce trees. Awesome! I got 4 life birds today. It was a great day to bird.
I am posting some photos from Carol Griswald, she is the local birder in Seward that helped us find the Accentor. Thanks Carol.

john hansen

climber

Feb 2, 2013 - 11:55pm PT

Cindie, those are great birds.

axlgrease

Mountain climber

Santa Cruz, CA

Feb 3, 2013 - 12:17am PT

Here are a few from a recent trip to Kaua'i.

Nene (Hawaiian Goose) taken at the Kiluea Point National Wildlife Refuge:

Laysan Albatross taken on the north shore of Kaua'i:

These guys have a rookery in a neighborhood on the north shore of Kaua'i. They return to the same nesting site each year, and can live for 60+ years. Apparently, this was a nesting site, and it looks like they built a subdivision there. Now they nest on the lawns, in the flowerbeds, and next to driveways. The homeowners are very protective of them, so I won't give away the exact location.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 4, 2013 - 08:10pm PT

Holy smokes, Cyndie, those are some terrific birds! Here are a couple from your neck of the woods, but currently hanging out in moderately deep water in Lake Tahoe off Tahoe City, pair of Long-tailed Ducks. I took these photos from my kayak today:

They've been hanging out in that corner of the lake for about two weeks now. I've seen one other pair of Long-taileds in Lake Tahoe, but these were certainly my closest looks!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 4, 2013 - 08:26pm PT

Cyndie, very nice!
I'll never get those in the OC.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 4, 2013 - 08:34pm PT

Here's a pair of drake Harlequins for Darwin, right off the jetty in Arcata, CA, two winters ago:

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 4, 2013 - 08:59pm PT

Nice long-tails Willoughby and harlequins too. I saw both this weekend in Seward along with golden-eyes, surf scoters and white-winged scoters, pelagic cormorants and other of our usual sea birds.
Thanks everyone for the encouragement. It gets difficult to get out and bird during the winter here and I was psyched to add four lifers to my list.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 4, 2013 - 09:08pm PT

Nice photos Cyndie...great stuff.

Moving back to Colorado's Front Range in March, drove up this week to check out the new house and see my two kids and grandchild. Took these pictures in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado.

Amazing the winter markings on the redtails.

The Golden Eagle was just stunning.

john hansen

climber

Feb 4, 2013 - 09:43pm PT

Great pics everyone.

I was talking with my brother last night and he was toying with the idea of making a pair of binoculars with a built in digital camera.
I searched the web and found a few that are made ,but the reviews were all pretty bad.
It seems if Nikon or Sony or Cannon came out with a real quality product some thing like this would be great.
So easy after years of using binos to find your target and focus in. If you could consistantly get shots of what you are acually seeing thru the eyepieces it could be fantastic.

Sounds like they have a long way to go, still stuck with spotting scopes with camera adapters. They work great but binos would be good for close in work with small active birds
Can you imagine 12 or 16 mega pixals thru a pair of Leica's?

http://www.opticsplanet.com/digital-camera-binoculars.html These all seem real cheap

Perhaps there is already one on the market.
Shoots , I would pay 3 grand for one if it really worked well, and then sell all my telephoto lenses :)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 4, 2013 - 10:50pm PT

Hey Bob, great photos(!), but those are both Rough-legged Hawks, down from the arctic for the winter.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 5, 2013 - 10:18am PT

Willoughby...thanks. :-)

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 7, 2013 - 01:55am PT

Bought a new camera, Canon SX50 HS. I am loving it. These were taken through double-pane glass, hand held. Just some common birds at my feeders.

john hansen

climber

Feb 7, 2013 - 02:03am PT

I just got the same camera. I have not had time to check it out. It seems pretty cool.

Do you know what setting they were taken at? 600? or?

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 7, 2013 - 02:09am PT

They were shot at about 600.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Feb 7, 2013 - 12:46pm PT

Bird bump. Nice new pics everyone. Pretty quiet in our hood, only a couple more months until many of our feathered friends return :-) One of our favorite Boulder area visitors in warmer weather:

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 7, 2013 - 12:54pm PT

QITL, or whatever you is, here's yer summit denizen...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 7, 2013 - 03:03pm PT

I don't know where Wiki gets that, they are nigh ubiquitous on the high and
seemingly sere summits. They have forged an amazing niche for themselves.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 7, 2013 - 05:29pm PT

Cool photos! I'd love to see a rosy finch! I guess I'll have to go up Mt. Lylle! 12 mile approach... sigh.

Been looking for a Harlequin duck with no luck.

So big question... ANYONE EVER BIRD IN IRELAND? I am going in 7-2014 and hope to see some cool stuff. I know... long way off... but I have a dream.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 7, 2013 - 05:54pm PT

Slater, me, me! But it was winter so it was just the usual estuarine suspects.
While Ireland is certainly worth going to on its other merits the birding
prolly isn't its top draw, not that it can't be good. I advise you to start
perusing www.birdforum.net. That is a British based site so you will get
more than you can hope for in terms of beta. There is an Ireland specific
thread if I'm not mistaken.

edit: They have a Northern Ireland and a Republic thread. That seems a
bit odd but I guess the Proddy birders don't want to be lumped. ;-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 7, 2013 - 08:10pm PT

Two from today, not great photos. The last time I saw a Red Breasted Sapsucker was in 1981 at Suicide Rock.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Feb 7, 2013 - 08:27pm PT

Ooh, one of my favorites, there, dee ee.

Reilly, I don't think there's a conflict between Wiki and you regarding the
rosy finch.
All mountain summits could be plastered with the things, and they still
would be rarely seen. How many birders go to the tops of mountains?
Certainly quite a lot never get anywhere a rosy finch.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 7, 2013 - 08:36pm PT

Scuffy, no argument there but the rather more scientific description of a
specie's abundance is to be found in the likelihood of seeing it in its
appropriate habitat, not how hard it is to get to that habitat. ;-)

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 7, 2013 - 10:09pm PT

MH2

climber

Feb 8, 2013 - 12:44am PT

Had to do some catching up but well worth it.

I sure appreciate the opportunity here to see and learn about birds without getting cold or needing too much patience.

I prefer to let the birds come to me. This one came a good distance. Again, I didn't personally go the 20 minutes or so to have a look myself. This photo is from the Vancouver Sun newspaper.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 8, 2013 - 10:12am PT

Really nice photos everyone. Heading to Chihuahua, Mexico again in a week or two. maybe I'll finally get a thick billed parrot.

At the feeder yesterday.

Lewis's Woodpecker...just love these birds.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 8, 2013 - 10:34am PT

Willoughby; thanks for the good Harlequin photos. Besides their funny patterns, they have beautiful colors that can come out in the sun, not that I would ever see the colors. Funny to think of it now as Sunny Arcata. I lived years in Humboldt Co, and I never noticed them.

I never get tired of the Lewis's or for that matter Flickers or almost any of these photos. Tony and I saw Red Polls here in Seattle, but not well enough for my tastes and it's nice seeing how beautiful they are.

The Red-flanked Bluetail has been prominent on the birding lists up here. It's currently at Queen's Park in Vancouver. The Bewicks Wrens and some other birds are really starting to sing up here. It doesn't feel like Spring, though.

MH2

climber

Feb 8, 2013 - 12:35pm PT

raven sequence

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 8, 2013 - 02:57pm PT

MH2, love the ravens!Bob D'A I have never seen a Lewis' Woodpecker, they are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

Panorama City, California & living in Seattle

Feb 8, 2013 - 07:49pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 8, 2013 - 08:30pm PT

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary

MH2

climber

Feb 8, 2013 - 08:42pm PT

dee ee

I was knocked out (figuratively) by one of those in Red Rocks and you've done it again. There is something about the way they flash that throat at you.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 8, 2013 - 11:13pm PT

I went to the Kenai River to look for birds this afternoon. Not much around. I did see this Bald Eagle.
This is what the afternoon looked like, 28 degrees, no wind.

labrat

Trad climber

Auburn, CA

Feb 8, 2013 - 11:17pm PT

Burr

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 9, 2013 - 12:17am PT

ekat... how sad!

I killed a western bluebird while birding along a road once... I stopped for a bit to do some viewing. When I started moving again my engine flushed some birds along the side of the road and the bolted every which way... one straight into my car fender! it made me wish I'd have stayed at home that day!

thanks Reilly for the Ireland beta!

I saw this bad boy in Santa Ynez... Vermilion Flycatcher! Thought I'd have to go to SE Arizona to see one... but saw one on the central cost of Cali!

Only bummer he was too far back to get a good photo... but he was a burning ember glowing bright on a cold gray day... spotted him 200' back from the fence line from a moving car! Let's just say I got out of the car before it completely stopped.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 9, 2013 - 11:20pm PT

Today at the bird feeders....

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 12, 2013 - 12:26pm PT

Great photos Cyndie.

Here are a few from today...a flock of Evening Grosbeaks, Juniper Titmouse and a Mountain Chickadee.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 12, 2013 - 02:15pm PT

Sweet Great Blue Ratonator!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 12, 2013 - 02:34pm PT

Yeah cool to see the GBH with rodent! Ravens cool too.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Feb 12, 2013 - 04:56pm PT

Clapper Rails on Saturday, at Arrowhead Marsh in Oakland.
One adult, then a juvenile with antenna, then another adult sighting, which
may have been the same bird as the first.
Adult and juvenile came within a couple of feet of each other.
This was at my minimum range for 7x35 binoculars.
Amyjo had to switch to naked eye.
Also, some really fast Western Grebes fishing in shallow water, throwing
wakes and making bait fish fly through the air.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 12, 2013 - 10:52pm PT

Clapper Rail...that's top on my list for Bolsa Chica after seeing the American Bittern again. Dang.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 12, 2013 - 10:57pm PT

I've been making a major effort to get a photo of the super secretive Ovenbird that is here in the OC. Here is my best effort! At least I got him in the frame this time!

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 13, 2013 - 12:07am PT

Digging the new additions!
From a recent trip.
Don't have the glass I wish...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 13, 2013 - 12:51am PT

Upupa epops! My favorite!

Dee, it only took me 15 (or was it 20?) seconds to find it! ;-)

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

Panorama City, California & living in Seattle

Feb 13, 2013 - 01:12am PT

This thread is for the birds. Oh, Oh - I have a starling photo.......through a glass door with a Canon SX50

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 13, 2013 - 06:15pm PT

Great stuff Delhi.

Here are a few from the last few days. Townsend's Solitaire, Juniper Titmouse and a pretty Bald Eagle pair.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 13, 2013 - 06:58pm PT

Love that Juniper Titmouse. Any bird with a crest is cool!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 13, 2013 - 08:19pm PT

TTR- the Ovenbird is in John Baca Park in Hunt. Beach. It's a hard get but...Park off of Ellis and walk down by the cement catch basin. The continueing Solitary Sandpiper should be in the basin. Immediately north of the basin walk (into the bushes)between the Toyon bushes on the basin side and the Toyon bushes on the "gulch" side.He is exceptionally secretive. The Ovenbird can be seen routing around in the leaf duff beneath the Toyon bushes on the basin side or the gulch side. Most of the folks that have been successful will go down in and just stand there where you can see both sides. In anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes the OB may present himself. The thing is there are two Hermit Thrushes nesting in there so make sure you see the top of the head.
It took me 8 visits before I ever saw him but yesterday I saw him twice, about 1/2 hour apart. I've seen him 3 times now but photos are diff. When I went there today with my wife Margy we struck out. She did score the Solitary S.
The other good score there is the Least Flycatcher which is usually seen further down the gulch. I've seen him twice towards the other end.
There are lots of Goldfinches, House Finches, Kinglets, A proud Kestrel, a bunch of Anna's and Allen's HBs and a Bell's Vireo.
It's a weird little spot and on the weekend lots of birders still trying to see em'. Best on a weekday at 8 am but the middle of the day is good too.

The local hotties are calling it the Patagonia Rest Stop.

The other great birding spot (besides Bolsa Chica)which is only 2 blocks away is the Hunt. Beach Central Park. It's a gay hookup spot but they don't bother birders! Lot's of locals run, ride and walk their dogs there every day, super cool park, lot's of habitat, tons of warblers, also a Pin Tail Wydah if you are lucky. Park in the library parking and head down towards the lake, then go around the brushy area to the south (both sides)and maybe into the Eucs on the hill. Possible Palm Warblers, Black and White Warblers, Mannikins etc.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 13, 2013 - 08:33pm PT

Your welcome. I just wanted to share what has taken me months to learn!

ps. not to mention 5 million Yellow Rumped W's!

pps. I found the Golden Crowned Sparrow a few days ago as well in Laguna Canyon. It was not a lifer but good for the 2013 list.

john hansen

climber

Feb 15, 2013 - 10:24pm PT

Where and when did you get that one Dingus?

Is that Shasta in the background?

Nice shot.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 17, 2013 - 12:43am PT

I went for a drive today from Soldotna down to Homer. I made stops in Ninilchik, Anchor Point and other spots to look for birds, no species in particular. I had a great day, walked on the empty beach and picked up agates and saw about 20 species of birds. It was about 24 degrees and no wind until the Homer Spit. I did see an injured Bald Eagle and called the local wildlife person to let them know the location.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 17, 2013 - 02:41am PT

We recently got back from a great visit to Seattle with Darwin and Laurel. In the evenings there wonderful musical performances as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the UW Ethnomusicology Dept. During the days there were birding outings. The Skagit area is always good for Geese and Swans. There were large groups feeding in the fields.
Of course, where there are wintering geese, there are Bald Eagles all about.
I’ll leave it to Darwin for photos of the owls. As there was last winter, there is an irruption of Snowy Owls south of their usual winter range. We saw 9 Snowys near a town called Stanwood. We also saw an incredible number of Short-eared Owls perching, flying, and stooping in the area.

The next day we visited Elliot Bay. There was a huge (~50) group of Barrow’s Goldeneyes. Here is a pair that was displaying in the marina.

A few Harlequin Ducks were a ways off from the marina.

In the marina, a Belted Kingfisher was foraging using the boats to perch.

This Glaucous-winged Gull (the predominate gull here) got a prize starfish.

A California Sea Lion bull was hauled out on one of the docks.

The bird of the day was a Rhinoceros Auklet that came into the docks.

At the place we stayed right in Seattle there was an active Bald Eagle nest (no photos).This Golden-crowned Kinglet provided a rare close eye-level view.

We made a trip over the Cascades on the last full day. We visited a Garry Oak forest reputed to be the Lewis’s Woodpecker capitol of Washington. It lived up to its reputation with at least 50 Lewis’s Woodpeckers flying all over.

We failed to find Bohemian Waxwings and Northern Shrike, which would have been lifers. The only possible lifer was a Harlan’s Hawk which will likely be re-split from Red-tailed Hawk

On the day of departure I made a quick trip to Alki point which is a pretty nice spot on Puget Sound for wildlife viewing. There were more Rhinoceros Auklets and Harlequin Ducks.

Sanderlings are common here.

Lots of Red-necked Grebes were offshore.

I came across a Harbor Seal pup that was hauled out on the beach. The area was cordoned off and a docent was informing passersby about it.

Pigeon Guillemots were in transition from winter to breeding plumage.

[Edit]
Cyndie,
I'm jealous of all the Long-tailed Ducks. We were hoping to see bays filled with them in Estonia this spring, but we were a couple of weeks late.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 17, 2013 - 03:04am PT

Added in edit{ just notice Tony posted above, and there aren't many redundant photos. Also w.r.t Cyndie's rafts of Long Tailed Ducks: YEAH!!!}

Tony was just up for a visit and some Washington birding. We went to Skagit/Stanwood area (Geese, Swans and owls), birded around town the next day, and then went to Eastern Washington for to look for Lewis's Woodpeckers and Bohemian Waxwings. We got skunked on the Waxwings, but scored on the woodpeckers. Tony takes better photos but didn't have his camera out on the owl run, so I'll mostly post those.

If you're a glutton for punishment by overshare of unedited photos, you can see them all at:

http://173.160.158.251/postings/2013_02_10_StanwoodSkagit/index.html

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Feb 17, 2013 - 06:51am PT

Hey Reilly,

just finished guiding a birding trip with a guy from Monrovia. Dr. David Comings. He's mostly into photography. He got some good stuff, but this is the only one he shared with me...a Masked Booby we saw crossing the Gulfo Dulce on a boat between Golfito and Pto. Jiménez. The picture quality isn't great, and I'm sure David wouldn't want to present it as an example of his work. It's just to document the record - Masked Booby is super rare anywhere near the coast. All the other ones I've ever seen here have been way out on pelagic trips.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Feb 17, 2013 - 12:29pm PT

great bunch of shots added the last few days! Nice trip Tony/Darwin.

10b4me

Boulder climber

Somewhere on 395

Feb 17, 2013 - 08:28pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Feb 17, 2013 - 10:01pm PT

hey there say, dingus, great hawk shot :O really neat!...

every one else:
great stuff... lots of it i can't even see... but i know it's great!

did see the blue cranes, and wow!

keep sharing folks, love it so much!

ekat, of course, really love the owl!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 17, 2013 - 10:57pm PT

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Feb 18, 2013 - 03:56am PT

Wow, lots of great pics since I last checked in here. Here are some pics from last month. They were taken near the north shore of Flathead Lk and an area locally known as the Lower Valley.

Downy Woodpecker

Killdeer admiring itself

Ruffed Grouse

Bald Eagle with lunch

Rough Legged Hawk in the fog

Rough Legged Hawk in flight

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 18, 2013 - 11:30pm PT

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 18, 2013 - 11:39pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 19, 2013 - 12:09am PT

Chewy, great shot of the 'Ruffled' Grouse!

Slater, it looks a Mew/Franklin's hybrid. And how did you catch a Snipe out for a nice graze on the lawn?
Love the Acorn acting goofy-as-usual shot!

There's a 2nd phase Icelandic hanging about the Boontsma Dairy ponds north
of the Ramona Expressway. More details and pics on the CALBIRDS@yahoogroups.com.
I wonder if the bad weather tomorrow will keep him there. I am sorely tempted.

So I rarely tire of watching these guys; I love watching others work. But
the thought occurred to me what effects this behavior caused them from the
nasty chemicals in telephone poles. I mean it hasn't seemed to have affected
their numbers. In fact, despite the chemicals, they seem to have flourished.
I don't remember them being so numerous as a kid in the OC.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Feb 19, 2013 - 05:54am PT

hey there say, ... i DID put a grown robin, on a chair, up here, before... but not sure if i ever got the baby, on the chair, up here...

here is one of the babies:

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Feb 19, 2013 - 01:58pm PT

Hehe, I must have been a little ruffled when I gave that grouse a free 'L'. :^)

Since I'm already posting I may as well add a couple more shots.

This sleepy owl was in a barn on the Blasdel WMA yesterday.

[/url]

A Bald Eagle taking flight, also taken at Blasdel yesterday.

[/url]

A Black Billed Magpie. (It was surprising tough to get this poorly focused shot of a common bird.)

[/url]

Red Tailed Hawk showing off.

[/url]

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Feb 19, 2013 - 03:36pm PT

Nice pix Chewy!

splitclimber

climber

Sonoma County

Feb 19, 2013 - 04:56pm PT

mew gull - quick guess w/o looking at a guide

very very nice chewy

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 19, 2013 - 05:08pm PT

Nice Chewy, birds in flight are tough.

Harrier

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Feb 19, 2013 - 06:45pm PT

Chewy - some outstanding shots. What are you shooting these with?

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Feb 19, 2013 - 06:51pm PT

Chewey, that's a GREAT shot of the magpie!!!!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 19, 2013 - 10:29pm PT

White tailed Kite

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 20, 2013 - 12:00am PT

Chewy... don't be silly... those are awesome!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 20, 2013 - 11:45am PT

This next one seems awfully weird to me:
eight Canada Geese goslings (two out of frame) in Seattle in mid-February.
This was taken last Saturday (Feb 16th) on a day I 'cycled
out to Alki Pt (35 mile rt, pretty flat)
and saw three new birds for the hike/bike STBY.

c_vultaggio

Trad climber

new york

Feb 20, 2013 - 05:33pm PT

Was shooting down in south Fla on assignment, staking some wildlife kept me awake out there...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 20, 2013 - 06:26pm PT

Todays life lister. Imm. Fem. Hermit Warbler (I believe) from Sea Terrace Park in Dana Point.

I went to Prado Regional Park on Monday for the Tropical Kingbird (life list) and the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (not ll), I saw them but failed to get any photos.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Feb 20, 2013 - 06:38pm PT

Luv the little ones, Darwin!!!!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Feb 20, 2013 - 08:29pm PT

Nice shots from Florida and a good list dee ee!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Feb 20, 2013 - 08:35pm PT

Nice Dave!

Digging the camera I see ;-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 21, 2013 - 12:56am PT

Dee ee, how come you didn't go get the Iceland gull near Hemet?

If y'all haven't checked out ebird.org you're missing something special.
I'm planning this summer's Midwestern Offensive and it is amazing - you
can get the daily checklists for specific days. It seems that I can count
on at least a couple Little Gulls at the Manitowoc Impoundment! SWEET!

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Feb 21, 2013 - 02:07am PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 21, 2013 - 01:20pm PT

Reilly, I know! The Inland Rare Bird Alert is going off about the gulls.

I'm going soon.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Feb 21, 2013 - 09:28pm PT

At the feeder today...

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 21, 2013 - 10:46pm PT

Nature, red in tooth and claw [Click to View YouTube Video]

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Feb 22, 2013 - 05:42pm PT

Always good pictures on this thread, you guys are some good photographers.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 22, 2013 - 07:19pm PT

can I get a third?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 24, 2013 - 11:36am PT

Gulls you say?

So I went out to the Bootsma Dairy in Lakeside yesterday on the gull quest. I knew some of the birding hotties would be there, luckily, because I don't know the gulls too well. Famed inland empire birder (ex-climber and an old friend) and gull expert Howard King was there among a who's who of gullers. We saw the Iceland, Glaucus, Thayers, Glaucus Winged, Herring and missed the Lesser Black Backed and Mew gulls. There were probably Cali and Ring Billed as well. Between the slop pond and the egg farm there were thousands of gulls to pick through (and to overwhelm me).

There were also around 100 Cattle Egrets at the egg farm. 3 lifers for me. I also got the Brown Headed Cowbird for the 2013 list.

Maybe it's an aquired taste or you need the esoteric eye of the expert but gulls are boring!

this just in

climber

north fork

Feb 24, 2013 - 11:43am PT

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2078688&tn=0

The Larry posted this thread yesterday. John Sherman has some great bird pics in the link provided within the thread. Sorry if verm's link has already been posted in the bird thread.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 24, 2013 - 01:26pm PT

Had a great trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Salton Sea, Organ Pipes NP, Big Morongo Canyon, Joshua Tree and Sedona. Here are a few pictures from the trip.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 24, 2013 - 10:11pm PT

Dee ee, went to Bootsma today; still haven't expunged the manure smell from my nostrils.
Got skunked on the Iceland but saw the 'Lesser Black-backed'. I think it is a Yellow-footed
but I defer to higher powers and await the verdict humbly. I looked at it through a Swarovski
scope and the bill looked to have the latter's hooked and sharper bill as well as a smaller red
spot. It never presented sideways so overall size remained questionable. I also thought the head
too white for a winter Lesser Black-backed. But what do I know? :-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 25, 2013 - 11:27am PT

The stench over by the egg farm was extreme!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 25, 2013 - 03:17pm PT

Just looking at this pic makes my nose burn! (I think the white bits are egg shells)

And it was worth it going over there to see the Cattle Egret roost:

The bouldering hill looked pretty tempting, if you could hold yer breath.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 26, 2013 - 09:39pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 26, 2013 - 10:55pm PT

omg Slater. Good photo! When?

(edit: who's Chris Lantz?)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 27, 2013 - 07:13pm PT

Sea Terrace Pk. is our new hot spot!

I've been trying to get a good Townsend's pic for awhile.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Feb 27, 2013 - 07:34pm PT

Chris Lantz is the photographer

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 27, 2013 - 11:23pm PT

He was surfing in Peru and stumbled upon an empty beach and that is what he saw. I thought it was so rad I had to share it. Amazing photo.

Michelle

Social climber

Toshi's Station, picking up power converters.

Feb 27, 2013 - 11:46pm PT

So who has info on the Burlingame parrot flock?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Feb 28, 2013 - 12:49am PT

Sorry, no info on the parrot flock, but here are a couple of local hawks over the past couple of weeks...
Ok, not a Hawk, just another silly Flicker in the hood

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 1, 2013 - 12:56pm PT

Some random shots from my short trip to Mexico.

Colombia in May.

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

Panorama City, California & living in Seattle

Mar 1, 2013 - 02:24pm PT

It's always fun to catch a bird in the Whitney cam. It's too far away to identify though.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 1, 2013 - 02:33pm PT

^^^nice one Dan, maybe a Bell?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 1, 2013 - 09:19pm PT

Nice ones y'all!

Maybe there could be a separate heli thread? Although a pic of the Whitney area is always appreciated!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 1, 2013 - 09:29pm PT

there was a heli thread. But I've PTSD from a heli and Mt Whitney.

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

Panorama City, California & living in Seattle

Mar 1, 2013 - 09:39pm PT

OK - here's some real birds. Not sure if they are any Cormorants yet.

FRUMY

Trad climber

SHERMAN OAKS,CA

Mar 1, 2013 - 10:13pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 3, 2013 - 02:27pm PT

A few from today...The Townsend's Solitaire is a very cool bird.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 3, 2013 - 10:48pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 4, 2013 - 12:57pm PT

Check out this killer "Black" Merlin we saw yesterday at Irvine Park. We also got the Rufous Crowned Sparrow for life list.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 4, 2013 - 01:41pm PT

Townsends! Nice Bob.

Great shot of the merlin!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 4, 2013 - 08:49pm PT

I finally found the Burrowing Owls in Bolsa Chica today! I got a hot tip from a local.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 4, 2013 - 11:30pm PT

Love the BO's! Thanks Dave.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 6, 2013 - 02:41pm PT

Stole this off the FaceBooks:

Self-portrait from last weekend:

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Mar 6, 2013 - 03:17pm PT

WOW~! That Sean Crane photo is awesome.

Love those Flickers too, nice shots Dave and Bob.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 7, 2013 - 07:44pm PT

OK Willoughby, how do you get a shot like that? Is it just your natural bird attracting vibe or some kind of trick?

I got some of my best H.bird shots at the Back Bay this week...and this Song Sparrow!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 7, 2013 - 09:53pm PT

Great shots Mike and Dee ee.

Caught these cranes dancing...

Also almost thought I got Whooping Crane.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 7, 2013 - 10:01pm PT

love the last two of the crane series

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 7, 2013 - 11:45pm PT

what Mike said. Those are pretty darn good, Bob.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 8, 2013 - 03:04am PT

"Chickadee Ridge" off Tahoe Meadows, along 431 near Mt Rose Summit. Folks have been hand-feeding them every winter for years, so you can just stick out an empty hand and they'll fly over and land on it. Hold out a camera to take a picture, they land on it. Put a couple of sunflower seeds on your hat...they land on it.

Though I've had quite a few chickadees land on me while pishing, this was a baited setup. I confess.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 8, 2013 - 05:02pm PT

Those Cranes are crazy! Love em.

Chickadee Ridge eh? I'll have to check it out someday.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 8, 2013 - 08:00pm PT

Great timing^^^^^fastest finger in the west - lol!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 9, 2013 - 07:45pm PT

Why Guinea Hens don't like high winds...

Curve-billed Thrasher

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 10, 2013 - 12:54pm PT

Hi all. I sent several emails but thought I'd post to make sure all were invited to a day of birding at the South Coast Botanic Gardens http://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/.

Posters and lurkers are welcome. Experienced and noob birders are welcome.

BrassNuts and I will be out there for the day on Saturday April 6th. We'll be in the parking lot at 7:30am. We'll probably head out somewhere else at some point during the day.

Be fun to bird with everyone who is interested. We'll have a wide range of experience in terms of birding. Hope all can join us. Let me know if you'll make it so we can be sure to meet up in the pkg lot before heading in.

p.s. Great photos continue to be posted on this thread. Thanks to all of you for sharing them!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 11, 2013 - 11:02am PT

Bird watching Bump,

Thanks for the invite Crimpie, hope to meet up with you guys in April.

Anyone here know a good pair of binoculars to buy in the $100 to $150 dollar range that would be good for bird watching?

I checked out this informative article that has some good advice, but was hoping to get some input from the local birders on this thread.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/Winter2005/Age_Binos.html

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 11, 2013 - 11:10am PT

Claud, that's a good article with some honest advice and reviews. IMHO you
get more for your money in a porro prism. Since the optics are much simpler
they only require a few pieces of decent glass to give you a good view. An
added bonus is they often have a wide FOV and close focus.

The cheaper Nikons are quite good, as they noted. They also mention Eagle
Optics. I have a pair of their more expensive binos which are made for them
by Celeestron, the famed telescope maker.

I will check with my secretary to see if I can meet yous guys 6 Ap. Yesterday
there were Chestnut-sided Warbler and a Warbling Vireo at a park very near
where y'all are gathering.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 11, 2013 - 11:24am PT

Cool, thanks Reilly

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 11, 2013 - 11:26am PT

Reilly - really hope you can make it!

There's a short eared owl nearby as well. Figure we'll hit the Botanic Gardens, then decide where to go from there. There is also talk of hitting the LA Arboretum on Sunday. I want the Bulbul having never seen one. And a Mandarin duck. :) We'll all be open for good birds though. My intention is to head back to Boulder exhausted from non-stop birding all weekend!!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 11, 2013 - 08:59pm PT

We had some drama in the yard day before yesterday. Marge was out front and a Cooper's Hawk flew right in front of her with a kill in it's claws. She saw gray and thought Dove. She saw it land in a tree across the street. She got me and I grabbed binos and camera and got a pic.
Then we went in the back yard and found these Mockingbird feathers. We have had a pair of M.birds nesting in our yard for years. It's always the same pair, I can tell from their behavior.
The next day we had a very lonely M.bird moping around. It may have been the female since there is already another suitor trying to gain her favor, or am I anthropomorphizing?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 11, 2013 - 09:12pm PT

Crimps, you can get yer bloody Bulbul in my yard! They're prolly singing out there as I type.
They do a nice duet.

Honestly, the LA Arboretum is gonna get you a bunch of stoopid peacocks and not much
else although parrots are possible. But there are better places for parrots. They've certainly
been getting lots of good action down in the OC as Dee ee can attest to.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 11, 2013 - 10:19pm PT

Bulbul party at Reilly's House!!!

:)

We are certainly open to suggestions. I am just tired of renting cars in Miami to chase that silly bird and be denied over and over again. :)

edit: Agreed Ron. That is a pigeon that got the chop. The black tipped feather on the ground is definitely NOT a Mockingbird feather. Maybe the carnivore got the Mockingbird too, but I'm hoping not.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 11, 2013 - 10:57pm PT

Bulbuls are very common in Honolulu!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 12, 2013 - 12:16am PT

I've asked Steve Wolfe to join us here on the ST bird thread. I warned him about the political threads because I don't want his faith in humanity smashed. Besides, why go there when this is the best thread here? :)

He has some info on some cool birds in the area (Northern Parula, Purple Finch, etc.) Said he's looking forward to hopefully meeting Reilly (they conversed earlier in the year about an unusual Gull.

So, watch for him here. We'll be all the richer for his presence.

Bolsa Chico sounds fab. I imagine aside from meeting up at the Botanic Gardens the rest of the trip is to be determined.

I will have to book flights to Honolulu for the Bulbul. It's all in the name of science. :)

Trivia: Little known fact about me - I have a scar on my arm from an albino peacock. It's a treasured scar. :) They are all over my parents property southeast of Houston. Fun little guys. Great watch-birds.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 12, 2013 - 12:20am PT

Great watch-birds.

... but really crappy neighbors. ;-/

So I take it you count Bulbuls, payrots, and all those other illegals?
I guess I should if I want to break 550 this year.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 12, 2013 - 12:22am PT

I stopped listing years ago. I do regret that. Plus, as my memory fades, so many birds seem like new ones to me. :)

I will just enjoy seeing them all really. I even feel a bit bad hating on Starlings...they can't help it. But when they mess with my Flicker boxes, or get into my suet, my tolerance diminishes.

Reilly, the only way to save me from the Bulbul search is to come out and join us to ensure we go to more quality locales. :)

edit: oh, and those pesky peafowl...my parents live on 20 acres so happily no one is bothered. Well, no one but my parents. The peafowl nest on their satellite antennae each night so they lose internet and tv!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 12, 2013 - 12:31am PT

I've always thought listing is interesting. For example, people do count Rock Doves and Swans. But they aren't indigenous, right? I bet there is some good literature on it all.

Birds. Love them all! (except when the take out your internet) :)

john hansen

climber

Mar 12, 2013 - 12:48am PT

Hey TTR, is'nt the turkey a new world bird? I always thought they were endemic in many parts of North America. I mean the pilgrams and all?

I remember in the late 70's you could rarely find one in the Cali foot hills, but it seems they have really rebounded.

I like scoping out all birds but, we never used to count starlings or rock doves or even english sparrows or pheasents for "official" lists.

Its all just for fun anyway, right? Crimpie , you have to give us a TR when you all go birding, wish I could be there. I am sure I would get a few lifers.

I only saw one wild turkey back then in about four years of pretty regular birding. But I did count that one..

Edit, Posting at the same time.. some swans are endemic too,,, I think.

Timed Top Rope should know . They have thousands, if not tens of thousands, of tundra swans that winter in his area.

Another Edit:
I see the Bul Buls almost every day here on the Big Island. If you and BN ever head out this way I can show you the best birding spots. There are a lot of different habitats over here.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 12, 2013 - 12:56am PT

The Turkeys are sending!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 12, 2013 - 01:06am PT

Another worthless piece of trivia. I can make an excellent turkey call. They respond. :) Of course, they try to court cars and sides of buildings too. Still, it makes me feel special.

Would love to get to the big island. BN has been; I've not been. We should change that.

john hansen

climber

Mar 12, 2013 - 01:13am PT

Thanks for that info , I will mark the turkey off my California list,,,,

Just kidding..

They were probably introduced by the mission settlements up the California coast in the mid 1700's.

I can see that the extreme deserts between the top of the sea of Cortez and up along the Colorado could have kept the turkey out of California. And made them turn right and take the more coastal route towards Texas and beyond to the east coast.

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Mar 12, 2013 - 02:10am PT

Debbie's hope for squirrel control in our backyard, checking out the closest squirrel nest in the evening... a Great Horned Owl... hopefully I'll have the opportunity to get better a better picture...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 12, 2013 - 11:51am PT

It seems like 99% around here, and there are hundreds if not thousands, are Red Crowned but I believe this pair is Lilac Crowned. It's amazing how good their camo works in the thick trees.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 12, 2013 - 01:03pm PT

Speaking of turkey calls, did any of you see this clip before, man was this funny.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 12, 2013 - 01:26pm PT

I cannot make it to Bird LA on saturday, but I may be able to make it out sunday (if I return from my cruise in time) Hope to get some good birds on the cruise stops but will probably bee too drunk and bloated lol! If I'm back for Sunday I'll let you all know. Dang...bummed I'm missing Sat sounds like a blast.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 12, 2013 - 01:33pm PT

Is that "be" too drunk or "bee" too drunk, Matty? JK, have a great time on your cruise.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 12, 2013 - 01:56pm PT

Here is a little guy I was able to get close to and take a pic of.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 12, 2013 - 02:19pm PT

A couple from my last few days here in Taos.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 12, 2013 - 05:29pm PT

Awesome stuff!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 12, 2013 - 08:12pm PT

Bob, what's that last one? Titmouse, Flycatcher?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 12, 2013 - 08:25pm PT

Dee-ee, Townsend's Solitaire.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 12, 2013 - 09:25pm PT

Thanks Willoughby,
last June we were in Dinkey Creek Campground, where we always are at that time, and saw one about the campground and we were trying to figure him out.
I asked Todd Battey if he had seen him and he said something to the effect of, "related to bluebirds." He didn't just want to tell me.

That helped!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 12, 2013 - 09:43pm PT

Dee-ee...here is a frontal shot with a good look at the eye ring.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 12, 2013 - 09:55pm PT

So last week I'm over at the John Baca Park (where the Ovenbird and Least Flycatcher are)and I'm stiking out on my quest to get a good photo of the OBird and the Least FC (or even see them again)but the Solitary Sandpiper is there in his usual spot.I'm dragging my feet about leaving and using the excuse to see the Bell's Vireo (which is the only rarity I haven't seen there). I see this bird there and I'm thinking "what the hell is that?" It's Sparrow like but I can't figure him out (my binos and eyes aren't too good). I see the eye stripe but.... I've got the camera but no book(up in the car). I take 50 pics, I'm sneaking around to get different angles etc.
I get back to the car, I pour through the book, The only thing I can believe it is is an American Pipit. Then I remember the last Am. Pip. I saw was right exactly there. Damn, getting old sucks.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 12, 2013 - 09:57pm PT

Oh, nice Bob!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 12, 2013 - 11:10pm PT

Thought I'd post up our our Saturday, April 6th Birdapalooza is shaping up.

Birdapalooza begins at 7:30am in the parking lot of the South Coast Botanic Gardens on Saturday April 6th. http://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/

We'll run through the gardens then move on to some other area. And we'll be birding on Sunday also - a place to be determined. I'm hearing lots of good ideas.

To date, the fledgling count is as follows:

Steve Wolfe - In - friend we meet up frequently to bird
Jose - In - a young CA birder we meet with frequently to bird
BrassNuts - in
Crimpie - in
Dee ee - in
Dirt Claud - sounds like a for sure. Will show with new binos!
10b4me - a maybe
Matty - a maybe on Sunday if he dries out from the cruise. :)
Slater - out - too far to drive
Elcapiyoazz - possible
Oldclymr - out - too far to drive
Reilly - looks good - checking with secretary
Darwin - maybe - trying to get away from work.
Nita & Andy - out - too far to drive
Eric O - out - too far to drive

As I mentioned, it's open to all so any lurkers out there, get a hold of me so I can get you on the list and look for you in the pkg lot.

I hope I have not missed anyone. Let me know if I did. It'll be a blast. Rick Accamazzo has been to the post-birding-eating with Jose, Steve Wolfe, BrassNuts and I. I'm looking forward to it!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 13, 2013 - 10:10am PT

Anza Borrego last weekend

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 13, 2013 - 10:49am PT

Beautiful photos and birds Stahlbro.

Let me know if I missed someone on the list. I think I'm mixing up some real names and some ST names. I feel like I heard from you Stahlbro, but maybe I'm wrong. Or maybe you're on the list. I'm confused. :)

A slight update on the birding list:

To date, the fledgling count is as follows:

Steve Wolfe - In - friend we meet up frequently to bird
Jose - In - a young CA birder we meet with frequently to bird
BrassNuts - in
Crimpie - in
Dee ee - in
Dirt Claud - sounds like a for sure. Will show with new binos!
10b4me - a maybe
Matty - a maybe on Sunday if he dries out from the cruise. :)
Slater - out - too far to drive
Elcapiyoazz - possible
Qitnl - out - too far to drive
Oldclymr - out - too far to drive
Reilly - looks good - checking with secretary
Darwin - maybe - trying to get away from work.
Nita & Andy - out - too far to drive
Eric O - out - too far to drive
Tony B - out - won't be in town that weekend. boo.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 13, 2013 - 11:11am PT

I checked my return date. It is saturday! So unless the boat breaks down or hits a rock I should be able to make it Sunday!!! Yay!

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Mar 13, 2013 - 11:16am PT

Nice ones Stahlbro. The owl on the nest shot is great.

What is the little yellow-crowned one, Stahl? Not seeing that in my Stokes...unless that's a Verdin.

10b4me

Boulder climber

Lost

Mar 13, 2013 - 11:24am PT

FYI, the Pasadena chapter of the Audubon society is having a trip to hunt for owls on March 30. This will be in the San Gabriel mountains between 6pm and midnight
Limited to ten people. Check the website for contact person

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 13, 2013 - 11:37am PT

Thanks Guys. It was a great spot. All the birds were within a 1/4 mile in one canyon. My girl friend Debbie took them.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 13, 2013 - 03:22pm PT

Good ones Rob!

and Debby!

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Mar 14, 2013 - 03:03pm PT

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Mar 14, 2013 - 03:34pm PT

Can anybody confirm an ID on the yellow crowned one in Stahl's post?

I'm thinking Verdin?

Just a couple minutes ago, snapped a few pics of my local hummingbird feeding the chicks. It's nesting on a pine that is about 3' from the door of my building here at work. Noticed the female at the nest last week, then walked out today and noticed the little beaks poking up.

Bad pics, but was lucky to get any at all:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 14, 2013 - 05:38pm PT

Verdin for sure Elcap.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 14, 2013 - 06:06pm PT

Love me them humming birds...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 14, 2013 - 07:34pm PT

In our yard a few years ago.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 14, 2013 - 07:39pm PT

This little guy, it had to be a guy, landed on my wiper at the freaking
strip mall where I went to get a hair cut. So, I couldn't go in and leave
him there so I sat there and took pics with the cell phone and wondered what
to do. I was pretty sure I knew where his home was and I was just about
to pick him up and climb the tree when Mom showed up. Man, did she read
him the riot act! That got his attention toute de suite and off they flew!

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Mar 14, 2013 - 07:44pm PT

DEE: Allen's?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 14, 2013 - 08:28pm PT

Really great shots from everyone. Just moved from Taos back to the Boulder area...when out today near our new home in Westminster.

Pretty cool area.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 14, 2013 - 10:11pm PT

Elcapinyoazz,
At the time I didn't even take notice. I was happy to get one decent pic with my crappy old camera.
We have Anna's, Allen's and Rufous (in the middle of summer) in our yard so....can't say. I see some green on the back with a hint of orange.
Maybe a call for an expert.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 14, 2013 - 11:14pm PT

Yep. Verdin

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Mar 15, 2013 - 05:54am PT

I went to the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks this week. The ice sculptures were amazing. This is one of the single block sculptures that fits in with the birds.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 17, 2013 - 10:22pm PT

Beautiful ice scuptures Cyndie!!!

Bird photo time.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 17, 2013 - 10:30pm PT

So, I go to Bolsa Chica today, and start out. I'm lookin' at this island that usually only has gulls and cormorants and I see this babe. I'm thinkin' wtf is that? I learned my lesson last night (on the Owl Prowl) and get photos first. Ask questions later.
I've never asked why they call it the double crested cormorant. Not a single field guide has the photo that explains it.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 17, 2013 - 10:37pm PT

Yes, we went on an "Owl Prowl" last night and saw all the normal local Owls. Barn Owl, Great Horned and Western Screech, and I'm an idiot because I should have got the great Screech photos but I put my camera away too early, it was way dark.
We stopped (Starr Ranch), and our guide called one in and it was right above us in a tree.
I got a GHO early on though.

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Mar 17, 2013 - 10:37pm PT

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Mar 17, 2013 - 10:38pm PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 18, 2013 - 03:14am PT

Nice meadowlark! The reddish Egret shot is also great. Nature - where did you get that last one?

From the Big Island yesterday

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Mar 18, 2013 - 09:31am PT

Mike - I shot that a few days ago in Costa Rica. It's a Black-headed Trogon (Trogon melanocephalus)

Edit: or did you mean Gym Birdwell? ;-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 18, 2013 - 12:09pm PT

All beautiful as usual.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Mar 18, 2013 - 03:00pm PT

Mike,
the Brandt's Cormorants have just appeared on the nesting ledge at Natural
Bridges and are in courting gyration mode.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 18, 2013 - 03:14pm PT

Man, the exotics invasion is outta control!

"One more step, bub, and I'm only gonna ask whether you want yer azz kicked into next Wednesday or Thursday."

I'm pretty sure he was serious.

So, which bird would you like to emulate? (sorry)

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 18, 2013 - 03:24pm PT

Funny bit about ostriches by Kevin White, figured it was bird related and goes with Reillys picture. I know it's not an ostrich, but similar anyways, pretty funny stuff.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 18, 2013 - 03:29pm PT

Ah! Thanks for the heads up scuffy b! I'll get down there with the long lens and share with the group.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 18, 2013 - 03:42pm PT

Spent the weekend at our friends' place outside of Paso Robles. They have
a resident pair of GHO's although only the male allowed himself to be seen.
The wifey was heard but was playing coy. In the afternoon hizzoner was in
his usual daytime roost and the wind was blowing a ton (25mph)! Check out his
flattened right 'ear'!

So, being the way I am (and I'll take those comments off the air), I had
good fun checking out the ample display of his diet at the foot of his tree.

I just measured my finger and his 'product' is right at 2" long by 1.25" in diameter!
The dood must have a Teflon poop chute!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 19, 2013 - 02:26pm PT

American Kestral, Westminster, CO

Pretty Western Meadowlark singing it's beautiful song.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Mar 21, 2013 - 08:52pm PT

Happy Spring everyone and thanks for the kind words up thread.

@ Mike Bolte- I'm using an entry level Nikon and a couple of their kit lens, the D5100, a Nikkor 18-55 and a Nikkor 55-300. I'm hoping to upgrade my long lens this summer, but good glass is soo expensive.

As a new birder it has been exciting watching all the different bird species returning or passing through this spring. Here are some recent shots-

Silhouetted Red-Winged Blackbird

Mountain Bluebird

Black Capped Chickadee

American Robin

5 er 4 Redpolls

Itchy House Finch

Here is a Western Meadowlark singing along with Bob's Meadowlark.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 22, 2013 - 12:42pm PT

Not singin' but lookin' around. Upper Newport Bay.

Tropical Kingbird, local celebrity. Prado Regional Park.

Waiting for the Fox Sparrow to present itself this Lark Sparrow popped out. Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 22, 2013 - 12:55pm PT

Great photos Chewy and Dee ee.

Here a few from my walk with Eva today.

First Say's Phoebe and another Meadowlark shot.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 23, 2013 - 06:03pm PT

Trapped in the KCMO airport Marriott dreaming of lovely weather and birds. Thanks for the photos that are far nicer than the view out the window (big snow). Couldn't get home today due to Denver big snow. :/

Psyched to see the tacos on the birding outing coming soon!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 23, 2013 - 10:08pm PT

Great pics ya'll.
Heading to AZ in August! Can't wait!

Reilly... Paso Robles! Dang you drove right past my house! Hope you enjoyed the Central Coast. Did you hit Morro Bay?!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 24, 2013 - 02:14am PT

What, you live in Lost Hills? I love that place!

So our friends' place is east of San Miguel. The house is surrounded by
trees only half of which have leaves already. So imagine my surprise when
I saw a Western Wood Peewee in this nekked tree!

I did notice that the Western and Cassin's Kingbirds haven't showed up yet.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 24, 2013 - 02:27am PT

Great sequence Slater. Like the Cedar Waxwing

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Mar 24, 2013 - 09:51am PT

We went birding yesterday and the first bird we encountered was this eagle. I'm wondering if anyone knows what is wrong with its eye. I did a light internet search but didn't come up with anything, maybe I'll do a deeper search tonight. The bird appeared healthy other than the eye issue.

A crop of the image above.

Another angle.

Here is a shot of the other eye for comparison.

The rest of our bird watching day was awesome. Thousands of various waterfowl, lots of raptors, and many beautiful song birds.

craig mo

Trad climber

L.A. Ca.

Mar 24, 2013 - 03:47pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 24, 2013 - 08:09pm PT

Horned Lark and American Pelicans from today catch.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 25, 2013 - 01:18am PT

Reilly, in Arroyo Grande (off Hwy 101 just south of Pismo Beach) we had a Tropical, a Scissor Tail, a few Western, and dozens of Cassin's Kingbirds for like two months feeding on the berries above the creek. It was freakin' phenomenal! All the berries are gone and now so are the kingbirds. But it was quite a show.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 25, 2013 - 01:31am PT

Dang, a Scissor-tailed? Nice shot! I got my Scissor-tailed and my Least
Bittern on consecutive days in Kansas. I'm still kicking myself for not
going to Sacramento for the Falcated Duck. But I'm still quite pleased
with my White Wagtail in Dec. ;-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 25, 2013 - 12:21pm PT

My Bald Eagle pic from Peters Cyn. 2 days ago isn't nearly as nice as Chewy's! I kicked a rattler while taking it though.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 25, 2013 - 02:24pm PT

From the net, but cool look at the size of their claws.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 25, 2013 - 02:34pm PT

That's a Berkut - or Central Asian Golden Eagle used to hunt wolves!
Check out this video on them posted by Peter Haan!

Le Seigneur des Aigles

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Mar 25, 2013 - 02:37pm PT

hey there say, guys... wow, great pics...

oh my, it's been so cold here, i barely even SEE any birds, :(

did hear some last weekend, a bit, but not this week end, :(

thanks for sharing... love them birds sooooo much!
:)

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Mar 25, 2013 - 02:54pm PT

hey there say, reilly... loved the turkey shot...

also, dirt claud... i MADE a turkey caller, but have not used it, it was made from the wing bones... but i did not glue it together proper, i think...

oh my, i will have to go see WHAT this gal is doing here... does not look like it is the same thing...

thanks for sharing... i can't get you tube, but may save the link, at least... or, perhaps it will work on the taco...

crimper, wonderful bird sharing trip, with all the folks going... wish i could, but i can't, :)

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 25, 2013 - 03:06pm PT

North American Goldens ain't no wimps either...

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 25, 2013 - 03:15pm PT

Awesome pics there little Z. Was wondering how you hold those birds without having them rip up your arm. That is cool that it trusts you to hold his feet like that.

Saw a video of that before Reilly, looks awesome how they hunt, no wolf is safe.

Neebee, check out that video when you get a chance, you will laugh your butt off.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Mar 25, 2013 - 05:54pm PT

As usual, wonderful photos--Chewey, WOW!
Love those eagle eyes!!!!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 25, 2013 - 06:18pm PT

Heard a Golden-crowned Kinglet singing yesterday. Here comes spring...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 25, 2013 - 09:45pm PT

I was up at Tucker and this Quail was calling. Every 20 or so seconds he'd throw his head back and cut loose.

edit-Thanks Cap!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 25, 2013 - 09:56pm PT

You lookin' at me?

Captain...or Skully

climber

Mar 25, 2013 - 11:23pm PT

That's a He, dee ee.(hee hee)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 26, 2013 - 01:27am PT

This is from my commute into work in the Seattle Union Bay Land-Fill/Nature-Area a week ago. I'm calling it a first year Bald

My excuse for the quality: itsy bitsy pocket camera (panasonic dmc-zs15). It would have been nice to have carried my better rig.

(over share alert: I love Quails)

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 26, 2013 - 12:35pm PT

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Geographic bring us the Birds-of-Paradise Project

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 26, 2013 - 02:15pm PT

Great photos everyone.

Here are few from today.

Got a Harlan's Hawk...not a very good shot.

Beginning to hate this Belted Kingfisher...every time I get almost close enough the he takes off.

Northern Shrike.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 27, 2013 - 06:11pm PT

Really enjoying being back in the Denver/Boulder area and enjoying my time off from work.

slabbo

Trad climber

fort garland, colo

Mar 27, 2013 - 07:41pm PT

Bob- did birds follow you from taos ???

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 27, 2013 - 10:54pm PT

Great shots. Love the attitude picture Dave!

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Mar 28, 2013 - 05:18pm PT

More bad pics of our hummers at work, getting close...will fledge soon:

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Mar 28, 2013 - 05:38pm PT

Hey BobD, you ever get Red-faced Warblers over in Taos? I know they are in NM and typically in the mtns, but thought the range stopped a bit south of there. They have a very pretty and unusual color scheme for a warbler.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 28, 2013 - 05:54pm PT

Bird related I suppose, happy Friday everyone!!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 28, 2013 - 06:09pm PT

The elusive Red-Faced Warbler (at least for me). We will be back in Ramsey Canyon in about a month and that bird is number one on my list. He's thwarted me for two trips so far. A real rascal!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 28, 2013 - 06:11pm PT

Ron,

all nightjars have serrations on the nail of thier middle toe, referred to as a "feather comb", it is a defining character for members of the family Caprimulgidae.

Supposedly they use it to help clean all those bugs off their windshields. No, sorry, I meant to help clean their plumage.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 28, 2013 - 06:14pm PT

yeah LOL^^^ (at the wide eyed photo)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 28, 2013 - 06:22pm PT

ELCap...not this far north, saw some in southern AZ and northern Mexico...beautiful birds.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 28, 2013 - 08:17pm PT

Good ones y'all and thanks. I've been working in Barstow, was hoping for Gambel's Quail but, no.

Correct orientation (not from Barstow, Sea Terrace Pk., Dana Point).

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 30, 2013 - 10:02am PT

Our big snowstorm last weekend brought the Mountain Bluebirds down into town looking for food...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 30, 2013 - 10:08am PT

second one down is particularly good Dave.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 30, 2013 - 05:11pm PT

I agree, very nice Dave!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 30, 2013 - 05:20pm PT

I dig the first one! (Although I would have cloned out the branch growing from his head) :-)
Not that the second isn't excellent also.

By the way, thanks to Dirt Claud for that incredible video about Boids of Paradise!
The book is out now, too. I'm afraid to look at the price.

Very interesting article in the latest ABA "Birding" about Lesser Black-backed Gulls
and their incredible expansion in the last 20 years. They have now appeared
in every state! There is still no evidence of them breeding in Canada or
the US but it is probably just a matter of time.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 30, 2013 - 10:20pm PT

Our trip to SoCal is sneaking up and none too soon. Thought I'd post again about the birding outing. Several of us are meeting at the South Coast Botanic Gardens (near Palos Verdes) on Saturday morning at 7:30 in the parking lot.

To date, those in (or maybe) are:

Steve Wolfe - In - friend we meet up frequently to bird
Jose - In - a young CA birder we meet with frequently to bird
BrassNuts - in
Crimpie - in
Dee ee - in
Reilly - looks good - checking with secretary
Matty - in on Sunday
10b4me - a maybe
Elcapinyoazz - possible
Darwin - maybe - trying to get away from work

Have I missed anyone? Looking forward to the birding and the friends.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 30, 2013 - 11:53pm PT

Reilly - what branch are you talking about? ;-)
There were also some Robins hanging out with the Bluebirds snagging berries and such...

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 31, 2013 - 07:04am PT

Dave,

that last Robin shot looks just like the pose from an Audubon painting. Amazing stuff, thanks!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 31, 2013 - 10:09am PT

Excellent observation Little z. I really love that photo and I couldn't put my finger on why it was so pleasing...but you did. Cool!

Rick A

climber

Boulder, Colorado

Mar 31, 2013 - 11:43am PT

Magnificent shots, as expected from Dave.
Looking forward to the birding TR from the PV trip!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 31, 2013 - 01:15pm PT

Brandt's cormorants getting going with the nests off West Cliff drive. Thanks Scuffyb for the head's up!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 31, 2013 - 01:25pm PT

Really fun Mike B!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 31, 2013 - 01:56pm PT

Dave, HaHaHaHa!

ps
I've been informed that I am free to attend Birdapalooza this Sat.
It is very nice having an understanding Parole Officer.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 31, 2013 - 02:46pm PT

Excellent news Reilly! Really looking forward to it. :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 31, 2013 - 02:52pm PT

BTW, I just checked and the Gardens' website says it doesn't open til' 0900.
Will we be able to spend an hour and a half profitably outside the grounds?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 31, 2013 - 06:41pm PT

out this afternoon and saw some slightly creepy-looking birds.

and some of the regulars

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 31, 2013 - 06:45pm PT

Mike, you down by the Tijuana River?
Where are the White-collared Seedeaters?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 31, 2013 - 07:22pm PT

Solitary Sandpiper

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 31, 2013 - 07:33pm PT

Love to see some of those Reilly. Birds from today are up here in Santa Cruz.

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Mar 31, 2013 - 09:55pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 31, 2013 - 10:38pm PT

Lots of great new pix all, except for those scary 'mordor' birds from Mike B - what da heck happened to their head feathers? Really looking forward to seeing all of you that can attend the birdapalooza on Saturday 4/6 at SCBG as the starting point :-) Cyndie - looks like a Hairy Woodpecker to me, beak is larger and thicker than a Downy. Cool birds for sure!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Apr 1, 2013 - 12:06am PT

Thanks BN, duly noted.

10b4me

Ice climber

Happy Boulders

Apr 1, 2013 - 02:12am PT

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 1, 2013 - 10:10am PT

Were you guys still planning on doing any bird watching on Sunday? Saturday sounds like it will be a good time, bummed we can't make it :-(

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 1, 2013 - 12:15pm PT

Sharp Shinned or Cooper's Hawk?

I think Sharp Shinned by the size and very tip of it's tail.

Killdeer.

American Robin

Song Sparrow doing it's thing.

Walden Ponds, near Boulder, CO

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 1, 2013 - 02:47pm PT

Dirt Claud - we will bird all day Sunday as well. Our flight is at about 6pm so that is our only obligation. I think we'll make the decision on where we'll be on Saturday. Stay in touch via phone and we can let you know what time and where.

What is the story on the mordor birds upthread? Genetic issues? Over-zealous mate preening?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 1, 2013 - 02:49pm PT

Update on Birdapalooza! Those in (or maybe) are:

Steve Wolfe - In - friend we meet up frequently to bird
Jose - In - a young CA birder we meet with frequently to bird
BrassNuts - in
Crimpie - in
Dee ee - in
Steve P - IN like brick! :)
Reilly - IN!
Matty - in on Sunday
10b4me - a maybe
Elcapinyoazz - possible
Darwin - maybe - trying to get away from work

If anyone needs my cell for coordination, send a pm.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Apr 1, 2013 - 02:52pm PT

Count me out, gotta friend coming over from vegas to climb.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 1, 2013 - 03:11pm PT

Bob, I agree with you that it is a Sharpie but not because of the 'square' tail.
That is pretty hard to call. What speaks to me is the rounded head, the
smaller size of the head, and the seemingly larger eye which also appears
to be more centrally located.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 1, 2013 - 03:26pm PT

Sorry to miss you Elcap - I'm sure you'll have a fab time though! We'll post up a birding TR with awesome photos no doubt.

:)

craig mo

Trad climber

L.A. Ca.

Apr 1, 2013 - 03:37pm PT

A blue egg laying friends pet

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 1, 2013 - 04:13pm PT

Is the chicken a pet Craig? I love chicken - my parents have a lot and tehre are always some that love to be held and preened.

Another update on Birdapalooza - Those who are in (or maybe) are:

Steve Wolfe - In - friend we meet up frequently to bird
Jose - In - a young CA birder we meet with frequently to bird
BrassNuts - in
Crimpie - in
Dee ee - in
Steve P - IN like brick! :)
Reilly - IN!
Lokesh - IN!
Matty - in on Sunday
Darwin - maybe - trying to get away from work

If anyone needs my cell for coordination, send a pm.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 1, 2013 - 04:48pm PT

Sorry for me, but I'm out of running for birdapalooza. Work, domestic bliss, work, a ray of sun in the PNW and work demand my presence here.

I'm racking my brain for a birder April Fools prank for this thread, but can't come up with one comparable to a "bolting of Double Cross" thread. .... Are we humorless, or is it just me?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 1, 2013 - 04:51pm PT

Ron - when the chickens take over, you are going to be in BIG trouble!

Sorry we'll miss you Darwin. Maybe next time?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 1, 2013 - 05:07pm PT

Oh, that chicken, and her mother, is going to get you! :)

It is times like this I wish I had any photoshop skillz. :)

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 1, 2013 - 05:21pm PT

here is one for somebody out there with photo shop skills Crimpie/Darwin. I wanted to put some legs on this bird and make it look like he is running. Perfect pick for it

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 1, 2013 - 07:03pm PT

Reilly...I was talking about the lack of white on the tip of the tail. :-)

Looking for anyone who wants to go to Columbia in early May. The birding is amazing.

Cool shot of a Western Meadowlark on my hike this afternoon with Eva.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 1, 2013 - 07:17pm PT

It looks like I am in. I am looking forward to learning something from you hotties!What's the plan after Palos V? The LA stuff is an unknown to me but I do know the OC and more than one rarity. I look at the LA RBA and don't know park names etc. The OC is my backyard (Inland Empire next best) and I have been birding addictively for the last year but would love to see some new locations.

My boy Jake and I are going on a 3 day Death Valley trip first, leaving tomorrow way AM. I am hoping to see Sage Thrasher etc.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 1, 2013 - 07:21pm PT

I got a good new lifer today. I got a good photo, he flew right in front of me. Can y'all help with ID?

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 1, 2013 - 07:26pm PT

dee ee,

send your photo to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (attn. John Fitzpatrick) I'm sure they would love to hear your story.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 1, 2013 - 07:31pm PT

"So I was down by the Choctawhatchee River just minding my own business and....."

Whoa, I'm on a tear. This one just landed in the yard....I think it's a Mourning Dove.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 1, 2013 - 08:27pm PT

Great photos Dee ee! :)

After meeting at PV and doing a run through the garden, we'll make some group decision on next places to go. Steve W knows where some short-eared owls are that would be fun to see. So come with some suggestions. I know Reilly has some too. We'll figure it out and make a great day of it.

Birding...photography...friends...it'll be great fun.

Hoping to see the White-winged Sapsucker Dee ee posted upthread.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 2, 2013 - 01:29am PT

Dee Dee is having fun on April Fools!

Saw a California Condor today! Two actually.. no joke.

and a Canyon Wren

and a House Wren and Varied Thrush all at Pinnacles National PARK

:)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 2, 2013 - 04:40am PT

dee ee,

If you can, check out Darwin Falls, near Panamint Springs, and Shoshone Village which is just outside the southeast corner of the park. Both should be great birding at this time. We saw nesting Verdin and Costa's Hummingbirds at Darwin Falls. Shoshone has nesting Crissal Thrasher, Verdin, Phainopepla and Least Bell's Vireo in the mesquite along the Amargosa River. Also, Long-eared Owl nests.
http://www.shoshonevillage.com/shoshone-birding-checklist.html

I'm looking forward to a report from the birding outing next weekend in SoCal. I'm disappointed not to be able to make it.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Apr 2, 2013 - 04:54am PT

So right out side my PE office a small flock of oriental white eyes just buzzed by, no camera but here's a peek from google:

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=google+images+oriental+white+eyes&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=x2I&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=dJxaUbW1Ic_KrAfS84DIDw&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=594

Love those little guys:-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 2, 2013 - 09:39am PT

Tony, that's the plan and a stop at Saratoga Springs.
We leave in 5 minutes.

Crimper g, that sounds good.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 2, 2013 - 06:04pm PT

dee ee, I thought you were in the service? Since when is 0640 Oh Dark Thirty? ;-)

LUMPER ALERT! If you see one in yer hood PLEASE call 911!

Lumpers vs Splitters

And if you take anything away from the above article just remember that
lumping can lead to reindeer herding!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 2, 2013 - 10:00pm PT

This is whut I saw. . .

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Apr 2, 2013 - 11:16pm PT

That is Woody! (Pileated)

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 2, 2013 - 11:39pm PT

Stahl. . .
um, it's an Ivory Billed. . .supposedly extinct. . .may be
seen in Cuba, and possibly a few times in the south . . .

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Apr 3, 2013 - 01:59pm PT

Really?.... ;-)

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 3, 2013 - 03:35pm PT

here is another from the web, wish I could contribute with more of my own pics, but don't have a nice camera to take pictures with from far away. In time hopefully, need to get some good binocs first.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 3, 2013 - 04:19pm PT

Dr. F - we are meeting at the South Coast Botanic Gardens at 7:30am on Saturday. We'll run through there then make a group decision on where to go next. Sounds like several people have great ideas. At the end of the day (which I'm sure will include lunch somewhere), those who want to bird on Sunday will decide where to go on Sunday. I'd like to see the Bulbuls, but I am happy to go to the best place the group decides. BN and I have a flight home Sunday at 6pm so we'll need to be at the airport at 4.

Hope you can join us. PM me if you want my cell and we can coordinate.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 3, 2013 - 04:20pm PT

Oh, and I studied closely Dee ee's photo upthread and given the ratio of the bill size to the head, I'd say that black and white woodpecker is definitely a Hairy.

;)

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 3, 2013 - 09:51pm PT

Stahl, I'm a dumb$h t. . . my sincere apologies, really.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 3, 2013 - 10:27pm PT

A few from the Monte Vista WR in southern Colorado.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 3, 2013 - 11:14pm PT

Pinnacles National Park, CA.

Saw two floating above the crags.
Also saw a House Wren and a Canyon Wren (soooo beautiful)

which proved harder to get than I had anticipated this time around

and a Varied Thrush. My son did some climbing too (he's 9) and did like 4 laps on one route because he was so amped on it. Pretty cool to see.

Great day.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 3, 2013 - 11:53pm PT

Bob - that is no Red Tailed Hawk. It's clearly an Ivory Billed Woodpecker. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 4, 2013 - 12:10am PT

Callie...I think you are right.:-) I did score a Imperial Woodpecker in Mexico last November. Hope you have a great time this weekend.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 4, 2013 - 12:54pm PT

Looks like my girlfriend an I will be able to join you guys on Saturday after all, looking forward to birding with some pros :-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 5, 2013 - 03:03pm PT

I'm a "splitter" not a "lumper."

10 species....omg! The new field guide is the size of a business card.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 5, 2013 - 03:12pm PT

I'm a splitter too except when it comes to Empids, gulls, and sparrows. ;-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 5, 2013 - 05:06pm PT

A couple from my hike with the pooch today.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Apr 5, 2013 - 06:22pm PT

SteveW,

All in good fun Mate! No appologies necessary!

Cheers

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Apr 5, 2013 - 06:40pm PT

Good luck with that Kingfisher, Bob. In years of living on a river with a
good population, I got only one close look at one, by remaining stationary
for a couple of hours.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 5, 2013 - 07:11pm PT

Birdapalooza attendees....please note entry fee is eight bucks....cash only. Great time there today...saw a pair of golden crowned sparrows...BN got great photos of them bathing. See everyone in the am!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Apr 5, 2013 - 11:49pm PT

john hansen

climber

Apr 6, 2013 - 12:12am PT

Looking forward to all the Birdapalloza shots over the next few days.

Go get em!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 6, 2013 - 05:17pm PT

Birdapalooza ongoing... good birds...good people...good photos!

10b4me

Ice climber

Happy Boulders

Apr 6, 2013 - 05:32pm PT

Crimpergirl, I had a lot of fun, and also learned a ton of stuff.
thank you for the invitation.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 6, 2013 - 08:12pm PT

We are still going strong....headed to the shore...photos of sun burned birders and birds coming soon!

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Apr 7, 2013 - 12:13am PT

I went looking for birds. It is still too frozen, we are having a slow thaw this Spring. I did see two bald eagles. Always a treat to see them.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 7, 2013 - 12:44am PT

Why isn't there a TV show about Birding?

Why all the lame shows about hillbilly fishin and gators and pit bulls.

Why not something of substance for a much larger and intelligent audience?

Seems like a no-brainer...

Each week go to a new location, focus on the specialties of the area...

C'mon producers! Get with it!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 7, 2013 - 12:59am PT

10b4me, why did you post that first picture of me on a bad hair day? :-(

Slater, what you smoking? 'Course, if we could get one of the Kardashians
onto the show then we might have sumpin'.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2013 - 02:46am PT

For those into day two of birdapillozala ( I spell it differently each time!) Meet at the LA Arboretom (sp? Margarita to blame :)) at 8 am.... other places to follow!

10b4me

Ice climber

Happy Boulders

Apr 7, 2013 - 11:27am PT

Reilly, hahaha!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 7, 2013 - 03:28pm PT

Jess sayin'...

San Diego 56 hour pelagic trip
The main negative is it is Mon-Wed.

Can you say Guadalupe Murrelet* and Red-billed Tropicbird?

*the Guadalupe is the old southern sub of the Xantus'

Check out the track from this day trip!

Peregrin taking an auklet how many miles out? Whoa!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 7, 2013 - 05:10pm PT

Margaritas at 8 am, Callie???
I'll bet you were countin' LOTS of birds!!!!
(doubles, triples). . . hee hee hee. . .

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Apr 7, 2013 - 08:36pm PT

Speaking of Bald Eagles. I walked my puppy on the beach today and we had a close encounter with a baldy. My pup weighs 23 pounds, but the baldy flew in really close to try and nab him. My husband was ready to throw a retractable lease at the eagle. Scary! I will need to keep him close for a few more weeks.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 8, 2013 - 09:10am PT

Had fun birding LA with everyone last weekend. Great to meet all of you and hope to see all again soon. Photos will follow sometime. =)

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 8, 2013 - 10:04am PT

Great time meeting some fellow tacos at Birdapolluza. Thanks for putting this together Callie, was awesome to meet some good people and real birders, we learned a lot from you guys. We were only spectators and could not take any pics, but the others got some great shots that I'm sure will be posted. That trip out of SD looks awesome Reilly, perhaps we can get a group together in the future for that one.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 8, 2013 - 11:18am PT

Cyndie, be careful around those big birds!!

I also had a great time birding LA with everyone this weekend. It was sweet to hang with people that are as into it as I am. Everyone was super cool. Thanks Callie for inviting all of us.
My only regret was missing the Black Throated Gray Warbler! Now I am determined to find one soon.
I got a few pics. I'll start with these.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 8, 2013 - 11:21am PT

Yeah, I missed one too Dee, that cedar waxwing is illusive to me. Can't seam to get a good look at one. Good to meet you, fun group to hang out with.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 8, 2013 - 11:31am PT

Claud, we missed you two on Sun. We saw a huge number of CW's up close!!Sorry man!

Reilly, I'll miss that Pelagic trip in August. I'll be birding and traveling in Australia...whee hoo!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 8, 2013 - 01:15pm PT

We saw at a flock of at least 50 waxwings flying around the LA Arboritum. They seemed to congregate at a tree in a corner of the park, upon close investigation they were taking trips to a bird bath in a private residence whose backyard property line was the park boundry. I think I was able to get at least 10 or 15 in a photo all perched on one branch on a popular nearby tree.

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

Panorama City, California & living in Seattle

Apr 8, 2013 - 02:32pm PT

This just in.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 8, 2013 - 03:01pm PT

Documentary about the birds of paradise

[Click to View YouTube Video]

[Click to View YouTube Video]

[Click to View YouTube Video]

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 8, 2013 - 03:15pm PT

Those of you at Birdapalooza heard me mention a hummingbird documentary. Here is a link. watch it and be amazed at those little birds and their tiny bodys. It is a PBS documentary called "Magic in the air"

http://video.pbs.org/video/1380512531/

Also here is the origami TED talk I spoke with some of you about...

http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_lang_folds_way_new_origami.html

Yes these are true origami, one square sheet of paper, only folds...crazy what happens when you teach a computer to design the folding patterns for you.

This hummingbird may be separate origami that have been attached...I'm not sure and couldn't find info on it...but I wouldnt be that surprised if it was true, but the stems seem too thin.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 8, 2013 - 03:44pm PT

So this has nothing to do with birding, but Matts' post reminded me of an awesome documentary on Origami on Netflix streaming. Never thought I would be this interested in it, really cool, different, perspective about the art.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2013 - 04:02pm PT

Fellow birders -

Thanks so much for joining us on our quick trip out West. We ended up going to new locations for what turned out to be a bit of an urban birding experience...it was great!

Saturday we met at the Botanic Gardens then headed to Harbor Park, Sand Dunes Park and then the shore (did I forget a location?) edit: and Madrona Marsh. Sunday was a full day of LA Arboretum (I can spell now that the margarita is out of my system).

It wasn't tremendously birdy, but we still managed to get over 70 species. Favorites for me included the Nashville Warbler, Sea Scoter and Bulbuls. I got a HUGE kick out of the Amazons at the Arboretum! There were Red-Heads and Lilac Crowns out in big numbers. Given it's breeding season they were extra fun to watch. Got to see an Amazon stand off and later some peacocks getting after it (fighting! get you minds out of the gutter!!). :)

It was such fun hanging with Dirt Claude, 10b4me, Dee ee, Matty, Reilly and all the others. We will definitely do that again!

Hopefully BN and others will get some photos up very soon. Until then, here is a fab photo that Steve Wolfe got yesterday at the Arboretum:

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 8, 2013 - 04:12pm PT

There were some excellent photographs taken, can't wait to see them, wish we could have joined you guys on Sunday.

Edit: ok, now I see them. The PC at work was blocking them I guess. Great pics everyone, that waxwing looks cool Dee.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 8, 2013 - 06:32pm PT

Here are a couple of my better ones from the weekend.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 8, 2013 - 07:22pm PT

Yeah, that is a good one, great pic man.

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Apr 8, 2013 - 07:28pm PT

dee ee, ..WOW! Beautiful ......

Wild bird school picture day.....the bluebird looks like it just combed it's silky blue hair...

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Apr 8, 2013 - 07:35pm PT

Great shots Dave!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2013 - 07:49pm PT

Beautiful!!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 8, 2013 - 08:33pm PT

Rob, you had a nice Rock Wren.
Here is my best RW from Death Valley. He was calling up at the Wildrose Campground just before sunset.

That shot from Steve was spectacular, a real pro shot.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2013 - 11:32pm PT

I've downloaded the point and shoot camera. I got some photos of birders...none of birds. And unlike the bird photos, my photos are marginal. Still they show some fun.

Many of the birders at Sand Dune Park. It was initially pretty quiet, but as we decided to leave for lunch, many birds showed.

Reilly, Dee ee, and local birder Stephen Dexter in the back

Brassnuts and Dirt Claude

10b4me and Reilly

This wouldn't be a complete climbing TR without a butt shot. :)

Urban birding with Steve Wolfe and Stephen Dexter

Birders everywhere ... plus a curious bystander with a dog.

10b4me and Dee ee looking for the Wobblers. :)

We saw many Yellow-Rumps, and a Nashville Warbler

Belay neck training is excellent for birding

Fun lunch at Cozymels

Madrona Marsh...Urban birding for Warblers!

Some fun ducks here - the silliest being a male Ruddy in breeding plumage

We finished Saturday at the shore. Saw dolphins (or were they porpoises?), Sea Scoters, lots of different types of cormorants and loons, Black Oystercatcher and other such birds.

Brassnuts, Steve Wolfe, Stephen Dexter and Jose

Sunday several of us met at the LA Arboretum...

Crimpergirl, Steve W, Dee ee and Matty

Approaching a very proud Peacock displaying for the stairs...the wall...the sidewalk...and pretty much everything.

I was goosing this rascal and he didn't even care!

All the guys saw something good!

The squirrels were friendly...REALLY friendly!

Although blurry (my specialty), this is a great shot!

Another favorite photo...this should be used for a caption contest. Dee ee and Matty

A Common Yellowthroat has their attention.

Coolest tree there.

Love the poppys

Even the turtles were friendly (i.e., demanding)

I counted 28 turtles and one Double-Crested Cormorant in this frame

The birding day ended with seeing a Bewick's Wren disappear into the crack by this door jam. He/she has a nest in there!

Touch guy photo! Matty, BrassNuts and Steve Wolfe (aka Lone Wolf)

Thanks to all who joined us. It was a great trip!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 8, 2013 - 11:44pm PT

Love it. Keep em coming. Fun memories and photos

10b4me

Ice climber

Happy Boulders

Apr 9, 2013 - 12:06am PT

Wish I could have been there on Sunday.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 9, 2013 - 12:17am PT

We kept hoping you could somehow make it 10b4me! We saw the Wood Duck, but the Mandarin eluded us. TONS of Cedar Waxwings, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Bulbuls. We saw some Band-Tailed Pigeons (first for me) and many others. It really was great fun.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 9, 2013 - 09:21am PT

Sheesh, that lense of Dave's looks like a bazooka!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 9, 2013 - 09:41am PT

That is exactly what we call it Steve. One man walked by BN and said "that thing is an assault weapon". Cracked everyone up.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 9, 2013 - 11:39am PT

Would have loved for you to make it Dingus...maybe next time! It was a good outing and there were no injuries! :)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 9, 2013 - 11:43am PT

thanks for the photos Crimpie!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 9, 2013 - 12:10pm PT

Thanks for posting the pics, good times, hope to do it again soon. Would crack me up when we would all be in one location and someone would call out a bird, than we would all go running over there with our binoculars, I felt like a dork, but was loving the whole experience.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 9, 2013 - 08:19pm PT

bump

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 9, 2013 - 08:38pm PT

great shots from the LA excursion! Thanks Crimper and De De

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 9, 2013 - 11:56pm PT

Great fun was had by all at the SoCal Birdapalooza! Thanks to everyone for coming out, really fun to spend time with Taco bird people and see some feathered friends :-) Here are a few from the first day...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 10, 2013 - 11:36am PT

Those are great shots Dave!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 10, 2013 - 11:38am PT

Kudos to Dave and Dee ee! You both got some keepers! :-)

10b4me

Ice climber

Happy Boulders

Apr 10, 2013 - 11:41am PT

I agree, great shots

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2013 - 12:16pm PT

Can't wait to see more photos from everyone as well!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 10, 2013 - 12:18pm PT

Great shots Dave and dee....really beautiful.

Saw this sweet fellow this morning on my hike with my dog. Cooper's Hawk. I think a immature one.

Really beautiful hawks.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Apr 10, 2013 - 12:36pm PT

Wow, look at that giant L-series lens (at least that's what it looks like) Dave's running. I think those things cost more than my car (and obviously take stellar shots, as evident in BNs pics).

Looks like a fun time had by all, inspired me to go find my binocs.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 10, 2013 - 01:12pm PT

cyndiebransford

climber

31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska

Apr 10, 2013 - 02:50pm PT

Really beautiful photos of the birds.
I am still waiting for our spring migration birds to return. It has dropped to the single digits again the last five days. We need to thaw out and have some spring weather.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Apr 10, 2013 - 04:42pm PT

Cyndie, I gather you are down Kenai way...but if you find yourself in Fairbanks, Creamer's Field is usually GREAT for birding. Used to have my weekend morning latte there all summmer.

john hansen

climber

Apr 10, 2013 - 05:09pm PT

I am going to be in southern arizona, around the 29th or so of this month.

I have seen a few spots online like Pantigonia creek and some places around Seirra vista.

Any advice on other good spots to go?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2013 - 05:30pm PT

John - and 10b4me who will be in AZ soon. There is a book titled Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona published by the Tucson Audubon Society that we've found really helpful. You may want to get it as it's sort of big - lots of info.

We liked Portal and Cave Creek a lot. We'll be in Ramsey Canyon (near Sierra Vista) the first several days of April birding too. We found that Mary Jo Ballatore's place was great last year, though the count was down post-fire. Love the San Pedro Riparian - along the river (off of 90) awesome even in the heat of the day. I actually got bored with Vermillion Flycatchers there. Really. Though many recommend Ft. Huachuca, we didn't find much of anything there. Likely won't go again. We stay at the Ramsey Canyon B&B with is adjacent to the Nature Conservancy property. Lots of good birds on the small grounds of the B&B (Painted Redstarts taunting you) and in the Nature Conservancy area.

Sonora Desert Museum, near Tucson, was great fun too.

In terms of what is in urban Tucson, lots of parks are listed in the book. Some are:

Reid Park and Arroyo Chico
Ed Pastor Kino Environmental restoration project at Sam Lena Park
Fort Lowell park and Rillito River
Evergreen cemetary
Greasewood Park
Pima Canyon

I've not been to any of these places though.
Catalina State Park

Not sure that's much help. :/ Hope so.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 10, 2013 - 05:30pm PT

This might be of help, although I assume your looking for locals to give you some tips.

http://www.birding.com/wheretobird/arizona.asp

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 10, 2013 - 05:32pm PT

Crimpie, what was that birdwatching app you guys were talking about on Saturday? Need to get that one.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2013 - 05:36pm PT

We have droids so we have Sibley's online guide. It costs a bit ($20 maybe), but it's worth it I think.

I believe those with I-phones rave about I-bird.

I'd love to find an app that could be a trip list that recognizes voices. So instead of writing down the bird list, I could just talk to my droid. I tried it on a to-do list, but it doesn't understand many bird names. :) I don't want to take time to type the birds on a list - I'm faster writing them.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 10, 2013 - 05:50pm PT

John Hanson, there is also an ABA book that is worth getting.
I don't know how hard core you are but IMHO the two MUSTS are Guadalupe Cyn
in the far SE corner and California Gulch west of Nogales. If you get to
California Gulch early in the morning you are almost guaranteed a Five-striped
Sparrow or two. That is also one of the more reliable spots for the
Buff-collared Nightjar. It is pretty rugged driving but you don't need
four-wheel drive- just decent clearance. Oh, yeah, on the way to California
Gulch you can stop at Pena Blanca Lake - the Least Grebes nest there now.
That is why we were too late getting to the gulch.

Guadalupe Cyn is really great because nobody goes there any more because of
those 'bad Mexicans'. But the place is so remote I really don't think the
smugglers use it much as I didn't see any Border Patrol within 10 miles of
the place. I saw a pair of Berylline hummers there! It is supposed to be
good for Northern-Beardless Tyrannulet although I got skunked on them.

Cave Creek disappointed me as I had not been there since the big fires. I
guess some birds are still showing up there, a Rufous-backed Robin was there
mere days before we were, but it wasn't like it was BITD.

Sonora Crk is still really good as are most of the other more visited spots.
The hike up Scheelite Cyn on Fort Huachuca for the Spotted Owl is a nice
hike even if you get skunked like we did. But there were a number or Painted
Redstarts and there are some great pictographs a little ways up the main
canyon.

10b4me

Ice climber

Happy Boulders

Apr 10, 2013 - 06:39pm PT

thanks for the info Crimpergirl. I want to visit the Sonora Desert Museum.
I will also be up on Mt. Lemmon.

Dirt Claud,
I have a Droid also, and just downloaded the ibird app to it.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 10, 2013 - 08:09pm PT

OK so here are some fotos from saturday. Sorry if the quality is off but I did a lot of cropping and high iso...Didnt get any really good ones from the sand dune park but here a few from the marsh.

There was a blackbird that attacked an egret that was fishing by the blackbirds nest. Pretty agressive little guy. Looks like it made contact...

It eventually chased the egret off and followed to make sure it stayed away...

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 10, 2013 - 08:21pm PT

I accidentally hit enter so I'll start a new post.

The cinnamon teal was a new one for me

I guess after getting chased away the egret went hunting in the field...

I really enjoyed beeing there and meeting everyone....

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2013 - 08:31pm PT

Awesome photos Matty. The egret v. Blackbird was entertaining. Can still hear the egret groaking in my head! Loved the ducks. Anyone get the Ruddy? Excellent meeting you all. I really needed that fun!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 11, 2013 - 12:30am PT

Double duck butt shot - good catch Matty. More birds de palooza..

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 11, 2013 - 01:16am PT

Major wows there BN! That Townsend's is really bringing it!
And that Red-tail was fresh from the dry cleaner's.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 11, 2013 - 11:00am PT

Cool shots guys, like that last bee one too,
thanks for the info Crimpie/10b4me

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 11, 2013 - 06:00pm PT

Anyone here seen one of these in real life?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 11, 2013 - 06:08pm PT

Harpy Eagle? (Been to the eye doc and my pupils are dilated and I'm blind). I love Harpy Eagles!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 11, 2013 - 10:58pm PT

Matty, I really enjoyed the hummingbird vid and the TED talk origami vid, thanks.

I had a great birding day today finally getting the Black Throated Gray Wobbler and fos Western Tanager and Black Headed Grosbeak, beautiful Yellow Warblers too, Silverado Canyon was going off! If I only knew more calls and songs.

No pics though, the camera is in the shop. It needed a super minor repair and Canon is going to give me a new one, good customer service.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 11, 2013 - 11:39pm PT

Nice shots everyone. Cant wait to go kayaking this summer myself. There's even an eagles nest where I go too!

Glad you enjoyed the vids Dave, and hope your new camera is bitchen.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 12, 2013 - 12:08am PT

Harpy? Don't get me started! But you did. When I was in Iguazu two years ago
I had a local guide lined up. He wouldn't guarantee one but he didn't say no
either. The day before I got there his mum took badly ill so I was on my own.
It wasn't a pretty sight. Well, Iguazu was but there was a surprising
paucity of birds in the park. Plus they wouldn't let you in before 0900.

But I did see this beautiful Squirrel Cuckoo...and a few others. ;-)

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little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 12, 2013 - 01:42am PT

that would be a Philippine Eagle, not a Harpy. I'd happily roll over and die if I ever got the chance to see one of those in the wild. A Harpy would be sweet as well - worth a mild heart attack.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 12, 2013 - 03:29am PT

Pithecophaga = "Monkey eater." Philippine Eagles are gnarly.

Great photos up there ^^^, as always!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 12, 2013 - 09:19am PT

Never heard of the Philippine Eagle. Super cool! Would love to see either (Harpy or Philippine).

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 12, 2013 - 10:25am PT

Philippine Eagle is correct, I only know because the caption had the name on it, I just didn't post it to see what you guys thought it was, a little trivia I suppose, :-).

If you liked that Origami TED talk Dee, check out "Between The Folds" if you get a chance, really cool insight into Origami art.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 12, 2013 - 12:09pm PT

Yes dirt I had heard of that one before but never saw it, thanks for reminding me it looks really good.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 12, 2013 - 01:11pm PT

Ruddy

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 12, 2013 - 01:17pm PT

Huh huh! I love Ruddy Ducks! Glad you got a nice shot of him Matty.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 12, 2013 - 08:48pm PT

Nice pics all!

I saw a Ruddy today who's beak wasn't nearly that blue at Bolsa Chica.

Whee hoo, I did finally see a Clapper Rail! FOS Least Tern and Caspian Tern as well.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Apr 14, 2013 - 04:56pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 14, 2013 - 11:20pm PT

QUESTION for the masses...
Has anyone counted birds they saw in Hawaii that were not endemic?
I know they many are introduced. Sorta feels like cheating. And you aren't finding them in certain seasons and during migration or habitat.
Like a Northern Cardinal outside a hotel in 80 degree temps. What gives?

Kinda like shooting fish in a barrel. But I dunno, I've never shot fish in a barrel. Could be fun :)

I know most of you are photo oriented, but I would love some insight.

THANKS!

john hansen

climber

Apr 14, 2013 - 11:29pm PT

I have maybe 20 OR 25 native spiecies here in Hawaii. I have also seen about 40 or 50 introduced spiecies, but never counted them for my life list.

Never counted starlings, english sparrows, or ring neck phesants either.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 14, 2013 - 11:48pm PT

I will count them when I see them in ENGLAND ^^^^.

john hansen

climber

Apr 14, 2013 - 11:51pm PT

Yes , I will too. LOL

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 15, 2013 - 12:01am PT

I guess it is cool to see them, but you could hardly call it real birding.

For me, finding habitat, waiting for the right season, and getting lucky is what it is all about.

Scoring a Northern Cardinal in the parking lot of the hotel on Oahu is tempting, but something deep down tells me it ain't right.

john hansen

climber

Apr 15, 2013 - 12:14am PT

I am heading to southern AZ in a couple weeks. Never been down there..

Hoping for 20 or 30 lifers. Is it OK to count the hummers you see at the feeder's?? :)

Will be in the Monterey area around the 25th, 26th,

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 15, 2013 - 12:50am PT

Cool John!

I am going to SE AZ in AUGUST right after monsoons. I was told that was a good time to go, but to stick to the high islands. Will likely climb at Mt. Lemmon also!

Good luck, you are gonna score!

I bought "Finding Birds in SE AZ" and also the "Birds of SE AZ" guide.

I'm "studying" and hope to also score!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 15, 2013 - 09:59am PT

A few more from the birdapalooza for a Monday morning. Snowing here again today - where is Spring??

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 15, 2013 - 10:02am PT

All gorgeous!

10b4me

Ice climber

Happy Boulders

Apr 15, 2013 - 10:07am PT

Great pics Dave

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 15, 2013 - 11:09am PT

Nice shots Dave!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 15, 2013 - 11:36am PT

Touché Mike - nice stuff! Like that crazy blue throat shot.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 15, 2013 - 11:38am PT

Like the color on that tree swallow, kind of like a dark turquoise. great pics guys, some real talent here.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 15, 2013 - 11:46am PT

Grear shots Mike and Dave.

I want to recommend two interesting bird movies.

1) Birders- The Central Park Effect
This is a wonderful flick about New York birding and birders.Way excellant.

2) A Murder of Crows
Very interesting. This may have been mentioned upthread. Worth seeing.

I've started the Birds of Paradise links, I am enjoying those.

The spring migration is in full swing down here (although some are saying it isn't as good as some years). I am heading out soon to see what I can see.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Apr 15, 2013 - 11:52am PT

Great shots Dave! Love those Allen's. Their coloring is so dignified in comparison to other hummers with the garish, over the top colors.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 15, 2013 - 07:28pm PT

I thought that Yellow Rump was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. He stood out at the Arboretum when we were there.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 15, 2013 - 09:49pm PT

Glad to see Crimpie wuzn't goosing that peacock!!!!

hee hee hee. . .

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 16, 2013 - 12:37am PT

From the last day of the SoCal Birdapalooza - LA Arboretum.
One more batch from the trip still to come. We really had fun with y'all taco bird nuts!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 16, 2013 - 12:57am PT

Brass... did you go to the Huntington? Best garden grounds in So Cal.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 16, 2013 - 01:20am PT

I've been trying to get a great shot of a yellowthroat for years. They tend to be on the move. Excellent shots Dave.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 16, 2013 - 04:02pm PT

Slater- no huntington this time. The gardens are nicer there, but better birding at the LA arboretum IMO.

Here are some of my shots from Day 2 of LA birdapalooza

more later

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 16, 2013 - 04:22pm PT

I just want to pick up that YellowThroat and kiss him all over!

Matty - love the photos. The peacock with feets totally cracks me up. :)

shady

Trad climber

hasbeen

Apr 16, 2013 - 04:29pm PT

A few years back while on a fishing trip in Montana I saw something I still can't wrap my head around.
While driving up one of those beautiful river valleys, the Flathead I think, I saw a bald eagle traveling in my same direction. It was just over the tree line on the other side of the river. I didn't have to slow down much to pace it. As I was admiring this powerful raptor a grey streak shot down from the eagles six o'clock high position, hitting it in the back of the head.
I was caught between looking for the assailant and the eagle, now tumbling earthward in a trail of white feathers. I honestly felt sick as the eagle tumbled out of control, disappearing into the trees.
Although I never saw it clearly, my assumption, based on color and speed, the assailant was a peregrine. I had no idea these two birds had such an adversarial relationship. Since they don't share the same prey, I am left to assume it was a territorial issue.
Is this common behavior for a peregrine?
Awesome thread!
So many great photographers here on ST.

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

Panorama City, California & living in Seattle

Apr 16, 2013 - 04:45pm PT

I was waiting for a jet to come out of the clouds and saw thse guys way up there. This is about 50x.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 16, 2013 - 04:50pm PT

Speaking of fuzzy heads here is a baby goose from that day...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 16, 2013 - 05:00pm PT

Nice pics you guys!

I had killer birding this morning checking out a new section of Bolsa Chica and the Hunt. Beach Central Park.

Highlights include:

Lazuli Bunting (only second time I've seen one and first in the OC, seen one at Dinkey Creek in the Sierra)

Hammond's Flycatcher (tricky but positive ID)(life lister)was reported on the OC rare bird alert 2 days ago, I contacted the lady that saw it and got good beta from her on where to look

Black Chinned Hummer (first of season)

Hairy Woodpecker (first of season)

I got home and my new (replacement) Canon SX50 showed up. I missed some good photo ops today though.

WHEE-HOO!

shady

Trad climber

hasbeen

Apr 16, 2013 - 08:59pm PT

Lazuil bunting, at Bolsa chica?
Being an OC ex-pat I gotta say that's cool.
Good eye!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Apr 16, 2013 - 11:32pm PT

I read THE BIG YEAR
and
KINGBIRD HIGHWAY

any other suggestions?

I liked BIG YEAR the best.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 16, 2013 - 11:36pm PT

Hope is the thing with feathers. Awesome book. See: http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Thing-Feathers-Personal-Chronicle/dp/1585427225

Return of the Osprey. Really poignant. See: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=return%20of%20the%20osprey&sprefix=return+of+the+ospr%2Cstripbooks&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Areturn%20of%20the%20osprey&ajr=2

I really like Bird Sense. See: http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Sense-What-Its-Like/dp/0802779662/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366169763&sr=1-1&keywords=bird+sense

Hope you like them too!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 17, 2013 - 12:43am PT

The Bird by Colin Tudge - erudite and entertaining.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 17, 2013 - 02:36am PT

Some from our feeder (Seattle). Aside from these, I saw an American Pipit (lifer) at the landfill on the commute in the other day.

and for the purists (e.g. me) who don't want any human made objects in the photo, these are blossoms of the pear tree that they seem to love regardless of the feeder.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 17, 2013 - 10:03am PT

Who can resist a baby goose Matty? So cute! It was nice seeing them there too. Spring has arrived (in LA anyway).

Love the Pine Siskins Darwin. We get them at the feeders here and they are always a treat hanging with the Goldfinch. Feisty little guys!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 17, 2013 - 11:28am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 17, 2013 - 11:59am PT

Cool Mandarins! I wish we could have seen the one that frequents the Arboretum. I've never seen one.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 17, 2013 - 12:04pm PT

Crimpy, just say no to escapees! ;-0

Sitting here and watching 'my' Black Phoebe work the front yard.
In the afternoon he moves to the backyard. It is amazing that a few
yards can provide such a good living. Is it because ours and the two on
either side are pretty much pesticide-free? I qualify that because I do
employ targeted strikes against the ants. I draw the line at carpet bombing.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 17, 2013 - 12:04pm PT

No way dewd - those Mandarin ducks are fake! ;-). Amazing colors, would love to see one!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 17, 2013 - 12:10pm PT

Will have to check that one out Crimpie. Didn't know they had one there.
Those Black Phoebes crack me up, they are cute little guys.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 17, 2013 - 12:20pm PT

was out in a pineapple plantation the other day where they set up these sheets of fly paper along the edge of the beds to do insect pest monitoring and saw this...

looks like a Common Pauraque slammed into the sheet and got stuck, at least momentarily, LOL! I bet it went after some moth or big insect that was also stuck there.

Shady - the Peregrine striking the Bald Eagle is pretty typical for most raptors if they are defending a nest with young, no fear of taking on bigger critters if they get too close to the nest, people included. I once found someone's "US Forest Service" hat in a Goshawk nest.

Slater - ditto Crimpy's recommendation: "Hope is the thing with feathers" is a great book

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 17, 2013 - 12:26pm PT

There is a famous case of a ranger in Minnesota who got too close to a
Great Horned Owl nest one night. He never saw her coming until it was too
late - she hit him right in the face and he never saw anything again.

shady

Trad climber

hasbeen

Apr 17, 2013 - 02:07pm PT

Thanks little Z.
In the seventies I was briefly into falconry. bitd we had to take birds from the wild. The ferocity of even something as small as a kestrel defending a nest is very impressive, and understandable.
The attack on the eagle shocked me because the eagle was minding it's own business, the attack seemed to be unprovoked.
Thanks...
Presheatechr response.

P.S. FS hat in a Goshawk nest...heh...heh...heh...birdy got a trophy.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 17, 2013 - 02:25pm PT

Reilly - I'm no purist. I love them all! :) Would like to see a Mandarin since I've not seen them ever.

Dirt Claud, Steve Wolfe (aka Lone Wolfe) said there has been a resident Mandarin at the Arboretum. Unfortunately we didn't get to see him on our trip.

Crazy photo Little Z!

Love this thread.

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Apr 18, 2013 - 03:41am PT

Okay birders, it's test time again. Here's an LBB (little brown bird) I saw this morning. Couldn't get too close, so I'll post several pictures in the hope that one of them will be useful (and yeah, I know the pictures suck), but let's see who can tell me what this is...

john hansen

climber

Apr 18, 2013 - 04:05am PT

Not sure if thats a troll,, but,, English Sparrow. One of the most common urban /civilized birds. It is an introduced bird that has infiltrated many habitats all around the world.

I was looking in the Peterson guide but they are not listed in the sparrow section.

Hope i'm not wrong.. LOL

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 18, 2013 - 07:35am PT

good one Ghost - a Eurasian Tree Sparrow. So where are you? some place like St. Louis or western Illinois?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 18, 2013 - 09:05am PT

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eurasian_Tree_Sparrow/id

Where did you get that? :)

When I lived in STL I was anxious to see one. Went on several walks but didn't get it. Finally I looked at my feeder. They were there.

They are similar to House Sparrows, but there are differences. Only in the first photo does it look like there may be the white dot above the eye (House Sparrow). Others seems to show the white collar and black ear though (Eurasian).

For comparison; http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/house_sparrow/id

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 18, 2013 - 10:01am PT

Looks like an interesting radio presentation:

The Lost Bird Film. The link below offers a couple of minutes of info about the full film showing on Earth day.

http://www.lostbirdfilm.org/blog_lost_bird_project_on_birdnote_radio

From this webpage: "Birdnote is discussing the film in advance of hundreds of broadcasts on public television stations nationwide next week in conjunction with Earth Day."

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 18, 2013 - 01:42pm PT

Matty, you went on the wrong cruise!

From CALBIRDS Yahoo:

On April 14,15, 16, Holland America cruised north from San Diego, ranging
45-60 miles offshore, west of San Miguel Island to the Oregon border.
Highlights on April 15-16 include: 3 Hawaiian Petrel (1 off Santa
Barbara, 1 off Monterey, and 1 off Humbolt), 43 Murphy's Petrel btween
Santa Barbara and Humbolt, 5 Cook's Petrel in Santa Barbara, Monterey and
Humbolt, and 1 Parakeet Auklet in Humbolt, 11 in Oregon, & 24 in
Washington. They also saw 1 Laysan Albatross and 1 Flesh-footed
Shearwater.

Paul Lehman also reported to me a surprisely high count of 530 Sabine's
Gull and good numbers of Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel and Tufted Puffin in
Northern California.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 18, 2013 - 01:53pm PT

Reilly - the pelagic cruise you posted up thread looks fun. With my smothering work load, it's hard to plan ahead now. Still, it'd be fun to reassemble the taco birding team for something like that.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 18, 2013 - 03:40pm PT

American Kestrel on my hike today. Beautiful little killers they are.

Callie...this is for you...try not to cry.:-)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151866003744966&set=a.10151311735369966.562635.167774004965&type=1&theater

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 18, 2013 - 04:40pm PT

I went to Tucker today looking for the Calliope H.bird reported yesterday, no luck

[url=http://s60.photobucket.com/user/davidevans511/media/037_zps5aea9819.jpg.html]{{img}}h~~p://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h31/davidevans511/037_zps5aea9819.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=http://s60.photobucket.com/user/davidevans511/media/032_zps5df98445.jpg.html]{{img}}h~~p://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h31/davidevans511/032_zps5df98445.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=http://s60.photobucket.com/user/davidevans511/media/0132_zps2872a23a.jpg.html]{{img}}h~~p://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h31/davidevans511/0132_zps2872a23a.jpg[/img][/url]

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 18, 2013 - 04:46pm PT

Dee ee - gorgeous photos! Love love love.

Thanks for the link Bob D'A. I followed Alex from the beginning. He is only a year older than my Henri. I went to see Pepperberg speak on three occasions and bought her books. I read her journal articles. A devout follower as one could be.

I remember the morning that they announced Alex's death. I was sitting in Lambert airport waiting on a flight to take me ultimately to Yosemite. Total flash-bulb moment for me. I broke down right there. He was such an awesome bird. He taught people a whole lot more than people taught him. The Pepperberg staff did not even release information about Alex's death for a month to give them some time to grieve in private. So so tragic.

Thanks for sharing that, but you know I'll cry as I'm a big fat softy cry baby. :)

edit: Think one of yours didn't post Dee ee.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 18, 2013 - 04:50pm PT

More from PA and NJ.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 13, 2014 - 06:57pm PT

Y'all keep showing off as much as you want! Thanks for the photos.

For me it's pretty much what BrassNuts said. Actually it's a nice day here, but I haven't seen a lot of birds.

I found this on our local bird forum.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Reilly might be the only regular on "birds" to appreciate this. I find it bizarre and a little troubling. I walk or cycle over that fill every day. I'll post a photo of what it looks like today, but 90% of my "birds" thread posted photos were taken right in the epicenter of the dump. I don't know, take home message: "How stupid can humankind be, and how forgiving can nature be?"

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 13, 2014 - 07:14pm PT

Nice Darwin.

Here are a few more from PA and NJ. Really looking forward to going back to Cape May this Spring or Summer.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Feb 13, 2014 - 09:53pm PT

Left my camera in the room this morning in my rush to get out the door on time, so no photos of that Gray Hawk or the two Harris’s Hawks that were sitting there so perfectly.

Pretty shocking video Darwin, especially if you know the fill as it is now. Yes, amazing how nature can overcome man’s folly if given enough time.

Bob, great photos of all those familiar birds. Seeing them on feeders in winter reminds me of childhood days. That Tufted Titmouse shot is outstanding. If I put your Long-eared Owls and mention of Cape May together I get another fond memory from my youth. When I was in high school I used to spend a week during fall migration up at Cape May trapping and banding raptors with a group of folks from D.C. We had always focused on diurnal raptors, but one year (74?) they decided to put up a few mist nets around the banding station and to run them at night to see what sort of owl migration there might be. We got a few Barn Owls at first but it was pretty quiet so they decided to run more nets. Then one cold night there was a huge push of Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls and the nets were just full of them. Then it started to drizzle and we were in a panic to get all these owls out of the nets. Once raptors are taken out of the nets they go into tubes to immobilize them for banding. This allows just a few people to handle a bunch of hawks (or owls) at one time and it also helps to keep the birds calm. Here’s a photo of how it works...

So three of us were able to get about 25 owls into cans and to close the nets before any birds got too wet. We took all these cans with owl tails sticking out of them back into our little banding blind and started processing the birds. Since it was still raining outside and most birds were already damp we didn’t want to just fling them out the door once we had finished banding them.

So we started just setting them up on the 2 x 4 s of the internal structure of the blind – Long-eared Owls at one end and Saw-whets at the other. Amazingly they all just sat there. After some bill clacking and a little hissing most birds fluffed up and started preening. We all had these huge smiles on our faces because we could not believe the growing spectacle of so much cuteness in such a small space as owl after owl went up on the shelf. By the time we were done it had stopped raining and most birds had dried out nicely. It was a little trickier picking each owl off its perch but we finally got them all out the door. Wish I could have gotten pictures of that, but the images stashed in my mind work fine too.

sorry for running on. I won't forget my camera tomorrow.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 13, 2014 - 10:40pm PT

Great story Jim, thanks for sharing. I'm going to Cape May in the fall. Should be great.

I need some help on these Jersey sparrows.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 13, 2014 - 10:49pm PT

Wow Z those little Saw-whets sure are cute.

I'm rethinking my decision to not spotlight them. Well Iduhno.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Feb 13, 2014 - 10:49pm PT

hey Bob,

looks like a Swamp (above) and a Fox (below). The White-throated up-thread was sweet too. Ditto for your Lincoln's dee ee.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 14, 2014 - 12:06am PT

Oh that owl! It exceeds daily recommended cuteness by a long shot!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 14, 2014 - 01:01am PT

Just checkin' in.

Will be birding in Europe in 6 more months. Excited!

Bird on,

Tom

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 14, 2014 - 02:18am PT

Bob, what Little Z said.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 14, 2014 - 10:21am PT

Thanks to the experts, love having you guys around, you have really helped me with my birding.

Mute Swan, Cape May, NJ

And a few from yesterday's hike.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 14, 2014 - 11:10am PT

I tried for Long-eared Owls this morning at 4:30am and got nothing. I didn't hear a single id'able owl. I had one bird fly across the road in front of me. By giss I think it may have been a Western Screech Owl.

I did hear a couple weird calls that I've never heard before, no idea though.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 14, 2014 - 12:53pm PT

I know Dee is all about his OC boids but if you want Long-eared you merely
have to go to Wildrose Campground in Death Valley. Better yet there is a
big copse off the road to Scotty's Castle where I saw a bazillion in broad
daylight.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 15, 2014 - 05:57pm PT

Some ducks from today...just to piss off Dr. F I will not label them. :-)

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Feb 15, 2014 - 11:17pm PT

just went to the beach on a wild goose chase, or in this case an Inca Tern chase. No dice on the tern but had fun and did see a Bonaparte's Gull - a new tick for my CR list.

Had plenty of shorebirds (mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers) to look over while waiting for the Inca Tern to appear (or not)

it is a pretty tedious and mind-numbing process, but every now and then something interesting pops up...

So far I have been able to find out that it was banded in Alaska at one of 7 sites (Yukon Delta, Nome, Cape Krusenstern, Point Barrow, Ikpikpuk River, Prudhoe Bay or the Canning River) by the Arctic Shorebird Demographic Network. I am waiting to hear the specifics as to where and when.

this is where the Inca Tern was seen, on this dock railing at high tide. Had nothing but Royal and Sandwich Terns, many Laughing Gulls and 4 Surfbirds.

Maybe next time...

nice duckies Bob, whatever they are?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 16, 2014 - 10:23am PT

Very nice Little Z.

Here is a crappy shot of a young Bald Eagle and it's lunch (Prairie Dog).

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Feb 16, 2014 - 11:42am PT

When this guy showed up yesterday, the birds in the yard all scattered.

He's got a mate. Maybe they're thinking about hanging around.

If these guys eat doves, they've just found Fat City.

10b4me

climber

Feb 16, 2014 - 07:15pm PT

http://www.tenbeephotography.com

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Feb 16, 2014 - 07:26pm PT

Backyard Road Runner

john hansen

climber

Feb 17, 2014 - 12:34am PT

I am guessing those would be Saw Whet Owl's'

So cool

I was wondering how the water situation is affecting the central valley?

Timid top rope mentioned that most of the geese were gone already from Grey Lodge.

Planning to be in the Klamath area in early April.

Is there any water up there, or is it dry ?

Other wise I might stay on the coast.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Feb 17, 2014 - 02:06am PT

Nice hike to the High Peaks at the Pinnacles today

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 17, 2014 - 10:25am PT

I lucked out (yay waiting list!)and got on the last Seal Beach Naval Weapons Reserve birding trip of the season. We still dipped on the Lapland longspur but got great up close views of the Ferruginous Hawks and the Nelson's Sparrow.

The big prize of the weekend was this Sage Thrasher at Irvine Park.

I did get this cool photo of Ms. Anna in her nest at Sea Terrace Park.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 17, 2014 - 03:08pm PT

Dave, funny that you bring up Sage Thrasher just now. I found one in an unusual location while watching Golden Eagles in the Livermore area. This is an oak grassland habitat. It looks like your thrasher was also in an unexpected location, probably sharing berries with Hermit Thrushes! I didn't have my DSLR along, but here is a digiscope image.

There is a small former quarry pond in a neighboring development of townhouses where I keep finding nice new species. Few of the residents around this pond are aware of all that is going on in there, including a River Otter family once. Recently a Common Gallinule (formerly C Moorhen) has taken up residence. They are not so common around here.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Feb 17, 2014 - 04:11pm PT

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Feb 17, 2014 - 04:24pm PT

Awesome, photos, Dee!!!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 17, 2014 - 04:45pm PT

Mike,

Is that near H&L and Tuff Domes? I understand that a Peregrine pair took over a former Prairie Falcon territory several years ago after a long absence from Pinnacles.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 17, 2014 - 11:42pm PT

Tony,

I had Sage Thrasher from the weekend before at San Jacinto Wildlife Area in Riverside for a lifer. It was cool that they showed up here too. They must be on the move. There were numerous Hermit Thrushes as well.

I'm seeing other signs of early migration. The Cliff Swallows just showed up in the last couple of days. Rufous and Costas Hummingbirds are being seen as well.

It could be a really weird migration year with cold to the north and east and heat to the south.

I'm hoping for a major Cali fallout!

Thanks Steve.

Love them big ugly Condors Mike! Send a couple down to the OC.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Feb 18, 2014 - 01:04pm PT

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Feb 18, 2014 - 07:46pm PT

Giant Hummingbird in poor light from earlier today:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 19, 2014 - 02:37pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 20, 2014 - 07:32pm PT

My bird of the day, the Summer Tanager.

Oops, this isn't a bird, Tiger Swallowtail.

Ross's Goose.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Feb 20, 2014 - 07:58pm PT

I had the chance to visit Yorba Park and the Santa Ana River yesterday.
Saw a pair of Egyptian Geese!

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Feb 20, 2014 - 08:23pm PT

A few more from Yorba Park and the Santa Ana River.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Feb 21, 2014 - 12:03pm PT

I have a question. I've looked and looked, but I can't find the answer.
What are those sails on the Mandarin drake? Are they wing feathers,
flank feathers, tail feathers, or other? Does the bird have them in eclipse
plumage?
OK, two questions.

FRUMY

Trad climber

Bishop,CA

Feb 21, 2014 - 12:07pm PT

^^^^^

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Feb 21, 2014 - 12:22pm PT

Thanks, Ron.

Edit: do they show up in flight?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 22, 2014 - 10:51am PT

I went to the LA Arboretum yesterday in hopes of seeing the Orchard Oriole, also Red-masked Parakeet, Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Rufous Crowned Sparrow and Spotted Owl reported in the last week. I dipped on all, I was a little disappointed. It wasn't very birdy and the biggest lake is all but dry. Hopefully it will get better when migration is in full swing. Lot's of Bulbuls though.

otisdog

Big Wall climber

Sierra Madre & McGee Creek, Ca.

Feb 22, 2014 - 12:13pm PT

Need some help IDing a bird in socal near the arboretum, I'm sure it will be simple for you pros. White breast, greyish back with red under the wing line, definite black spike on head, big song. Thanks

john hansen

climber

Feb 22, 2014 - 01:57pm PT

Perhaps like the one in the photo just above , The first in Dee ee's last post.

Bul Bul

Introduced bird

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Feb 22, 2014 - 04:19pm PT

as John says,

sounds like the Red-whiskered Bulbul, as pictured above by dee ee.

here's another shot of that species that would seem to fit your description

White breast (check)
greyish back (check)
with red under the wing line (check, red is on the undertail, but from certain angles, as in this photo, it appears "under the wing line")
definite black spike on head (check)
big song (check - http://www.xeno-canto.org/131477 )

and "in socal near the arboretum" helps too

if only all word descriptions of mystery birds were so easy....

otisdog

Big Wall climber

Sierra Madre & McGee Creek, Ca.

Feb 22, 2014 - 05:36pm PT

Wow, I guess should have read at least this page of the thread before posting... Yup, that's the bird. Came upon a bunch of them yesterday evening making a racket in a hedge. I checked my bird book (Audubon) and it showed the Bulbul's range as only southern Florida. This guide has been lacking many times. Have another ID request, but have to get more details - small yellow, grey and black bird with a very large song.
Thanks again!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 22, 2014 - 11:32pm PT

I got two good ones today! The Baltimore Oriole reported by Wendy Miller at Mile Square Park. Also FOS Nashville Warbler.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Feb 23, 2014 - 01:11am PT

I drove to Homer today in the hopes of seeing a Rustic Bunting. I spent three hours in 30 degree weather, and it was windy, standing in a very accommodating homeowner's backyard looking for the bird. I saw Juncos, Black-capped and Boreal Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, a Brown Creeper but no Rustic Bunting. Drove to the spit and I saw Long-tailed ducks, Common Mergansers, and Common Golden-eye. It was a good day to bird.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 23, 2014 - 11:58am PT

Nice Cyndie, I like those Long-tailed Ducks ("Oldsquaw!").

10b4me

climber

Feb 23, 2014 - 07:30pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 23, 2014 - 08:06pm PT

10b, most excellent!

Sitting at PHX bored and went thru phone photos from last summer.
Pileated hole from Wisconsin. Yes, it was huge.

And I was dyin' to know who was livin' here.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Feb 24, 2014 - 03:32pm PT

I haven't been in this thread for a while, hope everyone is doing well. Sure are a lot of nice photos to catch up on. A friend sent me this video with some incredible cinematography, I thought it would fit in well here.

A lucky squirrel and some amazing wildlife cinematography-

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Since I'm here I'll post a few pics-

Attack!

Notice the feather in the talon of the inverted eagle

Less than graceful landings for both birds.

Excuse the poor image quality. I couldn't get closer without disturbing them so I cropped heavily. There were 18 Baldies and 2 Goldens on this deer carcass, they turned it from a complete deer to bones and hide in about 5 hours.

Here is a closer shot of one of the Golden Eagles.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Feb 24, 2014 - 05:36pm PT

Excuse the poor image quality

Chewy, dude? Give me a break. Awesome photos! Wild video too. Seems so real, would be hard to imagine they used "trained" critters for that.

keep postin', don't be a stranger

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 25, 2014 - 08:55am PT

Those Eagle shots are rad!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 26, 2014 - 11:38pm PT

Even birds have an ego, how else do you explain the Nasal Comb-Over?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 26, 2014 - 11:56pm PT

Wow Reilly, good one.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 27, 2014 - 12:20am PT

I love checking into this thread, there is always a treat and most often many many. Thanks all, and for the record I appreciate those contributions Ron:-)

Q? So I got this fancy phone, they call it a smart phone. Well, I'm not sure it really IS a phone. It's just a mini computer with a phone app. on it, but I digress. Anyway, my question is do any of you recommend any of the bird apps. that you can download (I have a moto G if that makes a difference)? I tried one and as cool as it is (images and bird call) it covers only about 180 species. The Audubon one has more species but seems to be mostly for N.America birds. Is there one more inclusive that you know of which may include a greater geographic area?

Thanks!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 27, 2014 - 12:23am PT

Can't help you for Indian birds but iBird Pro is pretty good for N America.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 27, 2014 - 12:33am PT

Ironically I have the Indian birds down pretty well. But with the traveling I do I often find myself unable to ID. I will check that suggested one out though, thanks.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 27, 2014 - 01:13am PT

Delhi Dog,

I got this Android app for our trip to Northern Europe. It is pretty good, but will exclude a lot of Indian birds, I'm sure. However it may have a lot of long-distance migrants and widepspread Eurasian species.
Birds of Europe

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 27, 2014 - 01:19am PT

Thanks Tony!
Headed to Italy in a couple weeks:-)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 27, 2014 - 01:51am PT

DD,

We're going to Sicily in October. Looking forward to a report.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 27, 2014 - 07:10pm PT

I second iBirdPro.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Feb 27, 2014 - 10:06pm PT

CG and I were fortunate enough to spend last week in Kauai :-) Although conditions were wetter and cloudier than normal, even for Kauai, we had some fun adventures and saw a few birdies. Unfortunately due to trail conditions we were not able to tour the high rainforest/swamp areas for endemics, so mostly we saw 'common' species, but they were new to us :-)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 27, 2014 - 11:42pm PT

I picked up iBird Pro for a buck or two a couple of years ago, but haven't really looked at it since. Sibley, on the other hand, clocking in at $20, gets used all the time, esp for the regional variation in vocalizations. Comparison mode is sweet too.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 27, 2014 - 11:47pm PT

It is all about the dancing moves.

Cranes in the San Luis Valley.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 27, 2014 - 11:56pm PT

Gee, I didn't even know there was a Sibley phone app. I just checked it out and it looks excellent!

Nice shots, Bob! Especially the second!

Oh, and pardonnez moi, Mssr Nuts, yer exotics are, well, exotic!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 28, 2014 - 12:33am PT

Great photos everyone. The Kauai birds were fun for sure. Saw a few endemics up high, but as BN noted, the torrential rains kept us out of some places we really wanted to go. Guess we'll have to go back!

Before then though, we'll soon be in the J-Tree/Palos Verdes/Morongo area checking out all the avian! Can't wait!

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 28, 2014 - 12:41am PT

Thanks Willoughby I'll check that out.

Amazing how similar those sandhill cranes are to the Sarus ones here in India

and yes brassnuts, some sweet shots there!

We have some of those little oriental white-eyes too. I'll see if I can find a photo somewhere...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 28, 2014 - 10:05am PT

Love all the cranes!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 28, 2014 - 10:05am PT

Yes, I like and use Sibley too but iBird Pro is my go to just because I've had it longer. I use them almost exclusively for calls and songs.

Love the cranes and Kauai birds!

john hansen

climber

Feb 28, 2014 - 10:59pm PT

I have the Sibley app on my I pad. Have been trying to spend an hour a day or so going through the Alphabetical index and going thru the whole list checking range maps and habitat's.
I like the vocal recordings they have for most birds. The owls are all unique.

Gonna be going up the west coast for a few weeks in late March, early April from Monterey to Portland. Been using Sibley to find target bird's like Grey Jay, or Long Tailed ducks.

It seems to be pretty good with gulls,, but how can you tell a Mew gull from a Ring billed?
Any of you positively ID a Mew gull?

Edit.

Maybe the four white dots on the wing tips?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 28, 2014 - 11:04pm PT

John, I like to think I can. :-)
If you're serious about gulls go spend a few days on

http://www.Tertial.us/gulls/Gulls.htm

john hansen

climber

Feb 28, 2014 - 11:10pm PT

Thanks for the link ,I will check it out.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 28, 2014 - 11:53pm PT

We had this little Eurasian rarity show up in Santa Barbara. It was a lifer.

Also saw this famous bird... California's first Gray Hawk.

Brass Nuts... there is some great surf in Kauai too, Did you hit the west side at all?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 1, 2014 - 12:38am PT

Based on the birds and sun, Spring hit Seattle today. I stepped out of the house, and Northern Flickers were having interactions I had never seen before, Dark-eyed Juncos were chasing each other in a friendly way, and I saw one particular male Red-winged Blackbird singing and displaying the heck out of his wings to a couple of females. Generally, there was a lot of chasing going on.

I have iBird Plus (it was $10 cheaper than Pro when I bought it). I love having the songs with me, and I seem more likely to have it with me than a guide book. I'm still getting used the features and just tonight discovered an easier way to cycle through similar birds. I HATE the "keyboard" on mobile devices, and except for emergency email and iBird, I have done the opposite of bonding to my new iPod touch. I still have the world's cheapest dumbest cell phone, and I swear I will never pay for a data plan, until I do.

Awesome about the Gray Hawk.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 1, 2014 - 01:21am PT

Ron, I'll quote the Sibley guide for ya...

"Very rare visitor from Eurasia..."

Bird on.

john hansen

climber

Mar 1, 2014 - 01:38am PT

That's a nice shot slater,,

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 1, 2014 - 02:16am PT

Tufteds were a regular, if rare, visitor to the NW when i lived there. Almostbevery winter one
would show up at Green Lake where we lived.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 1, 2014 - 08:48am PT

Went to visit our bird this past Wednesday Reilly...no dice...the original suspect "nest" was still there but well hidden so you must missed it...not that it seems to have made a difference anyway =(

someday though...

Tobia

Social climber

Denial

Mar 1, 2014 - 09:41am PT

In my food plot, behind the barn.
They are eating clover and scratch feed.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 1, 2014 - 10:05am PT

Gray Hawk, Spotted Owl, very cool! No surfing in Kauai for us - most of the water was a little too rough for us surfing noobs... Here are a few more Kauai birdies for a snowy morning in Boulder.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 1, 2014 - 10:43am PT

Slater - the surf was fierce when we were there. Many beaches were closed to swimming. One (where the Na Pali Trail starts) allowed people in to their thighs but no snorkeling was allowed. We stayed on the south side (Kalaheo) and the north side (Princeville) but drove all over the place.

Brassnuts posted some of the bird photos here. If you are interested in the other trip photos (including the ocean shots), they are on the blog: www.daveandcallie.blogspot.com.

LOVE the tufted duck! I've not seen one.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 1, 2014 - 10:46am PT

Great stuff.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Mar 1, 2014 - 11:03am PT

hey there say, all...

wow, i just love the birds... :)

so pretty... just saw tobia's new birds, and dave's,
(brassnuts) too...

and callie's post...
and all...

thanks for sharing your lovely birds!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Mar 1, 2014 - 11:36am PT

BN, you're such a voyeur!!!!!

hee hee hee. . .

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 1, 2014 - 04:38pm PT

We were watching the Tiger Doves and I said "I wonder if that is a parent and youngster?" As I finished the sentence, the birds removed any doubt....they were a definitely a pair. :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 2, 2014 - 12:43pm PT

Cooper's Hawk on the hike today, snowy and cold near Boulder, CO today.

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Mar 2, 2014 - 05:24pm PT

Great Green's!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 2, 2014 - 06:09pm PT

quite the mix of great photos, thanks.

found this guy hiding in the brushy edges of a pasture this morning

and he wasn't alone...

keeping watch in the trees above for something to harass...

these are in the same genus as our kingbirds (Tyrannus) and they are real tyrants when it comes to defending their realm, they'll chase any other bird, big or little, if it invades their territory.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 2, 2014 - 09:10pm PT

Awesome birds! Military Macaws Q-ball? So beautiful where they belong. And the owls...OWLS!!!

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Mar 2, 2014 - 09:13pm PT

Crimpergirl- No they are Great Green's also called Buffon's macaws

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 2, 2014 - 09:33pm PT

How about the Spotted that waved at Matt? I can't even even find 'em, let alone get 'em to wave at me!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 2, 2014 - 09:38pm PT

Thanks Q-Ball - I have some reading to do. Beautiful birds for sure. I saw you called them 'Great Greens' above - thought you were stating the obvious and not their names. :)

edit: Like how the wiki page say it's commonly confused with the smaller Military Macaw. I was with that crowd!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 2, 2014 - 11:08pm PT

Brass, sounds like you were there during a big storm. I've spent two winters there. That place is magical. Hanalei is like something out of a dream.
Wish I had been into birding then... then again, glad I wasn't! I surfed my brains out! Great shots man.

TEXAS QUESTION!!!! (Bob maybe you are the expert here)

Can I do High Island area, THEN drive to Aransas, then down the coast to BROWNSVILLE and Santa Ana/Sabal Palm with 5 days? I realize it is 500 miles. Should I just stay in the High Island area??? I get itchy feet and don't mind driving because I can bird while I drive, and the Rio Grande... hate to miss it. My plan was to fly in to HOUSTON, rent a car, drive and bird, then fly out of McALLEN.

And no... 5 days is all I got (two kids back home!). Opinions???

Thanks! Not going until NEXT spring, but trying to do my HW> THanks!

Here is my obligatory bird photo.
Bird on!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 2, 2014 - 11:59pm PT

I love the ears on that Striped Owl. Reminds me of the antennae on giant moths. So beautiful!

edit: sounds fun, but a fair amount of driving Slater. Totally doable. I grew up in Houston and my parents live in Liverpool (near the coast). Keep us informed about how your trip shakes out. If I'm in the area, I'd love to hit some of those spots!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 3, 2014 - 12:02am PT

Slater, where'd you see the Nelson's?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 3, 2014 - 12:17am PT

UCR Arboretum

Backyard OCW in a runaway cherry tomato after 3.7" of rain.

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Mar 3, 2014 - 01:30am PT

Nelson's was in Morro Bay, at the Marina by the salt brush at high tide.

There are a pair of them.

OK it's time for the BIRD BIBLE... from SNL

http://digg.com/video/watch-saturday-night-live-bird-bible-online

Pretty funny if I do say so...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 3, 2014 - 10:49am PT

Hey you guys, what do you think of the bill on the Orange-crowned in my previous post? It's kinda' on the large side, eh?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 3, 2014 - 11:29am PT

I agree, Timid, but I didn't want to admit my ignorance. The bill looks
more thrasherish, and it even looks like the end is hidden by a leaf, but
I've never seen a green thrasher. The body looks like a large finch's.
Maybe it's a Crossbilled Thrasher? I'm out. Willoughby? Buehler?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 3, 2014 - 11:41am PT

Oriole, female Hooded- ? Just grasping at straws.

john hansen

climber

Mar 3, 2014 - 11:48am PT

The Bill looks more like a tanager...

Female Summer Tanager?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 3, 2014 - 12:00pm PT

John, I think you're a winner, and you might also be right.
But the bill still looks too big. Dee, can you tone down the contrast
and saturation a smidge? Oh, and remove that leaf?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 3, 2014 - 12:23pm PT

I think John is correct on the tanager.

A whole tree full of Cedar Waxwings yesterday.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 3, 2014 - 12:30pm PT

I say female Summer Tanager.

This fella was lurking around the hood today.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 3, 2014 - 02:53pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 3, 2014 - 04:09pm PT

Just took a look at dee ee's mystery bird, and I have to say, I'm completely stumped. I can't square it with anything in my experience, and I'm suspecting it may be an escaped exotic.

It's no tanager, at least not one from North America. Nor is it an oriole that I can name, though that's a better fit in many ways. But they all have pretty clear wingbars. I can't tell if the bill is deformed, giving it that underbite, if it has something in its bill, giving it the mere appearance of an underbite, or if it's supposed to be that way.

Where in the heck was this? Any other photos of this bird? Is that a little orange on the cap, or an artifact of this particular image? I'm completely baffled by this bird, but so far I'd say all the votes above have missed the mark (unless this thing is a complete mutant in plumage as well as bill shape).

john hansen

climber

Mar 3, 2014 - 05:58pm PT

Yeah that bill is weird,,,
The top is shorter then the lower one.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 3, 2014 - 06:38pm PT

I can buy dee ee's call of Orange-crowned Warbler. I think he'd know if it were something bigger like a tanager or oriole. Seems he was pretty close to the bird. The legs seem rather long and thin to be anything but a warbler. Wing-to-tail length, primary projection, pluamge pattern seem to match up well with OCW. Compare with this photo off the internet of OCW.

I think the deal is that Dave's is an "action photo". Looks like the bird is in the process of drinking or swallowing something (water or nectar - you can see a droplet of liquid in the space between the top and bottom of bill) and so the tongue is in action, lower mandible protruded to allow the tongue to move. Think of it like chewing. Bird bills are also somewhat flexible and the obvious curve could be just a lucky photo of that moment when the bill is flexed a little. That, or the bill is moving enough to blur, but not as likely, as everything else in the image seems pretty sharp. Or it really is a deformed bill. OCWs do drink a lot of nectar on wintering grounds, and as a result can become stained by pollen, which may account for the blotchy orange patch on crown and above eye. Or the bird is just wet (3.7 inches of rain - yowzers!)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 3, 2014 - 06:55pm PT

Great to have the experts around. :-)

White-breasted Nuthatch on the afternoon walk.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 3, 2014 - 08:19pm PT

I think Little Z is probably right, soaked bird (giving it that black-looking loral area), doing something VERY weird looking with it's bill. That also makes sense with that little orange patch showing through on the cap. Still looks peculiar standing tall like that, and truly seems like its bill is on sideways if it's an Orange-crowned. Maybe it's chewing its cud like a cow, or has a dislocated jaw. Who knows, but at least I can wrap this image around Orange-crowned Warbler, and it is surely the most likely suspect.

PS - Hard to guess folks' measure of size. Orchard Orioles can look absolutely dinky, and I've seen folks screw up immature White-crowned for various Spizella sparrows. Just sayin'.

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Mar 3, 2014 - 09:59pm PT

We went to Sorata for Carnaval and I got to do a little birding, but not much as it was a family trip.

A nice view of the west face of Huayna Potosi (just shy of 20,000') on the way there:

Puna Ibis, a very common but still interesting bird:

Two frolicking Yellow-billed Teals:

Another view of the Cordillera Real:

Sorata:

White-winged Tyrant:

Walking a bit above town:

Black-backed Grosbeak:

Carnaval:

Wjhite-bellied Hummingbird:

Cattle Egret:

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 3, 2014 - 10:13pm PT

What a pleasure to be able to read your collective posts and thoughts. My Oriole guess was based on the bill shape, and I wasn't really happy with that. I like the swing back to Orange-crowned Warbler.

And Little-Z; the owls!!!!! Holy Mo-of-gd!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 3, 2014 - 10:37pm PT

Another stellar page! I really enjoyed the OCW discussion. My first thought is that it was weird looking, but had to get back to work. Great discussion for future ID fun.

The Ibis above is cra-razy! Big body on him. CClarke's photos make me want to start planning my next big birding adventure! The mountain photos help too. :)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 4, 2014 - 10:19am PT

Thanks you guys for all the comments. Reilly, good eye on the brightness and contrast. I was trying to make it look as it did in rain lighting. My camera has a tendency to overexpose.

It was hopping around with another OCW and a House Wren.

I sent the photos over to one of our leading OC birders Doug Willick. He literally wrote the book on OC birding.
Here is what he had to say.

Hi David,

Yes, I would agree. Your Orange-crown definitely looks to have a bill deformity. The lower bill looks longer than the upper a little, but both appear maybe 50% longer than normal. With bill deformity it seems it usually involves bills that grown extra long, and in such cases they don’t seem to grow straight, but will curve (often downwards like this but sometimes even sideways). Deformities like this are fairly rare but do happen with some regularity (and with almost any species of bird it seems). If a birder is in the field regularly, one can run into these bill deformities maybe once every few years or so. Can’t recall if I’ve seen many warblers showing bill deformities, but seem to recall a Yellowthroat with an abnormally long bill some years ago. I remember a Northern Flicker that had a bill very similar to length and shape of a California Thrasher some time ago. Not sure what causes these deformities; would be interesting to investigate that.

Doug

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 4, 2014 - 10:26am PT

He's been hanging around the yard for a couple of days with his pals.
They love the runaway cherry tomato plant in my backyard.

That bill is freakishly huge!

I guess OC Warblers are early migrants. They are all over the place right now. There is so much variability, they go from bright yellow to dark green with some very gray ones also.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 4, 2014 - 01:15pm PT

Cool stuff above.

I'm really starting to dislike Kingfishers, really hard to get a half decent shot of them.

On the walk this AM.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 4, 2014 - 01:28pm PT

That second photo is very reassuring. Thanks! Orange-crowneds are also early breeders. All the Orange-crowneds you see throughout the mid and upper elevations in the Sierra are post-breeding disperses, molting and fattening up for the off-season. We see our first hatch-year birds in Tahoe by the first week of June, already long out of the nest and wandering up from the foothills.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 4, 2014 - 03:49pm PT

^^ Cool bird Frank!

Welcome to the bird thread. Can't wait to see your other New Zealand birds!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 4, 2014 - 04:55pm PT

thanks for the follow-up on the OCW Dave. I think we all would have hit closer to the mark if we'd had that second photo to go by as well. A fun little exercise nonetheless.

Found this guy nesting in a pasture in a flowering Erythrina tree. Pearl Kites are even smaller than kestrels. They had two nestlings, little cotton balls with hooked beaks, which are barely visible through the flimsy nest in one picture. I left when one of the parents dive-bombed me. I looked up from the telescope and this white thing came zipping past about 6 in. over my head.

Not very happy with the photos. I took like a hundred shots, but nothing turned out as I had hoped.

Bonus bird, nesting lower down in the same tree, Black-crowned Tityra. I love their Latin name, Tityra inquisitor.

guido

Trad climber

Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific

Mar 4, 2014 - 05:29pm PT

And we thought the Moa was extinct?

Your "friendly" Kea.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 4, 2014 - 06:16pm PT

Kea! Those guys can put a hurt on you no doubt! Really beautiful birds.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 4, 2014 - 06:40pm PT

They're evil little minions of Gandalf sent out to spy and wreak havoc on
infernal combustion chariots.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 4, 2014 - 07:16pm PT

Cool! I was wondering if they are inquisitive or not.

Meat-eaters or not, I think they are cute. Heck, my own amazons love scrambled eggs and chicken. (Turkey they find appalling though). :) And how can anyone not like the world's only alpine parrot? :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 4, 2014 - 07:25pm PT

Crimpie, I doubt yer Amazons eat cars.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 4, 2014 - 10:36pm PT

Sorry you guys, I didn't realize the first photo was misleading. The color was a bit saturated.

john hansen

climber

Mar 4, 2014 - 11:42pm PT

Dee ee

I think we all had fun pondering that one. That's why birding, and this thread , is so much fun.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 4, 2014 - 11:44pm PT

That's not true. We have the Kakapo. Its also an alpine parrot fewer than 150 left. I haven't seen one but they look very much the same.

Damned wikipedia LIED to me. Imagine that!?!? Does anyone know what makes a bird alpine vs. not? A particular elevation?

Thanks for the clarification Frank. Photos of the Kakapo Frank? :)

edit: Because I'm a slow learner, I returned to wiki and found this about the Kakapo:

" A certain combination of traits makes it unique among its kind—it is the world's only flightless parrot, the heaviest parrot, nocturnal, herbivorous, visibly sexually dimorphic in body size, has a low basal metabolic rate, no male parental care, and is the only parrot to have a polygynous lek breeding system. It is also possibly one of the world's longest-living birds."

Pretty cool!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 5, 2014 - 06:49pm PT

Feels like spring out at Walden Ponds today.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 5, 2014 - 06:52pm PT

Looking for Elf Owls this weekend. Anyone have some pic's?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 5, 2014 - 11:52pm PT

Elf Owls eh? Hmmm....

Wheeee Hoooo!

Great unexpected score today, Painted Redstart in Irvine. It's not a great photo. I went back later and saw it again but still failed to get a good shot.

Yesterday I finally found the Dusky Flycatcher at Mile Square, he took 6 tries. I got a bonus juvy Sharp-shinned H as well for county year.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Mar 6, 2014 - 01:33pm PT

Juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron practicing invisibility lessons last week in the Santa Ana River at Imperial Hwy.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 6, 2014 - 05:21pm PT

Plan B, you just gotta know the right way to bribe those juveniles...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 6, 2014 - 08:39pm PT

from the last couple of weeks in Seattle proper.
(I'm happy to receive feedback about image size)

Here is m4a file of a Virginia Rail and the Marsh Wren pissed off at Darwin, but I'm not sure how you can listen to it.

http://173.160.158.251/postings/2014_03_birds/Railwren.m4a

and then some other photos.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 6, 2014 - 09:05pm PT

A few more bird pics from Kauai...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 6, 2014 - 09:17pm PT

BN couldn't say no-no to the Nene! Fantabulous Laysan! Don't tell me you
got it from the beach at yer hotel! After the big shake out I don't talk
about the B word any more on ST, but that Gannet sp is nice!

Darwin, Mr Wren looks like you and he had an understanding. Might be yer
best shot evah!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 6, 2014 - 09:28pm PT

Heck BN, even the chicken is a way cool photo. I don't need to say anything about the Albatross and Booby. Thanks Reilly. If you all need more mostly Wrens but also a white cat photo (right Darwin),

http://173.160.158.251/postings/2014_03_birds

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 6, 2014 - 10:12pm PT

Reilly - We really enjoyed the Nene, very relaxed birds with very cool neck feathering. There were lots of Albatross and Boobies at the lighthouse on the north shore. And lots of tourists... ;-)

john hansen

climber

Mar 6, 2014 - 11:13pm PT

Here is a cool site for Gull identification. Heading up the west coast in a few weeks and trying to get the gull thing down.

I think Reilly has been working on gull ID's.

http://www.tertial.us/gulls/gulls.htm

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 6, 2014 - 11:20pm PT

Said it before and will say it again...it's the thread that just keeps giving.

Best thread here ever. Seriously.

That isn't just any Boobie, that's a Red-Footed Boobie. I like that photo as the red feet are shown a bit. They mostly really tucked them up.

We were able to see all the Boobies at the beginning of nesting. White spots all over the cliff sides. Turning to our right, we could watch the Laysan Albatross doing their mating dance - clacking their bills at one another. I could have watched it all day!

Boobies.* Heh heh.

* All boobies shown are of age.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 7, 2014 - 09:56am PT

BN for the win...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 7, 2014 - 10:13am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 8, 2014 - 12:56pm PT

Aren't those Redstarts hard to photograph Dave E? They do not stand still a second and the black....tough birds! Great shots!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 9, 2014 - 11:34am PT

BN/CG still on for the sol cal trip later this month (29/30)? I'll be around and look forward to meeting up again although there is a chance I'll have a funeral to attend that weekend =( I'm just waiting for the date to be finalized.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 9, 2014 - 10:28pm PT

Yes Callie, I chased that guy all over the place on 3 different attempts and still didn't get the perfect shot.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 10, 2014 - 12:06am PT

Matty - Very sorry to hear about a pending funeral.

We will definitely be there. We will be at the South Coast Botanic Gardens at 8:30am on Saturday the 29th. It opens at 9 but there is good trolling in the parking lot.

We'll also bird on Sunday, but haven't decided where. We could do as we did last year and figure it out over lunch on Saturday. PM me if you need my cell in case we don't see you on Sat and want to join us on Sunday (true for all).

DM88T

climber

San Juan Bautista, CA

Mar 10, 2014 - 01:10am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 10, 2014 - 01:50am PT

Had a great time climbing down in the San Luis Valley, managed to do three new routes, 12b, 12a/b and a 11a. Plus got some birding in...never tired of looking at Sandhill Cranes.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 10, 2014 - 10:19am PT

Cool photo Dm88t!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 10, 2014 - 10:52am PT

Craig, it was seen yesterday. He is at the corner of Lemon Grove and Tangelo in Irvine, close to Irv. Valley College. Look in the Coral trees, especially in the pair of trees at the entrance to the resident parking area 30 yards from the corner. He also likes the flowering tree across the street from there.
I've been over there 3 times and seen him every time.
They don't want birders wandering between the apartment buildings but the bird prefers the street area anyway.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 10, 2014 - 11:21am PT

We camped at Corn Springs out in the Mojave se of Josh this weekend and on the way back stopped at the Living Desert in Palm Desert. Lot's of petroglyphs, some good birds and very, very quiet. It's also a potential spot for Elf Owls.
The Living Desert is awesome, a must visit and where the Abert's Towhees are a pretty sure thing.

Gila Woodpecker.

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Verdins all over the place.

Plumbeous Vireo was a bonus

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 10, 2014 - 12:21pm PT

Fun weekend Dave!

We saw the Abert's at Living Desert as well.

Daphne

Trad climber

Northern California

Mar 10, 2014 - 01:59pm PT

Has this already been posted here?:

live stream of the Decora bald eagles:

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

tradmanclimbs

Ice climber

Pomfert VT

Mar 10, 2014 - 02:02pm PT

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 10, 2014 - 06:30pm PT

Lunch!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 10, 2014 - 08:11pm PT

Wow, good lunch spot.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 10, 2014 - 08:13pm PT

Cool! I bet the lunch does not think so though!

DM88T

climber

San Juan Bautista, CA

Mar 11, 2014 - 01:49am PT

john hansen

climber

Mar 11, 2014 - 02:35pm PT

Dee ee

Are those shots above taken with your cannon SX 50?

I got one but found it hard to use. Must take some getting used to...

Edit, yea that view finder is useless. Hard to get the bird in frame at high zoom.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 11, 2014 - 02:53pm PT

Yes John, they are. I don't use the viewfinder much, just the screen.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 11, 2014 - 07:03pm PT

Some interesting birds on this page!

From Whidbey Island WA over the weekend. Click them for larger versions

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 11, 2014 - 07:47pm PT

Love the Marsh Wren photo

10b4me

Sport climber

www.tenbeephotography.com

Mar 12, 2014 - 01:34am PT

Here is a good source for birding hotspots along the Eastern Sierra.

http://www.easternsierrabirdingtrail.org/map.htm

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 12, 2014 - 11:53am PT

It's official...unfortunatly I'll be in Michigan at a funeral during the So Cal birdapalooza 2 fest. Will miss u all =( but will hopefully get a few birds in michigan (maybe a Kirtland's Warbler LOL... no chance his trip..wrong part of state)

john hansen

climber

Mar 13, 2014 - 12:40am PT

OK,I need some bird ID help

I took this picture about a year ago at Cotton wood springs near the south entrance of JT

Thinking it could be a vireo of some type..

EDIT: Here is the original without saturation and contrat

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 13, 2014 - 12:47am PT

I'd say Plumbeous.

john hansen

climber

Mar 13, 2014 - 01:09am PT

Maybe Warbler vireo, or Philadelphia??

The upper eye line looks right.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 13, 2014 - 01:13am PT

From the color, maybe a Cassin's Vireo?

Awesome shot Reilly. Where was that?

We have had a very surprising bird calling over the last week behind our place in the East SF Bay. A Common Poor-will is not far away upslope from us. Hopefully, I can manage to see it if stays around. I think this may be the most unlikely bird that we have had around since we moved here 3 years ago. A Brown Thrasher may be even rarer, but it was a mile or so away. I would have been able to see this guy if it hadn't been dark.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 13, 2014 - 01:18am PT

Tony, thanks, Scheelite Canyon, Fort Huachuca, AZ.

Pretty exciting to have a lost Poorwill in yer hood, eh?
Good luck finding him! ;-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 13, 2014 - 07:19pm PT

GBH on my hike today.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 13, 2014 - 07:45pm PT

Brilliant blackbirds Moose! Even my blasé wife Margy thought that was cool.

John, I'm going with Warbling Vireo. I think too yellowy for Plumbeous and too much of an eye stripe(behind the eye) for Cassin's Vireo.
A Philadelphia Vireo would be ultra ultra rare but not impossible.

Here is a Cassin's from a while back. Good shot of Plumbeous upthread from me and a great shot upthread from Reilly.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 13, 2014 - 08:34pm PT

My first thought was also a Warbling Vireo. Looking forward to seeing other opinions as well -

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Mar 13, 2014 - 08:44pm PT

Nice Juvenile Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Reilly!

Great shots Dee ee!

Anyone think John's bird could be a Golden-Crowned Kinglet?
Here's a photo plucked from the internet that looks very similar.

http://www.ventbird.com/news/2012/11/17/ventflash-148

http://www.ventbird.com/system/photo/image/1244/standard/golden-crowned-kinglet.jpg

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 13, 2014 - 08:50pm PT

I agree with Warbling, I just wanted to post my Plumbeous. ;-)
I think the color of the photo is a bit off and, as usual, there are issues
with contrast and saturation. I'm not trying to be an obnoxious photo nerd,
although it does come naturally, but those things do make it harder to
make an ID.

Hello, my name is Reilly and I'm a photo nerd.
But I've no intentions of recovering.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 13, 2014 - 10:27pm PT

If anyone need a spotting scope...I have an extra one that needs to go. Great scope at a great price.

"NIKON FIELDSCOPE IIIA III-A ANGLE VIEW 40X EYEPIECE and CASE"

$500

john hansen

climber

Mar 13, 2014 - 10:35pm PT

Reilly,, guilty as charged with the con and sat.

I swear I am trying to cut down. :)

May have to start going to the O S A meetings again.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 14, 2014 - 12:45am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 14, 2014 - 08:52am PT

The Cooper's posture makes him extra awesome!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 15, 2014 - 02:24am PT

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

Mar 15, 2014 - 03:40am PT

Any idea why the pic is so hazy? I've tried several settings and tricks, but haze and not-quite-spot-on focus are constant problems.

Lasti

john hansen

climber

Mar 15, 2014 - 04:12am PT

I'm with you. I would like to hear some tips.

One thing I found is if the lighting is really good, strong sunlight , increase the ISO as high as possible so the speed is really fast, like 1000/sec.

The faster the speed the sharper the image.

Dawn and dusk of course,, are the best ... its all about light.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 15, 2014 - 09:58am PT

Wow! What an awesome bird Lasti! Can't help with photo tips here - I have taken about one in-focus photo in my life.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Mar 15, 2014 - 01:27pm PT

Unbelievable harrier, Mike! WOW!!!

donini

Trad climber

Ouray, Colorado

Mar 15, 2014 - 01:41pm PT

Come visit me in Chile and I'll guarantee sightings of:
Black-Chested Buzzard Eagle
Chilean Flamingo
Andean Condor
Austral Parakeet
Black Necked Swan
Southern Caracara
Black-throated Huet-huet

along with a good chance of seeing:
Nandu
Magellanic Woodpecker
Crested Tinamou

john hansen

climber

Mar 15, 2014 - 04:13pm PT

I went back and reverted the picture to its original.

More realistic coloring...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 15, 2014 - 08:26pm PT

John, much better!

Lasti, the short answer is you didn't throw enough money at the poor boid. The long answer involves ISO, shutter speed, technique, shooting at the limit of your zoom, sensor size, in-camera contrast/sharpening/contrast settings, file size/compression, and money. Oh, and in your shot I suspect your camera was set for matrix metering when it should have been set to center-weighted. With boids you also want your focus set to center or even spot, if possible. I should add that with most cameras these days most of these options are available, to a certain extent.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 15, 2014 - 09:14pm PT

Hmmm?

Dammit Reilly, I'm still a neophyte phote hog.

donini

Trad climber

Ouray, Colorado

Mar 15, 2014 - 09:24pm PT

With all of those settings to make, you had best Audubon them to ensure enough time.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 15, 2014 - 09:44pm PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 16, 2014 - 01:40am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 16, 2014 - 10:18am PT

Nice! Where did you see the Pileated pair? Beautiful.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 16, 2014 - 12:30pm PT

Hi Cali! Henry Cowell Park near Santa Cruz.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 16, 2014 - 01:32pm PT

Flickers are no dummies! I love hearing them drum on the metal around here.

Thanks Mike B - love pileated woodpeckers. I know you are a ways away, but it'd be fun if you could join us at the upcoming Birdapalooza v2. It'll be in the Palos Verdes area. Looking forward to it!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 16, 2014 - 06:10pm PT

10b4me

Sport climber

www.tenbeephotography.com

Mar 16, 2014 - 07:35pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 16, 2014 - 08:14pm PT

Great photos!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 16, 2014 - 09:22pm PT

Dee, did you score the LeConte's in the OC?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 16, 2014 - 10:48pm PT

Great photos everyone, kinda back in the climbing mode, saw this beautiful Stellar's Jay at the Bank CG at Shelf Rd. Really beautiful birds. I think people are a little weird it out by some guy tromping through their campsite in the early morning hours with binoculars.

10b4me

Sport climber

www.tenbeephotography.com

Mar 17, 2014 - 12:10am PT

Great photo, Bob. I had a Scrub Jay on a branch about ten feet from me, today. It flew off before I could click the shutter.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 17, 2014 - 02:50pm PT

Thanks 10b...here are a few from this morning hike.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 17, 2014 - 04:23pm PT

The state boid....OK, so I got a little 'arty' with it, you gotta problem with that?
Seriously, let me know. :-)

The dude was so intent on impressing the ladies that he could barely have
cared less about me, as long as I didn't start cooing also.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Mar 17, 2014 - 04:31pm PT

That's a cool photo by Reilly, the dude,... it's kind of impressing... lol...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 17, 2014 - 07:29pm PT

Reilly, nice Quail, what's he on? Can I get some?
I wish the Thrasher was a Leconte's, just a Cali.

WILSON!

I got a European Goldfinch today! Wow, what a beauty. Probably an escapee, I couldn't get a photo, may try again (below from intardnet).

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 17, 2014 - 08:49pm PT

Wow! I was just looking at a painting of a European Goldfinch in Jeff Lowe's hospice two days ago! I did even know one could see them here! Beautiful Wilsons as well.

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Mar 17, 2014 - 11:32pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 18, 2014 - 04:29am PT

Well, I've taken up Reilly's challenge to see our calling Common Poorwill. We actually did see two of them flying last night, but could hardly say we saw any field marks other than general shape and flight style after hearing them. I did get a recording though: Common Poorwill.

The next challenge will be to get a look of one stationary, then a photograph.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 18, 2014 - 09:30am PT

Love the MotMot! Saw several in Costa Rica and I think they were my favorite. Seeing the Queztal was pretty cool (found on my own). This thread is the best!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 19, 2014 - 10:07am PT

Tony,

good luck with your Poorwills.

I just had some great luck with the goatsuckers the other day. Picked up two lifers, White-tailed and Rufous Nightjar, both also new for my Costa Rica list, which is now up to 842.

And yesterday I flushed a Lesser Nighthawk off its "nest" with two eggs. This was on a tropical beach in the noonday sun. The eggs were in danger of becoming fried eggs. Both adults were flying around doing broken-wing distraction displays. Luckily I had my camera in my pocket and so could snap a quick picture and bail out so the birds could get back to cover the eggs.

Q-Ball, how did your trip to Rio Platano go? A bunch of new species have been added to the Honduras list from recent explorations in that area, did you all get anything new for the country?

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Mar 19, 2014 - 11:10pm PT

A Band-tailed Seedeater from a few days ago:

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 19, 2014 - 11:30pm PT

It turns out that there are at least two Common Poorwills outside. I actually got pretty good looks at them flying together and calling. Still silhouette views, but our neighbor got looks as they passed through lights. It's hard to decide the best place to look for them since they are calling from different spots and flying in different directions I think. I think I know about where they flew up from this time, so I'll do some searching in the daytime. I'm optimistic that they may breed here.

They are calling during the night at times with the current nearly full moon.

Here is a UFO shot of them.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 21, 2014 - 06:51pm PT

First of season in backyard. I'm hoping this is our returning male that nested here last year. His proud brood of 2 were here all summer.

john hansen

climber

Mar 22, 2014 - 01:18am PT

Just got to the Mainland for three weeks of birding up the west coast.

Went to my old stomping grounds in Auburn Ca at Rock Creek Lake and got these old familiar birds.

Robin

Ring Necked duck

Fox sparrow?

Phainopepla

Titmouse

Is this a pine Sisken???

]

Next up, Tahoe to Yosemite, Fresno to Monterey, Bodega Bay, up to Fort Bragg, then Eureka/ Arcata, and 5 days up the Oregon coast to Portland where my sister lives. Mt Hood, Sisters, Bend, and Klamath falls, on the way back. I am hoping for 12 hours or more of birding every day.

Will try to put up photo's every day. Yee Haw...we are going birding!!!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 22, 2014 - 01:29am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 22, 2014 - 10:47am PT

On the road. Did a little birding in Overton NV and are now in J-Tree. Have 65 birds so far and will hit Morongo on Monday morning at 7:30 (join us!). Been fun to see all the birds!

Love all the the birds posted! Love the seedeater CClarke. He is just so crisp.

That is not a Pine Siskin above...but a type of sparrow. No book with me so someone else can chime in...I'm thinking an (edit - nope) (edit - no way it's that bird)(third edit- Lincoln Sparrow???) I defer to the better Sparrow birders here!

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Mar 22, 2014 - 11:55am PT

The king of all he sees, but he's really LostInShanghai (as in Jay of Tuolumne County).He's not exactly exotic, but he can turn a few heads.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 22, 2014 - 12:13pm PT

John, yes on Fox Sparrow.

The other, I believe, is a Song Sparrow or a Lincolns Sparrow.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 22, 2014 - 03:09pm PT

glad to see everyone is getting out in the field as spring comes on. Look forward to your trip posts John. You should get some good stuff. Bodega Bay, Ft. Bragg? sounds like pelagic birding is in the plans?

Your sparrow looks like a Savannah - pinkish legs, and light colored bill, overall slight build, fine but prominent streaks on a clear breast.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 23, 2014 - 12:37am PT

Just finished work on my new guide to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. The river is a special place, saw a river otter today. Really beautiful place. The migration is on in New Mexico. The flycatchers are back.

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Mar 23, 2014 - 06:30pm PT

Snowy owl in Rye, New Hampshire today:

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 23, 2014 - 11:11pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 24, 2014 - 10:47am PT

Thanks Dr F...really enjoy getting out everyday.

Here is one from yesterday.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 24, 2014 - 10:53am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 25, 2014 - 03:50pm PT

Great shots Mike, love the wren.

Here is one from today. My fixation on owls continues. I know where four nest are in the Boulder area.

john hansen

climber

Mar 26, 2014 - 01:55am PT

Well these are not the greatest photo's , but a good story.

I was in Yosemite yesterday and the sun had almost set. I was at the pullout just past the Cathedral picnic spot where there are two trees in the parking area. Was hiking around when I heard that distinctive, fast tapping unique to a Hairy woodpecker.

Then I saw another woodpecker in the same tree. White Headed Wood Pecker.

This morning a Piliated flew right over my head. No picture but positive ID.
Very distinctive flight pattern with the white on the under wings.

I also saw a house wren on the trail across the road from Fern Springs on the dark shady side of the valley. This is probably the same bird I saw last year in almost the same spot. There was a rival singing across the river.

This is the best I could get in the low light.

Also had a strange encounter in one small bush where there was a Steller's Jay hiding in the middle, and suddenly this Oriole popped up.

And in the same bush were two sparrows. Assuming they are song sparrows , but would like conformation.

Heading to Monterey Bay tomorrow, Watsonville , Moss landing, Elkhorn Slough. Back to the ocean. 16 more days to bird up the coast to Portland and down thru central Oregon and California.

A good fun day.

Here is another shot of a song sparrow

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

Mar 26, 2014 - 06:46am PT

A somewhat better shot of the same bird, black rumped flameback.

Thanks for the photography tips, I think maybe the metering got better. Also, there appears to be less haze without the UV filter, even though it's not a cheap one.

I'll add another of a little lady lunching - female crimson sunbird (?), sorry for poor quality.

Keep the boids coming.

Lasti

this just in

climber

north fork

Mar 27, 2014 - 10:42am PT

The turkeys are ready to mate. This Jake was nice enough to pose for me.

john hansen

climber

Mar 27, 2014 - 10:47am PT

Here are a few from Moss Landing and Mendota NWR

Greater Yellow Legs

Thayers Gull

Swainson's Hawk

Clarks Grebe

Western Grebe

Kestral EDIT: Merlin

Pied Bill Grebe
Caspian Tern ,or could be Royal Tern, not the best photo..EDIT: Forsters

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 27, 2014 - 11:19am PT

Hey yo!
Any updates on Birdapalooza?

John, that looks more like a Merlin to me. That's a tougher/better bird to get though.

Yesterday after getting back from nor Cal work I went to Tucker and got to bird after hours with the resident biologist Kurt. He's a good guy and is always up on the avian happenings there. We went after the Rufous and Costa's for photos. It was late so we couldn't get them in the sun.

10b4me

Sport climber

www.tenbeephotography.com

Mar 27, 2014 - 11:22am PT

Dave, Callie said we are meeting at the South Coast Botanic Garden at 8:30 Saturday morning. Same place as last year.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 27, 2014 - 11:24am PT

The SoCal Taco Birdapalooza on Saturday 3/29 at 8:30am at the South Coast Botanic Gardens is a go :-) CG and I look forward to seeing everyone that can make it! We can head to other destinations after the gardens etc. Also, CG and I will also be getting out on Sunday, destinations TBD if anyone is interested in joining in the fun. Cheers, see you all Saturday!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 27, 2014 - 11:46am PT

Cool, thanks you guys. I should see you all there.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 27, 2014 - 11:47am PT

Dang... will have to catch you next time :(

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 27, 2014 - 12:57pm PT

Looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it. You'll be missed Matty.

If a lurker wants to come PM me so we find you.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 27, 2014 - 01:03pm PT

I love the owl photos Bob. I spend a lot of time looking for owls and rarely see them. Even more rarely do I get a photo.

Those are Song Sparrows up there and I agree with the Merlin call.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Mar 27, 2014 - 04:54pm PT

Dee--those colors are unbelievable! Beeeeoootiful!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 27, 2014 - 06:55pm PT

John,

looks like you're having fun. Keep it up.

Agreed on Merlin, and the tern is a Forster's - that black ear patch is diagnostic.

Have fun ya paloozas.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Mar 27, 2014 - 08:18pm PT

Saw a bunch of Nutmeg Mannikin this morning at the Santa Ana River at Imperial Hwy.
Fun to see!

A Northern Harrier too

This one I need help with.

There is a good chance I might make it to the Botanical Gardens meet up Saturday.
-Steve

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 27, 2014 - 08:38pm PT

Plan B...Maybe a Wrentit?

Here a few from today.

Mike, thanks..loving my owls and the chance to see them.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 27, 2014 - 08:41pm PT

PlanB, Bushtit.

Bob, nice Wowl!

Birdapalooza will be meless on account of me mum's surgery.
Very inconsiderate of her to schedule thusly but life isn't fair.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Mar 27, 2014 - 08:51pm PT

Thanks Reilly! The plain ones get me.

Love the owl Bob!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 27, 2014 - 09:11pm PT

Hope you make it PlanB! Should be a fun day of birding and companionship.

john hansen

climber

Mar 27, 2014 - 10:25pm PT

Saw these guys about an hour ago flying fast in a group down Elkhorn Slough.

I am thinking Bonapart's gull. Much smaller and faster then all the other regular gulls. What you think?

EDIT: Thanks z.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 27, 2014 - 10:43pm PT

John, you nailed it

john hansen

climber

Mar 28, 2014 - 12:41am PT

The Merganser Tri-fecta in 5 days.

These are all really bad photo's from long range, but they work for ID.

Common. He was floating by fast on the Merced by Fern Springs.

Hooded. He was way off shore on Tahoe

And Red Breasted was at least 200 yards away

I only have a 400 mil lens but it really help's with ID at a long distance.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 28, 2014 - 12:53am PT

OK, girls, get yer Berkut on!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Mongolian girls becoming eagle hunters to help keep ancient tradition alive

Ashol Pan, 13, takes to centuries-old pastime that has been dominated by men

March 27, 2014 by David Strege

A photographer seeking to document the next generation of Kazakh eagle hunters in Mongolia discovered a 13-year-old girl who has taken to the male-dominated tradition.

Photographer Asher Svidensky made a four-month trek through western Mongolia, mostly on horseback, and found Han Gohadok and his daughter, Ashol Pan, who had expressed a desire to take up the full-time profession that is centuries old.

Good thing, too, since the ancient pastime is said to be a dying part of Mongolian culture, as young men are leaving their families and the hunting duties behind. As a result, more girls are becoming eagle hunters to replace their brothers, according to the Mail Online.

Gohadok told the Mail Online that his eldest son was to become the eagle hunter of the family but was drafted into the army. That’s when Ashol Pan stepped forward.

Eagle hunters use golden eagles to hunt foxes during the winter months when the gold-colored foxes stand out against the snow. They also hunt hares. Typically, the training of young men begins at age 13, when they are strong enough to carry a full-grown eagle on their arm.

The training is rigorous, as the master and its eagle develop a long-term and trusting relationship that is all consuming. The Kazakh custom is for the eagle hunter to ride a horse while hunting.

Svidensky was looking for something different when he set out to document eagle hunters in Mongolia.

“I decided to focus myself—stop looking for a portrait of a centuries-old image of a Kazakh eagle hunter and instead represent the future of this ancient Mongolian tradition,” Svidensky told the Mail Online.

Ashol Pan represents the future. She is one of an estimated 250 eagle hunters in western Mongolia.

In his photos, Svidensky depicts the evident joy Ashol Pan has in her new role, one her father never would have forced upon her unless she had asked. And she did.

Kazakh Eagle Huntress

_ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I feel like I wasted my childhood.

john hansen

climber

Mar 28, 2014 - 01:07am PT

That is one really cool big bird...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 28, 2014 - 01:26am PT

From Santa cruz the last week, all are clickable for larger versions.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Mar 28, 2014 - 12:08pm PT

WOW those are great!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 28, 2014 - 01:28pm PT

Great shots Mike.

On my walk this AM with my pup Eva the winds were around 30-40 MPH. This fellow was just hugging the tree and sleeping. Really beautiful birds. Look at the size of his talons.

Great stuff Reilly, saw two golden's yesterday. Really stunning birds.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 29, 2014 - 01:00am PT

To be clear (due to an error in a previous post) - birders will meet at the South Coast Botanical Gardens at 8:30am (not 7:30am) tomorrow, Saturday, March 29th.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 29, 2014 - 01:17am PT

Birdapalooza folks - have fun!

a couple from today

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 29, 2014 - 01:27am PT

Beautiful shot of the creeper Mike

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 29, 2014 - 10:14pm PT

Gorgeous birds Mike. Love the Wilson's.

Birdapalooza day one was great fun. Many lifers were had. Good fun. Tomorrow we meet at the LA arboretum at 8:30-9:00am. See you there....photos to follow....

john hansen

climber

Mar 29, 2014 - 10:33pm PT

Looking forward to all the photo's Crimpie.

Here are some That I took over the last few days.

Savannah Sparrow (I think)

Peregrine Falcon

Eared Grebe

Common Loon

Titmouse

Could use some help on this one, probably simple ,but hard for me in the dull winter look. Long billed Dowitcher maybe?? Bill seems too short, maybe it got broken off. Or maybe Short Billed.. The end of the bill looks weird.

LB Curlew

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 30, 2014 - 02:25pm PT

Great shot Mike & John.

John I think it is a Short Billed Dowitcher.

Here a few from today.

NutAgain!

Trad climber

South Pasadena, CA

Mar 30, 2014 - 05:44pm PT

I went to Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge today (south end of SF Bay) and saw these dudes:

American Avocet
Black Necked Stilt
Canada Goose
California Gull
Northern Shoveler
American White Pelican
Snowy Egret
Red-Winged Blackbird (over by the sewer treatment area while driving back, not on the bay side)
Song Sparrow
White Crowned Sparrow
Western Tanager
Ruddy Duck
American Coot
Barn Swallow

Maybe I'll load a few pics later. Got some nice shots of the Barn Swallows sitting on a fence post.

NutAgain!

Trad climber

South Pasadena, CA

Mar 30, 2014 - 05:51pm PT

Bob DA, your sbd is a Killdeer

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 30, 2014 - 08:07pm PT

Good day at the LA Arboretum.

Thanks to Dee ee, 10b4me, PlanB and BrassNuts for a fun day two of Birdapalooza.

The bird of the day was a Calliope Hummingbird. We saw a second after Dee ee had to take off.

Next time out - we think a pelagic trip and OC birding!

I don't have access to photos right now. Some should be forthcoming.

10b4me

Sport climber

www.tenbeephotography.com

Mar 30, 2014 - 08:45pm PT

Thanks to Crimpergirl, and BrassNuts for organizing Birdapalooza, 2014.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 30, 2014 - 09:00pm PT

Great fun! Thanks to all who came out.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 30, 2014 - 09:11pm PT

john hansen

climber

Mar 30, 2014 - 09:43pm PT

Looks like you all had fun. That's a pretty big lens BN.

Saw this bird at the Arcata wet lands.

Down in a swampy ditch with the tide out.

I am thinking possibly a Swamp Sparrow, it does have the broad grey supercilium...

Here is another shot.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 30, 2014 - 09:48pm PT

My buddy Brad Dawson says, "Short-billed Dowitcher-salt water, Long-billed Dowitcher-fresh water."

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 30, 2014 - 09:52pm PT

Here are a few of my better shots from the "birdapalooza" weekend.

Towny

Hermit Thrush

Bathing Beauty

Who you calling ugly?

Callie's Gnatcatcher

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 30, 2014 - 10:00pm PT

Coupla' more.

Palos Verdes RTH

Western pair.

Why are they called Spotted?

The gem of the weekend. Ebird only had 2 previous locations for Calliope in LA County this year. This is the first recorded Calliope at the LA Arboretum ever.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Mar 30, 2014 - 10:09pm PT

On the way home from the LA Arboretum I swung by HB Central Park for an (I thought) easy get, Black-chinned Hummer. Tons of Hummer activity, many Allen's and Anna's and one Costa's (pretty unusual for there). Black-chinned were seen by Roger Schoedl in the am (he e-mailed me).

john hansen

climber

Mar 30, 2014 - 10:12pm PT

Great shots with the Cannon, Dee ee. I got to try mine out more.

Here is one of a Black Chinned Hummer.

Salt water. Short Billed Dowitcher it is.

Thanks

Edit for the Crimpster, same bird, just not showing off.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 30, 2014 - 10:38pm PT

Does not look like a black chinned hummer....Anna's? Black chinned have a striking white collar beneath the "black" throat. Thoughts? Either way...gorgeous birds.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 30, 2014 - 11:20pm PT

I vote Anna's and John H. - your swamp sparrow is a Song Sparrow.

Great shots everyone! Thanks, for the vicarious trip.

10b4me

Sport climber

www.tenbeephotography.com

Mar 30, 2014 - 11:58pm PT

My bad, Crimpergirl. I fixed it.

john hansen

climber

Mar 31, 2014 - 12:00am PT

Wishful thinking Mike,,,,
Thanks for the ID

MisterE

climber

Mar 31, 2014 - 10:21am PT

Went to the twice-yearly Ojai Raptor Center opening yesterday where our friend and climbing partner Lena volunteers. Really cool place where they house injured and imprinted raptors, and also have a huge rehab facility.

The coolest bird of the day was an albino turkey vulture - because of the eye pigmentation, Blanca can't hunt very well.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Here's the link:

http://www.ojairaptorcenter.org/

and the resident birds:

http://www.ojairaptorcenter.org/meetraptors.html

Here's a picture of Lena with the kite she takes care of:

Cool stories associated with all these birds.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Mar 31, 2014 - 10:49pm PT

I had a great time at the Birdapalooza. Thanks Crimpergirl and Brassnuts! And Dee ee, Dr F, and 10b4me! I'm just a beginner at this birding stuff and pretty much self taught over the last couple years, but I learned a ton and saw 22 new birds hanging out a couple days with people who know what they are doing.

Here's a few pics I took.

At the Ken Malloy Park leg there were loads of hybrid Mallard types, which I was schooled they didn't count...took some photos anyway and found a Shoveler hanging with the mix!

As Crimpergirl mentioned I had heard there might be some Nashville Warblers about, and for a while I got fooled by this everyday ordinary Orange Crowned Warbler.

Highlight of the LA Arboretum

Showing the chevron

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 31, 2014 - 11:50pm PT

PlanB - so happy you joined us. Your photos are really great! I don't think anyone got a photo of the Nashville (and I managed to miss him). Hoping BN gets some photos up soon too (He's back in J-Tree; I'm in Boulder now).

We need to get back out there sooner than a year. We need to implement the Reilly-suggested-pelagic-birding trip!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 1, 2014 - 02:02pm PT

Marsh Wren and Great Horned Owl on the hike this morning.

And a plain old American Robin. :-)

craig morris

Trad climber

Apr 1, 2014 - 07:38pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 1, 2014 - 10:01pm PT

Oh my god, check this out! I was out at the freshly bolted Double Cross in Josh today and holy she-ite, there was a Pileated Pecker on the Josh right in front of the route! Incredible! You can see him on the left side of the Joshua Tree. I'm still in shock...

10b4me

Sport climber

www.tenbeephotography.com

Apr 1, 2014 - 11:34pm PT

john hansen

climber

Apr 1, 2014 - 11:50pm PT

That is amazing, a pileated woodpecker in J tree.

I have been trying to work up my Gull skill's this trip.

Here are some I took (all of the same bird) today in Port Orford Oregon.

I am thinking Glaucous Gull or maybe Glaucous winged gull. Got to be one or the other..

EDIT: Going with Glaucous Gull

Also saw a Greater white fronted goose mixed in with some Canadian's. They were a long ways away.

Yesterday was pretty much pouring all day from Cresent city to Brookings, all the birds hunkered down. I think I am to early for the migration up here. Thinking of heading for Klamath falls area to see if any snow geese and wintering stuff still might be there. Just the regular winter type passerine's so far. Did get a Bald eagle today but no photo.

And first for this trip.. Turkey

Up to 110.

Double EDIT: Good one BN "fooled" me.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 2, 2014 - 12:01am PT

Damn, BN, I was gonna call 1 April on ya but I decided yer knott that kinda guy.
I would imagine the park naturalist would like to see that shot. I sure did!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 2, 2014 - 01:40am PT

OK BN, dude, come on!!!!!!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 2, 2014 - 06:54am PT

Nice BN. I'm surprised you found it in a Joshua Tree. They usually like Spaghetti Trees...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27ugSKW4-QQ

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 2, 2014 - 10:18am PT

I say April fools. Good one BN.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 2, 2014 - 10:31am PT

Now that it is April 2, I can post a real bird photo ;-) Couldn't resist the Double Cross/Pileated idea as I walked by the route yesterday... Here's a real Josh bird pic from yesterday :-)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 2, 2014 - 11:29am PT

BN, pretty funny. Btw, that kinglet is a Cassin's Vireo. (Probably no relation between John and Ricardo Cassin)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 2, 2014 - 12:01pm PT

Willoughby, you mean I did get trolled by BN?

And do you concur with Hansen's Glaucous? It looks like one to me.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 2, 2014 - 12:12pm PT

Okay - I'm dying of laughter here in Boulder with BN's April Fool's day photo. I admit he hooked me for just a brief second before I split a gut!!

Nice vireo BN! It's a first, no?

edit: love the spaghetti harvest video - snort!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 2, 2014 - 12:16pm PT

;-/ IT COULD HAPPEN! And to think that all along I've been thinking BN was such a nice guy.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 2, 2014 - 12:25pm PT

I'd guess third cycle Glaucous on the gull.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 2, 2014 - 12:53pm PT

Thanks for the Cassin's correction gents. A new bird for me, so that's cool :-). I thought the bolted Double Cross reference in the Pileated April fool's post would raise the eyebrows, but apparently a few regulars were still trolled, good fun :-)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 2, 2014 - 12:56pm PT

Starting to see some bona fide movement up here in the hills. Here's a solitaire from two days ago, gobbling berries just before the snow started really coming down.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 2, 2014 - 01:56pm PT

My resident Black Phoebe arrived a couple of days ago and is happily patrolling the grounds
and letting it be known that he is on the job!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 2, 2014 - 01:59pm PT

Lots of Robins arrived yesterday in Boulder. Happy to see them return and hoping to see our favorite Robin we named Spot.

BN's joke post was especially funny as it was really unexpected...he reeled me in too!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 2, 2014 - 06:38pm PT

Two from today's hike.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 2, 2014 - 07:03pm PT

The Twin Lake owlets are getting big!

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Apr 2, 2014 - 07:39pm PT

Fledgling? Really?

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Apr 2, 2014 - 07:47pm PT

hey there say, willoughby ... lovely bird share...

and wow, bob... you are now owl-man, as well as bird-bob...

really enjoy the owl stuff, :)
wow!

john hansen

climber

Apr 2, 2014 - 09:39pm PT

Ok, going out on a limb here but I am calling this a 1st year Glaucous winged Gull. Seen in Coos Bay Oregon.

Hopefully Rielly and Willouby will agree. Primaries same color as body, check. All dark bill, white fringe above wings..over all darkness variable but all markings same shade of grey/brown.

I have been wrong many times before, what you tink?

john hansen

climber

Apr 2, 2014 - 10:00pm PT

Walking the plank again,, Horned grebe. See Sibley's birding app.

"Bird in confusing transitional stage during molt to breeding plumage Mar / Apr"

And this guy gave me just enough for a PID

Edit: looked at them both and ment to say Common Yellow throat. Thanks

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 2, 2014 - 10:13pm PT

Nice owls 10Bforme!

Willoughby, I had a hard time with my first Townsend's Solitaire. We were in the Dinkey Creek campground.
Finally Todd (Battey) said "related to bluebirds."
That helped.

BN, I don't know that "coming clean" is obligatory for April fools jokes.
By the way the "newly bolted" comment clued me in, even so though, pretty unlikely. I showed Marge and she laughed immediately.
Great pull!

Bob, that owlet is awfully fluffy.

I got off the job early and unexpectedly today, dashed over for another try on the Black-chinned (county year list).

I think this is the most perfect Am. Robin I've ever seen.

john hansen

climber

Apr 2, 2014 - 10:24pm PT

Dee ee, great shot's. I was trying out that SX50 I got last year and I am starting to see the possibilities. Had problems using the screen instead of a view finder.

Today I was resting it on a sweatshirt on my car window opening instead of trying to hand hold it . That thing can reach way out there and take some pretty clean shots, even at the 1200 mm equivalent.

Really impressed with the shots you get of Passerine's and Hummer's with that thing.

At long range it is like a spotting scope.

Any tips for close range shooting? I know, practice, practice, practice.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 2, 2014 - 10:54pm PT

John

Good call on the Horned Grebe.

I might go with Western for your gull, it has primaries that are darker than the back color and a pretty hefty bill (with paler base of lower mandible).

Check out Common Yellowthroat and compare to Yellow-breasted Chat.

thanks for keeping us posted on your trip.

john hansen

climber

Apr 2, 2014 - 11:08pm PT

Little z , thanks for the help,I ment to say Yellow throat,
I will keep looking, gull's are pretty tough. Still looking for a beak without any markings for a Mew. Taking pictures of every gull I see.

I used to say ,OK I got a Western and a Ring billed.

Now I am really trying to figure them out. Tough Birds. It is nice to have a panel of experts to bounce these photo's off. Will keep them coming.

Next up,,, sparrows.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 2, 2014 - 11:09pm PT

Little Z, no way a Western! I think John is right about first cycle Glaucous-winged.

john hansen

climber

Apr 2, 2014 - 11:37pm PT

From Sibley's

"Hybridizes extensively with Western, Herring and Glaucous gulls where range overlaps"

It is like the high schools in Hawaii.

"I'm 1/8 Portagee, 1/8 Chinese, 1/8 Hawaiian, 1/8 New England missionary,
1/8 Phillipino, 1/8 Japanese, with a little bit of German, French, Irish, and Inuit thrown in the mix."

Gulls...go figure.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 2, 2014 - 11:57pm PT

BN! HOW DARE YOU????????

(gaught me, hooook line + sinker. . . .

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 2, 2014 - 11:57pm PT

I'm impressed you are tackling gulls! Thanks for noting the ID marks...it's so helpful in learning these.

10b4me

Sport climber

www.tenbeephotography.com

Apr 3, 2014 - 10:33am PT

Nice owls 10Bforme!

__

Thanks, dee ee

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 3, 2014 - 12:49pm PT

My first impression of John's latest gull is that it falls perhaps somewhat on the Western side of the Olympic spectrum, but that it's definitely an Olympic. Olympic Gulls are hybrids between Westerns and Glaucous-wingeds, and they're quite common from N. CA (~ San Francisco) through Washington (and beyond?). There's a good 200 miles of coast in Oregon and Washington where the two species' breeding ranges overlap, so there's lots and lots of these hybrids out there. Sometimes they're more common than pure representatives of either parent species.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 3, 2014 - 01:31pm PT

BTW - meant to say congrats on the Black Chinned Hummingbird Dee ee! We get tons of them here but they never get ordinary to me.

Lokesh

Mountain climber

Big Bear California

Apr 3, 2014 - 03:16pm PT

I've got to say, Great photos this season everyone. I've been out giving Ski Patrol clinics this winter, and "ducking" out when I can for some birding, including a week in Texas, amazing place! I'll post a few shots this week. Now that the ski season is winding down, I'm hoping for some more serious trips. This is a pair of Whooping Cranes near Aranas NWR in Texas.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 3, 2014 - 04:10pm PT

Great Humming bird shot Dee ee!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 3, 2014 - 04:52pm PT

Hoping for a Lokesh TR on the birding!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 3, 2014 - 06:20pm PT

thanks for the help with that gull Will, very good info.

I was thinking about the mention of a Taco-palooza pelagic. That would be great, and I'd be one to sign up, but logistically it will be a challenge, unless we can get our own boat. If we have to sign on as part of someone else's organized pelagic we'd have to plan way ahead, have a limited number of participants and dates, and have to be willing to put down $$ in advance. Not really a problem, but if we actually want to do something like that, we might want to start looking into it now.

So, anyone have a (seaworthy) boat?

+1 for pelagics

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 3, 2014 - 07:31pm PT

Last year Reilly mentioned some possibilities regarding pelagic trips. Maybe he can share again. It'd be a really terrific Pelagicapalooza!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 3, 2014 - 08:36pm PT

To quote the Bard:

"To puke, or not to puke--that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The burps and rumblings of outrageous gastricity
Or to take drugs against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep--
No more--and by a sleep to say we end
The bellyache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep--
To sleep--perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, "

Have I summoned too dire a mental picture? For soothe, I do not exagerate.
I have seen great suffering upon the waves and, yes, great boids as well.
To wit, how zealous art thou? Sayest thou Fifty Mile Bank? Dreamest thou
of the Cortez Bank? Dare ye to envision the five day puke til ye drop trip?
Verily, one must look deeply into yer heart, and pocket book.

For a one day trip methinks thine pence are best spent with Debi Shearwater
out of Monterey in August, Sept, or October. That also allows for planning
as those trips do fill up most readily. Speaketh now or forever hold thine
Hawaiian Petrel in abeyance!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 3, 2014 - 09:11pm PT

Pelagics are the business. We get a few at Lake Tahoe, but not nearly enough.

I'm sure I've posted this upthread somewheres, but hey, this thread is starting to get long!

john hansen

climber

Apr 3, 2014 - 09:21pm PT

Best advice on a pelageic trip, keep your eyes on the horizon and do not go below. Never felt seasick during many sailing, boating, adventures.

God help you if you start to feel ill.

Good for chumming though,,

Willoughby, thanks for the help with the Glaucous winged, I guess I am up to 114 and 1/2 for the trip.

One more chance in Portland tomorrow, Range map shows them wintering there.

I always pictured them as an elegant bird but after some research now I realize you look for the most drab, ugly, squat , gull you can find. I guess I missed out on the Mew. Will be spending my last day in Watsonville next Wendsday and will try for one there. Seen and talked with Don Roberson the last few times I have been there on the Jetty Road. Perhaps he can point one out.

Any one seen a Heerman's gull this year? When do they show up in Monterey?

I think I got a Golden Eagle today, will post up some pic's later.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 3, 2014 - 09:46pm PT

Heerman's Gulls are pretty common down here. I tried to turn one into some kind of Storm Petrel earlier this year. The magic was not strong enough.

john hansen

climber

Apr 3, 2014 - 10:04pm PT

Hope the Heerman's show up in Moss landing by the time I get there next week.

Here is a pic of the golden eagle. He was probably over a half mile away, but with those wing extentions what else could it be,, unless the condor's are moving north.

Flying around in big loop's, the second I saw it, even with out scoping it, I thought "Eagle"

Dee ee, I once tried to call a Bristle thighed curlew and a Hudsonian godwit, in the same picture at Bolinas lagoon. LOL.

Glad you guys keep me honest.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 3, 2014 - 10:59pm PT

Thanks Reilly! :)

I've not fed the fish before, but one never knows I suppose. If we plan a trip, I vote for Sept or Oct since I can make that work (except Sept 25/26 weekend).

I would be willing to commit immediately if others are interested. BN is still out playing/eating in JT so I can get his buy-in soon too.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 3, 2014 - 11:04pm PT

Great photo Willoughby!

The Golden Eagle candidate could also be an immature Bald Eagle.

john hansen

climber

Apr 3, 2014 - 11:04pm PT

"BN is still out playing/eating in JT "

And seeing piliated wood peckers....

Mike Bolte .. could be, that's the best shot I could get from so far away.

From sibley's ,, Soars with wings nearly flat.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 4, 2014 - 01:26am PT

Tony, Gary and I went to Cochise Stronghold, Ramsey Canyon, Mt Lemmon and Sabino Canyon for a combined birding and climbing trip. All in all it was fantastic, although we found the grades to be, ahem, a bit stiff to our 60++ year old frames. I have to say, we learned to fear 5.7+ as much as we would a creepy looking crowd of strangers shambling towards us with unsteady gaits in "Night of the Living Dead". (afaik, I just made that up!)

On a complete tangent, I picked up a really good caving book in Tucson, "Kartchner Caverns" Neil Miller.

All that aside, here are some bird photos.
A more extensive uncropped selection is at http://173.160.158.251/postings/AzTrip

Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber

Old and Broken Down in Appalachia

Apr 4, 2014 - 01:42am PT

A few bird shots from last week in the Galapagos Islands

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 4, 2014 - 01:46am PT

Nice Darwin! Great birds and excellent photos. SLR - whoa!

Mt Lemmon for sure has very stiff ratings...

Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber

Old and Broken Down in Appalachia

Apr 4, 2014 - 08:18am PT

More Galapagos birds

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 4, 2014 - 08:27am PT

Wow! Some fantastic birds showed up here over night!

I would LOVE to go to the Galapagos....some day....

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 4, 2014 - 02:54pm PT

Great photos everyone...really cool stuff.

My catch from today's hike.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 4, 2014 - 11:14pm PT

Wow, great Galopagos, Az. and New Mexico action! I wish I had something today but alas.

Our walk to the "for sure" Common Ground Dove was a dip......and.....I missed FOS Lazuli Bunting. Don't feel sorry, I'll see one soon......but the Common Ground Dove ....that's another story.

Is it bad style to trespass and then post on eBird?

10b4me

climber

Apr 5, 2014 - 12:22am PT

Great pics. Darwin what is the bird nesting in the Saguaro?

john hansen

climber

Apr 5, 2014 - 12:34am PT

Incredible stuff on the previous page.

Saw one of my favorite bird's today. Wood Duck.

And a mighty Blue.

EDIT: At a wild life refuge north of Portland near Vancouver along the Columbia river, there were lots of them.

Lovely Plumage...

10b4me

climber

Apr 5, 2014 - 12:37am PT

John, where did you see the wood duck?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 5, 2014 - 02:43pm PT

wrt 10b4me question about cavity nesting bird: Just a lowly House Sparrow. Sorry. That was my example of Tony saying (paraphrase), invasive species aren't inherently bad on their own, but they're bad when they compete for e.g. nesting cavities. That was in the parking lot at the Sonora Desert Museum, and I didn't seem them in cavities elsewhere.

Darwin

Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber

Old and Broken Down in Appalachia

Apr 6, 2014 - 11:00am PT

SLR, didn't the Archipelago of the Galapagos blow your mind!

Yeah, that place is very interesting. Each island has it's own climate, which is what apparently magnified the evolution of species into subspecies with exclusive distributions.

I went caving, bird-watching, snorkeling, free diving, scuba diving, shark diving, hiking, and even got in a 150-foot rapell into the throat of a volcano shaft and some free-soloing in a cave.

(:

quartziteflight

climber

Who knows?

Topic Author's Reply - Apr 6, 2014 - 12:54pm PT

Great shots everyone.

Migration is on like donkey kong!

john hansen

climber

Apr 7, 2014 - 12:30am PT

Not great photo's but, good birds.

Black crowned Night heron

Sora, saw him for like two seconds, snapped away as fast as I could.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 7, 2014 - 10:54am PT

Gambel's was out calling for his mate this weekend at JT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2014 - 11:28am PT

Hey Quartzite! Great to see you here. Migration is happening here, but slowly. Exciting time of the year. Cool photo of the Sora. I saw one recently, but as usual, it was a brief glance....no chance of even getting the camera up for a shot.

john hansen

climber

Apr 7, 2014 - 11:14pm PT

Yeah, Crimpie he was running along the shore, lucky to get even that shot.

Yesterday started at Klamath falls Oregon and ended at Grey Lodge Ca.

Snow and Greater White Fronted Geese. Click for larger image. It looks way better.

First meadowlark of the trip.

Lots of Avocet's

Pulled over one last time in sage country hoping for a Sage Sparrow or a Green tailed Towhee,(did not get either one) But did get this guy.

Northern Shrike

Then down to Grey Lodge.

Bald Eagle

And the Western Kingbirds have arrived.

Brown Headed Cow bird?

And Stilt's , on stilt's.

And flocks of Dunlin's

EDIT: Dee ee, took about 40 shots at long range with the SX50 to get that last Dunlin shot. Ain't digital fun..

Great shot's of the hummer.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 7, 2014 - 11:24pm PT

I had a dismal weekend of birding. I dipped on every target species, Fri., Sat., and Sun. Man, I was bummed out. I felt like a total loser. Meanwhile my buddy and rival (Jeff Bray) for county year was RAKING them in. He got 5 in one day.
Today my luck changed. I started the day early going for the Gray Catbird that Ryan W. found yesterday. Despite the presence of a bunch of the OC's best birders no one got it today. I did get a Plumbeous Vireo there. After being re-psyched by Sherry M. I blasted back to Blue Jay Campground and got
Purple Finch (maybe 5), Hermit Warbler (at least 5) and one Macgillivray's Warbler. I was starting to feel pretty good! I thought I would head to Laguna Canyon for a Black-headed Grosbeak. No go on that baby, it was hot out by then..
I had to head home to pick up Jake after school. As soon as Marge showed up at home I headed out again. I wanted to get the Calliope Hummer (never had them in OC). I got to Sea Terrace Park well after 4pm. I met 2 birders heading out, they had dipped.
I headed over to the recommended area and 2 other guys were there. they were deeply engrossed in conversation so I just started looking. Pretty soon, there he was, SWEET! I shot 320 shots to get these 3 mediocre ones.
There were 2 Allen's and one Rufous totally dominating the flower patch. Every time Mr. Calliope would come in the other agro dudes would attack. He slipped in a couple times stealthily and made it happen.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2014 - 11:26pm PT

Good day of birding - Love the Calliope!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 7, 2014 - 11:30pm PT

Dee, you da man! Well, you da persevering man fo sho! :-)
The worst day of birding is better than ........

john hansen

climber

Apr 8, 2014 - 12:18am PT

So Crimpster,, where the shot's from Birdapalloza? Have not seen any from BN?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2014 - 09:38am PT

John H - I posted all my Birdapalooza photos upthread. I am in charge of the little point and shoot and get photos of birders vs birds. :)

BN has all sorts of treasures on his bazooka. He's embarked on a several month climbing/riding/birding/photography road trip. I flew back to Boulder from Birdapalooza...he stayed behind. After climbing/birding/riding/photography in J-Tree, Morongo and the LA area, he headed to AZ.

He's in AZ right now (climbing in Tucson area as I type this). I hope he finds some time soon to get his birdapalooza photos uploaded. I'm dying to see them too!

After time in Tucson area (I'll fly down in about a week to bird and climb), he heads to Red Rocks. Mid-May I'll meet him there to climb, then we drive back to Boulder where he'll start planning another phase of this fun!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 8, 2014 - 03:58pm PT

BN, I hate you.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2014 - 05:17pm PT

He is a rascal, no?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 9, 2014 - 12:20am PT

otisdog

Big Wall climber

Sierra Madre & McGee Creek, Ca.

Apr 9, 2014 - 10:53am PT

Can you experts help me with another ID? Smallish -bigger than a Goldfinch, smaller than a house sparrow, greyish body with hints of blue on back/wings, yellow stripe down middle of head, yellow throat, and 'I think' yellow under the tail feathers. Near the arboretum. Thanks

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 9, 2014 - 11:00am PT

Here's your Black-headed Grosbeak, yesterday in Anaheim.

otisdog, sounds like a Yellow-rumped Warbler to me.
-Steve

john hansen

climber

Apr 9, 2014 - 01:04pm PT

Not really birding related except I was birding when some thing white in the distance caught my eye..

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 9, 2014 - 05:47pm PT

I saw some Lawrence's Goldfinches this morning at Soledad Canyon where the PCT crosses the Santa Clara River. I didn't get any great pics, but here's a few of the more interesting ones.

john hansen

climber

Apr 9, 2014 - 09:25pm PT

Saw this bird at Elkhorn Slough by Watsonville Ca today.

Thinking it must be a Pacific Golden Plover in transition from winter to summer plumage. We have these in Hawaii so they are pretty familiar.

Looking in Sibley's the Pacific GP has a longer bill than American GP. Looks right.

Also got a YB Magpie.

Cool bird, coming back from the West Nile that nearly wiped out many Corvid's some years ago.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 10, 2014 - 01:07am PT

Starting to work through some shots from recent weeks. Spring is here :-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 10, 2014 - 11:11am PT

Great stuff everyone. Here are few from this morning walk.

On another note...I just accepted a job in Socorro, NM a quick 15 minutes from Bosque del Apache, two hours to the border with Mexico, four hours to Portal, AZ and maybe six hours to Tucson. Great birding in the Socorro area. Should be fun.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 10, 2014 - 11:16am PT

Bob, you sure that's a Western?* ;-)
Enjoy Socorro, but don't start crying for help!

*I think there's quite a bit of overlap in NM.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2014 - 01:33pm PT

In case any of the birders in CA missed it - Marsh Sandpiper in Solano County.

http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=668773&MLID=CA02&MLNM=CA+-+Central+Valley

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 10, 2014 - 09:25pm PT

RED ALERT!!

A Marsh Sandpiper was seen in Solano County today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If it was at all less than a 6 hr drive each way I would so be there tomorrow!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2014 - 09:37pm PT

Hoping someone can get a photo of the bird!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 10, 2014 - 09:40pm PT

RED ALERT, FCK Marsh Sandpiper DAMN!

My big score today was one female Lawrence's Goldfinch, no photos.

I did get some decent photo's of other species to be posted.

OH, great shots everyone! PB, love the Lawrence's.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2014 - 09:45pm PT

We really looked hard to see some Lawrences (or Larrys as we call them) while in the area. Never saw any. BN did manage to finally see many near the entrance of J-Tree.

Hope one of you can get out for the Marsh!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 10, 2014 - 10:46pm PT

Two from my hike this afternoon near Red Rocks.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 10, 2014 - 11:54pm PT

Savannah Sparrow today, Bommer Cyn.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 11, 2014 - 12:22am PT

A coupla' days ago.

Pac. Slope Flycatcher

Black-throated Gray warbler

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 11, 2014 - 12:25am PT

Dee, you sure that isn't an Ash-throated?

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 11, 2014 - 01:30am PT

Check out the popular birds reality show from Norway

http://www.nrk.no/piipshow/about-the-piip-show-1.11575642

The Piip-Show is a three months long live broadcast from the Norwegian broadcasting network, NRK.no.

Here you have the chance to follow life inside a bird feeder decorated as a coffee bar – second by second.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 11, 2014 - 02:34am PT

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be in Vallejo, Solano County on Saturday and will try to see the Marsh Sandpiper. I'll have camera i hand.

Definitely not an Ash-throated Flycatcher. No rufous in tail or wings. As far as which Empidonax, that's always tough if you don't hear them.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 11, 2014 - 11:50pm PT

Reilly, yes sure. I had 2 Ash-throated day before yesterday, way different. The Pac. Slopes are very yellow with bi-colored bill, Hammond's, gray and white, one colored bill.
Ash-throated, much bigger, white/grayish breast, yellowish belly, brown crest, distinct brown tail.
Lot's of Pac. Slopes around right now and quite a few Hammond's. The Ash-throated just hit the scene.

Not a great shot but saw 8 Black-headed Grosbeaks today at Tucker and FOS Hairy Woodpecker way up at Los Pinos trailhead, big dip on the most desired of the day....Townsend's Solitaire.

Tony, good luck on the Marsh Sandpiper. That's a good one.

Bob, I never tire of the Spotted Towhee with the RAD RED eye.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 12, 2014 - 12:11am PT

This shot shows the bi-colored bill and I forgot about the teardrop shaped eye-ring.

I guess there is a remote possibility that it's a Cordilleran Flycatcher but that's WAY beyond me (without hearing the song).

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 12, 2014 - 12:53am PT

Yeah, I was just jerking yer chain although it was kinda hard to judge the
size and it seemed like there was the rufous primaries. Plus I can't say
I've seen such a bushy crest on a Empid.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 12, 2014 - 03:30pm PT

I had Ash-throated and Hammond's again today up at Blue Jay (only had one hour) and still failed to get a photo! NO EFFING Townsend's Solitaire though, that's all I wanted.
I did get 2 Lazuli Buntings for county year.

I'm going to the Salton Sea tomorrow with old friend/climber and new obsessed birder , Rob Raker. It should be good.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 12, 2014 - 03:54pm PT

Dave...give my best to Rob...great guy.

A few of mine from today's hike. Really looking forward to moving to Socorro in early June...the only bummer is that I'll miss most of the spring migration.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 12, 2014 - 03:58pm PT

Bob, I'm trying to figure out the tan spots all over the Goldfinch.
Could it be a late molting juvie?

Dee, pick me up a Yellow-footed Gull, will ya? But it might be too early for them yet.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 12, 2014 - 05:01pm PT

Reilly - I get a lot of goldfinch at the feeder and it seems they are all late in molting this year. That is my impression anyway.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 12, 2014 - 06:24pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 12, 2014 - 06:44pm PT

Damn Mike...beautiful shots. :-)

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 12, 2014 - 07:50pm PT

holy snot Mike!

I now have a new desktop, thanks.

Here's a beauty from down here in Costa Rica. As always, my disclaimer: bad quality - good bird. Been out in the field alot the last few weeks, seeing great stuff but not getting many photos.

bonus taxa - Red Brocket deer, a tame one that was rescued as a fawn after hunters killed it's mom. It is now a whacked-out full grown male (it was in rut) and would charge you as soon as you turned your back. Never bumped me but scared the shyt out of me a few times as it came zipping past.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 12, 2014 - 09:22pm PT

Yes - beautiful photos there Mike B! So much good stuff here!

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Apr 13, 2014 - 05:43pm PT

Roadrunners are back.

Until today, I hadn't seen one in the yard in like ten years. The dogs used to chase them out. They missed this one.

shady

Trad climber

hasbeen

Apr 13, 2014 - 09:25pm PT

Just catching up with my favorite thread. Happy to see it's still going strong and better then ever.

John hansen: After seeing your photo of that albino, I found my heart in my throat, and one image in my head. Are you familiar with Gary Larson's work, "Bummer of a birthmark Hal." ?
Sometimes being "outstanding in your field" isn't a good thing.

Sanskara

climber

Apr 13, 2014 - 09:29pm PT

Some of these birds are just wow!,

I'm no birder but this thread sure gives me an appreciation for why those whom are do east they do.

I'll never forget seeing a cassowary in the wild. It may go down as one of the top ten good things I have been lucky enough to do and will never forget...

john hansen

climber

Apr 14, 2014 - 12:42am PT

Here are a few from the last couple of week's.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher per Dee ee , Bi colored bill. Thanks.

Pine Siskin,

And a thrush, Hermit or Swainson's? What you think?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 14, 2014 - 12:52am PT

John, where are you? I'm not sure what to make of that empid, at least from my phone's perspective. Middle bird looks like a Savannah Sparrow. Last bird looks like an American Pipit.

And Mike, those are STUNNING!

john hansen

climber

Apr 14, 2014 - 01:10am PT

This is why I post these pictures, so I can get help with birds.

They were from central California in general.

What a great resource.

Thanks Willoughby.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 14, 2014 - 01:29am PT

A second to being thankful Willoughby is here!

pbjosh

Trad climber

Apr 14, 2014 - 10:42am PT

Hi all, I haven't been active in the climbing world in a few years due to injury but a long time friend tipped me off to this thread. I'm about 9 months into what should be a roughly 3 year road trip from the states to Tierra del Fuego, almost entirely birding focused. We are also working on conservation projects here and there, and recording birdsong for Cornell as volunteers, it's a fun way to enjoy the outdoors when you cannot climb.

Here are a few bird photos for fun :)

If folks are interested, we have a blog at http://birdsofpassage.wordpress.com, with lots of information for logistics and destinations for independent birders as well as a lot of bird photos.

pbjosh

Trad climber

Apr 14, 2014 - 10:48am PT

John, I would also say that your second bird is a Savannah Sparrow and the third an American Pipit. As far as the first empid... if the yellow-wash is true to color and you weren't well up in the mountains where Dusky or Hammond's would be likely as well, it is most likely Pacific-slope Flycatcher though I don't see a prominent teardrop that it ought to have.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 14, 2014 - 01:44pm PT

Wow! Love those birds! Never even heard of a pink headed warbler!!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 14, 2014 - 01:46pm PT

What? You've never heard of Cyndi Lauper?

pbjosh

Trad climber

Apr 14, 2014 - 02:22pm PT

Not many pink birds out there once you get away from Flamingos / Spoonbills / etc which derive their color from carotenoids in the critters they eat, and Pink-headed Warbler is a stunner and one of the coolest birds in Middle America.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 14, 2014 - 02:56pm PT

Great stuff everyone and cools shots pjjosh.

What is this one??

pbjosh

Trad climber

Apr 14, 2014 - 03:06pm PT

First bird looks like a Hermit Thrush to me. Nice photos!

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 14, 2014 - 06:32pm PT

Nice pics Josh! My fav is the Rosita Bunting.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 15, 2014 - 11:01am PT

Sunday the 13th I spent the day birding the Salton Sea with legendary outdoorsman Rob Raker. Rob has always been famous for living life to the fullest and after being diagnosed with prostate cancer years ago it seems he has managed to increase his zest for life (if that's possible!).

Needless to say we had a blast

We got an early start(I left home at 3:30am)and were down at the south end by 7:30.

We basically headed east and north staying as close to the shore as we could hitting 7 or 8 spots by the time it was all over.

Every place we went had some great species and it was like a avian treasure hunt. The Salton Sea is a weird and eerily beautiful place. At times it was like another planet.

More shocking than the diversity were the sheer numbers of birds. It was mind boggling.

After over 10 hours of birding we had 90 different species and I got 4 lifers (Neotropic Cormorant, Common Ground Dove, Gull billed Tern and Lesser Black-backed Gull). We thought we had a Sprague's Pipit but it turned out to be an Am. Pipit. Damn!

It was a banner day.

Marsh Wren

Neotropic Corm.

Eared Grebes

Great Egret

DC Corms, and nesting GBH

Common Ground Doves

Burrowing Owl

Black-bellied Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Rob (does this shot remind you of anyone else?)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 15, 2014 - 11:19am PT

Great shots Dave...I was at the Salton Sea last year and felt the same as you...errie to say the least. The place could used some love.

Amazing the amount of birds in that area...everywhere you look.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 15, 2014 - 02:56pm PT

Craig, we did get Abert's. We didn't go to those lakes that are a few miles south but we did hit a couple really good passerine habitats, lot's of good non shorebirds.

89 species ain't bad ( I had to do a recount after posting my eBird list).

Some of the beaches we were on were made up of what looked like barnacles, millions and millions of barnacles. Like walking on potato chips.

What a crazy place.

various edits below.

ps. Birding wasn't "gay" back then, we were just climbing our asses off.

Oh Reilly, I did look for Yellow-footed Gulls, I had seen them posted on some recent lists, but, no success. That's a little beyond my gulling skill levels.

Bob, Rob says "hi." Also I must also ask, "what's up with the tan spots on that AMGO?" Selective leucicism?

Dr. F, btw Whistling Ducks haven't been seen since the year 2000.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Apr 15, 2014 - 03:44pm PT

Debbie and I checked out the lakes at the south end late last year. They were pretty much dried up.

We did hear a "Yuma" clapper while we were there, but could not spot it.

http://www.fws.gov/nevada/protected_species/birds/species/yucr.html

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 15, 2014 - 04:32pm PT

My take today...working on this new birding trails book to the Denver/Boulder area and trying to get it done before I head south to Socorro, NM in a month.

john hansen

climber

Apr 15, 2014 - 11:31pm PT

89 in one day is pretty good.

I am thinking this is a Brown Headed Cowbird.

And a house wren.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Apr 15, 2014 - 11:42pm PT

Ana's and Alan's now permanent residents.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 16, 2014 - 12:06pm PT

Birders aren't always the nicest people either.
From Calbirds:

Marsh Sandpiper / Birder Behavior

Tue Apr 15, 2014 1:05 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Monte Taylor" tsuru8

Quoting one persons eBird post commentary on April 12th and wondering had
birders cared anything about others vs. Me Me Me, the Marsh may have been
around longer for those who had to pay for an airplane ticket and rental
car to arrive and find nothing or wait till there day off:

" - Comments: "MASH arrived in channel with yellowlegs just after sunrise,
when low backlighting allowed nice study of the bird's silhouette. Later
switched viewing position to the white bridge, where lighting was good but
views were still distant. A group of birders on the road attempting to get
closer views repeatedly flushed the bird, until it flew far to the east and
then southeast into Yolo County. Best views were in flight. The bird
returned a short time later, but was again repeatedly flushed, and this
time flew southeast into Yolo County and did not return."

Next time have some respect and consideration for others than just yourself.

Monte Taylor
Tustin Ranch, CA

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 16, 2014 - 01:52pm PT

My take from today's hike.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 16, 2014 - 03:06pm PT

Need ID on this one??

Thanks in advance.

pbjosh

Trad climber

Apr 16, 2014 - 06:25pm PT

Bob, the streaked chest + eye ring + head stripe pattern look like Vesper Sparrow to me, but I'm without a US fieldguide at hand so forgive me if others correct me. Brewer's sparrow has a plain chest and I can't think of other SW sparrows with a face like that + prominent eyering. You're in NM, right?

Birding the Arenal area of Costa Rica today, we were treated to great if backlit looks at a pair of White-fronted Nunbirds, which has gotten to be pretty uncommon in Central America, very cool bird. About 110 species in about 2 miles dirt road and a 20 minute stop at a marshy ditch where we tried, in vain, for 20 minutes to get looks at White-throated Crake only to have a pair walk calmly across the road 15 feet from us after we'd gotten back in the truck!

Cheers all,

Josh

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 16, 2014 - 06:54pm PT

PB...I think you are right...thanks so much. You should contact LittleZ...great guy and a amazing wealth of knowledge on the birds of CR. He lives in San Jose.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 16, 2014 - 09:05pm PT

Hey Bob - thanks for the good word. Josh and I are in contact and hopefully he and Kathi and I will be able to hook up before they head south.

Agree with Josh that your bird is good for a Vesper Sparrow. You've been posting up some great photos lately, like that robin, just classic. Good luck with your new job in NM. Putting together plans for a trip to Colorado in September, sorry to learn you won't be there.

John - good call on the BH Cowbird and House Wren.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 17, 2014 - 01:47pm PT

Thanks Little Z, will be seeing you in October as we have to be back in CR.

Looking forward to the move, the birding is amazing down there.

Hairy Woodpecker from today's hike.

looking sketchy there...

Social climber

Lassitude 33

Apr 17, 2014 - 02:08pm PT

DEE, glad you and Rob had a great day at Dalton Sea. He was looking forward to it when we were in Josh on Saturday. He was scoping avians all day between cranking routes.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 17, 2014 - 08:15pm PT

Thanks RV!

Wed. we went to Morongo for the Wed. am bird walk. It was birdy there, got 47 species. Later Rob, Kevin Powell, Monica and I went to
Whitewater where we witnessed 2 Peregrine's copulating. It was hot (I mean the temps were hot!).

White-winged Dove

FOS Western Tanager

RTHA

Lawrence's Goldfinch

Today I went to Woods Canyon for Blue Grosbeaks and Yellow-breasted Chats for county year. Got both.

BHGR

SPTO

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 18, 2014 - 02:51am PT

A few from a few days ago.

Bare legged!

Drama

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 18, 2014 - 03:32pm PT

Great shots Dave & PlanB. Here are a few from today's walk.

flykatcher

climber

Apr 18, 2014 - 05:08pm PT

stoked on this thread. glad to see there are other bird nerds in the climbing community.

thought i'd add to the thread with a white-tailed ptarmigan i saw last weekend while ski touring in the Alaska Range; Rainbow Ridge specifically. I've heard reports of White-tailed Ptarmigan on isolated peaks in the Sierra Nevada. Can anyone confirm this??

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 18, 2014 - 05:19pm PT

I don't know about "isolated," but they're absolutely around. I think there's some discussion on current range and their introduction and so forth upthread somewheres. I'm still waiting to find one within the confines of the hydrologic Tahoe basin, but I've found roost spots within less than 250 m from the boundary, and seen live birds a very short distance from there in the Carson Pass area.

I run into them in the Sonora Pass area, and above Bridgeport (ground zero for their introduction) too. Once near Tioga Pass. Not sure how far south they go.

Here's a point-and-shoot repost from Red Lake Peak, just barely outside the Tahoe basin:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 18, 2014 - 05:39pm PT

Got a cool shot of this young Great Horned Owl today.

Also this Great Blue Heron was doing a pose for me.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 20, 2014 - 09:40am PT

Got up early this Easter morning and checked out the owlets, they are doing great.

Happy Easter to all.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 20, 2014 - 12:04pm PT

Bob, those owls must think you're their auntie they see you so much! :-)

So today's paper reported a Bald Eagle was found dead from getting into
some electrical lines in Wyoming. It had been banded in 1982 making it the
second oldest known wild BE. The oldest was over 32!!!!

ps
There's a Northern Gannet on Alcatraz! I wonder what got him sent up there?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 20, 2014 - 12:38pm PT

Reilly, kinda crazy around here. I know of four different nests with owlets in them.

Here is a Cooper's Hawk from today.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 20, 2014 - 12:51pm PT

Wow, great shot, Bob!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 21, 2014 - 05:41pm PT

Thanks Reilly....

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 22, 2014 - 09:52am PT

Rufous hummer featured today on google's sketch...cool!

https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en

http://searchengineland.com/rufous-hummingbird-celebrated-todays-google-earth-day-logo-along-5-unique-animals-189616

Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber

Old and Broken Down in Appalachia

Apr 22, 2014 - 11:03am PT

Great Blue Heron against the lava in the Galapagos Islands, taken a few weeks ago. Hand-held 300 mm lens.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 22, 2014 - 02:49pm PT

Got my first House Wren for this year.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 23, 2014 - 01:30pm PT

White Crowned Sparrow this morning on my hike.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 23, 2014 - 08:30pm PT

Nice photos Bob!

A reply to the up-thread request, I dug up my White-tailed Ptarmigan pics from a Lee Vining Ice climbing trip March 6 2011.

Seen just around the rock buttress at the far right of this overview.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 23, 2014 - 10:53pm PT

Ptarmigan's at Lee Vining?

Wow.

How many times did I miss them?

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 23, 2014 - 11:54pm PT

That is the only time I've seen them. Of course, mostly I'm too busy climbing or belaying to notice.

They like to eat willow in winter, there is lots of that in the area. And eating willow is what this one was doing.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 24, 2014 - 12:18am PT

Bob, Thanks for that good/great photo of the House Wren. I live in great fear that I'll see one and not recognize it. If any of you have tips about recognizing the song, I am all ears.

(edit) and thanks for the Ptarmigan photos!!! ^^^^ Y'all know the story about the naming of Chicken, Alaska, right?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 24, 2014 - 09:05am PT

Good morning gull experts.

Help with Gull ID please.

See the one in the left foreground with slightly darker back? Any ideas?

This was at Salt Creek, e. shore of the Salton Sea.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 24, 2014 - 10:39am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 24, 2014 - 03:16pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 24, 2014 - 03:26pm PT

Aunty Bob, you bringin' treats?

Dee, without a better pic my first thought was a Western but you might have
a Lesser Black-back there.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 24, 2014 - 03:35pm PT

Reilly, Uncle Bob to you. :-)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 24, 2014 - 05:28pm PT

Dave, Reilly,

I vote Lesser Black-backed, too. It has yellow legs. I can't get a sense of the size or eye color. Yellow-footed (which I haven't seen) is bigger than Western, Herring. Lesser Black-backed is about the size of California. Any more photos?

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 24, 2014 - 05:37pm PT

My book says Yellow-footed Gull hangs out at the Salton Sea.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 24, 2014 - 05:46pm PT

PlanB, that is true but they don't tend to show up until later in the summer
I believe and they are considerably larger- 25" vs 21" for LBBG.

john hansen

climber

Apr 24, 2014 - 10:19pm PT

Here is one I took last April 30th at Salton sea that I thought was a Yellow footed Gull.

Now that I look more closely I think it could be a California gull.

And a more tightly cropped one of the same bird.

Note the bill markings.

And real tight.. I added a bit of saturation on the last one to better judge the reddish eye and gape at the bill.

Dang, I guess YFG comes off the life list... Gulls are tough.

Here are some from the web.

http://christian.maliverney.oiseaux.net/yellow-footed.gull.2.html#alpha

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 24, 2014 - 10:44pm PT

Hey Reilly and Tony thanks for the look.

We thought it was a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

I was hoping for some reinforcement on it before submitting to eBird. The moderator for Riverside County is pretty hard core and I don't want to look like a total ass! I pissed him off a while back and have just gotten on better terms with him recently.

If you could please look at these two other shots from Rob's Site. They might be a little better than mine.

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

http://www.robraker.com/Robs-Natural-World/Salton-Sea/38567426_j5v76D#!i=3188034302&k=wvx7nXf

http://www.robraker.com/Robs-Natural-World/Salton-Sea/38567426_j5v76D#!i=3188034470&k=wSKnZD9

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 25, 2014 - 12:05am PT

After looking at robraker's shots I am more sure of it being a LBBG. The sloping forehead, the fairly straight lower mandible, and the look on his face of "How did I wind up in this bunch of wankers!" The only thing I'm not really seeing is any white tips to the primaries but sometimes they are hard to see and those shots are a bit 'soft'. ;-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 25, 2014 - 03:10pm PT

First Black-crowned Nigh Heron of the year.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 25, 2014 - 03:30pm PT

ever wonder what happened to velociraptors? they evolved into anis

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 26, 2014 - 05:46pm PT

I was just about to submit my Salt Creek (Salton Sea) list and feeling pretty good about Lesser Black-backed Gull.

I noticed on Rob's site there is a drop down zoom menu to the right of the photo. If you choose "original" it gives max size. At that magnification I can see black and red on the bill and the eye still looks dark. Neither one of my shots showed the bill tip.

I'm thinking it's a California Gull. Dangit.

One more look? Here is the big picture.

http://www.robraker.com/Robs-Natural-World/Salton-Sea/38567426_j5v76D#!i=3188034302&k=wvx7nXf&lb=1&s=O

Sorry about that.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 26, 2014 - 05:56pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 26, 2014 - 06:04pm PT

Great shot Little Z, love the beaks on Groove-billed.

Blue-winged Teal from today's hike.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 26, 2014 - 06:18pm PT

Dee, bummer! Couldn't see the black bit on the other pics. It also didn't look dark enough
overall but that is a tougher call.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 26, 2014 - 07:49pm PT

Love the Ani! And the swallows getting mud...awesome!

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 26, 2014 - 09:12pm PT

Agree with Crimpergirl.
The Ani, and what a fun scene the Cliff Swallows collecting mud!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 27, 2014 - 02:03pm PT

found another Great Potoo on its "nest" (had one last year that I posted some photos of). There is a young downy white chick nestled in the breast feathers of the adult. This one is much younger than the one I saw last year.

just down the road was an immature Rufescent Tiger-Heron, a nice find and a tick for the year list.

Josh and Kathi just scored big-time! They were in on the sighting of a Hudsonian Godwit - maybe the 3rd record for Costa Rica, and the first documented one. That's one I still need. Congratulations!

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Apr 27, 2014 - 02:07pm PT

The birds are arriving on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 27, 2014 - 06:13pm PT

Love those shoveler's, Cyndie!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 27, 2014 - 07:07pm PT

^ Agreed! Went on a walk yesterday and saw lots of Shovelers, Red-Heads, Cinnamon Teal and an uncountable number of Blue-Wing Teal. Only one Green-Wing Teal. I really like ducks and love the photos of them!

john hansen

climber

Apr 27, 2014 - 11:08pm PT

Ducks are cool.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 27, 2014 - 11:28pm PT

^ Love!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 29, 2014 - 11:43am PT

Western Grebe and Solitary Sandpiper.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 29, 2014 - 12:34pm PT

I like yer dewlap, dude.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 29, 2014 - 04:17pm PT

from Indian Cove JT

from Soledad Cyn Rd, Canyon Country

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 29, 2014 - 07:22pm PT

!!! Rufescent Tiger-Heron !!! What a bird!. Don't get many of those around here. ;-)

I did see my first, or at least first local, White Throated Sparrow on my bike commute home yesterday. I'm happy about that.

Here is a photo of a Pacific/Winter Wren from the Az Trip a month ago.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 29, 2014 - 08:57pm PT

WARNING!

Possible Duck repost.

I got caught up in the duck enthusiasm starting with Cyndies shots.

But, I must compliment the series of duck shots seen above.

Nice.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 29, 2014 - 11:48pm PT

Duck butts. I love me some dabbling duck butts. :)

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Apr 30, 2014 - 07:21am PT

hey there say, ... dee ee ... i love those ducks... did a painting of my own for my wall as they are fun!! my son, used to wear his hair slicked back, so i always call him a wood duck, ;))

thanks again, folks for all the fun bird pics... :)

my mom in calif, is being greatly blessed and entertains by:
a mama humming bird and her babies, nested in their yard, :)
i get the nice reports, :)

this is dee ee:

happy fun day!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 30, 2014 - 12:17pm PT

Z, great leapin' Guans! Great shot!

A Yellow Wagtail in San Diego - probable but uncorroborated.
Dude was sitting on his boat and it flew right over him calling.

This dude ain't gonna see no stinkin' Motacillidae...nor does he care.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 30, 2014 - 12:30pm PT

A few from today's hike.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 30, 2014 - 04:15pm PT

Neebee, you put a whole new spin on duck butts!

They kinda' look like weird hummingbirds with reverse crowns!

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Apr 30, 2014 - 05:13pm PT

hey there, say, dee ee... ;))

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Apr 30, 2014 - 07:54pm PT

re-edit

Today's first of season Swainson's Thrush. We had at least 4 seen and maybe 10 heard.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 30, 2014 - 09:27pm PT

I've got butts, too:

And from today.

Common as dirt, but always one of my favorites.

It's a Least. They are tiny

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 30, 2014 - 09:39pm PT

Butt, Darwin!!!!!1

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Apr 30, 2014 - 09:40pm PT

I'm thinking this is a Lesser Goldfinch?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 30, 2014 - 10:38pm PT

Great shots everyone, I say Lesser Plan B.

A few more from the PM hike.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

May 1, 2014 - 06:30am PT

yes, very nice stuff folks.

so, I'll buck the trend with this fuzzy shot of yet another prehistoric-looking throwback...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 1, 2014 - 08:45pm PT

again, we don't get too many of those ^^^^ around here.

Doing what they do best today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 1, 2014 - 09:30pm PT

Great shot Darwin and love the Green Ibis Little Z.

A few from the hike tonight with Eva.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

May 2, 2014 - 01:26am PT

Today I saw a MacGillivray's Warbler at Pelonconi Park, Anaheim Hills. It is a small park, really a ravine. I guess the Santa Ana winds the last few days had some birds looking for a place to hide out, because it has been loaded with birds the last couple days.

Someone told me about the MacGillivray's they saw there, and I found her today and spend quite a long time trying to get some kind of pics.

Edited May 2. First of all, this one is most likely an Orange-crowned Warbler

Here is the MacGillivray's I photographed the next day (May 2)

Besides lots of Pacific-slope Flycatchers, there were lots of other Empids. I think Pewee, Hammond's, maybe Willow, and Dusky and/or Gray. Anyway, some pics

(May 2 edit) Talked with some experienced OC birders today and settled on what these birds are. Western Wood Pewee, Hammond's and Gray Flycatchers.

And a Chipping Sparrow

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 2, 2014 - 01:47am PT

Thanks PlanB: almost all birds that I rarely see.

BobDa, is the last one a Say's Phoebe? I guess they are pretty common for all of you but not for me.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 2, 2014 - 01:49am PT

First thing to look for on a Dusky is the beak hook.

Do you ever feel you're being watched?

Home is where you hang yer hat, or yer house...
Central Valley I-5 condos, shot at 75mph, while driving!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 2, 2014 - 08:51am PT

Great stuff Plan B and Reilly. Yes it is a Say's Darwin, they show up pretty early here.

Snowy Egret this AM.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 2, 2014 - 03:30pm PT

I was pleased as punch to get this photo this morning in front of my house, although he's not showing its most characteristic feature..

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 2, 2014 - 05:20pm PT

Just don't call him late for dinner!

john hansen

climber

May 2, 2014 - 11:36pm PT

Reilly, are those Clark's Nutcrackers in that tree?

And if so is that a photo shop?

Night Heron's? What the hell are those?

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

May 3, 2014 - 01:17am PT

Thanks for the note on the Dusky Reilly, and great pics! Great pics and post from everyone!

Bathing beauty? Western Tanager today cooling off in the near 100 degree heatwave today in Pelanconi Park.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 3, 2014 - 01:58am PT

John, did you count all seven of them? No shopping of the specious variety - just some judicious dodging.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 3, 2014 - 02:45am PT

We had a 70 degree day today, that doesn't happen too often here. These are from this evenings bird show.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 3, 2014 - 03:34pm PT

Great photos Cyndie and Plan B.

My meager offering from today. Pretty Lark Sparrow.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 3, 2014 - 03:45pm PT

Cyndie and Bob, REALLY NICE SHOTS!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 3, 2014 - 06:50pm PT

Thanks Reilly...a few more from the walk today.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

May 3, 2014 - 07:06pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 4, 2014 - 03:43pm PT

For you surfers out there. This AM Edmonds WA.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 4, 2014 - 03:55pm PT

"Who you callin' a dirtbag?"

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

May 4, 2014 - 06:26pm PT

The bird bible - funny Saturday night live skit

http://www.hulu.com/watch/603071

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 4, 2014 - 09:41pm PT

Wow you guys, lots of fun shots above. Empids, woodies, the bible, "surf" birds, dirtbags, Clarke's, bird sex, Sandhill's, bathing Tanny's, nice.

I've got a couple from today. I'm saving my Pelagic (Spring Pelagic 5/3/14) shots till the eBird list is posted.

Wilson's Phalaropes

A Spotted Sandpiper with SPOTS. Finally!

Clarke's Grebes

I spent 45 minutes trying to get a decent Warbling Vireo shot. Mini epic and not too successful. Best of effort.

The Swainson's Thrushes are abundant. It's a soft "Whit."

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

May 5, 2014 - 09:35am PT

Partridge with chicks.

Lasti

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 5, 2014 - 03:54pm PT

A few from today's hike.

Heading a little south tomorrow for some climbing and maybe new birds.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

May 5, 2014 - 04:18pm PT

I've viewed the Northern Gannet that has been present at Alcatraz twice recently. This is almost certainly the same bird that was first seen at the Farallon Islands in April, 2012. A couple weeks ago it showed at Alcatraz for a day, returned to the Farallons briefly, and has been at Alcatraz since for about two weeks. It is hanging out among nesting Brandt's Cormorants.

Both times that I have viewed it the wind was too high to get any kind of decent digiscope photo. Yesterday I got to watch it take several short flights, including one time when it foraged offshore for a while.

This awful shot is the best I could do:

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Here is a shot from the Farallons that I took on a pelagic trip last July:

I'm holding out hope that it will explore this part of SF Bay so we can get it on the house list.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 5, 2014 - 04:31pm PT

Tony,

Are there any guesses where this one summers and winters?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

May 5, 2014 - 05:40pm PT

Darwin,

It has remained in the the area throughout the last two years. I don't believe that adults are generally long distance migrants, although they range 100s of km to forage.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 5, 2014 - 06:54pm PT

Lasti, nice shot! Looks like you used center-weighted metering plus it is sharp!

Bob, where were the Ibis, at Bosque?

Tony, yer right, the first shot sucks! ;-)
But the second is GUD! I had my fill of N Gannets in Gaspé but it would
be cool to notch one up here in Cali.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 5, 2014 - 07:30pm PT

Reilly...Walden Ponds near Boulder. I head back to NM in a few weeks.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

May 5, 2014 - 10:02pm PT

Reilly,

Glad you liked it!

It also seemed strange to me to be so excited to see a single Northern Gannet after seeing many thousands in Scotland, but imagining how its journey to the Pacific Ocean came to be is kind of fascinating.

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

May 6, 2014 - 05:41am PT

Yeah Reilly, thanks for the tips, though for some reason the focus is still rarely spot-on. Maybe that's where throwing more money at the boid would help.

More to come.

Lasti

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 6, 2014 - 11:13am PT

Lasti, are you also using center-weighted focus? For birds I usually use
the spot focus so there is no doubt. Bumping the f stop to at least f11 will also help.
But your partridge shot is a big improvement! :-)

And we want some Upupa epops, you hear?

Is this the oft-mentioned 'stinkeye'?

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

May 7, 2014 - 11:43am PT

Hey Reilly,

I do use spot focus, but still.

Here's some upupa for you, but I hope to get a better shot soon. They are a bit boring when just standing around, but quite quick on the takeoff, so difficult to shoot - for me.

But for a better picture, I submit this Rufous Treepie.

Lasti

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 7, 2014 - 11:58am PT

Lasti, you are devious, dude! I was like "Rufous Treepie"? WTF? I thought
I knew my European boids, if mostly in Swedish. I thought maybe he was
a Eurasian steppe visitor to eastern Hungary. I had to go to Mr Google
for him. HaHaHaHa!

So do you live in Buda or Pest? ;-)

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

May 7, 2014 - 12:20pm PT

cool new birds for here Lasti. I remember when Gray Partridge was called Hungarian Partridge. Fun to see a photo of one on its home turf.

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

May 7, 2014 - 12:43pm PT

Devious is an understatement in this case. The birds are all shot in Pakistan and India, as I reside in this part of the world for now. Kept the location Budapest to fight homesickness.

Lasti - the devious one

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

May 7, 2014 - 04:26pm PT

Cool pictures Lasti.
Here is a cool one I found on the web just now

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

May 7, 2014 - 06:21pm PT

http://freebeacon.com/blog/the-obama-bird-genocide-is-out-of-control/

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 7, 2014 - 06:49pm PT

When climbing in the San Luis valley for two days, managed to do three new routes and got some birding in.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 8, 2014 - 05:24pm PT

Here are a few from our Spring Pelagic trip last week.

Scripps Murrelet

Red and Red-necked Palaropes

More SCMU

Elegant, Black and Common Terns

Black Terns

Rhinoceros Auklet

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 8, 2014 - 05:25pm PT

The Forster's Terns at Bolsa Chica were pretty tame.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 8, 2014 - 05:27pm PT

Dood, how bout some details? Black Terns, really?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 8, 2014 - 05:35pm PT

It was the first time I've seen Black Terns in breeding plumage.

We spent 8 hours out in the OC waters and even went into LA County for awhile.

The actual highlight of the trip were the Minke Whales we encountered. 2 or the same one a couple hours apart. The first one zig-zagged back and forth under the boat. On our second encounter the whale put on quite a show breaching 6 or 7 times in the space of less than 2 minutes. "Captain Mike" (veteran of hundreds of whale watching and pelagic birding trips) said it was "a once in a lifetime experience." They are fairly common but not very social.

The dude was around 20 feet long.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 8, 2014 - 06:34pm PT

Nice Whale show DE! I'm finally home with some time to sort and edit bird pics from recent weeks, so here's a starter set from March...

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

May 8, 2014 - 08:56pm PT

Wow BrassNuts! Worth the wait!

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

May 8, 2014 - 10:30pm PT

Ash-breasted Sierra Finch at about 5,000m:

Cinereous Ground Tyrant:

Tiquimani with an obvious unclimbed line to the right of the scary seracs:

White-winged Diuca Finch:

Here is a photo of a serac fall the size of a ten story apartment building and you can hardly notice it:

Andean Hillstar, crappy photo but a cool bird:

All yesterday.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 8, 2014 - 11:17pm PT

Hey Plan B, nice to meet and bird with you back in March :-) Another time in SoCal for sure... Here's another round of spring pics for tonight.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 9, 2014 - 04:45pm PT

Nice BN, I recognize some of those individuals.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 9, 2014 - 04:52pm PT

Muchas gracias a BN y CClark! Way to combine birdwatching and avywatching!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 9, 2014 - 04:57pm PT

Whale of a shot, DE!!!! (I couldn't resist)!!!

BN, great shots--heal up, buddy!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 9, 2014 - 05:13pm PT

OK you guys, I'm getting behind on good photos. So, please forgive me if I inundate you for a couple of days.

I worked in Phoenix last week and birded at the Phoenix Desert Gardens.

Cactus Wren sequence.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 9, 2014 - 05:42pm PT

No such thing as inundating anyone with bird photos. :) Great photos everyone. The names of CClarke's birds are as cool as the birds themselves. I adore the Muscovy photo. I swear you can see that bird's soul in his eyes.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 9, 2014 - 05:52pm PT

Thanks for the thumbs up CG!

More to come.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 9, 2014 - 05:57pm PT

Not Phoenix.

Spots!

WILSON!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 9, 2014 - 06:02pm PT

I swear you can see that bird's soul in his eyes.

Really! He's totally working the Liberace thang!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 10, 2014 - 11:53am PT

I enjoyed the article above. An ap that id's calls and songs really would be cheating.

More from the Phoenix Desert Gardens.

Gila Woodpecker

Gilded Flicker

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 10, 2014 - 12:00pm PT

A couple more from Phoenix.

House Sparrow

Curve-billed Thrasher

Gambel's Quail

Does anyone know what these little guys are. I couldn't find them in my way old Mammal Field Guide

They like each other!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 10, 2014 - 12:16pm PT

They look like aliens! Run for yer life!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

May 10, 2014 - 01:18pm PT

Wow, this page is a keeper. Great birds, some nice bonus taxa, and it even has monutains!

Interesting article on the trad vs sport birding. Very true, alot like climbing's old vs. new camps. Hope they never invent that program that can id bird songs in the field or I'll be out of a job (or at least wait until I retire).

Dave, how about Round-tailed Ground-Squirrel? seems to be the common one there in that part of the world.

Off to the wilds of the Indio Maiz reserve in SE Nicaragua tomorrow. Trying to get an Ocellated Poorwill for diehard lister Macklin Smith (current ABA area life list record holder). Report to follow...

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 10, 2014 - 01:26pm PT

Here is my shot of the day.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 10, 2014 - 02:31pm PT

Nice Eagle!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 10, 2014 - 08:17pm PT

Beautiful stuff!

I think I learned a new bird word today: Feak. A bird feaks his/her beak (bill) to clean it off. My parrots do this a lot - wiping their bill on a branch to tidy it. Cool.

Or maybe I've been trolled. Either way, don't look it up on urban dictionary.

perswig

climber

May 10, 2014 - 08:28pm PT

Awesome last page!

BN, beautiful scrub jay pic.
Dale

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 10, 2014 - 09:30pm PT

Lots of fun new bird pics from everyone from around the globe, spring is sprung! ;-)
DE - we're going to have to do an Orange county only birdapalooza since you have those areas dialed!

Some more from recent weeks in the SW...

Norwegian

Trad climber

dancin on the tip of god's middle finger

May 10, 2014 - 10:52pm PT

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 11, 2014 - 01:34am PT

Katchemak Bay, Alaska

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 11, 2014 - 01:58pm PT

That was a close one! This almost fell to the third page!

I still don't understand why this guy wasn't named the Plush-browed Jay rather than the Plush-crested Jay...

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 11, 2014 - 03:12pm PT

Those are some plush sorta Irish brows on that Jay eh?

Just to mix things up a bit, saw this guy while birding early one morning in Patagonia AZ, pretty cool! Very brief appearance before heading into the brush, maybe 15 seconds.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 11, 2014 - 03:46pm PT

BN. That goldeneye tail shot is unique and awesome.

Agreed! I really adore that photo. I was there and still it took me a bit of time to understand what I was seeing. What a cool perspective!

LOVE the Plush Browed Jay. :) Where did you seem him Reilly.

And the Pigeon Guillemots! How sweet are they?

I have renamed the Common Yellow Throat to the Spectacular Yellow Throat. Seems more appropriate.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 11, 2014 - 03:54pm PT

I'm still trying ti figger out how you can tell that is a Goldeneye tail.

I am partial to the Rock Wren shot - those guys are not poseurs, especially on the ground!
The bobcat shot is also muy excelente! He looks large.

The Plush-everything Jay was at Iguazú Falls, literally. He and his mates hang out on the
boardwalk to La Garganta begging. I didn't indulge him but he comped me a pose anyway.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 11, 2014 - 04:16pm PT

Cool, would love to see Iguazu and the snazzy Jay! Nice shot Reilly!

Here is the full Golden Eye sequence. Unfortunately a couple of the frames are not sharp, but you get the idea...

Edit: glad folks like the Scrub Jay portrait, it's nice when you can get a good head shot of a feathered friend :-)

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

From Panorama City, CA

May 11, 2014 - 04:30pm PT

From this morning's birding in Seattle. This is a Laurel Bird. Happy Mother's Day!

jonnyrig

Trad climber

formerly known as hillrat

May 11, 2014 - 05:07pm PT

Is this a golden eagle and chicks? Planning to go back with spotting scope, vid cam with good zoom, and good binocs. Is there any danger that I will spook the bird off its nest if I keep my distance? I can set up at a rock pile a hundred yards away and slightly higher. Was scouting for some short climbs and didn't realize the bird was there.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 12, 2014 - 01:12am PT

Thousands of red-necked phalaropes on Katchemak Bay.
Sooty Fox Sparrow singing in Homer, Alaska.
And back home in Kenai...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 12, 2014 - 01:28am PT

BN and all, yes, come bird in OC. It's pretty good(way good).

Right now migration is in full swing. We can't wait to see what shows up next.

American Goldfinch

Wet Wilson, WIWA are all over the place. I saw a report from Desert Center where they had something like 65. "They were swarming like bees!"

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

Spotted Towhee, I saw 12-15 the day before yesterday

Swainson's Thrush, soft "whit" is everywhere

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

May 12, 2014 - 09:17am PT

I think those pups are endangered Mexican Prairie Dogs.

A population count is underway for Mexican prairie dogs. Keith Geluso
Mexican Prairie Dog
The Mexican government outlawed killing Mexican prairie dogs in 2004, and the species is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act as "endangered." The biggest threat to Mexican prairie dogs is the loss of habitat to agriculture, including plantations of maguay (an agave plant), nopal (a cactus), and potato farms. In some parts of their range, they are also affected by ongoing drought.

http://www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/prairie_dog_coalition/prairie-dog-species-status.html#.U3DKT16YluY

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

May 12, 2014 - 12:07pm PT

Great shots BrassNuts and all.

My humble submission:

Kingfisher waiting for lunch to swim by.

Lasti

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 12, 2014 - 03:45pm PT

Lasti, is that the Loggerhead Kingfisher?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 12, 2014 - 05:49pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 12, 2014 - 06:03pm PT

Wow...great photos everyone...you folks are killing it.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 12, 2014 - 07:39pm PT

Cyndie, that last one is a Long-billed Curlew.

john hansen

climber

May 12, 2014 - 08:36pm PT

I think Cyndie is right on the Whimbrel.

Here is a LB Curlew for comparison.

Pretty sure anyway.....

Here is Cyndie's photo

http://www.supertopo.com/photos/23/61/357651_14354_L.jpg

Sanskara

climber

May 12, 2014 - 08:46pm PT

What an awesome creature!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 12, 2014 - 08:54pm PT

You're all wrong, it's a Bristle-thighed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm having a hard time judging the size but I'm definitely not seeing the
dark brown lateral crown stripes of a Whimbrel.

I think it is a Long-billed.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 12, 2014 - 08:55pm PT

hey there say, ... say, an older lady around here, familiar with the birds, and plant situation out here, said that THIS year, michigan lost a lot of birds--she said due to late blooming and seeing...

i did not know that, :O
though, i had read an article that someone share, similar to this, a ways back--forgot who shared it...

it seems the birds are nest now, at least... but, my SHED ROBIN has not nested in the shed this year... for 5+ years, she had been... :(

though i am not quite here for five years, the nest was well established and she was busy redoing it, when i moved in...

also, i just was so happy to see the scarlet tanager male and FEMALE, about 2-3 days ago, checking out the nest from last year (not sure if it was there the year before that, or not--though i DID see all the babies hatch last year--very fun--but they were up VERY high)...

this year, i hope the tanagers are nesting there now...

not sure where the robins went, though they seem to be near the abandoned house, right behind me... will check it out later this week and ANOTHER set of robins, had gone one house back, and nested in a neighbors DOOR that led right into his HOUSE... he was the only going in and out, so it seemed not to bother them...

i had hoped the robins were just late this year, like the plants have been, to bloom... but--by now, i'd think i would have seen signs of this...
only ONCE the same 2-3 days agao, did i see a robin with a mouthful of weeds for to build... and she did not bring there to the old nest, :(

well, happy bird days to you all!!!

i just saw a rose-breasted (think that was the name) grosbeak, in my feeder, never seen them yet... saw the other grosbeak, purple house finch, tanager, --not sure i saw an orial, last year-- saw the chickadees, tufted titmouse, sparrow (not sure which kinds, seems to be two kinds, hard to 'test' them forID) ... cowbirds and crows... and the loyal woodpecker, and even saw the 'striped one'--forgot its proper name...

and that i think? is about it... oh, saw a very small yellow bird, too...

have NOT ever seen the indigo bunting, and it is SUPPOSED to be in these here parts... and have not seen the cardinals MUCH, but have seen them this year, just not a lot yet...

thanks for all your neat pics you all share...
WONDERFUL!!!!

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 12, 2014 - 09:01pm PT

hey there say, brassnuts...

wow, that ?golden eye? diving... in that sequence... well,
in the second pic, it LOOKS like it has a SWAN-DIVER , in 'open form'
diving on its BACK, :))

THE BLACK spot... head, arms out and body, diving WITH the duck... ;))

say to McHale's navey...

love that GREEN bird made of leaves, :)

i've seen a good many like those, :))
nice shot... :)

kind of the same type idea:
this here bird, has a long tail, like a peacock
and sits in the sun, sunny morns...

EDIT:

wow, forgot... my mom had TWO nesting hummingbirds in her yard this year...
one, the babes have flown off now... and the other one, is in mid-build...

had laid an egg in one nest, but was disturbed and left it and moved on to another spot in the yard...

anita514

Gym climber

Great White North

May 12, 2014 - 09:18pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 12, 2014 - 09:57pm PT

Raptor dining on a chairlift - too funny! Cool shot.

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

May 12, 2014 - 10:19pm PT

Dee ee, I'd say Common Kingfisher.

From this morning.
Sorry for crapola quality, t'was a dark and stormy sunrise.

Purple Sunbird feeding chick

Lasti

john hansen

climber

May 12, 2014 - 10:41pm PT

If you scale the head and bill of the Whimbrel in Cyndie's photo the bill is only about 1.5 times longer then the head. In my photo of the curlew the bill is over 2.5 times the length of the head, and the bird is looking slightly away from the camera so it appears shorter.

Peterson does show that immature LBC has a shorter bill. Guess they take a while to grow..

I'm sticking with whimbrel. What you think?

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 12, 2014 - 11:50pm PT

We do not get Long-billed Curlews in Alaska. I questioned whether it might be a Bristle-thighed Curlew, they are rare in our area but we had a few last year.
I would be interested in what others think. I will send the photo to our local expert as well.

Here is a shot of another bird that was in the area, same day and time.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 13, 2014 - 12:37am PT

That pic looks like a Whimbrel based on the less contrasty upper parts. But it sure seems to
have the 'bristly thighs'. Too bad you didn't get a shot in flight so we could have seen the rump.
But I think this is a Whimbrel.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 13, 2014 - 12:39am PT

Original shot.
No flight shots. I am still awaiting the local birder's opinion.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 13, 2014 - 12:50pm PT

Again...really great photos everyone.

Here are a few from this morning hike with Eva.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 13, 2014 - 01:03pm PT

hey there say, anita514, great shot!! great background!

also, didn't get all the names here, but wow:
(got it now, lasti) -->great birdy mom feeding baby...

and bob, that bird on snowy fence, wow... i wonder what must be going on in there 'four season' sensory system... should be nesting, not snowshoeing... ;))

AND SAY, cyndiebransford:

climberalso, can't wait to see which curlew it is, :)
very interesting, i did not even suspect that it could be so hard, to know ID...
i know that sparrow sure are hard to know which are which, too and the MOVE so fast, :) i barely can see the marks on them... :))

also, SAY, john hansen, thanks for the added curlew info, too!

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

May 13, 2014 - 01:08pm PT

hey there say, mike bolt...wow, LOVELY lavender blues, in that bird!!! great shot...
the other is really neat, too, thanks for sharing... :)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 13, 2014 - 06:45pm PT

A few from this afternoon's hike. When to the Audubon Center at Chatfield, maybe one of the best spots in the Denver area for birding.

Dusky Flycatcher??

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

May 13, 2014 - 07:43pm PT

I'm a happy pig-bird shooter again!I bought a sensor cleaning kit and it made a big difference.

Beautiful birds, everyone.

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

From Panorama City, CA

May 13, 2014 - 08:22pm PT

At Alki today

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 13, 2014 - 08:36pm PT

Hmmm Cyndie, I see what you mean on the map. I didn't look at that. I was just going by the bill length and the lack of a bold striped crown.

Can't wait to find out.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 14, 2014 - 01:04am PT

Well, the bird big wigs here say it is a Whimbrel. Sorry it wasn't more exotic.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 14, 2014 - 01:10am PT

The other major difference is the Bristle-thighed has a markedly reddish
overall cast as opposed to the Whimbrel's more grayish-brown.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 14, 2014 - 01:24pm PT

A few from today's hike.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

May 14, 2014 - 02:25pm PT

Last week at the Morongo Preserve

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 14, 2014 - 04:29pm PT

OK Cyndie, sorry about that!
D

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 14, 2014 - 10:00pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 14, 2014 - 10:16pm PT

Mike, beauteous Ibis! Great light and sharp! Oh, and sacred!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 14, 2014 - 10:40pm PT

Thanks for the update on the baby Red-Tailed in Morongo Plan B! Sweet.

And thanks for the Red-Tailed nest photo WTF. Lots of pretty things here!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 14, 2014 - 10:49pm PT

Went to Crystal Cove today for Wandering Tattlers.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 15, 2014 - 12:07am PT

From today at Montlake Fill

and there are more at: http://173.160.158.251/postings/2014_05_13_birds/index.html

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 16, 2014 - 12:28am PT

Sorry to hog the thread (or not), but it's been a couple of good days here. I've missed the photos I've wanted of the blue patch of flying and sitting Cinnamon Teals and the Blue Winged Teals. More irritating to not have the camera for the Dowitcher and, I think a down-right-rare Red Necked Phalarope, but nonetheless:

john hansen

climber

May 16, 2014 - 01:00am PT

Always a couple hour's of fun when the Wax wings show up.

Wandering Tattler is a cool bird. What's cooler than wandering,,?

jonnyrig

Trad climber

formerly known as hillrat

May 16, 2014 - 03:59pm PT

Nesting Golden Eagle near Carson
There are two live chicks. One got up and moved around, the other only flapped a wing a couple time. Pics taken from 0.2miles with a low-end 36x spotting scope and a smart-phone camera. Video to follow later.
[Click to View YouTube Video]

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

May 16, 2014 - 08:33pm PT

just got back from my trip to Nicaragua. We were able to find an Occelated Poorwill for Macklin Smith's North America list, but we didn't get it until last night when we were back in Costa Rica. We spent alot of time on our butts in boats. Caught the very end of the dry season so rivers were low and we were barely able to get into some places. Had to skip some others that were too dry.

The trip started out poorly when the outboard motor in our boat threw a rod just shy of the Nicaraguan border along the Rio Frio north of Los Chiles. The boatman had to paddle us a few kilometers downriver to the border checkpoint so we could catch the publc boat up to San Carlos at the outlet of Lake Nicaragua and the start of the Rio San Juan. We didn't make it to the Bartola Lodge until after dark. Fun navigating on a big river in a small panga at night. Luckily there was a full moon.

We went for a long forest hike the first day. Saw a ton of good stuff. Kevin got a few photos. The objective was a Speckled Mourner that was on territory - a really hard bird in Central America. We nailed it.

We went into the Indio Maiz reserve to explore what we could by boat but most of the access points were blocked because of the low water.

We dipped three nights in a row trying to find an Occelated Poorwill, but finally found one last night just over the border when we were back in Costa Rica. Not much to look at but a super rarity for Central America.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 16, 2014 - 08:41pm PT

Super cool TR little Z!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 16, 2014 - 10:29pm PT

Where the heck is the "Like" button on this thing? I can never find it! Anyway, great stuff!!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 16, 2014 - 11:55pm PT

little Z ^^^

AWESOME! I want to travel again! Jeeze.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 17, 2014 - 03:07am PT

Arctic Tern today at the viewing platform in Kenai.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 17, 2014 - 02:47pm PT

What a beautiful bird ^.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 17, 2014 - 09:19pm PT

Great trip report Little Z and great photos everyone.

A few from the last few days.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 19, 2014 - 02:57pm PT

Bird bump...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 19, 2014 - 03:06pm PT

some beautiful shots there BN

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 19, 2014 - 11:16pm PT

So many great shots here. Cyndi - the tern was really posing for you. Cool.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 19, 2014 - 11:41pm PT

A few from today. Kenai Flats area.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 20, 2014 - 01:24am PT

Cyndie, nice birds!. However, your Pec. Sands look like Long-billed Dowitchers.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 20, 2014 - 11:44am PT

Thanks Willoughby, change noted on the bird.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 20, 2014 - 12:01pm PT

Great composition and exposure, Darwin! One of my faves, too.

Love the wren shot, Bob! It was so amazing to see one of them in Patagonia.

BN, well, what can one say? Money?

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

May 20, 2014 - 01:50pm PT

Fantastic Shots everyone. BN those are da kine bra.

Here is crappy photo of a roadrunner standoff in the back yard. A bunny ran through and tried to break it up ;-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 20, 2014 - 02:12pm PT

HaHaHaHa! Great shot! Was it a Zen standoff?

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

May 20, 2014 - 02:38pm PT

I think the one on the left did not have the proper discipline or focus, so probably a Taoist ;-)

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

May 20, 2014 - 03:50pm PT

Crow rescue (Raven)
[Click to View YouTube Video]

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 20, 2014 - 04:48pm PT

Awesome, Marlow! Men ikke ett Crow - Ramn. ;-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 20, 2014 - 06:07pm PT

Great photos from everyone. First Blue Grosbeak of the year.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 20, 2014 - 06:22pm PT

Whoooo hoooo!

I got my first ever Orange County Golden Eagle today!!

I went to scout Flores Peak before doing it with my boy Jake. He had said he wanted to climb it.

It's a short but proud/historic peak near Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary and where the bandito Juan Flores and one other outlaw narrowly escaped from a posse of some 60 men by riding his horse "off a cliff." The rest of his gang were captured.
He was captured later after 11 days on the run by a posse of 120 and hung after this escape. This was in 1857.

The eagle flew around the corner just below me and I barely got the camera out and him in the frame before he vanished.

I wish I got a better shot.

Flores Peak

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 20, 2014 - 09:49pm PT

Wheeeeeeee hoooo.

OK, I'm calming down.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

May 20, 2014 - 11:52pm PT

Really enjoy this page!
Love the Alaskan birds.
Looks like Bob is giving BN a run for his money in the quality dept.
BN photos are supreme!
Pelicans are great!

Story pictures like StahlBro's are my favorite, the roadrunners cool!

The Raven Rescue vid!!! And great close-up Reilly!

And I like the eagle action shot!

Here's a few from Anaheim's Pelanconi Park

Parrot in someone's front yard nearby

Getting a drink at the Rain Bird

Goldfinch waiting for a turn...

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 21, 2014 - 02:39am PT

Today's bird from the Kenai beach. I was there with all the 4th, 5th and 6th grade students that have passing grades for a beach party. I was able to take a walk on the back side of the dunes and this guy was singing his heart out.

cliffhanger

Trad climber

California

May 21, 2014 - 10:21am PT

"Wisdom, at least 63, has had 7 chicks in 7 years By Matt Cantor,

Wisdom the Laysan albatross is "at least" 63 years old, experts say, making her the oldest known wild bird on the planet. And, amazingly, she's still hatching chicks. Last week, a worker at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge—Wisdom's home in the north Pacific—saw the mother caring for a new chick, according to a press release. And it's a feat she's managed for each of the past seven years, LiveScience notes. For comparison, most Laysan albatrosses live between 12 and 40 years, per the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Wisdom first came to the attention of researchers while incubating an egg ... in 1956. She was tagged then, and has likely raised no fewer than 30 chicks in her lifetime."

http://www.newser.com/story/182176/worlds-oldest-bird-a-new-mom.html

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 21, 2014 - 02:51pm PT

Thanks Plan B...BN photos are exceptional.

Really great thread.

House Sparrow near the house today.

RyanD

climber

Squamish

May 21, 2014 - 02:56pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 21, 2014 - 04:05pm PT

Cool Hummingbird view! I like the House Sparrow Construction Worker above Bob. :)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 21, 2014 - 08:16pm PT

I went on a pontoon boat birding ride into the Upper Newport Bay today. It was fun but not too birdy. The best bird was a Reddish Egret.

Afterwards I went over to the Environmental Nature Center in Costa Mesa to look for Japanese White-eyes and saw around 10. These birds are very small (3") and very hyper.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 22, 2014 - 09:45am PT

It is very cool to see lots of birds doing the nest building thing right now - we saw a bunch of Cliff Swallows gathering mud from a puddle at a trailhead yesterday, but the camera was at home... Some more SW birds from this Spring:

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

May 22, 2014 - 09:49am PT

Wow! GOOOOOD Morning BN.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 22, 2014 - 10:50am PT

I second Little Z wow...great shots BN.

Swainson's Hawk this AM.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 22, 2014 - 05:10pm PT

Mom getting in Dad's grill over his letting the youngster get on SuperTopo.
Rock Cormorants - Beagle Channel And, yes, it was ripe there.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

May 22, 2014 - 05:17pm PT

so that's Virgen Peaks?

nice shots too Bob. You've really been crankin' em off lately. Finding good spots to bird around your new digs?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 22, 2014 - 07:59pm PT

Thanks Little Z...I'm still in Colorado till Sunday, start the new job on Monday and will be in Portal, AZ my first days off.:-)

Maybe see you in October as we have to go back to finish the dental work for Laurel. Looks like you have been getting out a lot? Hope all is well?

Another angle on the Blue Grosbeak I took today in bad light/light rain...they are really pretty little birds.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 23, 2014 - 11:43am PT

Spotted Towhee on the hike this morning. Really pretty birds.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 23, 2014 - 11:56am PT

Nice one, Bob! But why is he giving you the Stnkeye?

BTW, Blue Grosbeaks are the House Sparrow of Portal. And keep an eye out for the Cuckoo
I saw there last year. I was sitting on the patio of the 'joint' drinking a beer while it was too hot
to bird and it flew by up the creek. My kind of birding!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 23, 2014 - 12:23pm PT

Reilly...most birds give me the stink eye. :-)

Looking forward to Portal and more southern birds. NM has great birding and where I'm at is only four hours away from Tucson.

Hope all is well with you?

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

May 23, 2014 - 04:30pm PT

Sing out!

African birds HB Central Pk a couple days ago...
The proud Egyptian Geese parading 5 new goslings.
An interesting ancient Egyptian painting of these geese: http://ferrebeekeeper.wordpress.com/tag/geese/

And there were 2 pairs of African Pin-tailed Whydah. I got a pic of the male and female.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

May 23, 2014 - 05:06pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

The wren

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 23, 2014 - 06:11pm PT

Great photos Plan B...these guys scored big. On my ride this afternoon.

My new job is about 15 minutes from Bosque del Apache...all you folks are invited and have a place to stay if want to come birding (or climbing and biking) anytime.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 23, 2014 - 11:25pm PT

Yella' boy preening

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

May 26, 2014 - 02:24pm PT

Here's a real time-killer on Norway TV. A wild bird reality set in a coffee bar, featuring Nuthatches, Blue Tits, Hawfinch, etc.
Piip Show

There is also a spinoff with a Great Tit family nesting in a "dollhouse"

Some background about slow TV in Norway here:
The Real Housewives of Norway

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

May 26, 2014 - 02:33pm PT

Nice pics all around...

Where was I last week based on these birds? IDs welcome.

Lasti

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 26, 2014 - 02:48pm PT

Western Australia, what do I win?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 26, 2014 - 07:32pm PT

Bird TV! Awesome! Thanks Tony. A few more pics from spring travels...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 27, 2014 - 12:13am PT

BN, fantastic! Especially the Red-faced!

So I went out to pick up the paper and looked up at the Coopers' house across the street.
Did I say house? I meant nest. I saw the missus standing on the nest edge and little white fuzz balls
so I ran in for binos and camera. Of course the Nikon's batts were dead so I grabbed Ruth's P&S.
I got off about four or five when Mrs Cooper decided enough was enough and came for me.
She swooped about 3' above my head and landed in an adjacent tree where I got some more of her
until she decided to really put her foot down. That time I felt the wake turbulence and decided it was time to go read the paper.

Last evening the Nikon's batts were good and I saw Mom return with dinner. Mom had all she could
handle with getting dinner on the table for three unruly youngsters so she didn't bother with me. But
after dinner it was on again. Mind you the nest is 100' away but maybe she just doesn't like paparazzi.
She strafed me twice again although not as closely as in the morning. Maybe we're reaching an understanding.

You shoulda seen 'em wolfing it down!

This one was just after Mum strafed me. Bloody autofocus couldn't handle
her coming straight at me. It was so awesome!

"Must I repeat myself?"
"No, ma'am, I'm going inside."

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

May 27, 2014 - 01:52am PT

Reilly, Western Australia is close, as in wrong Hemisphere, but right Commonwealth.

Lasti

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 27, 2014 - 01:55am PT

I was viewing it on me iPhone. Now I see the last is a Lapwing. South Africa.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 27, 2014 - 11:46am PT

Wow, a bunch of great shots above you guys! Love the Norwegian TV.

Went to the Santa Ana River a couple of days ago for Orange Bishop and found 2 Tricolored Blackbirds. I did find one male and 3 female ORBI as well. It is a super reliable spot.
Here is one of the TRBLs.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 27, 2014 - 10:40pm PT

Wow, I'm up again.

New bird for the backyard, Western Wood-Pewee

Peters Canyon

Wrentit

closer

House Wren nesting in a cavity in a dried Yucca flower stalk.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

May 27, 2014 - 10:57pm PT

Nice Dave! Wrentit looks really good.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 27, 2014 - 11:16pm PT

Baby Coopers - cool Reilly! I saw a Coopers nest in CO National Monument last week, but no buzzing :-)

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

May 29, 2014 - 01:53am PT

love the coop story and photos Reilly, very funny (I'm laughing with you...)

BN, thanks for rationing out your amazing photos. Can't wait to see what's next.

Just got back from a pelagic. A friend's wife's uncle owns a commercial fishing boat based out of Quepos on the central Pacific coast and it was free for a few days so we got nine birders together and headed out into the briney for a 17 hour cruise. The boat was docked in a little bay that only communicates to the ocean at high tide so we had to leave port at 01:30. It was a no frills trip - all the boat's fishing gear was still stowed on deck, the boat was slow (averaged about 8 kn) and had a noisy motor, but the price was right ($75 a head vs about $120 for a sport fishing boat). Inca Tern was first reported in Costa Rica this January. There have now been 5 reports, an indication that this might be an interesting El Niño year, so we were all anxious to see what else might be out there. Turns out we didn't get anything unexpected, but did see some nice birds. Only my second time for Tahiti Petrel, and finally picked up a Sooty Shearwater (as in 1 bird!) for my country list. Amazing as I was used to seeing those by the 1000s off the Washington coast. Thanks to Kevin Easley for the bird photos.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

May 29, 2014 - 08:07pm PT

Cool pelagic species!

Yes we had Sootys here as well on last pelagic.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 29, 2014 - 10:40pm PT

Love the feet on that booby!!!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 1, 2014 - 09:36am PT

I'm in Portal right now and had a killer morning. This place is really cool , my third time here and have it a little dialed. They were banding hummingbirds this AM at the research center. Lots of birds geeks out.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jun 1, 2014 - 03:09pm PT

Bald Eagle with a fish flew over the casa today in Esco. Probably going to the nest from Lake Hodges. Really cool!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 2, 2014 - 08:34pm PT

Monday night bird bump...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 2, 2014 - 08:36pm PT

I complained about my lens, and a much more digital/optically knowledgeable friend
(also, he doesn't drink) came over a to check it out. He brought resolution charts,
but right off the bat said "Your focus is off/funny, see if there is a firmware upgrade
for your lens". I did and after a little work, I upgraded the firmware (see appendix).
There were some very obvious improvements, the #1 being it stopped thrashing in
and out of focus and then settling on some bizarre focus point. Anyway I swear that
by placebo effect or not, I am better able to pick the focus point and it focuses quicker.
The release notes said that the image stabilization would be improved,
but that wasn't as obvious to me. To whit, her are some photos of birds in the air.
And, there is room for improvement.

Before that, while climbing(!!!) up in Leavenworth I saw a Nashville Warbler
and in the local Montlake fill a Lazuli Bunting. No photos for those, though.

OK, it's a big bird (begins with Os...), but I rarely get flying bird photos.

And an even bigger bird common around here

Not a great photo, but it got the focus better than it had been getting
with cruft in the foreground.

They are shy birds.

Howto from http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3150387
Just place the *.lin file in the root directory of the SD card, not in any folder.
Put the 100-300 lens on the camera and make sure the battery is fully charged.
Power on the camera and press the "Play" button - the one with the triangle on it.
When the message about upgrade comes up move the cursor to the
Yes position and press the central button (menu/set).
Don't touch any buttons while the upgrade is going on. After a minute or so it is done.
That is about it.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Jun 2, 2014 - 09:36pm PT

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Jun 3, 2014 - 08:05am PT

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/06/02/woman-knocked-out-cold-by-aggressive-hawk/

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 3, 2014 - 09:35am PT

Ha! Very timely Wendell! I was about to post the latest on 'my' Coopers but I'm having major
Puter issues so no pics. But suffice it to say Mrs Cooper has the hood majorly terrorized! The
people closest won't leave their front door without brollies! LOL! Mrs Cooper has drawn blood
on at least two people and bonked at least three others! She has come for me half a dozen
times but I fend her off with the 300mm. It is sooo freaking awesome to see her coming
straight at you'!!!!!!!

Interestingly, Mr Cooper doesn't seem to fly cover. He is around and I think he is helping to
put the bacon on the table but it is only the missus that does the strafing. Perhaps he is the
High CAP (combat air patrol).

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 3, 2014 - 09:58am PT

Stand down DMT! Of course you're right but thankfully we still have the
Migratory Bird Act of 1918. The 'Brollie People' did call Animal Control
who informed them of a higher power and advised them to break out the brollies.

Here's the missus just after she strafed me - she really laid into me for
being a pussy and ducking. I told her that trash talkin' was for SuperTopo.
Then I ran like a girl. See that hind claw? Yikers!!!!!!!
]

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 3, 2014 - 10:54am PT

A few from the past week. Great shot Reilly.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 3, 2014 - 12:35pm PT

So I'm sitting here all mellow and I hear a truck pull up across the street.
I look out there...WTF?

The Coopers' nest is just behind the truck, in the public median! The
house in the picture is The Brollies'. The dad is a real jerk, all the
neighbors have had run-ins with him. His wife is nice but I'm like,
"Oh no you don't, you fat phuk!"

I get on the horn to the Monrovia PD and fill them in on the subtleties of
the Migratory Bird Act and that they had better show up tout de suite or
I'm throwing it down big time with the tree trimmers. They're all, "Well,
you need to call the Pasadena Humane Society." So I call them but that
is like calling a wall but I did get them to say they would send someone as
well as call the MPD to reinforce the seriousness of violating the MBA. By
now, ten minutes later, the tree trimmer is all kitted up and nobody has
shown so I get in his grill and tell him in no uncertain terms that he ain't
goin' up that tree. He is being a real jerk and being very vague in his
Spanglish. So I get on the horn with the LA office of the US Fish and Wildlife
Service. OMG, their receptionist is why government does not work. Do
the terms 'dumber than dirt' and 'when does my pension start?' have any gravitas?
After I finally make her aware of the situation she said 'they' would call
MPD to further clarify the MBA and that they would send an agent. By now
some more neighbors, of the good ilk, are out and the tree trimmers are
looking kind of insecure. The nice lady upon whose median the tree actually
grows comes across the street to my side and Mrs Cooper nails her in the face!!!!!!!!!!
Right then the MPD shows up

and they get freaked so they call the MFD!

The MFD medics proceed to freak her out to the point she is about to climb
into the meat wagon!

Granted, Mrs Cooper did get her right in the forehead but, rabies, really?

So the MPD guys get calmed down, but one of them almost got nailed, and they
get the tree trimmers to move their truck down the street and say they won't
use the chipper. I'm good with that!

Oh, did I mention they then claimed they were only going to trim the trees
in the back around the Edison lines? Why didn't they tell me that when I
was inches from decking them? I know Rudi Brollie called them, this is
way too much of a coincidence. I might go deck Rudi just for good measure.

So things calm down and finally Fish and Feathers shows up...

She tells me it is OK if they use the chipper and that they could even trim
the actual tree as long as it isn't the limb the nest is on. OMG, whose side
are you on? Last time I call them. I think the best thing was getting the
three neighbor ladies out; thems my Krew!

Pasadena Humane never did show up. They're like tits on a boar hog.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 3, 2014 - 12:45pm PT

DON'T PHUK WITH MY BOIDS BRO!

Actually, she missed having an eye put out by a hair more than ONE INCH!
The sad part is that she is #2 Boid Luvver!

signed,
The Unrepentant

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 3, 2014 - 01:02pm PT

Wow, bird drama in the Reilly hood! Pretty wild scene out there, glad the neighbor didn't lose a peeper and the tree dorks didn't take down the nest area branches. Them Coops is serious eh?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 3, 2014 - 01:41pm PT

Great drama Reilly.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 3, 2014 - 09:55pm PT

A few more from Portal, AZ

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 4, 2014 - 01:12pm PT

A few more from my trip.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 5, 2014 - 08:38pm PT

Reilly, you're my hero! Awesome stuff!!!

I didn't know Souptope was back up, I was stuck in pre-delete history land.

I've got a giant photo backlog. Prepare yourselves for a catch up slew of bird photos from me. Some might even be good.

Bob, that may be a rare Red Phainopepla.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 5, 2014 - 09:05pm PT

Last weekend I was desperate for a good bird walk and downloaded the June Wandering Tattler. I saw there was a walk at Santiago Oaks at 7:30 on Sat. with Linette Lina leading. She is one of the best. I was stoked and showed up early to find an empty parking lot. WTF? So, I hiked around anyway, the birding wasn't too good until the end. Later I got home and discovered I had downloaded and printed a Tattler from 2012. Duh!

I have been trying for months to get a decent Bushtit shot. Some of the really plain/mundane birds have been becoming more beautiful to me lately. I don't know why.

Later I saw this Clown-faced Woodpecker fly into his cavity nest and waited for quite a while.

Another plain bird that is pretty cool (this time of year).

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 6, 2014 - 10:28am PT

Tomorrow is the fifth annual Lake Tahoe Bird Festival, held at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center in S Lake. We also have a couple of free guided bird walks at Spooner Lake and Blackwood Canyon. Come on out and say howdy!! More info at www.tinsweb.org.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 6, 2014 - 10:36am PT

Great photos Dee. I liking the new area. Got a Red-faced Warbler and Grace Warbler today up at Water Canyon. Photos are crap but it was 6am with no light in the canyon. Western & Hepatic Tanagers were also there.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Jun 6, 2014 - 11:27am PT

How's Mrs. Cooper doing?

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Jun 6, 2014 - 11:39am PT

Great story Reilly! And love everyone's photos.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 6, 2014 - 12:09pm PT

Feathered friends for a Friday afternoon...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 6, 2014 - 07:55pm PT

Great shots above^^^^.

Today I followed up a rare bird alert regarding a possible "Canyon Towhee" at Dana Pt. I figured it was probably a mistake but thought I better check it out. No CATO but great views and shots of the 2 Peregrine Falcons that nest on the cliffs below.

Then one landed. I was able to creep up to about 20 feet away.

Later, in the afternoon a rare bird alert came through of a Northern Cardinal at the same place I saw the PEFAs at almost the same time. This was 6 hours later. I sprinted to the car and sped into stop and go traffic. It was after 4pm on the 405 on a Friday (today). It took over an hour to get back there. I was filled with angst but figured it would be worth it if only.............................................

YEAH BABY!!! My first OC sighting of this beauty!

WHEEEEE HOOOOO!!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 6, 2014 - 08:55pm PT

Great photos Dave and Dave.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 6, 2014 - 10:21pm PT

What is that Ash-throated (Brown-crested?)standing on?

It looks like a marble statue of Dave Bruckman's (Boogleman's) abs.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 7, 2014 - 07:15am PT

Timid, let me know if you want to hook up. I would love to follow you around.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 7, 2014 - 07:43am PT

Timid...I live just four hours away (driving) from Portal. Let me if you ever want to hook up.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jun 7, 2014 - 09:52am PT

Yesterday I had a Cooper’s Hawk experience similar to Reilly’s. I went to get some photos of a nearby nest that I had discovered recently. I found that there were 5 nestlings about 2+ weeks of age. I shot a few photos before the mom showed up to feed her young.

She fed them for a while until she had enough of me and gave me the stinkeye, so I began to leave. As I was putting away my camera, she headed right at me. I also failed to get a photo, but have a pretty good mental image of her approach. Luckily I was able to duck behind a branch. She landed on a nearby branch and glared at me as I prepared to leave the area

She made one more pass as I left. This was pretty exciting, but not as much as a similar encounter near a N Goshawk nest at City of Rocks a few years ago. They are really fierce. Apparently the NPS removed a nest tree near the 4-Mile trail in Yosemite a number of years ago after attacks on hikers. Nice wildlife management!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 7, 2014 - 01:12pm PT

BN, luv the Vermillion and the Say's!

Dee, awesome job on the Peregrine! 20', really? And to think I was busted
for coming within a mile, literally, of a nest in the 80's. Bogus.

Tony, nice shots! It looks like 'my' chicks are a week or more further along
than yours...little buggers are flapping those wings like crazy!

Mum sizing me up...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 7, 2014 - 04:44pm PT

Look left.

Look right.

All clear.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 7, 2014 - 04:58pm PT

I'm not trying to beat a dead horse but I do see there is some variation in Whimbrel bill length and head plumage. Age?

My Whimbrel

Cyndie's Whimbrel

Long-billed Curlew

See what I mean?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 7, 2014 - 08:36pm PT

I said I had a bunch!

Cali. Quail chick- Caspers wilderness Park

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 8, 2014 - 09:12am PT

Nice photos all above. Tony, you're back? I may come down July 4th weekend.

I've been going climbing up in Leavenworth (east side of the Cascades, so different birds) recently and saw a couple new-self-lifers (that's when I don't have Tony saying "Look there is a Nashville Warbler" ;-) and since I've been keeping an informal list ) as well as just plain beautiful birds. Yesterday , I saw Black-Headed Grosbeak(v. good views of male and female), a Western Tanager and a Cassin's Finch. I saw the Grosbeak and Tanager in idillic settings, burbling river and wind whispering through the conifers while sipping an after climbing beer. Last week it was a Nashville Warbler. Sorry no photos of those. I saw 29 species on my casual bike commute into work Friday, which is a v. big day for me, considering that it didn't included of the winter waterfowl. He's yet another Marsh Wren.

http://173.160.158.251/postings/2014_05_13_birds/m_wren.jpg

It drives me crazy how ST automatically expands the image and IMHO makes it much worse on the uploaded image (below) compared to the one on the link above. Am I missing some formatting command that tells it not to resize an image. It even occurs when using the [img]...[/img] command.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 8, 2014 - 08:30pm PT

Great photos everyone...nice capture Darwin.

Drove up to Santa Fe to escape the heat, great climbing and mountain biking and a little birding.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 9, 2014 - 04:30pm PT

Terns

Least

Forsters

Caspian

Juvenile Forsters

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Jun 9, 2014 - 05:30pm PT

Wow, lot of great photos as usual.

It's mountain climbing season here so not much time for the birds but today there were a pair of Blue-and-yellow Tanagers in the backyard.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 9, 2014 - 08:41pm PT

Great photos everyone...really nice.

When to the Bosque after work...such a stunning place.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 10, 2014 - 11:23pm PT

Tanagers and I have an understanding.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 11, 2014 - 06:14am PT

^ That is an awesome photo!!! Thanks for sharing it.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 11, 2014 - 06:18am PT

Nice, human-avian telepathy.

Been there!

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Jun 11, 2014 - 11:38am PT

Love this thread!

What beautiful birds, those Blue and Yellow Tanagers.

I saw a headless California Towhee in Agua Dulce

But not for long...

Cassin's Kingbird in the tree above.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 11, 2014 - 08:54pm PT

More birdies for Hump Day!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 11, 2014 - 09:22pm PT

Yowza! Gorgeous! Love the warbler tongue. :)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 11, 2014 - 09:36pm PT

Beautiful Yellows!

You have to be correct, but the House Finch seemed to have an even more massive than normal bill.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jun 12, 2014 - 01:37am PT

I was in Sacramento last week visiting my parents. I took some photos of backyard birds, nothing exotic. I also went birding at the UC Davis Arboretum and got two new life birds, the herons.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 12, 2014 - 07:51am PT

Great photos above.

A few from near the near the new house in Socorro, NM.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 12, 2014 - 03:55pm PT

Cyndie,

Did you get a new camera recently? Your photos are looking awesome.

Darwin

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jun 12, 2014 - 05:10pm PT

Thanks Bob D'A, Timid TopRope and Darwin.

Timid it was just a fast five days in Sacramento with Portland on the weekends before and after to see my sons. I needed to check on the folks, they are getting older and I am the closest distance wise to them. I will be back sometime when I have more time and I would enjoy the Chico tour.

Darwin, no new camera. I have had the Canon SX50 HS for a while now. I was just closer to the birds being in a more urban setting.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 12, 2014 - 09:21pm PT

So I go to the Bosque to look for warblers, out jumps a huge cat, I'm saying mountain lion about fifteen feet in front of me. He ran through the water and then looked back at me. I was a little stunned. I just love that place.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 13, 2014 - 11:45am PT

Boy, the International Doping Agency needs to check my Coop chicks for using
BGH - Bird Growth Hormones. They may not be here tomorrow...

But Mum still isn't taking anything for granted...

Uh-Oh, the Stinkeye!

UH-OH!!!

TAKE COVER!!!!!!

That was last night. This morning I went out for the paper and looked up
at the chicks in the nest. I didn't see Mum and only stood there for 30 seconds
when I heard a WHOOSH!!! as she mussed my hairdo from behind. No claws
though so I thanked her.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 13, 2014 - 05:17pm PT

Great shots above you all!

I found a Orange-cheeked Waxbill today at HB Central Park, it only took 2 years. He would not come out of the grass and tree I saw him in, very shy.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 14, 2014 - 09:42am PT

The Waxbill above was flocking with the Nutmeg Mannikins.

Lots of young birds around right now.

Semipalmated Plovers

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 14, 2014 - 12:04pm PT

Great shot from everyone. Really nice to have this thread to checkout on a daily basis.

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Jun 14, 2014 - 10:06pm PT

back yard population of humming birds this evening

in the olive tree

in the oak tree

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jun 15, 2014 - 03:54pm PT

Northern Waterthrush, gosh these guys are hard to photograph. I hear them all the time, but seeing one for more than a few seconds is difficult.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 15, 2014 - 05:12pm PT

Bob, Cyndie, Ed, thanks for your contributions. I, like Bob, live for the daily influence. I can't tell you how much it means to me.

We had a good day at Carbon Cyn. with a Sea and Sage Group (54 species), but it is the "dead"/"slow" time of year.

I/We can't wait for the Sept. pickup.

Cummon' Fall migration!!!!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 16, 2014 - 07:32am PT

HELP WITH ID PLEASE!!

We had this bird at Carbon Cyn. yesterday. 2 ladies and I got bad photos. I'm thinking not a female Red-winged Blackbird or Brown-headed Cowbird. Looks something like a Rose-breasted Grosbeak but...
Check the white makings under the tail and white on wings, brown pattern on upper back, heavily streaked breast... Joyce's photo made the bill look light colored and thicker. I couldn't copy hers.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 16, 2014 - 07:50am PT

Dee...A lot of young birds out there now.

In CO for father's day...back at Walden Ponds for a quick walk.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 16, 2014 - 08:49am PT

Hey Dave,

as Bob says, this is the time of year for there to be plenty of juveniles around that are right out of the nest. How about a juvenile Spotted Towhee for your bird? Bill, legs and tail proportions look about right.

Keep up the good work lads, and lasses. It is indeed always a high point of the day checking in here to see what's new.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Jun 16, 2014 - 09:59am PT

I agree with little Z, Juvenile Spotted Towhee.
And a nice pic of a young Western Bluebird too.

After climbing at Holcomb Pinnacles Saturday
, as the sun was going down, I saw this young Pygmy Nuthatch get some dinner and beg for more.

Also, maybe a last bug for a Green-tailed Towhee.

Next morning, Red-breasted Sapsucker.

john hansen

climber

Jun 16, 2014 - 02:01pm PT

A melodious laughing thrush

And a Pheasant Phamily

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 16, 2014 - 04:34pm PT

Cool new pics all! Baby birds, a big cat and even a laughing thrush!(which we heard but did not see well on Kauai...). Some more from this end...

stunewberry

Trad climber

Spokane, WA

Jun 16, 2014 - 04:43pm PT

The University of Montana runs two nest cams of ospreys in Missoula and Lolo, MT. There are six chicks between the two nests. Check it out at

http://www.cas.umt.edu/geosciences/osprey/

It's easy to waste lots of time!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 16, 2014 - 08:36pm PT

Yes, thanks you guys!!!

We figured out that juvy Spotted
Towhee. I needed help.

You all are good.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jun 17, 2014 - 08:09pm PT

We went out to photograph bears today. We didn't see any. But, we did see this Pacific Loon and some beautiful skies.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 18, 2014 - 10:09am PT

A few from yesterday.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 18, 2014 - 11:23am PT

"Wait til me mum sees you!"

That's what you think, Junior! I've me panama 'at on and I'm not fraid o'
yer mum no more.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jun 18, 2014 - 07:54pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 18, 2014 - 07:59pm PT

Nice Tanager Rob, in the yard?

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/06/news/garmin-ds-talanskys-dauphine-victory-confirmation_332468

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jun 18, 2014 - 08:40pm PT

Dave,

Yep. There were a couple cruzin' through.

AT may make the tour interesting ;-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 18, 2014 - 09:06pm PT

Great shots Reilly and Stalh.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 18, 2014 - 09:08pm PT

Great photos (as usual). Love the baby Reilly - especially hearing his progress. And Western Tanagers - love. For some reason they are a bird that reminds me of Colorado. Thanks everyone!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 18, 2014 - 09:50pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 19, 2014 - 10:27pm PT

All three Coopers younguns seem to be doing fine. They're still hanging
within about 100' of home.

California Thrasher...
]

Avery

climber

Jun 19, 2014 - 11:53pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 19, 2014 - 11:57pm PT

Del Cross, I'll bite. What's the second bird? My stab in the dark would be some sort of Kingfisher, but I doubt my guess very much.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 20, 2014 - 07:10am PT

Looks like a Juvy Laughing Kookaburra to me.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 20, 2014 - 01:28pm PT

Is there a Scowling Kookaburra?

A poor pic but in case you've not looked down the barrel of loaded gun...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 20, 2014 - 02:28pm PT

Great shot Reilly.

Just two from today.

Captain...or Skully

climber

in the oil patch

Jun 20, 2014 - 04:10pm PT

I had an encounter with these two...western kingbirds
Of course it's upside down....anyway, here's why they were upset...

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jun 20, 2014 - 11:24pm PT

A good bird day on Hidden Lake in the zodiac. We saw a few bird families.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 21, 2014 - 02:56pm PT

I found Common Ground-Dove this morning, saw 2 and heard at least 4 more. It was a dawn patrol effort. I started looking at 5:15. It's not a good photo but I took it before 6 am. and had to mess with contrast etc. It was barely light. It's pretty hard to find these babies in OC.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 21, 2014 - 11:17pm PT

From the daily commute.

Just GFs

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 22, 2014 - 11:05am PT

john hansen

climber

Jun 22, 2014 - 11:12am PT

Mike , where did you get that shot?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 22, 2014 - 11:12am PT

Mike, you must be in Hawaii!

Got Red-lored Parrot today for county year.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jun 22, 2014 - 11:16am PT

hey there say, wow! more lovely birds from everyone!

cyndiebransford, say, ... all those bird-couples and family-birds, and then the eagle (think it was, or hawk) gives that reminder that the birds need to take so much caution, during these 'spring hatching' times...

my shed robin, is 'off and flying' with the babe... hope they do well... we got hawks that hang out here...

so far, so good... :)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 22, 2014 - 11:34am PT

John -

Big Island. I've been there about a million times and only just last week discovered some great spots for native birds. This was a 1.3 mile walk into great habitat at mile marker 21 off the Saddle Road between Kona and Hilo.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 22, 2014 - 12:08pm PT

Under cling,

the cheeky little bugger...

The Kea are attracted by the prospect of food scraps. Their curiosity leads them to peck and carry away unguarded items of clothing or to pry apart rubber parts of cars — to the entertainment and annoyance of human observers. They are often described as "cheeky". A Kea has even been reported to have made off with a Scottish man's passport while he was visiting Fiordland National Park.

from wiki p.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jun 22, 2014 - 02:58pm PT

Saw these birds on our annual Solstice Paddle at Engineer Lake. We didn't get on the lake until after 10PM and it was gloomy, so the quality of the images is not great.

perswig

climber

Jun 22, 2014 - 03:18pm PT

Something about our matins choir had been tickling the back of my brain for the last few days, but this morning I finally slowed down enough to pay attention and was pleased and surprised to find this visitor.

Dale

john hansen

climber

Jun 22, 2014 - 11:03pm PT

Mike, I will have to check out that spot. Any more info?

Mauna Kea side ?

Mauna Loa side?

I seem to remember some power line roads around there...

I got a Pallila once up on Mauna Kea. If you are ever on the Big Island let me know.

Have you been to the end of the road up Mauna Loa down by the volcano?

It is always fun to get out of the car and hear a bunch of completely unfamiliar bird songs,

Apapane ,and I'iwi, Elepio ,O'ama, and Amakahi.

They are all pretty rare, and they all hop around a lot, inside of tree's, and they are very hard to get a photo of. It is hard enough just to find one, let alone get a picture.

But it is fun trying,,

I know where to find all those birds in a day........BIAD

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 22, 2014 - 11:10pm PT

Hi John -

Next time I'm out I'll let you know.

This was Mauna Loa side.

Also saw Apapane and I'iwi and you are right about the difficulty of getting good photos. You are also right about the songs. It is really magical to hear several bird calls and not recognize any of them!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 24, 2014 - 08:23pm PT

4th page bump.

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Jun 25, 2014 - 05:24pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jun 25, 2014 - 05:27pm PT

^^^What the...!^^^

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jun 25, 2014 - 06:15pm PT

that's one of those "you make up the caption" photos

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 25, 2014 - 07:21pm PT

Yous doods never seen Cap'n Nemo?

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Jun 25, 2014 - 08:18pm PT

First figure out the bird.
It was less than a foot from my dome port at one point. Pics of that not so good.
I was shooting a sea lion when it land by my head
Julie got the spilt water money shot

Reilly knows

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 26, 2014 - 07:30am PT

A few from yesterday at Bosque del Apache, NM.

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Jun 26, 2014 - 07:46am PT

did you shoot those with 24mm lens? ;P

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jun 27, 2014 - 08:32pm PT

hey there say, all... just learned about this:

have not been here, of course... and do not know if it is worth anyone's travel,

http://www.copperharbor.org/natural/bird-mig.html

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 28, 2014 - 12:55pm PT

Nature, with a 18mm, so were these. :-)

My new hood is turning out to be quite nice,a beautiful little park filled with birds, cactus and other desert plants is right across the road.

Bluelens

climber

Pasadena, CA

Jun 29, 2014 - 09:04am PT

Condor appearance July 18 in Ventura County, save the date!
Free film and learn about the recovery program with US Fish and Wildlife Service staff biologists.....

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Jun 29, 2014 - 09:42am PT

ah yes... an 1800mm. I should have suspected ;)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 29, 2014 - 12:02pm PT

Nice stuff! Bob D...that vermillion is your best photo ever....really nice!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 29, 2014 - 12:51pm PT

Why thanks Calllie, they are stunning little birds.

A few more from today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 30, 2014 - 08:50am PT

A few from this morning walk, Socorro, NM.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Jul 1, 2014 - 04:46pm PT

Dark-eyed Junco with a mouthful of bugs for the youngsters at the first switchback of the Baden-Powell trail (Angeles Crest).

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 1, 2014 - 09:53pm PT

A few from our Dinkey Creek area trip. I also got Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Pygmy Owl, Pacific Wren, Northern Saw Whet Owl and more but no shots.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jul 2, 2014 - 12:07am PT

Turning martins into Swainson's Thrush tonight.

Step One: latex primer to hide all that glossy darkness

Getting there:

Close enough and ready for deployment tomorrow morning!

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jul 2, 2014 - 01:20am PT

Stopped at Tern Lake today on the way back from Anchorage, where the Seward Highway meets the Sterling Highway in Alaska.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jul 2, 2014 - 01:37am PT

More birds from this past week.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 2, 2014 - 07:31am PT

Great photos everyone. Here are a few from today, really loving the birds in near the new place in Socorro, NM.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 3, 2014 - 10:42pm PT

An interesting post from CalBirds:

Seabirds on the move in Humboldt Current and Central America.

Wed Jul 2, 2014 1:47 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Alvaro Jaramillo" scelorchilus
Hi folks

I thought I would fill you in on what is happening to the south of us.
Although the El Niño is still predicted and not official, the water off the
Galapagos, Ecuador, N and C Peru is quite a bit warmer than usual. Here is a
link to a map of current Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies in this region

http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Mancora/seatemp

This is causing a massive shift in food availability for seabirds there. On
my facebook page I have posted photos from my friend Ronny Peredo of the
massive die off mainly of Peruvian Booby, and Guanay Cormorants being
experienced in northernmost Chile. Link to that is here
https://www.facebook.com/alvarosadventures

The die off has been intense in the last two weeks of June, includes mostly
juvenile birds. There is evidence that some birds are moving south from Peru
as dead birds in Arica include Blue-footed Boobies, a species considered a
vagrant this far south. But there are plenty of birds moving north as well.
It is still a way’s south of us, but these records should at least have us
looking carefully not only on pelagics but at coastal seabird congregations.
These are among the records I have heard of second hand, so they require
verification.

Peruvian Booby – on Galapagos, as well as Panama! Their typical range is to
southernmost Ecuador.

Inca Tern – recent sightings off Costa Rica! First for that country as I
gather, also sightings in Panama.

Grey Gull – sightings in Panama

Coastal Ecuador has seen a large influx of Inca Terns, Peruvian Boobies, and
even Humboldt Penguins.

Waved Albatross – sighting in Costa Rica.

As is expected there is little to no information on the pelagic birds, other
than the Waved Albatross noted above. There has been a reported widespread
nesting failure in breeding Sooty Shearwaters in New Zealand which some
scientists are thinking may be a precursor (predictor) of a strong El Niño.
So what is going offshore is still a mystery, but if the nearshore seabirds
are being shuffled about due to warm waters and low foods, some effect is
likely also with the offshore birds. It is a stretch to predict or say that
this will have any effect on what we see offshore here this season in
California, but it is certainly a situation of note, and something
interesting may show up. A California Waved Albatross would be a good one,
it may also be a good year to look for Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel in the
storm petrel flocks. So many possibilities! The first shot at going out that
I have is at the end of this month, we shall see what shows up then.

http://alvarosadventures.com/boat-trips/pelagics/
good birding,

Alvaro Jaramillo

alvaro@alvarosadventures.com

http://www.alvarosadventur es.com

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 4, 2014 - 06:48am PT

A few from yesterday near the house.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 4, 2014 - 07:34am PT

I have a copy of an interesting pdf article discussing the possible upcoming split of White-Breasted Nuthatches into 3 or even 4 groups. If anyone is interested, email me and I'll shoot you a copy. It's likely available somewhere on the web- I just don't know where.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 5, 2014 - 06:00pm PT

Wow, just witnessed an epic battle between a Roadrunner and Coopers Hawk in the back yard. Roadrunner survived by ducking and weaving through the agave and cactus, but there was contact on several occassions. Would not have thought the Coopers Hawk would try to take one on!

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Jul 5, 2014 - 07:13pm PT

http://www.wired.com/2014/07/absurd-creature-of-the-week-vampire-bird/

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jul 5, 2014 - 08:22pm PT

john hansen

climber

Jul 5, 2014 - 08:28pm PT

Six or seven times in the last few years I have gone up to the western slope of Mauna Kea to look for the Palila.

Recently, I found a site with a map showing their distribution, and realized I have been looking at too low an elevation.

After having found this page showing the transects from 2014 and seeing the contour lines I see the best place to see them is around 8200 ft.

The latitude and longitude of the square is 155.38 to 155.28 and 19.52 to 19.23

I am going to try and get a good picture of a Palilia soon.

Full story below.

http://hilo.hawaii.edu/hcsu/documents/TR53_Camp_Palila_2013-2014_population_estimates.pdf

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 6, 2014 - 05:51pm PT

Thanks Dr. f...I get lucky every once in awhile. :-)

A few from the last few days. Scored a Scott's Oriole in southern NM but didn't get a good shot.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

From Panorama City, CA

Jul 6, 2014 - 08:48pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 7, 2014 - 04:12pm PT

Tis the season for nesting! Below is a series of pics of a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers primping up their nest in the Boulder foothills in May...
I went back about a week later expecting to see them sitting on some eggs, but unfortunately the nest was completely gone :-( My guess is a predator got the nest and likely the eggs as the nest was pretty close to the ground, bummer.

slabbo

Trad climber

colo south

Jul 7, 2014 - 04:17pm PT

YO D'A- did you change your email ?

crows and ravens taking up space at my place now,,fighting over water

strand

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 7, 2014 - 05:05pm PT

Great Gnatcatchers!!

Momma watching the last of the brood leaving home

john hansen

climber

Jul 8, 2014 - 04:01pm PT

Went up Mauna Kea and got some shots of a Palila. Not great photo's but a good bird.

And an Amakahi,

I wish that palila had come out in the light.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 9, 2014 - 06:35pm PT

I have been doing a lot of mountain biking in the desert lately so here are few from around the house.

Cool shots John.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 10, 2014 - 02:10pm PT

Great shots everyone!

We had a report of a Bronze Mannikin up at Craig Reg. Pk. in Yorba a couple weeks ago and I regretted not going up there. Everyone figured it was an escapee. Since then (day before yesterday) two more popped up about 5 minutes from where I live. Now there is speculation of a small So Cal population flocking with Nutmeg Mannies. I ran over there and found them pretty easily but could not get a photo, pretty skittish and hyper.

The same location turns out to be super good for Orange Bishops. I saw 3 males while looking for the Bronze Mannikins. A friend of mine saw 4 males and 4 females.

You can't see me!

Yes I can.

These were 2 different birds.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 10, 2014 - 04:19pm PT

Timid, I'm not sure how I missed the PM (I check every day) but let me know again.

Feb. is good!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 10, 2014 - 09:28pm PT

Thursday night boids :-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 11, 2014 - 01:18pm PT

Love the Chat!

I went back this morning for photos of the Bronze Mannikins They were more cooperative. So were the juvy Pied-billeds.

john hansen

climber

Jul 11, 2014 - 08:49pm PT

Great pic's everyone.

Pueo

I am thinking a young Amakahi, or molting,, not much green.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 11, 2014 - 09:03pm PT

nice John - thanks for sharing these two

Captain...or Skully

climber

in the oil patch

Jul 11, 2014 - 09:34pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 12, 2014 - 08:19pm PT

Great shooting everyone, here are a few from the Bosque this evening. When out for the super moon but the clouds took over.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 12, 2014 - 09:42pm PT

Gopher hunter

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 13, 2014 - 09:12am PT

This AM in Socorro, NM.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 13, 2014 - 01:30pm PT

Bob, what is that bird 2 sets above second one down?

Rob, you've got good action in your large yard!

Yesterday we had our Summer Pelagic trip. Pretty good for me, I got 2 lifers, Ashy Storm Petrel and Craveris Murrelet and got Pomerine Jaeger for county year.

The coolest thing we saw was a very large Hammerhead Shark! I'm guessing it was 15 feet long? We saw one last trip but this time I got perfect views of the head as he came under the boat. It was rad! The pics did not come out though, bummed.

Leucistic Black-vented Shearwater

Craveris Murrelets

Black Storm Petrels

Had this Bobcat pop up this morning at San Joaquin. He didn't see me at first and was 10 feet away. He strolled down the path and then heard me fumbling with the camera and hopped up on the wall.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 13, 2014 - 02:07pm PT

Dee ee - I think that second bird is a weakly colored Lazuli Bunting. Youngster maybe?

LOVE the Kia photos - every darn one of them. Hope you get more photos of them. I hope he really didn't lose his partner. That does make birds very sad.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 13, 2014 - 03:38pm PT

Crimpie, I like the shade of blue, bill shape and the wing bars for LABU but I don't see the "watermelon seeds' on the throat in any of my guides. I think you are right but...hmm... anyone else?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 13, 2014 - 04:14pm PT

Dee....Lazuli.

Dee.amazing shot on the Bobcat.. They are really striking animals.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 13, 2014 - 05:01pm PT

Thanks Bob!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jul 13, 2014 - 05:18pm PT

howdy to all.

Nice photos Bob. You've really been carrying the torch. I've been wrapped up in the World Cup as of late. Back to the birds now.

Agree with Crimpie, juvenile Lazuli Bunting.

Dave, Sooty Shearwaters? Congrats on the 2 lifers.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 13, 2014 - 05:49pm PT

Wow - so many good birds and great shot Bob!

That is not a bobcat I think. Gnarly domestic tom is the more likely ID.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Jul 14, 2014 - 11:49am PT

Someone has a hand full.LOL

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 14, 2014 - 12:28pm PT

little Z, how about Black Storm Petrels?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 14, 2014 - 01:16pm PT

Cool Hawaiian birds and bobcat pics!

john hansen

climber

Jul 14, 2014 - 07:35pm PT

That aint no house cat. I say Bobcat.
He probably checks this site when he can,,, to him this place is like a menu.

Bob what is that one with the bad hair day two below the Blue Heron?
White on the wings?

Red billed leothrix (introduced)

Colorful bird.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 14, 2014 - 07:54pm PT

John...Phainopepla (all wet), we are in our monsoon season...love your Hawaiian shots.

Little Z, thanks. CR played well, really impressive. They must have been going crazy in San Jose.

this just in

climber

north fork

Jul 15, 2014 - 07:06am PT

What is this guy called? At around 7000' elevation.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 15, 2014 - 07:34am PT

This just In...here you go...http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/western_tanager/id

this just in

climber

north fork

Jul 15, 2014 - 08:02am PT

Thanks Bob for the link.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Jul 15, 2014 - 08:36am PT

Here is another bird ID site with lots of helpful people- http://www.whatbird.com/forum/index.php?/forum/10-help-me-identify-a-bird/

Little Z- Thanks for the nice words in the Raven thread.

Gray Crowned Rosy Finch

Osprey with lunch

Yellow Headed Blackbird howling at the moon

Bald Eagle diving after an American Coot (it missed)

Mtn. Bluebird enjoying a meal

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 15, 2014 - 09:53am PT

Beautiful shots Chewy!

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Jul 15, 2014 - 08:47pm PT

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jul 16, 2014 - 12:14am PT

I saw my first Alaskan hummingbird today at a feeder near Girdwood. It was a female Rufous!!!! Score.
I saw these young ones at Tern Lake. Can anyone help with the ID?
And some other wildlife.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Jul 16, 2014 - 12:55am PT

Thanks Dee ee, that finch was a blast to watch.

Love the bears Cyndie. They are one of my favorite subjects to photograph.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Jul 16, 2014 - 08:30am PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 17, 2014 - 07:44am PT

Cyndie, love the bear!

Are Varied Thrushes common in your area?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 17, 2014 - 08:36am PT

Great photos everyone, really cool stuff. This morning I counted eighteen different birds near the house.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 17, 2014 - 10:37am PT

Really great photos everyone! Love checking in on this thread.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jul 17, 2014 - 10:51am PT

Chewy, TFPU! your flying raptor shots are unrivaled. Great stuff everyone.

Cyndie, no can do on your ducklings/goslings.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jul 17, 2014 - 11:03am PT

Dee Ee, Varied Thrushes are quite common. I hear them daily and see them most days, but getting a good photo is another thing.
Thanks all.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 17, 2014 - 07:59pm PT

Peace and beauty to all you bird lovers.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 19, 2014 - 10:54am PT

Great BIF shots Chewy! Nice to see an Alaskan hummer Cyndie, very cool.

I love all the nesting activity this time of year. Various birds have such different nest building styles. While the House Wren uses an aggressive most anything will work style...
The Bell's Vireo carefully integrates spider web for a comfortable and robust nest, pretty cool...
Watched a pair of Chipping Sparrows sitting on their nest of 4 eggs up in Wyoming last week and also saw 3 babies hatch - pretty cool but the nest was so well buried in a Sagebrush that no photos were possible.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 19, 2014 - 11:55am PT

john hansen

climber

Jul 19, 2014 - 03:12pm PT

Beautiful shots everyone.

Went up Mauna Kea again with a Guide to Hakalau NWR.

Its the only way you can get into the section of forest where the rarest birds are.

Got these two on the way up.

Pueo

And a Nene

john hansen

climber

Jul 19, 2014 - 03:22pm PT

Went on a guided tour of Hakalau NWR. It is the only way to get into the places where the rarest birds are.

I got three lifer's.

Akaipola'au

Akepa

And a Hawaiian Creeper

Also got Oma'o

And I'iwi

Did not get pictures but also saw

Ele'pio

An I'o (Hawaiian Hawk), and a Pueo (owl), Nene, Apapane and Amakahi.

A couple of weeks back I got this Palila

In the last two weeks I have been lucky enough to have seen all 12 land species that are native to the Big Island.

We saw 11 of them yesterday. only missed the Palila.

Amakahi
Akaipola'au
Akepa
Hawaiian Creeper
Oma'o
I'iwi
Apapane
Ele'pio
Palila
I'o (hawk)
Pueo (Owl)
Nene (goose)

Aloha

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 19, 2014 - 07:55pm PT

fabulous John! Congratulations.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 19, 2014 - 08:52pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 20, 2014 - 03:17pm PT

Great birds John, congrats!

Rob, that Roadrunner looks a little tweaked!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 20, 2014 - 03:49pm PT

Dave,

RR's have been a little scrappy in the yard lately.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jul 21, 2014 - 02:05pm PT

Drove up the Palmer Creek Road out of Hope yesterday. It is always a good place for birds. Here is my species list:
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
Mew Gull 4
Alder Flycatcher 1
Gray Jay 2
Black-billed Magpie 2
Common Raven 1
Tree Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 12
Yellow Warbler 2
Wilson's Warbler 20
Savannah Sparrow 6
Fox Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 8
Golden-crowned Sparrow 12
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Pine Grosbeak 4
White-winged Crossbill 4
Common Redpoll 40
Pine Siskin 4
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Not too many photos as the birds were busy catching bugs and feeding young. Hard to catch sitting still.
It is a beautiful location.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 21, 2014 - 07:02pm PT

Mostly juveniles and all from the last few weeks. Montlake Fill in Seattle.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 22, 2014 - 12:18pm PT

Nice list Cyndie! If I were with you I would have had 5 lifers!

Just got back from Sierra east side trip with my son Jake. He spotted this Bald Eagle while we were boating on Lake Crowley.

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Jul 22, 2014 - 08:23pm PT

I have some photos from the Galapagos that I took over the last few weeks. Rather than dumping them all at once, I will set them out bird by bird, at least for the endemics, for as long as you can stand the mediocre quality of the photos.

Galapagos Penguin:

john hansen

climber

Jul 22, 2014 - 09:33pm PT

CClark ,Looking forward to your photos.

Here are a couple more shot's from last Friday's trip to Hakalau NWR.

I have to admit I had a bit of "buck fever" seeing these very rare bird's for the first time. It was hard to keep the lens from shaking.

They are doing a great job at this refuge. They have put up 45 miles of fencing to keep pigs and goats out, and have planted almost a million native trees in the last 35 years. All the understory is starting to fill back in with native plants ,and the cattle and sheep have not grazed there for 20 years.

If any one comes to the big Island and wants to go up I would highly recommend this guide, and gladly pay my share to go up there again.

Really old Ohia trees and 100 ft tall Koa.

This is a singing Akaipola"au. It took the wood pecker nitch on Hawaii Island.

It uses it's lower beak like a wood pecker and then uses the curved upper bill to extract grubs from the outer branches of Koa trees.

Cool Bird,,

Here is one of a mature male Akepa, about the size of a bush tit but very brightly colored. Quick little bugger's.

Looking forward to the Galopagos photo's

Darwin,, are those Wood duck gosling's?

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Jul 23, 2014 - 06:57pm PT

Here's a few shots of the Waved Albatross:

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 23, 2014 - 08:01pm PT

^ Albatross!!!!

Another juvenile that I only got by vocalizations (v. characteristic in my neck of the woods). Maybe I would have gotten it from the photo in retrospect.

It's not my imagination that the image below looks sharper than image above, right?

http://173.160.158.251/postings/2014_07_12_birds/display/P1000612.jpg

The first displayed one is the uploaded image of the one given in the link. *Is there a way around that, or is that one of the necessary perils of forum software? *

john hansen

climber

Jul 23, 2014 - 08:36pm PT

Your link looks much better, I guess you could post just the links but that's not a good solution.. maybe post the link under the photo?

But yes the link is way better. Great shot.

EDIT: if you get your mouse over the picture it says. "Click to enlarge".

so if you click on the photo it links to the better version.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 24, 2014 - 06:03pm PT

Darwin,
When I downloaded the enlarged version and the version from your link, they looked the same to me. Maybe it depends on the display? I've been puzzled by those before. What was feeding it?

John,
That's quite a list of native Hawaii birds. We've only managed a handful on Kauai on a couple of trips.

I thought this video clip of a courting pair of Waved (Galapagos) Albatross would complement CClarke's photos. They are pretty charming.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 24, 2014 - 06:33pm PT

Great photos everyone.

When to Mexico for a few days to buy some pottery, the birds were lean. Here are few from the last few days here in NM and few from Mexico.

john hansen

climber

Jul 24, 2014 - 06:47pm PT

Bob, is that a Black Vulture?

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Jul 24, 2014 - 07:48pm PT

Here's a few shots of the Galapagos Hawk:

I'm going off to climb for three days but will continue with more Galapagos birds later.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 25, 2014 - 10:11am PT

John...Turkey Vulture.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 25, 2014 - 05:25pm PT

We've had a Ruff (Reeve) in the OC for the last 3 days.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jul 25, 2014 - 09:38pm PT

I sure like this thread, y'all above.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 26, 2014 - 04:37pm PT

A few from today.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 27, 2014 - 05:12pm PT

bump

go-B

climber

Cling to what is good!

Jul 27, 2014 - 05:45pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 27, 2014 - 06:30pm PT

Good day at the Bosque...

Female Bullock's Oriole

john hansen

climber

Jul 27, 2014 - 09:08pm PT

Hey Bob , in your July 26 photos what are the birds in the first photo?

Two yellow legs with a ? in between?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 27, 2014 - 09:54pm PT

John...Wilson's Phalarope with it's young ones.

Hope all is well and love your shots.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 30, 2014 - 11:56am PT

Just a little bump.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jul 30, 2014 - 01:06pm PT

been some good variety lately, thanks to all contributors.

Those Hawaiian endemics are amazing. Sadly their future looks grim. Thanks for sharing those photos John, and the details of your adveture. That's on my bucket list.

To anticipate CClarke and his photos of more wonders of nature from the Galapagos, here's one of my favorites, and one of the few Galapagos birds that shows up here in Costa Rica - the ST Gull. The Super Topo Gull? no, the Swallow-tailed Gull (although my ST password is based on this bird). It's nocturnal.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jul 30, 2014 - 02:48pm PT

Bob, love the Verdin. Those guys are hard to get a good shot of, way hyper!

I would love to see a Swallow-tailed Gull!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jul 30, 2014 - 06:00pm PT

Creagrus. That is one hell of a gull. Send that thing up to Tahoe!!!

john hansen

climber

Jul 30, 2014 - 06:34pm PT

Little Z, you are right about the Hawaiian Natives. The Big Island (Hawaii)
does give me some hope though.

Some of the more common birds, like Amakahi , Apapane and Iiwi seem to be getting more resistant to avian malaria, and are moving into lower elevations.

Before they were restricted above 4000 ft.

They are really working to restore areas in the Hakalau NWR. They have planted over a million native trees in the last 30 years and the understory is really starting to grow in with native plants in the older planted areas.

The three rarest birds, Akiapa la'au, creeper and Akepa have been holding their own now that it is all fenced off from cattle and sheep.

The Palila's territory is quite degraded and is one cigarette or catylitic converter started blaze away from extinction. Only about 2000 left in about 15000 acre's. Very dry on that side and the understory is choked with invasive species of plants including Madagascar fireweed.

Kauai is even worse off after Hurricane Inikii hit in 1992. There are still three or four native but all with population in the hundreds instead of thousands.

If you ever make it to the Big Island I would gladly share the guide fee for another chance to see these cool birds in a unique enviroment.

Aloha

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Jul 30, 2014 - 09:00pm PT

I had a fun time making four new sport routes at Penas where the locals hope to establish a tourist destination for visiting climbers. It is a good place to acclimatize at around 14,000' and the area is beautiful for hiking, scrambling and sport climbing. I think it has the best views of the Cordillera Real.

But now more birds.

The obvious choice is the Swallow Tail Gull:

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 31, 2014 - 01:25pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 31, 2014 - 06:02pm PT

Ash-throated Flycatcher, Socorro, NM

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 31, 2014 - 10:07pm PT

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Aug 1, 2014 - 07:15am PT

this is really cool. Check out this bear save a crow from drowning.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e82_1406836992

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 1, 2014 - 11:00am PT

If we had Swallow Tail Gulls around here that's what I would be looking for!!

We're still chasing exotics down here. Jeff Bray and I were birding yesterday and relocated this Yellow-crowned Bishop at San Joaquin.

Afterwards Jeff received a ranting e-mail from another of OC's birders.
See below!

I still enjoy the exotics. Does that make me a bad person?

"I have a suggestion. Why don't all of you who chase all these Exotic, trash, Old McDonalds Farm, released Cage Birds move to Florida. Just think. You'll have over 50 species of this sh#t to go chase, burn precious fossil fuels pushing gas prices up for Floridians rather than us, and fill the Florida listserv (rather than our Orange County Birding listserv) with these sh#t posts. And, Florida gets about a species added to the avifauna every couple months or so from people releasing yet another cage bird!! Geez, you can't go wrong!

But then you could also go start your own listserv and amuse yourselves with your sh#t birds!! That would even be better for the rest of us who have respectful lists and you won't be the laughing stock of all the rest of us who just spend our time hitting the delete button all day with your crap.

To even prove my point as well, I quote: "Not much else to report from there today."!!! Yeah, that's right, the shorebird numbers at SJWRS, which are of most interest to REAL birders, are "not much else to report" and your freaking Bishop is KING!!

Laughable, sorry ass posts!!!

Enjoy them, but frankly, if this all is of so much 'value' to you, name your new listserv something like TRASH BIRDS OF ORANGE COUNTY - FOR THOSE WHO DON'T FIND ANYTHING OF NOTE FOR THE BIRDS THAT ARE NATURAL OCCURRING. That should be most applicable for your posts.

But then I'm sure you're sitting there right now justifying that Old McDonalds Farm crap right? And real birders, well we are just ignorant asses that don't know anything. Yeah, you're right.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 1, 2014 - 11:06am PT

Here is my "trash bird" for today!

Zebra Finch found up in Brea near Arovista Park this morning.

We saw these guys wild in Australia....or, I should say, wild and naturally occurring.

....also, when I was in college I raised Zebra Finches and sold them to Bracken Bird Farm for income. I inherited the operation from Margy's great uncle Warren. It was a lot of fun, we had a very large aviary with over 100 private nesting boxes and I would have 200-250 at a time.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 1, 2014 - 11:10am PT

Found this Barn Swallow nest at Arovista Park this morning after locating my trash bird objective.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Aug 1, 2014 - 12:08pm PT

Love those exotics! And that rant too!

I will be out looking for that Zebra next week.

I saw an exotic myself this morning.
Budgie at Santiago Creek.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 1, 2014 - 12:15pm PT

I gotta say that I agree with the rant in principle, if not in form. He sure
ain't no Russ Walling. I don't go out of my way to look for 'em but I'm
not above enjoying them if I see 'em - that Zebra Finch is pretty damn cute.
Personally, I feel it should be illegal to import anything except
Italian, German, and English cars.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Aug 1, 2014 - 12:23pm PT

Feakin' trad birders ;-)

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Aug 1, 2014 - 12:30pm PT

Damned Dee. What does the forum site for birders look like, much like this one I guess;) That guy was having a cow. Didn't know bird watching could get so serious,LOL I got a loud ass parrot next door I would love to export to it's home country.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 1, 2014 - 03:37pm PT

No Claude, the actual Sea and Sage rare bird forum is very formal, very staid. The moderator is very strict and allows no slander. Some of the main stream of the OC scene (the old guard) is very snooty and stuck up. That's why I love the Inland Empire folks (San Bernardino Valley Audubon). Those peeps know how to have fun.

That e-mail was sent privately to the perps.

The 2 perps (friends) commented on my flickr page today regarding the Zebra Finch.

"What a trashy bird that is."
"What a POS."

Plan B, did you say Budgerigar at Santiago Creek?

Where,where,where? It could be my next "trash bird."
I e-mailed you details about the Zebra Finch location.

Oh, I did forget to mention it associates with a mixed flock of House Sparrows and House Finches.

Dang Rob, what's that make me? a "Sport Birder?" I guess it does!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 2, 2014 - 09:14am PT

Ladder back Woodpecker and female Phainopepla.

Great shots on those "trash birds" Dave.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 2, 2014 - 11:56am PT

Bob that Phaino shot is awesome, really good.

Marlow

Sport climber

OSLO

Aug 2, 2014 - 12:21pm PT

This is for Reilly
[Click to View YouTube Video]

And here's some French birds singing
[Click to View YouTube Video]

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 3, 2014 - 08:51am PT

Score +1 for Sport Birding!

It took two tries but I was able find Steve's Budgerigar this morning.

I tried to get better photos of this trashy bird but a sound like a gunshot sent all the birds flying. I waited for quite a while but the POS did not return.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 3, 2014 - 09:04am PT

Marlow, HaHaHa! Merci! And that's why Renault sucks - they spend time
doing stoopid shite like that instead of figuring out why their engines
can't compete with Mercedes'. ;-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 3, 2014 - 09:38am PT

I had a green budgie come to my backyard for two summers and eat eats with House Sparrows and other assorted wild bird. I lived in Houston at the time. It was always a joy to see him surviving in the wild in a place far from his home habitat. I really enjoy your posting such "trash" birds. :)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 3, 2014 - 01:45pm PT

We recently (well not that recently now) returned from a fabulous trip to the Arctic, cruising along the western coast of Spitzbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago. We first had a couple days to explore Oslo a bit. The highlight was the Fram Museum which had many great exhibits and articles from Norwegian polar explorers. It actually has the Fram, the ship used by Nansen and Amundsen for their expeditions.

We then flew to Longyearbyen, where we were to board the ship in a couple of days. This is way further north than I had been, as shown in this map.

We rented a car and explored the Adventfjord Valley. Although Polar Bears would be quite rare at that time, we stayed near the car, as we understood they can appear anywhere. There was a great seawatching spot near the entrance mouth of Adventfjord. Many seabirds flew right by us at close range, such as this Northern Fulmar.

Glaucous Gulls were abundant everywhere. In the absence of raptors, they are the predominant bird of prey.

We only saw about 26 bird species, but 7 were lifers for me. Snow buntings were present just about everywhere.

We saw this Svalbard (Rock Ptarmigan) pair at the cemetery.

King Eider was another lifer. Check out the cool scapular “sails”

We saw thousands of Common Eiders on the trip. These ones have figured out that nesting next to the dog cages affords protection form Arctic Fox.

This is the first we have seen Red Phalaropes (Grey Phalaropes in Europe!) in full breeding plumage.

After this we boarded the MS Stockholm which had previously been on in the Hebrides. It’s nice small ship with only 12 passengers, 2 guides and 8 crew.

Our first landing was at Ny-Alesund a research settlement which was the take off point for air attempts to the North Pole. (Maybe some of our local climatologists should go there and set them straight ;)
On the shore across the bay this Long-tailed Skua made an appearance.

A Svalbard Ptarmigan on the snow was quite striking.

We then headed north exploring some of the countless fjords and toward the pack ice.

We had seen thousands of Little Auks flying high around their cliff nesting sites. We finally started seeing some fairly close.

Other Alcids were abundant.

More King Eiders, even in small flocks.

The main draw for most on this trip were Polar Bears. We saw only two, but got to watch some interesting behavior at length. One of the guides was a Russian biologist who has studied Polar Bears for many years at Wrangell Island. He spends the season there without a rifle, but only a stick with pepper spray as a backup! The Polar Bear we watched at some distance was stalking Beaded Seals. She didn’t get one, but the tactics were great to watch. The next day we were able to parallel in a Zodiac as a male walked along the shoreline for almost two hours. He was aware of us, but indifferent. His focus was following the scent the female that we had seen the previous day.

Eventually, he got in the water and continued swimming. They are definitely all-terrain animals.

I seem to remember a “Mammals” thread, but it is gone?
We also saw a number of Walruses, including this bachelor herd of about 25.

It included some big bruisers

We also saw Belugas a couple of times. One group was probably over 100. It included some calves.

Sorry for hogging the page. There are more photos here:
http://tonybrake.smugmug.com/Nature/Svalbard-2014

Also, a video of the polar bear. It’s long, but if you fast forward to 18:00 you can see him in the water.
http://youtu.be/d4luLKdsem0

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 3, 2014 - 02:05pm PT

I forgot these. We almost missed this important species, but we had a couple of hours after disembarking the ship, so we headed to the sewage outfall, where gulls were gathered. We then got got good looks at this Ivory Gull.
Also, on our last landing I saw a strange flying object which turned out to be a Black-legged Kittiwake latched onto the foot of a Northern Fulmar. They flew a long way like this before the Fulmar got free. I guess they must have been fighting over a nest site in the cliffs above.

We had a couple more days outside Oslo and did some more birding as well as visiting the Ski Jump and Ski Museum as well as the Viking Ship Museum, all of which were very cool.

There were no new bird species for us, but we were right in the midst of breeding season and saw lots babies of various species at Ostensjosvannet, a lake in Oslo.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 3, 2014 - 02:41pm PT

Wow Tony, what a great trip! I am envious.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 3, 2014 - 03:19pm PT

Fab stuff Tony! Please "hog" more of these pages! :) Love it!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 3, 2014 - 03:29pm PT

Really great stuff Tony...looks like an amazing trip.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Aug 3, 2014 - 08:57pm PT

What great arctic photos!!!

Glad you found that Budgie, Dave :)

Here's a Black-chinned Hummingbird, seen a few days ago in Pinion Hills,CA

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 3, 2014 - 09:02pm PT

Great birding TR Tony! :-)

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Aug 3, 2014 - 09:52pm PT

I spent about 45 minutes at the Kenai Flats this evening. I saw Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Dowitchers, Whimbrel, Semi-palmated Plovers, Glacous-winged Gulls, Yellowlegs, Savannah Sparrows, Green-winged Teal, Sandhill Cranes, Bonapartes Gulls...things are returning from farther north. It was warm and no wind, a beautiful evening to bird.

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Aug 4, 2014 - 08:29pm PT

I'm taking a break from posting the Galapagos birds. A Giant Coot from today:

And an Andean Crested Duck:

I'm going trekking in the Yungas for a few days so maybe I'll get lucky and see a few birds.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Aug 4, 2014 - 10:42pm PT

Such a good thread, and if you blink you're on another good page.
Giant Coot, what like 2' tall? ;-) OK, it's on this page

Tony's from the previous page. flying King Eiders, lord it over us Tony!
Kenai Flats as a reminder to me of days gone by, and all the rest.

OK, It's not a bird and better belongs in another thread, but I feel like a free loader and there is a flying animal it the photo. It's been a good year for bees here in town. Tangentially, Laurel and I have had a couple good nights out on the deck watching more bats than I recall seeing before.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 6, 2014 - 01:56pm PT

Great stuff above, just a few from me in the last few days.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Aug 6, 2014 - 07:37pm PT

I had to whistle at him to get him to look at the camera. He was busy picking at his feathers.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 7, 2014 - 11:41am PT

Instead of waking up to the usual morning sounds of Brown Jays, Melodious Blackbirds, Inca Doves, Hoffmann's Woodpeckers and Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, this morning it was Stellar's Jays, Chestnut-backed Chicakadees, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Flicker and Anna's Hummingbird. At least the sound of Vaux's Swifts was still the same.

Darwin, dude? PM me with a plan. I have to go out to Sequim to visit my cousin one day this coming weekend, and have tickets for the Mariners game on Monday, otherwise no commitments.

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Aug 7, 2014 - 05:50pm PT

Chatham Mockingbird on San Cristobal:

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 7, 2014 - 06:43pm PT

I'mstuckinBarstowthisweek.
Thespacebardoesn'tworkonthehotelcomp!
GotacouplegoodBarstowlistbirdsyesterday.BlueGrosbeak,White-wingedDove,etc.
WeareofftoYellowstonetomorrowwhenIreturn.HopingforBarrow'sGoldeneyeandHarlequinDuck.

Cheers!

DE

john hansen

climber

Aug 7, 2014 - 09:12pm PT

DeeeeHopeyougettheHarlequin.AwonderfulltownBarstow.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 7, 2014 - 09:18pm PT

A few from the Bosque today.

Deehopeallworksoutwiththecomputer.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Aug 7, 2014 - 11:35pm PT

dee eee
if you came to Alaska instead of Yellowstone I could get you those two birds and more.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 8, 2014 - 05:46am PT

Cyndie,
Thanks for the invitation. Next year it could be a possibility.
The other comp here works better!

Cheers!
DE

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 8, 2014 - 09:07am PT

Some hard core dude up in Arcata saw a Green Sandpiper. They haven't been
able to relocate it so despite this guy's bona fides it doesn't appear that
we will officially 'get' a first conterminous US record. He didn't get any
pics of it and despite hearing it quite well he has doubts based on leg color
that it could be a hybrid. Bummer, what a score that woulda been!

Dee, my condolences. What did you do to deserve Barstow?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 8, 2014 - 07:00pm PT

Thanks Reilly, it's the evil called work.

But now I am off in search of Harlequin Ducks, Gray Jays etc!.....in about 60 minutes.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 8, 2014 - 07:27pm PT

Harlequins in Barstow? What bar they hanging out in? BwaHaHaHa!

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Aug 8, 2014 - 07:55pm PT

Some shots of the Lava Heron:

A juvenal:

Adults:

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 8, 2014 - 08:07pm PT

Lava Heron!
That dude is on fire.

We are 7 minutes late.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Aug 10, 2014 - 09:39pm PT

Soldotna to Homer and back...a day looking for and at birds. It was overcast and at times rainy and windy. But any day is a good day to bird.

Plan B

Ice climber

Agua Dulce,CA

Aug 11, 2014 - 12:07am PT

Brown Creeper at Holcomb Valley last Thurs.

Hiked Mt Baden Powell today. Lots of birds on that trail!

Here's 3 I was able to get pics of...

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 11, 2014 - 03:07pm PT

Tough to get a decent one of a Hermit Warbler!

Young Coop practicing his stinkeye...

Mama don't need no practice...

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Aug 13, 2014 - 12:12pm PT

FACT: if you band birds long enough, eventually a sapsucker will fly up and land on your hat. And stay there.

I promise I didn't place this bird on my head. Strictly of its own volition. Craziest thing!

Plan B

Ice climber

SoCal

Aug 13, 2014 - 02:57pm PT

Maybe that youngster thought those bracelets look cool! And was just waiting for a turn to get one :)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Aug 13, 2014 - 06:15pm PT

He'd already gotten his bling. Based on the way he finally left, I think he was just charging up his poop chamber.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 13, 2014 - 06:46pm PT

that sapsucker is like "Skull me next, please, skull me"

went on a day cruise up to the San Juan Islands, ostensibly to look for whales, although I went for the birds. Here's a photo of the highlights. Obviously I need to get a better camera.

Have also had two fine outings with Darwin. Details to follow.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Aug 13, 2014 - 07:06pm PT

^^^ funny!

I pretty much picked the hottest, driest, smokiest day of the year to take Little Z across the Cascades to the hottest, driest, smokiest part of the state. On top of that, it's a pretty darn dead time of the year here w.r.t. birds making themselves obvious. Oh, and from start to finish drivers on the road were nutso crazy (CARS ARE EVIL). The trip was saved by Little Z's awesome ears, and heck anytime I see a Western Tanager and Harlequin Ducks in the same day, well, that's a good day.

The day after Z went on that ^^ trip, I got this photo at the Fill:

I'll probably post a link to a higher quality photo.

Dar

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 16, 2014 - 01:27pm PT

Just a few from me, great stuff above.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 16, 2014 - 05:10pm PT

Sapsucker on the hat - awesome!!!

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Aug 17, 2014 - 09:09pm PT

Two birds today from Homer, Alaska.

Ten of us had a great day yesterday at Anchor Point and the Homer spit. The report below is our species list for the trip.

AK - KEN - Anchor River mouth, Kenai Peninsula, US-AK
Aug 17, 2014 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: In addition to Anchor Point we saw black turnstones, surf
birds,, song sparrows, and sanderlings at the Homer spit in Homer
42 species (+5 other taxa)

Mallard 3
Green-winged Teal 9
Harlequin Duck 20
Black Scoter 20
scoter sp. 40
Common Goldeneye 3
Common Merganser 1
Pacific Loon 2
Common Loon 6
Red-necked Grebe 6
grebe sp. 4
Pelagic Cormorant 8
Bald Eagle 12
Sandhill Crane 7
Semipalmated Plover 6
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 10
Lesser Yellowlegs 30
Whimbrel 3
Hudsonian Godwit 1
Black Turnstone 50
Surfbird 12
Sanderling 1
Pectoral Sandpiper 4
Western Sandpiper 12
Red-necked Phalarope 4
Common Murre 6
Pigeon Guillemot 1
Marbled Murrelet 12
murrelet sp. 12
Horned Puffin 4
Tufted Puffin 1
Black-legged Kittiwake 4
Mew Gull 20
Herring Gull 12
Herring x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 200
gull sp. 300
Belted Kingfisher 1
Merlin 1
Gray Jay 3
Black-billed Magpie 2
Northwestern Crow 75
Common Raven 1
Hermit Thrush 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Savannah Sparrow 30
Song Sparrow 4

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 20, 2014 - 09:37pm PT

Nice list Cyndie!

Hey you guys. We had a fabulous trip to Yellowstone, Tetons and Dinosaur NM and saw lots of cool birds, mammals and scenery. I was lucky and got my target birds. 4 lifers, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, Gray Jay, Eastern Kingbird and more.

I had what I was sure was a Purple Finch at altitude on Mt. Washburn in YNP. I posted on eBird and the moderator came back with some doubt suggesting it was a Cassin's Finch. It looks like a PUFI to me with the pinkish uppertail coverts, pinkish wing bar, extensive red on head and neck etc. This bird landed 6 feet from me at eye level but flew before I could get a good shot.

What do you think?

I'll post some good shots of other birds soon.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 21, 2014 - 05:57am PT

It's been a while since I've been here - fantastic stuff!

Love the Bald Eagle Chaz; a sapsucker on a hat? Aweseome; CClarke and LittleZ's contributions are always terrific. Cyndi makes me want to book a flight (maybe next August). All the photos are awesome. Thanks to everyone for this best-thread-on-the-taco.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 23, 2014 - 08:16am PT

Here are a couple from near Bozeman Montana.

Savannah Sp.

Eastern kingbird (lifer)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Aug 23, 2014 - 08:40am PT

Dee ee, I'm afraid that's a Cassin's. No question with that bill.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 23, 2014 - 09:56am PT

Wow Willoughby, if you say so. I'm still not seeing it though. It looks like it has all the other field marks of a PUFI. (?)

edit- I do see the difference in bill shape. Could it be a hybrid?

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 23, 2014 - 10:42am PT

here is one of my worst contributions, but it is bird-climbing related, so there. A Band-tailed Pigeon nestling in the pine tree right at the base of Surrealistic Pilar at Lover's Leap. It is very distracting when the adult comes wooshing in or out.

Will, sorry I missed your talk last night but we got back late from Tuolumne. Went to Talac beach and Taylor Creek on Thursday and saw the notice for your talk. Was fun to see a Red-shouldered Hawk there, one of the few I've seen out west, although according to eBird looks like they are expanding their range.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Aug 23, 2014 - 10:52am PT

john hansen

climber

Aug 23, 2014 - 11:33am PT

I don't know ,, that sure looks like an Eastern Kingbird to me.

Sibley's shows that even the juvenile Cassin's has yellow stomach area with a dark grey breast. Not seeing anything like that.

Is the bill somewhat obscured by the bug it is holding?

Dee ee where did you see this bird?

EDIT: never mind

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 23, 2014 - 12:54pm PT

John, Willoughby was commenting on my Finch seen a few posts higher!

Oh, the Kingbird was near Bozeman Mt. and the Finch was on Mt. Washburn in Yellowstone.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 23, 2014 - 01:04pm PT

A few more trip birds.

Osprey-Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Sandhill Cranes-Yellowstone

Black-billed Magpie-Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone

Barrow's Goldeneye-Ice Lake, Yellowstone

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 24, 2014 - 08:18am PT

Plan B

Ice climber

SoCal

Aug 25, 2014 - 05:10am PT

Looks like a fun trip o Yellowstone Dee ee!

That Cassin's Finch would have had me fooled. So for fun I tried that new Cornell Merlin app, which said it is a Cassin's. Then I checked the distribution maps which say Purples don't like to go to Yellowstone.

Another point besides bill that Willoughby pointed out.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 25, 2014 - 09:43am PT

Yeah, I knew it was out of range (I thought) but I've seen so many birds out of range in the last 2 years it didn't seem important!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 25, 2014 - 09:54am PT

Bob, nice juvie hummer!

Dee, don't beat yerself up, I've turned a few Least Sandipipers into
Long-toed Stints. But at least they were within hypothetical range (PNW). ;-)

And yer Osprey shot is COOL!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Aug 25, 2014 - 10:23am PT

Connie Sidles, a birding person of note here in Seattle, pointed out a really good field mark to me for Purple Finches, but it's only on the females. Only the female Purple Finches have and obvious pale supercilium and submoustacial stripe. It forms what I call a bridle. I now look around for the females first. The other finches have the submoustacial stripe, but not teh supercilium. The one time I heard a Purple Finch sing, it stood out as something different to me before I could see it and had help identifying the bird.

I got my best and only non-ambiguous view of a Warbling Vireo Saturday on a climbing trip to Leavenworth. I know most of you think of them as common as dirt, and everyone around here seems to seem them a lot during migration, so it's been a source of frustration to me. I had to kind of talk myself into the one that I claimed for STBY (not proud of that!). Anyway we were having coconut water down by the river after climbing, and I as we left the car I grabbed my binocs, 'cause you never know what might popup. It was a good day and climbing was fun.

This should be a better image of the Grebe family.
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2014-08-04/post/grebs_se.jpg

(do any of you know how to imbed

into a ST posting
so the image pops up without reformatting? The [img] syntax doesn't do it.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Aug 25, 2014 - 10:27am PT

CClarke

climber

La Paz, Bolivia

Aug 25, 2014 - 06:14pm PT

Nasca Booby:

Marine Iguana:

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 25, 2014 - 06:17pm PT

Mmmmm, boobies.

My third to last good bird of the trip was this first year Ferruginous Hawk. It was right by the road, we were exiting Dinosaur Nat. Mon. via an obscure dirt road.

Beauty!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Aug 25, 2014 - 08:42pm PT

Nice Dave!

Hope you guys are having a great trip.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 25, 2014 - 09:33pm PT

Berry nice Ferruginous, Dee!

There was a Nazca Bubby seen and photographed just off San Diego recently.
It seems it was just south of the border SO IT DIDN'T COUNT!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 26, 2014 - 01:55pm PT

Brewer's Blackbird hanging out at the Burger Barn in Bridgeport

Reilly, I see they are still debating that booby, it was less than a full adult, a plumage that is poorly known in both Masked and Nazca, and the fact that it may be a hybrid are all topics being discussed.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 26, 2014 - 08:01pm PT

I finally got my first OC Cattle Egret! It was an epic search.
Mile Square Park-HB

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 26, 2014 - 08:23pm PT

Back in Taos for a few days.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 27, 2014 - 06:22pm PT

A few more on the drive back to Socorro from Taos.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Aug 27, 2014 - 11:24pm PT

I realized something kooky the other day. Lewis' Woodpecker has been called the "Crow Woodpecker," and Clark's Nutcracker has been called the "Woodpecker Crow."

Think Lewis and Clark were aware of this???

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Aug 28, 2014 - 01:58am PT

Black winged stilts?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 28, 2014 - 08:05am PT

Delhi Dog...Black-necked Stilts. :-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 29, 2014 - 11:35am PT

A few more after my bouldering session out at Box Canyon.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 29, 2014 - 06:19pm PT

BIRDING ALERT

Is anyone going to be in SE AZ next week?

I'm going Sept. 4 or 5 for a few days and hitting several/many of the best spots. The weather should be ideal with some thunderstorm activity.

Drop all your responsibilities and meet me for a few days or whatever you can manage.

Also, Tony and I should be hitting a few of the best OC spots earlier in the week. Call me or e-mail me. 714-492-2159

DE

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 29, 2014 - 07:14pm PT

^^ How awesome would that be? I wish I could go to SE AZ.

"I realized something kooky the other day. Lewis' Woodpecker has been called the "Crow Woodpecker," and Clark's Nutcracker has been called the "Woodpecker Crow."

^^ Cool tidbit. Thanks!

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Aug 29, 2014 - 09:21pm PT

I saw my first Gray-cheeked Thrush today in Anchorage. No photos.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 30, 2014 - 12:29pm PT

Nice Cyndie would have loved to seen a photo.

Nice bouldering session today followed by birding higher up in the hills.

Red Faced Warbler and Gray/Hammond's Flycatcher...I think.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 30, 2014 - 01:33pm PT

Congrats on the Gray-cheeked Thrush Cyndie. That is a good one.

Bob, love the Red-faced Warbler. Let's hook up on the 7th and 8th, I have to be back on the 9th. Think about where would be our best choice. I will call.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 30, 2014 - 06:48pm PT

I went out today after the Yellow-fronted Canary seen at Mile Square yesterday. It was seen "loosely associating" with a mixed flock of HOFI, AMGO, LEGO, SBMU (Scaly-breasted Munia aka Nutmeg Mannikin) and BRMA (Bronze Mannys). I found the flock and followed them around for quite a while. No Canary showed up.

More Bronze Mannys than I've seen at one time though.

Later I went to John Baca Pk. to look for the Solitary Sandpiper seen this morning. It is probably the same individual that was there last year. He was a no show. It was totally dead there but I did see what I took for a Cooper's Hawk, a fleeting glimpse. I hiked the path and worked my way back through the underbrush and when I arrived at the old Ovenbird area I saw him only 10 feet away with lunch.

I swung back by Mile Square for one last try on the Canary and it was very dead there as well. But, this other COHA did allow me to get very close.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 31, 2014 - 08:58am PT

nice photos Bob. Looks like you got yourself a Plumbeous Vireo there rather than an Empid fly.

Amazed to see how common Cooper's Hawks have become. I'm sure it has something to do with the spread of Eurasian Collared-Doves.

edit: wow Bob, those two photos really capture the essense of Cooper's and Accipiters in general. Your's too dee ee, eventhough you still can't give up chasing those POS birds.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 31, 2014 - 10:32am PT

Thanks Little Z, I need all the help I can get sometimes.

Speaking of Cooper's Hawks...saw this young one at Bosque del Apache this AM.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Aug 31, 2014 - 05:16pm PT

A couple more Yellowstone birds.

Trumpeter Swan family just outside Jackson Hole.

A RTHA just barely inside YNP, by about 25 feet. We were waiting by the gate.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 31, 2014 - 10:50pm PT

Great photos everyone, a few more from today.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Sep 2, 2014 - 09:32am PT

Great pictures.
Does anyone care to venture a wild guess at the ratio of juvenile/mature
Cooper's Hawks they see?
Actually, I'm interested in speculation about any species that has good
dimorphism.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 2, 2014 - 10:25am PT

I've been going over to Leavenworth (east side of Cascades) for very humble little cragging day trips. Brining my binoculars along turns them into a dual purpose trips. It sounds like Bob D'A is a master of this. It usually keeps me from getting totally skunked in that I rarely have a bad birding and climbing on the same day. No surprise, the birds on the East Side are way different from those here in Seattle. This last Sunday I wasn't into leading having had perhaps a glass of red wine too many at a party the night before. There wasn't much bird action as we climbed up on the north side of Icicle Canyon: Clarks Nutcracker, Osprey far below and a Rufous H.B. buzzed me while I belayed. We then dropped back down nearer the river. There were a lot of v. active RB Nuthatches young and old. Some of the RBNHs were foraging on a rock face, and I hadn't seen that before. I had forgotten how pretty Say's Phoebes can be. Down by the road, White-throated Swifts were raging all over the place! Sorry, no photos.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 2, 2014 - 08:14pm PT

john hansen

climber

Sep 2, 2014 - 08:27pm PT

More great photos..

Bob, what kind of Hawk is that above?

And also the Hummers? Nice composition on that one.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 2, 2014 - 08:44pm PT

John...a Swainson's. Pretty raptors.

Darwin...thanks for the kind words... I never been a one sport type of guy...try to get as much out of each day that I can. Looking forward to meeting Dave this weekend for some great SE AZ birding. I'll bring the good IPA's.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 2, 2014 - 08:53pm PT

and for the better print:
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2014-08-04/display/P1000673.jpg

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Sep 4, 2014 - 12:05am PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Sep 4, 2014 - 01:08am PT

Scuffy - I never really thought about it, but I'd say with both Coops and Sharpies it's gotta be around 10 to 1 youngsters. Mostly what I see are young of the year tear-assing around all over the place during late summer and migration. Every now and then I'll find an adult doing the same, and sometimes, if I'm lucky, they wind up in my nets.

With goshawks it probably swings the other way, maybe 2-3 adults for every immature, but that's only 'cause I seem to see a lot of adults around here. But still, I wonder what happens to those HY birds. Maybe they're just not producing that many. I do see youngsters too though. Watched a teeny Hatch-Year male Sharpie dogging a big HY female goshawk over Blackwood Canyon just last week. Good show!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 4, 2014 - 08:15pm PT

Going to meet Dave (Dee ee) for a weekend of SE AZ birding, hope I can keep up. Should be a lot of fun.

Here are a couple from around the house today in Socorro, NM.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 4, 2014 - 08:24pm PT

Plover...semi palmateted ???

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Sep 4, 2014 - 09:30pm PT

Bob D'A That is a semipalmated plover. I see them all the time around here.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 5, 2014 - 07:40am PT

Thanks Cyndie...thought so.

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Sep 5, 2014 - 01:30pm PT

Willoughby, thanks for the input.
I'm so envious of your Sharpie/Goshawk show. They're such amazing fliers.
Wow, that Cooper's in your hand is so puffed up she looks like an owl!
I asked about this because of all the juvie photos I see on this forum.
My impression on the Goshawk ratio sort of matches yours, but I've seen so
few Goshawks over the years they're still a rarity for me.
Four adults, one juvenile over 43 years.
The most exciting bird, for me.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 5, 2014 - 09:44pm PT

I can't read "Goshawk" without a vision of Tony's shell shocked eyes coming back to me. We were walking around Citiy of Rocks and came across a Goshawk nest. I wasn't much into "birding" back then and went off looking for granite cracks, and he wanted to get closer to the nest. He he he. We shortly bumped back into each other, and he was kind of stumbling away from the nest area and had the weirdest shell shocked expression on his face. I think Goshawk didn't want him to come closer. Tony can expand on the buzzing he received and correct any embellishments I may have made.

Funny, now I would sell my soul now to see one up close (or for that matter to climb Rye Crisp).

From the commute today. They must be coming through. I saw two separate ones today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 6, 2014 - 03:52pm PT

Dave and I had a great morning at Ramsey Canyon and then over at the San Pedro house near the San Pedro river. Raining now as Dave is chasing hummingbirds at Ash Canyon and I wait for a conference call.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Sep 6, 2014 - 09:06pm PT

I got a new Alaska bird; a rough-legged hawk. Sorry the photos are poor quality, the bird was quite a distance away. This is only the second time anyone can remember a rough-legged hawk on the Kenai Peninsula.It was a beautiful day, 65 degrees with clouds and no wind. After two days of rain it was a welcome change.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 8, 2014 - 09:12pm PT

Dave and I pretty much killed it in SE AZ. Great time camping, birding and hanging with Dave, the birds were great but meeting Dave was the highlight of the trip.

A few photos.

john hansen

climber

Sep 8, 2014 - 09:52pm PT

The Trogan is really good..

Looking forward to more pic's from both you guys.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Sep 9, 2014 - 06:57pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 9, 2014 - 10:30pm PT

I just pulled in after an epic drive home. There was major monsoon action, I think Tucson had record 24 hr. rainfall the day I was there. I have never seen such a crazy amount of water in the desert. I always thought a flash flood was limited to a canyon or creek bed but that is not the case. Picture a flash flood 5 -10 miles across and covering the whole desert as far as the eye can see in 360 degrees. In Quartzite there was a river bigger than the San Juan in Utah. Insane.

Wow, what a trip. It will take me a while to post lists and see just how well we scored. Pretty damn well I think for a couple of unguided amateurs!

This one is for Bob. The bird in question.

Sora at Patagonia Lake State Park.

I need to edit etc. (after I unpack!).

More to come, and yes it was an honor to hang with Bob and hear about climbing history from the middle of the US during our shared yet separate histories.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 9, 2014 - 10:41pm PT

So what's the story with the I'iwi?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 9, 2014 - 10:49pm PT

Dave... I'm thinking Sora. Really great spending time with you. I made it out of the storm area in the afternoon Monday...pretty crazy.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 10, 2014 - 09:16am PT

Dirt C - wow, those are some powerful owls!

congrats on your trip to AZ Bob and Dave. Sounds like it was a great time and looks like you went to all the right places. Looking forward to seeing you down here in Oct. Bob.

Yes Reilly, that crossbill has like a trophy sized bill.

Nice Sora-duck too.

Edit: looked closer at the red bird, and that would be a Hepatic Tanager manipulating something in it's bill. oops.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 10, 2014 - 09:25am PT

It is a hepatic, one of several that we saw. Also thinking we saw a Scarlet Tanager but if I can't tell the difference between a duck and Sora..who knows. :-)

Looking forward to the CR trip...just took a job back in Taos, way to hot for me in the desert.

Dave is a great guy to bird and hang out with. We had a lot of fun.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 10, 2014 - 02:45pm PT

Bob, that Sora tricked us by landing in the water! I have never seen a rail swimming. At that distance and in that lighting I sure couldn't tell. When I edited the photo it was obvious. Telephotos are pretty amazing.

Here are a few from the trip. I cleaned up on hummers.

Yellow-eyed Junco

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Plain-capped Starthroat

White-eared Hummingbird

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Sep 10, 2014 - 03:37pm PT

Sounds like an epic trip guys. Water in the desert was crazy.

Dave, really like that broad-bill photo.

Edit - I saw a couple of Bronze Mannys in the yard with flock of Gold Finches. They seem to be getting around.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 10, 2014 - 03:41pm PT

Great photos Dave, here are few more from our trip. Mostly cloudy and gray made for some less than stellar conditions.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 10, 2014 - 05:52pm PT

The female Blue Grosbeaks threw me for a loop until the last couple days.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 10, 2014 - 06:01pm PT

I did not get a good PARE photo.

Hepatic Tanager

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Bob, shooting a Wilson's Warbler and a Nashville Warbler bathing.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 12, 2014 - 05:28pm PT

This thread was on page 4 bump.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 12, 2014 - 05:35pm PT

Magnificent HB (damn they are big!)

Lucifer (rare)

Gray Hawk

Elegant Trogon (the trip would have been a failure without this baby!)

Red-faced Warbler (my last goal and difficult since the locals said they had all left Mt. Lemmon a week or 2 before)

Plan B

Ice climber

SoCal

Sep 12, 2014 - 07:19pm PT

Great trip Dave, and Bob!
I want to go on a trip like that! :)

Wow!
Great pics!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 12, 2014 - 08:50pm PT

HMOG D and B! Nice photos. I soooo wanted to see a Lucifer the first time I went to Tucson, and you went and got the best photo ever.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 12, 2014 - 10:59pm PT

We all should plan a trip next year, the camping was pretty good too.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 12, 2014 - 11:14pm PT

A few more AZ birds. Great trip.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 13, 2014 - 09:56pm PT

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Inca Dove

Black-chinned and Rufous HB

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Sep 14, 2014 - 01:55am PT

This thread was on page 4 bump.

Dee ee, where were you between Dec '08 and Dec '10?? Kinda crazy to think this thread has had a few long fallow periods since its inception.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 14, 2014 - 07:56am PT

We all should plan a trip next year, the camping was pretty good too.

springtime in the desert cannot be beat. April-May 2015?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 14, 2014 - 08:38am PT

Little Z, I'm in.

A few more from AZ.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 14, 2014 - 06:17pm PT

Indeed. Where was I?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Sep 14, 2014 - 08:53pm PT

This guy's been hanging around Lake Forest Beach (just east of Tahoe City) for the better part of a week. Super tame when he's not chasing the Common Terns around:

john hansen

climber

Sep 14, 2014 - 09:05pm PT

Excuse my ignorance but what bird is that Willoughby?

EDIT:

Rilly, I was thinking something like a Jeager but was afraid to call it.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 14, 2014 - 09:49pm PT

juvenile Pomarine Jaeger?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Sep 14, 2014 - 09:53pm PT

About two months early (or late) for a Pomarine. That's a juv. Parasitic. Should be migrating way out over the ocean, but we occasionally get 1-2 of this species and/or Long-taileds during migration. But they never hang around for a week like this! Pretty fun watching them dog the terns and gulls 'til they puke up their last meal.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 16, 2014 - 06:27pm PT

Bump! rescued from page 4 yet again...

back out in the field here in Costa Rica after a brief interlude in WA, NV and CA. There was a good bird waiting for me, a new Costa Rica twitch, though I've seen the bird in Panamá before...Striated Heron, it's like a gray version of Green Heron (they were lumped once upon a time, then un-lumped, or split, as they say).

Also saw some cute Buff-breasted Sandpipers, only my 2nd time for those, and a Glossy Ibis which is real rare in the southern part of the country, but best was a pair of Bat Falcons on the utility wire, very tame, cued up for the digiscope.

'nuf said

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 16, 2014 - 08:22pm PT

OK, I want to see a Bat Falcon. !!!!!!! Quite a set of claws there! Heck even a Kestrel would make me pretty excited, as I've never seen one in Seattle.

Dave; I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Whistling/Tree Ducks. Is the Whistling Tree Duck a vagrant or introduced? You can see them in Walla Walla here in WA. I got excited as I innocently walked up to the enclosure in Pioneer park and from afar thought "That's a Tree Duck!". Given the cage around them ... well you know.

Funny how we here in Seattle get House Sparrows and Starlings. You get Nutmeg Mannikins, a slew of parrots, others ... and now Whistling Ducks?

john hansen

climber

Sep 16, 2014 - 10:30pm PT

Z those photo's are fantastic.

I believe this is a 'rice bird'. Introduced and spreading in Hawaii. The size of a bushtit , they travel in small flocks feeding on any grain type of grass.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 17, 2014 - 08:03pm PT

DeeEe;

Tony set me straight complete with distribution maps: The Whistling Duck was in SE Az! That is too cool, as was BobDa's brid seeking drone joke.

I think a few more of us might be in for SE Az in the Spring. I might have to plead that someone guides me up Ewephoria, though. OK, I'll get in shape and lead that 5.6(?).

Darwin

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 17, 2014 - 08:26pm PT

Darwin,

when I saw the BBWD's, first I heard them coming in, it was the crazy whistling sound that caught my attention. I looked up and saw 10 or 12 flying in. The sound was like nothing I'd ever heard. they disappeared and a few minutes later I saw the one sitting with the Coots. Wow, super cool.

De

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 17, 2014 - 08:38pm PT

Fall migration has been pretty weak so far but a couple of good birds showing up.

Last week we had a couple of Virginia's Warblers in different parks. I/we found one of them at Mile Square. It took quite a while to really make sure as it was staying at the very tops of the trees. We had 12 of OC's finest looking and I'm not sure I could have found it alone, probably not.

The day before yesterday the big score was a Bay-breasted Warbler! I went over there (Marina View Park) and a bunch of the hotties showed up but no go (we were late, 12 noonish). In the morning I went back and 2 of my local buddies had returned. After 20 minutes I spotted it!!! Stoked!

I couldn't get the perfect shot but.....

In the afternoon I was watching the tele with my boy and got up to grab a beer. Lo and behold there was a Spotted Dove on the lawn in the backyard. I ran for the camera but it was gone.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 17, 2014 - 08:53pm PT

Oh, I forgot to spray, I mean "say."

We did have a Yellow-crowned Night Heron (juvy) and the Solitary Sandpipers returned as well.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 17, 2014 - 08:55pm PT

It's been a pretty good week!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 19, 2014 - 11:08am PT

A little bump from Bosque del Apache this AM.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 19, 2014 - 03:30pm PT

I finally caught that "springtime in the desert" comment
Pencil me in.

Traveling together.

Male

Female

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 20, 2014 - 02:04pm PT

Great stuff above everyone, I'm back in Taos and when to a few old places. Really great to be back home.

Just a few from today's catch.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 20, 2014 - 04:40pm PT

Bob,

Cool Wiliamson's Sapsucker photos.I see that there is a juvenile female. Did you see the nest nearby?

Funny you should post photos of Williamson's Sapsuckers just as I am revising a paper about tool use by a WISA. Here is a sample photo.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 20, 2014 - 04:48pm PT

Yay Taos, wheee hoooo.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 21, 2014 - 08:48am PT

Tony the nest was nearby. Come to the big AZ birding trip next Spring.

Yes Dave it is good to be back. Home, start the new job in a few days.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 21, 2014 - 03:10pm PT

Tony, here is another shot for you, they are beautiful birds. Love the black back.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 21, 2014 - 05:46pm PT

Glad you are "home" Bob.

Yesterday we did a Pelagic out of Dana Point. The bird diversity was low but numbers were high, probably 3000-4000 Black-vented Shearwaters. I got one lifer, which made the trip, a Least Storm Petrel. Other good birds included Craveri's Murrelets, Cassin's Auklets, Common Terns, Black Storm Petrels and Pink-footed Shearwaters. We also had several Blue Whales, a couple Fin Whales and one Minke Whale. It was a good day out in the ocean.

Today I got an OC rarity, a White-winged Dove. It was sort of anticlimactic after seeing dozens in Az, but a good county bird. I found it on the El Toro Marine Base (which is being leveled for housing tracts). I got a reprimand for supposedly trespassing by one of our local birders/Biologists. I had to play politically correct even though I'm sure where I was is legal public access. There was no signage or gates or anything.

The bird in question.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 21, 2014 - 06:33pm PT

Dee ee,

your're turning into a real bad boy - first it's those invasive species, now it's invasive birding! what next?

thought it was funny that you had that Bay-breasted Warbler right when eBird was running the news blurb on their front page about identifying Bay-breasted vs. Blackpoll.

Good stuff, you and Bob. Keep it comin'

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 21, 2014 - 09:04pm PT

I know littleZ, what a coincidence, and a Blackpoll turned up today! Also a Northern Parula turned up as well. I wish I wasn't working for the next 2 days! Oh well, with any luck.............

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Sep 21, 2014 - 09:05pm PT

Went to check out the fall colors. This is one of four Spruce Grouse males seen on the road.
It was a beautiful day.

john hansen

climber

Sep 21, 2014 - 10:01pm PT

That is a beautiful picture Cyindie

Dee ee

Every one of those pelagic birds would be lifer's for me.

I am flying into SFO on Oct 2nd to spend a month Birding.

If the weather is good , up to Yellowstone and the Tetons.

Go east till I see a real Blue Jay, and down the east side of the continental divide.

Then,

Down thru New Mexico and SEAZ ( a little late)

Salton sea,, and Monterey , where I will make sure to go on a pelagic trip.

It would be great to go birding with any of you locals along the way.

Mahalo

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 22, 2014 - 06:51am PT

John I can give you a tour of northern NM and maybe a place to stay here in Taos.

Beautiful photos Cyndie.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Sep 22, 2014 - 08:04am PT

this quite an incredible thread. Many excellent photos of cool birds.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 22, 2014 - 10:04am PT

Wow! Great shots! Merlins and me just never seem to see eye to eye.

So a few minutes ago I'm sitting here pontificating. The window 4' away is
open and my resident Bewick's Wren is working the hedge 3' feet beyond. He
flits onto the window sill and checks out the large plant by the window for
potential yummies. Then he gives me a cursory once-over and I thought for
a second he was gonna invade! But, no, he went back to his hedge, thank god.

The rest of the day will be hard pressed to match that.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 22, 2014 - 10:23am PT

Mike, great shot of that Merlin. Cool looking bird.

Evening Grosbeak on the hike this AM.

Very colorful birds.

And a nice White breasted Nuthatch.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 22, 2014 - 06:46pm PT

Cyndie, I love the Spruce Grouse whether it's male or female (I should probably check!).

John, keep us posted on your whereabouts, I could easily (?) blast out to the Salton Sea or meet you in the OC.

It was as though eBird was anticipating our Warbler arrivals! After work (3 ish) I went over to Mile Square to look for the Northern Parula and the Blackpoll Warbler.

The area where the NOPA was (Shelter 17) had no birds whatsoever. I headed towards Palm Tree Island to look in the Eucalyptus where the Blackpoll had been seen. As I approached I could see the biggest tree was full of birds. There were multiple Wilson's, Orange-crowned, a Nashville, a Townsend's and several Warbling Vireos. Before too long I spotted an unusual warbler high up. Yep, it was the Blackpoll. I had neglected to check whether it was a male or a female. Well, it turns out it was a late summer plumage female, a pretty dull bird overall but a lifer nonetheless!

I was stoked and headed back towards the van by way of the Parula zone. I saw a couple feeding a bunch of Canada and Egyptian Geese. They were really begging and there was one egret. I was going to write it off as a Snowy but then I actually looked and it was a Cattle Egret. Wow, a semi-domestic CAEG! What a grubber! Weird.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 22, 2014 - 07:40pm PT

Speaking of grouse, got a Blue Grouse on my mountain bike ride up in the mountains near Taos today.

Warblers on the move in theTaos area, soon they will be gone.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Sep 22, 2014 - 09:45pm PT

Thanks, Ron Anderson. I fixed my mistake.

MH2

climber

Sep 23, 2014 - 09:37am PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Sep 23, 2014 - 10:38am PT

I would vote Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Quite a crest display there! Maybe you will get hooked on birding now AC :-)

Edit: actually looks more like a Golden-crowned Kinglet with that yellow perimeter strip on its crest... I'm sure one of the id experts will chime in shortly to confirm/deny :-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 23, 2014 - 02:51pm PT

Holy crap! That's the best Kinglet Crown shot I've ever seen. Those 2 were really worked up!

They both look like male Golden-crowned Kinglets. On the upper one you can pretty clearly see the white supercillium and the white stripe just below the black eye stripe.

MH2

climber

Sep 23, 2014 - 03:22pm PT

Hey, thanks! Conditions were far from favorable, and that includes the photographer.

I was surprised that Google failed me. I knew you folks would not.

If there is any question of which kinglet, here are all I got that may help:

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 23, 2014 - 04:32pm PT

No question, unless these birds are in some other country!

MH2

climber

Sep 23, 2014 - 04:37pm PT

Thanks again. Unless Canada counts as another country.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Sep 23, 2014 - 09:12pm PT

MH2,
I concur with Dave. Those are wonderful shots of the GC Kinglet, with the flaming crown in the low light.

Dave, You're killing me with all of those migrants. San Francisco and Pt. Reyes are also crawling with eastern warblers, but I haven't been able to break away. Not much sympathy is in order, since we leave for Sicily in a few days. Looking forward to a lot of Mediterranean birds.

Oh yeah, Brown Boobies regularly seen perched on the Half Moon Bay weather buoy, and Red-billed Tropicbird further out!

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Sep 24, 2014 - 01:45pm PT

hey there say, just a bump, to help our FIRST PAGE,

HOWEVER, awww, yes, i DO love the post that i am bumping, too...
you are of value, ...

just that i can't always visit everything and post...
but today, is REALLY NEEDED FOR HELP, TO US ALL...

WILL TRY to bump some more...
this 'message will repeat' for a bit, in the bumps...
:)

hope i am helping...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 24, 2014 - 07:07pm PT

Tony. the migrants are going off here as well. But you are going overseas, so minimal sympathy!!!!

Tomorrow I'm going after Clay-colored Sparrow, Blackburnian Warbler and Tennessee Warbler at Laguna Niguel. Of course the Blackburnian would be the gemstone, but only one has seen it.

Today I got a Pectoral Sandpiper for county year.

Migration rules. ....for birders....

Thanks Neebee, you are the greatest!

Red-billed Tropicbird???? That was our great failure on the pelagic.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 24, 2014 - 08:23pm PT

That's cool about the Pectoral. I love allaboutbirds.org's description of Pectoral vs Least:

Least Sandpiper is similarly marked, but half the size.

.

No bird photos, but his kind of summarizes a good part of my weekends:

Have fun in Sicily Tony. I don't know if it's the season, but: Hoopoes!!!!

What time in Spring are y'all thinking of for SE Az?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 24, 2014 - 08:41pm PT

Pretty female Western Tanager on the hike this morning. I think late May would be the best time to be in SE AZ. Let's do it.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 25, 2014 - 03:11am PT

Birds spammed! what an insult.
EDIT: spam messsage from davidpal was apparently posted to every thread on ST early this morning. It was promptly deleted by the forum watchdogs, for those who were lucky enough to miss it.

Pectoral Sandpiper was my newest yearlist addition as well Dave, just the day before yesterday. Added Upland Sandpiper and Gray-lined Hawk earlier that same day.

Late May sounds good for AZ. Where to go is also a question? Where did you guys go, Bob and Dave?

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

Sep 25, 2014 - 10:21am PT

Roadside sparrowhawk (?) in the Himalayan foothills this weekend, Pakistan

Lasti

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 26, 2014 - 09:46am PT

Lasti, beautiful 'whatever' hawk! You must have been two meters away with a 35mm!

This from CalBirds:

On possible invasions of R-t Pipits, Sharp-tld Sands, other Sibes--a

Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:28 am (PDT) . Posted by:

Greetings from the land of regular Red-throated Pipit migration in the
northern Bering Sea (Gambell), where I have been since mid-August and
will be for just one more week. This fall has been just "average" up
here for numbers of RTPIs, as it has been also farther south in the
Bering at St Paul. I mention this because since the early 1990s, there
has been a pretty strong correlation between the best years up here and
the several true "invasion" ; years of this species farther south in
California and Baja. Now, this certainly doesn't mean there won't be
Red-throats scattered around coastal CA, with a few possibly inland as
well, in something a little below or even a bit above the 'usual&# 39;
numbers. And, indeed there have already been birds at the Farallones and
San Mateo Co. and currently also four together in San Diego--all of
which are slightly early, but not overly so. Time will tell how it all
plays out. And despite the presence already of at least a couple
Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in n. CA (plus a very few in BC, WA, OR), it has
been only an average year (at best) here in the Bering for that species
as well, where it occurs in moderate numbers (juveniles). Such a close
correlation is not as clear in this species, so fall predictions for CA
will not be made by me! A good year for Bramblings, however. And
excellent for Asian strays in general.

I will add that there HAVE been several records of quality Asian
rarities already this fall at Middleton Island in the northern Gulf of
Alaska: Pacific (Fork-tailed) Swift, Yellow-browed Warbler,
Red-throated Pipit, Brambling, and a few shorebirds. Middleton is in the
Gulf, SSE of Anchorage, and so is WELL east or southeast of the Bering
Sea and should be a better bell-weather for what might occur in the
weeks ahead farther down the West Coast in BC, WA, OR, CA, and Baja.
Too soon to say whether that will translate in to any sort of "Siberian
Express" autumn and winter in CA, but it is nice to dream! The lower,
stronger branch of the jet stream has been running from Kamchatka, just
south of the Aleutians, and then dipping well to the south off the
Pacific Northwest.

Lastly, Black-legged Kittiwake breeding in much of Alaska is largely a
"boom or bust" scenario, and most recent years have been decidedly
busts. But, 2014 has been a huge BOOM at many, many sites across the
state. There are gobs of juveniles flying about. So we'll see if this
translates-- irrespective of oceanographic conditions-- to a sizable
flight to the south down the Pacific Coast this coming winter, or not...

--Paul Lehman (San Diego, usually)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 26, 2014 - 03:31pm PT

I went to:
Day 1: Madera Cyn. (3 spots), Paton's House, Camp Crittendon, Patagonia St. Pk.
Day 2: Patagonia St. Pk., Carr Cyn.
Day 3: Ramsey Cyn.,San Pedro Riparian, Ash Cyn B&B (with Bob)
Day 4: Huachuca Cyn., Kino Sprs., Patagonia St. Pk. (with Bob)
Day 5: Patagonia St. Pk., (with Bob), Paton's House, Camp Crittendon, Mt. Lemmon (2 spots)
Day 6: I hit 3 different spots on Mt. Lemmon

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Sep 26, 2014 - 05:48pm PT

I like these stupid exotics.

fluffy

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 26, 2014 - 05:49pm PT

What happened to Willoughby's post? Lasti's hawk isn't a Goshawk?
Sure looks like one but it didn't occur to me that they vacation in India.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Sep 26, 2014 - 05:57pm PT

Changed my mind. They have goshawks all over the northern hemisphere, but since it's toes looked so teeny, and it was so tame, proportions kinda off, and those eyes were so bright yellow still ... I don't know what it is. Never been to that part of the world, and I honestly don't even know what the options are. Some sort of sparrowhawk seems like a fine guess to me, probably even just plain ol' Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus, which definitely occur in Pakistan.

EDIT - looks like N. Goshawks do winter high parts of Pakistan and India, but I'm thinking Sparrowhawk is almost certainly it.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 26, 2014 - 08:26pm PT

A plump little Song Sparrow singing to me on my hike this morning.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Sep 27, 2014 - 09:30am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 27, 2014 - 07:16pm PT

Some from today...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 28, 2014 - 12:49pm PT

A few from today...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 28, 2014 - 07:52pm PT

I loved the tern shot StahlBro. As always: thanks to all of you for all the rest.

I had a weird wildlife experience this this last weekend. The bullet point summary was:

Decided to check out a new crag in Leavenworth.
* One closed road, several flag people stoppages on the way from Seattle and a side track to pick up shoes, got us up there 2hrs later than usual.
* Got lost on the way to the new crag.
* "screw it, we're at some crag, let's at least try a toprope". Set it up and start climbing, but:
* Wait there are all these giant brown wasps in ALL the cracks here, even dinky little incipient ones. A couple weeks ago I reacted rather strongly to yellow jacket stings, so, it is now 1:30P, we hadn't climbed a pitch yet, and we're retreating from this crag and don't know where we are.

But wait "churrrr*" and I see a cinnamon brown wren up on the cliff by a crack. I'm still not positive 'cause it didn't stick around for but a second and I never did hear its song but just the warning cry, but I think it was a Canyon Wren. OK: coloring made it Canyon and the "churrr*" suggested Rock, and I'm still not sure I would recognize a House Wren if it sat in front of me and said "I'm a 'House Wren'.

Nonetheless, that made the day for me. For bonus time, we actually went to some near-road crags. I top-roped some difficult for me climbs, and Mark lead a couple and it turned into a pretty good day.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Sep 29, 2014 - 07:22pm PT

Seattle today.

http://173.160.158.251/postings/2014-09-15-misc/wdpair.jpg

http://173.160.158.251/postings/2014-09-15-misc/croppedonlys.jpg

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Oct 1, 2014 - 03:50am PT

With all the spam this needs a bump...

Bird bump!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 1, 2014 - 01:09pm PT

Bump for the birds, a few from today.

john hansen

climber

Oct 1, 2014 - 09:07pm PT

Great photo's and adventure's.

I was looking thru some old photo's and found two that were never identified enough that I felt I could count them.

Hoping the experts here can confirm the ID.

These birds were both seen at Cottontail spring in JTNP, late April of 2013.

I think this one is a Calliope Hummingbird. It was the smallest Humming bird I ever saw. The white mark behind the eye seems to be very unique to the Calliope.

What you think?

The next one is a vireo. Timid top rope suggested Bells,, a bit more rare,, but..

It could be a Warbling Vireo.. it has the white patch underneath the eye. A bit more common... Either one would be a lifer for me., what you think?

Flying into San Francisco tomorrow night, going on a 4 hour pelagic / whale tour out of Moss landing on Sunday. Hoping to get a few lifers.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 2, 2014 - 01:25pm PT

John, hmmm,

The hummer has "wingtips that extend beyond the tail while at rest." That is consistent with Calliope (and only the Calliope) but I'm not seeing the "thin white line over gape" which should be pretty obvious. There might be a hint of it there, I'm not sure.

With the Vireo a look at the wing bars would help. It might be a fairly pale Warbling Vireo but the ones I'm seeing down here have a bit more of a yellow wash on the flanks. Hard to say.

Hopefully one of the true experts will chime in.

Good luck on the pelagic. Got the Dramamine squared away?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 2, 2014 - 01:41pm PT

John, I have to agree that it looks a Calliope based on the wing length and
white spot behind the eye. The only thing I'm not seeing is enough spotting
on the throat but it is fall so maybe it's a juvenile male. That would
explain the lack of buffiness on the flanks and belly.

As for yer 'Bells' it is definitely not with that broad of a supercilium,
the bill looks to thick/long, the whole bird looks too small, and the head
doesn't have the roundy Bells/Huttons look. I concur with Warbling.

BTW, I'm not the expert Dee is waiting for. His name is Willoughby. ;-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 2, 2014 - 09:37pm PT

I keep stiking out on the Blackburnian Warbler.

Wednesday they called me saying they had it, I was 2 hours away in Hemet. I went straight there and couldn't find it. I was ready to give up and then found this Red-naped Sapsucker (for county year). I got re-psyched and stayed another 2 hours. I had a pretty dang good park list at that point.

I was just about to leave when another birder showed up. I stayed with him for another 25 minutes and left. He found it 30 minutes later.

Today the same thing happened. I was there for 2 hours combing the most likely areas. It was windy, hot and very un-birdy. I needed to go to the gym (rock climbing- Rockreation) and left. It was found less than an hour later.FFUU###!!

At least the climbing was fun...and the IPA's were good after.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 3, 2014 - 09:47am PT

Green Heron on the hunt this morning near Taos, NM.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 4, 2014 - 12:19pm PT

WHEE HOO, I GOT IT!

Blackburnian Warbler

(sorry about the focus)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 4, 2014 - 12:37pm PT

*Like!*

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 4, 2014 - 01:10pm PT

Big time score, Dee!!!!!!! Extra marks for persistence!

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Oct 4, 2014 - 03:04pm PT

Dee ee, it is always fantastic to see a bird after looking for it repeatedly. Good job!

crusher

climber

Santa Monica, CA

Oct 4, 2014 - 05:21pm PT

And the African Penguin

john hansen

climber

Oct 5, 2014 - 07:06pm PT

Here are some from the last few days.

Fun to be back on the Mainland.

Bodega Bay and Moss Landing.

Elegant Tern

Killdeer

[photoid=380956]

Thayer's Gull

Kestrel

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 5, 2014 - 07:35pm PT

Awesome stuff! Love the bird Crusher! More?

john hansen

climber

Oct 5, 2014 - 07:50pm PT

Mystery bird of the day.

There was a Yellow throat in the same bush but this does not look like a female YT.

Been looking thru the Warblers.. Nothing yet.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 5, 2014 - 08:15pm PT

A first-winter male, John.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 6, 2014 - 11:29am PT

This weekend was pretty good for birding. After getting the Blackburnian (lifer)on Sat. I got a Clay-colored Sparrow at San Joaquin WS and a Canada Warbler at a private residence in HB for county year. Unfortunately my camera died after I got the Canada shots and I lost them. It was a juvy female.

Here is the Clay-colored Sparrow.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Oct 6, 2014 - 03:09pm PT

Congrats on the Blackbrnian Dave!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 6, 2014 - 03:19pm PT

Thanks Rob. I got an insane adrenaline rush when I spotted it. I have never had a reaction like that before. I was trying to point it out to Kimberley and I was shaking like a leaf!

I was wrong about the camera dying. I got one bad photo worth sharing. It was through a glass window so....My hosts didn't want to open the sliding glass door lest it scare them all away. There were maybe 12 Mourning Doves, 9 White-crowned Sparrows, a couple of OC Warblers, a couple Lesser's (Goldfinches) and the Canada.

Canada Warbler in HB backyard

The folks that live in this house have the most amazing yard list with a huge variety of warblers over the years including Ovenbird and Northern Waterthrush.
There is something special about Huntington Beach and birds.

john hansen

climber

Oct 6, 2014 - 08:04pm PT

Dee ee great bird, I know I was freaking out when I saw some of the rare Hawaiian birds. Buck fever.

I went on a whale watching tour out of Moss landing. Saw some Common Murre's and one lifer, Black vented Shearwater.

Next time I go for pelagic's I will go on a boat that chums for birds.

A few of the passengers were "chumming" quite regularly...I can't think of anything worse then being seasick for a four hour tour.

.

Here are two birds I got photos of from pretty far off.

I am thinking the first one might be a Jaeger , perhaps a Parasitic?
Any Jaeger would be a lifer for me.

The next one has a weird bill, hooked , sort of like a Frigate bird.

No Idea... .

I hope you all enjoy these ID questions. That's how this thread got started.

Thank's for the help.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 6, 2014 - 11:59pm PT

John

Both look like Pink-footed Shearwater.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 7, 2014 - 03:19am PT

Hi John,

sounds like you're making the most of your travel adventure.

I'd agree with Tony on the bird in flight as Pink-footed Shearwater. Do you have any other photos of that bird?

The bird on the water is a Black-vented Shearwater. They can get real blond/faded heads this time of year, and thin all dark bill differs from stouter dark-tipped, light-based bill of Pink-footed.

keep at it, and have fun.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 7, 2014 - 06:22am PT

Great stuff Dee and John, when on a great hike above the Taos Ski Valley and got this Blue/ Dusky Grouse
Same deal for me as I couldn't get my long lens out quick enough. The aspens were peaking and just amazing.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 7, 2014 - 03:16pm PT

I got a long look at a first winter Lapland Longspur on the commute home last night, but sorry, I didn't have a camera. It's coloring seemed more Smith's-like, but I didn't see any sign of the white outer tail feathers and remember thinking it had a heavy bill. Lapland are A LOT more common around here, so Lapland*. In any case it was a cool looking bird and a lifer since I've been paying attention.

Beautiful colors on the Canada Warbler!!! And BdA, that's neat to get the grouse photo at all.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 7, 2014 - 03:58pm PT

I stand corrected on John’s second shearwater photo. The bill is all wrong for Pink-footed. The 2-3 Black-vented that I have seen have much more contrast, more like Manx. Good to have little z and Willoughby to keep us honest.

We are now traveling in Siciily for the birds wine, food and archeology. We first had a couple days on the coast near Rome. Some new birds there. Italian Sparrow replace the House Sparrows of northern Europe. Spanish Sparrows replace those in Sicily.

Yellow-legged Gulls are the first of 4 possible new ones.

We spent a day at the fantastic ruins of Ostica Antica, the ancient harbor for Rome. There were some good birds there, including Eurasian Jay, Long-tailed Tits and one lifer, Short-toed Treecreeper. There was also a large flock of Monk Parakeets. Sorry, no photos.

The first few days in Sicily have seen a lot of rain, but some more good birds, with many more to come. Internet access is a bit spotty, but here a few.

john hansen

climber

Oct 7, 2014 - 07:05pm PT

Thanks for the help on the shearwaters. Here are a few from the last few days.

House Finch. Bodega bay.

Kinglet Auburn Ca Edit: YC Warbler Thanks for pointing that out.

White Headed Woodpecker , Lake Tahoe.

Black chinned Hummer, Sebastapol Ca. Edit: Anna's ,I see the difference now.

perswig

climber

Oct 7, 2014 - 07:58pm PT

The thread that keeps on giving. Thanks, folks!

Dale

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 8, 2014 - 10:02am PT

John,
I think that Kinglet is an Orange-crowned Warbler and the hummer is an Anna's.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 8, 2014 - 11:46am PT

Tony, I'll be there Wednesday, we should cercare per uccelli!
Roma 15-17 ottobre
Sorrento 18-19

Curve-billed Thrasher (AZ)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 8, 2014 - 02:12pm PT

Reilly,

Will you be in Sicily?

Here's our schedule:
Oct 9-11 - Hotel il Cortile in Custonaci, near Marsala
Oct 12-14 Hotel Residenza Petra in Petralia Soprana in Madonie region
Oct 15-17 -Casale del Feudo in Randazzo, Etna region

We are traveling with the top Italy birding guide, Andrea Corso. He is a delight and a font of naturalist info.

PM me if you will be in Sicily in that time frame. Today we saw 46 Ferruginous Ducks and visited the amazing temple at Arigento.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 8, 2014 - 02:27pm PT

Tony, alas, the closest we'll be to Sicily is Amalfi.
I grew up in Chicago so I figured I didn't need to go to Sicily.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 8, 2014 - 09:32pm PT

^^^ grinning and nice birding all above.

I got a photo(!), but this isn't the same bird that I saw two days ago. Now I'm thinking the first MIGHT have been a Smith's. On the first I just didn't see the white belly and it's pretty obvious here.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 9, 2014 - 02:34pm PT

Gray Jay feeding it's young, Yellowstone Visitor Center a few weeks ago...
;-)

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 9, 2014 - 02:35pm PT

Reilly,

Oh well, enjoy your trip. Our Sicily experience is way different from the American version. Of course we are staying away from cities and visitng the countryside and wild areas.

Here ar a couple more birds seen lately:

We have just gotten to a birdier part of Sicily in the west. Tomorrow we go to the Trapani salt pans, hwere we should see thousands of flamingos and more waders.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 9, 2014 - 05:15pm PT

Brass Nuts, is that a freeze-dried worm the Gray Jay is feeding its youngun?

Darwin, the above is certainly a Lapland. Also note the stouter bill than
a Smith's and Smith's has more white on the outer tail feathers, much less
strongly streaked flanks and, of course, the overall buffier look.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 9, 2014 - 05:33pm PT

Brass Nuts, is that a freeze-dried worm the Gray Jay is feeding its youngun?

I think it ripped out and is holding the tongue of the youngun by its recoiled look. Any squirrel-ass-packers out there that care to comment?

Darwin - nice score on the Lapland Longspur. Was that out at Magnuson or at the fill? Would be a lifer for me. I only have one longspur species, McCown's, that I saw on my first trip out west, just outside Laramie WY. That was in 1971, and I remember we camped in Vedauwoo the night before (had my life N. Goshawk blast through camp). This was before I even started climbing, but I thought it was a super cool place even back then.

Smith's in Washington would be a super rarity. There's only one report in eBird, which says it was the state record, from Aug. 30, 2006, but it was from the Seattle area (Marymoor Park). So, anything is possible, but you'd want to be sure about that one.

Thanks for the international share Tony. Reilly, the gauntlet has been thrown (or whatever they do in Italy). You're up next.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 9, 2014 - 07:29pm PT

I'm crying from laughing over here!!!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 9, 2014 - 08:43pm PT

What Crimpie said ^^^

LittleZ, it was Montlake Fill, aka Union Bay Natural Area (*on my afternoon commute!*), but one/two have been seen at Magnuson. I'm just ruminating about the "Smith's", ok and cursing myself for not having my camera with me.

And the Buteo Buteo Buteo and Greater Flamingos were so effing too cool Tony. I still have to go over the little ones.

ps: there have been hints of Smith's around the area.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 10, 2014 - 03:04pm PT

From the Fill the last few days:

Unusual look of a common bird

The ones below aren't that common on Lake Washington, not like in the SF Bay.

Find the birdie:

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 10, 2014 - 05:42pm PT

I kick up Long-eared Owls with a fair bit of regularity, but have never, in all my years chasing birds, gotten one to pose for me when I had my camera ... 'til yesterday.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 10, 2014 - 06:03pm PT

Wow! Major stinkeye! Nice!

So 10b4me and I were out yesterday and I'm happy to report I got him a lifer!
Then we were watching a large herd of Bushtits in a tree and I whipped out
my new JBL bluetooth speaker and iBird and set those doods off! Within 5 seconds there
were like 30 or so of 'em giving me major stinkeye, and major verbal abuse,
from like 4' away! It was totally Hitchcockian, but more in a Mr Rogers sort of way.
I thought a few of 'em were gonna land on the speaker!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 10, 2014 - 09:36pm PT

Owl stinkeye - eggzellent! Just getting around to editing some birdie shots from mid/late summer...

john hansen

climber

Oct 10, 2014 - 11:49pm PT

Those are some great shot's Dave. Pretty slim birding on the east side but got a few. No pic's worth posting , but got a, American Avocet, Bewick's wren and Brown Creeper today.

About 80 for the trip , so far.

You guys are hard to keep up with, but I will keep posting my questionable ID photos here.

Aloha

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 11, 2014 - 08:26am PT

Eared Grebe

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 11, 2014 - 09:19am PT

BN, the Lazuli and the backlit Cordilleran are BIG TIME!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 11, 2014 - 10:01am PT

Great stuff/photos above.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 11, 2014 - 11:01am PT

Beautiful stuff for sure. Cool owl! Owls are always so cool to see.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 11, 2014 - 12:56pm PT

It was totally Hitchcockian, but more in a Mr Rogers sort of way

you're killin' me Reilly

saw this today, which was totally Hitchcockian, period. Especially once there were about 25 of them. There was armadillo sauce flyin' everywhere

now that I've posted a bird photo, I can get on to the real treat of the day, which was a bonus taxa. Had a Grison pop out of the grass on the roadside this morning right next to me. I stood still and he got to within about 10 feet of me before he figured out I might be too much trouble to subdue and slinked off again. The funniest part was that just seconds later this fat little Rice Rat goes bouncing across the road. Saved! I got out my camera and was able to get the Grison back by kissing the back of my hand to make squeaky noises - a good trick for calling in predators of all sorts (like hawks, especially Accipiters - there, back to birds again).

great photos everyone.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 11, 2014 - 01:06pm PT

I'm going out on a limb here and will assume that Grison don't give a sh#t.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 11, 2014 - 03:49pm PT

^^Exactly my thought Reilly!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 11, 2014 - 04:47pm PT

Wow, that Grison is cool, never heard of them. It looks like a bad-ass Wolverine.

Birds, I love BN's Gray Catbird. That was a one day wonder this year in OC. Only one guy saw and got a photo. We were all over the park a couple hours after the sighting and until days later. There is one at Chiriaco Summit right now that the Inland Empire dudes are all excited about. I might have to go.

Bob, great Marsh Wren! That is a hard bird to get a good shot of!

Willoughby, that is a great Long-eared shot. That is one of my current goals but the recent wildfire in Silverado closed access to the best LEOW spot until 7/2015. I may have to hike up and bivvy in another location that I suspect is good for all owls, Yager Mesa. It is one of the only old growth areas left in the Santa Anas, never been burnt or logged.

MH2

climber

Oct 11, 2014 - 05:35pm PT

Birds. Winner of Best ST neighborhood, 2014.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 11, 2014 - 05:49pm PT

^^ 100% agreement here with that sentiment!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 11, 2014 - 06:11pm PT

There are no bad-vibes on the Bird thread.

How lucky are we?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 11, 2014 - 07:38pm PT

Really cool Little Z ...edit...Prairie Falcon on the way to Colorado today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 12, 2014 - 08:13am PT

The only thing better than one Long Eared Owl would be two Long Eared Owls.

Took this in PA last winter.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 13, 2014 - 08:17am PT

Young Common Black Hawk, Bosque del Apache, southern NM.

john hansen

climber

Oct 13, 2014 - 07:01pm PT

I believe this is a Juvenile Sharp shinned Hawk.

And here is another one I hope might be a jaeger. Salton sea, chasing a gull and diving down while the gull kept going.

And while we are on the ID trail..

How about this one, Cactus wren? Some type of Thrasher?

Fall is much different from Spring,,

Thanks for the help.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 14, 2014 - 03:03pm PT

Here are a few shots from our last few days in Sicily. We are now staying on the flanks of Mt. Etna. hope to see some more mountain birds over the next two days. Tonight we finally managed to see a Eurasian Scops Owl in flight after hearing many of them.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 14, 2014 - 05:30pm PT

Nice Tony, love that Kingfisher.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 14, 2014 - 06:00pm PT

excellant stuff Tony. Thanks for posting up while you're in the thick of it.

John, for your id requests:

I'd say Coop for that Accipiter on the utility pole: it has pretty stout legs and a head that looks pretty big relative to body size.

Sure looks and sounds like a jaeger, but I can't nail the species. The second photo hints at Long-tailed with the thin wings and lack of prominent white primnary shafts. Have to mull that one a bit.

Last one is a Rock Wren.

Also, while I'm in the "id prick" mode, Brassnuts, that Cordilleran Flycatcher looks a lot like an Eastern Phoebe.

thanks to all, and keep it comin'

john hansen

climber

Oct 14, 2014 - 07:34pm PT

Great shots Tony.

Thanks for the help Little Z. I am only on the Mainland a few weeks a year so not real good with ID's. That's why I take a lot of crappy photo's with the hope I get something.. glad you agree that it is most likely a Jaeger.

And a rock wren in a hole in the rock at JTNM. Makes sense. I have only seen one other, they are pretty big compared to most wrens except the Cactus.

Here is a Northern Harrier. I saw him fly off and the white on the tail was obvious.

And a Loggerhead Shrike

Blue Grey Gnat actcher

Great tailed Grackle

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 14, 2014 - 07:48pm PT

Great stuff Tony and John...looks like you two are having a great trip.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 14, 2014 - 07:57pm PT

Hey John,

I see on eBird that there were some recent sightings for Parasitic Jaeger from the southeast corner of the Salton Sea (though none have posted photos). Nothing recent for Long-tailed. You might want to post those photos and some details about your sighting to one of the California bird forums (dee ee, or other cali folks can you help him out with web links)? I'm sure you'd get a definative answer. Anywyas, it's a good bird (if it is indeed a jaeger, and not something like a Heermann's Gull?) and it'd be worth getting the data out there.

The hawk above is an adult Swainson's Hawk. Like a N. Harrier, it also has pale uppertail coverts and flies with it's wings held in a V, or dihedral (I think only birders and climbers actually use the word "dihedral").

Looks like you're having a killer trip.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 14, 2014 - 08:14pm PT

Tony shoots ... and scores. Those were wonderful photos, and a Spanish Sparrow? I might have a new nickname.

Swainson's Hawk would be a cool as heck bird for me, John.

Thanks to all above.

john hansen

climber

Oct 14, 2014 - 08:30pm PT

Ok Z thanks again, I am learning a lot, will work on posting the photo's of the jaegear on e bird.

Swainson's is a great bird, though I have seen them at Mendota SWR, aka the most littered sh#t hole of a refuge in Ca.

Here is one more for you, . I won't even try to call this one , just a mile or two from where I saw the Swainson's. Near the Colorado river on Highway 78 between Brawly and Blyth ,, a lovely drive if you don't mind the dust and the Nazi , Border Patrol checkpoints... Lots of Hawks.

Hawks ,Gulls ,and Sparrow's. Trying to get better.

Tomorrow a trip up Mt Lemmon and a stop at Sabino canyon on the way back.

Going to spend Thursday night at the Santa Rita lodge in Madera canyon.

A little late for Hummers but hoping for the best. Hopefully all this monsoon rain has held some birds around.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 14, 2014 - 08:40pm PT

John, another Swainson's, this one an immature.

Let us know if you hear back on that jaeger-thing. It's got me stumped. Would be nice to hear other, more informed, opinions.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 14, 2014 - 09:23pm PT

I'm just looking on my phone, but the "jaeger" looks to me like a juv Herring Gull chasing a smaller species. I'll chime back in if I change my mind after viewing on a bigger screen.

Agreed on the Swainson's and Cooper's above.

And the only thing better than two Long-eared Owls, is two Long-eared Owls in the hand. Plucked these youngsters out of a willow and banded them at a site on Wilson Creek, near Mono Lake, back in the late 90s.

john hansen

climber

Oct 14, 2014 - 09:29pm PT

I am just glad you guys take the time to look at some of my photo,s, and help me with an ID. Thank's Willoughby and Little Z and every one else who chime's in.

Aloha.

A bird in the hand.....

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 15, 2014 - 12:30pm PT

John, I'd go with Will's id as a juv Herring Gull, rather than a jaeger. Sorry for the confusion, and wishful thinking, on my part.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 15, 2014 - 12:39pm PT

I agree, awesome, Willoughby

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 15, 2014 - 01:01pm PT

Regarding John's gull/jaeger, how about Heermann's Gull? Their behavior is often jaeger-like. It looks like they are only occasional, but regular at Salton Sea. The tail doesn't look right for a jaeger and no white flashes in the outer primaries. It seems dark for a Herring Gull, but that could just be the lighting.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 15, 2014 - 05:59pm PT

Hey Tony, are you back from Italy?

The tail doesn't look right for a jaeger and no white flashes in the outer primaries

How true, a fact I conveniently overlooked, dooo!

I thought about Heermann's too, but like Will's call on that bird. Looking at John's 2nd photo it all seems to be there for a juv Herring : upper wing with dark outer primaries and lighter panel at base of inner primaries, darker trailing edge (secondaries), dark tail with lighter rump. Heermann's (juv) would be more uniformly dark, John's bird seems to show too much contrast on wing and rump/tail, and looks lighter underneath as well.

sorry for getting all bird nerdy, here's a photo to appease:

Yellow-backed Oriole, appeared for the first time in Costa Rica today. There are populations to the north of here (Mexico to Nicacargua) and south (Panama into N. S. Am.) but somehow Costa Rica was skipped, until now! New target bird.

healyje

Trad climber

Portland, Oregon

Oct 15, 2014 - 06:25pm PT

Hawk downs drone

Very smart 'maker' without corporate resources pulls off flapping wings bird drone

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Oct 15, 2014 - 07:55pm PT

wow - some fabulous photos of great birds in the last few pages.

john hansen

climber

Oct 15, 2014 - 08:11pm PT

I love being Bird and Nerdy....cue Weird Al.

Thanks for the help, I will go with the Herring gull.

Here are a few from today at Sabino Canyon and Mt Lemmon.

Taking picture's at the feeder's feels a bit like cheating but,,,

Broad Billed Hummer.

phainopepla

Mexican jay

Red Naped Sapsucker

Not sure about this one , maybe a female?

Staying at the Santa Rita Inn tomorrow down in Madera Canyon tomorrow night. Should be fun.

EDIT: Dee ee I would love to see a Magnificent...

Might be too late for this year,,

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 15, 2014 - 08:26pm PT

I think the Broad-billed Hummer is (maybe) the most colorful! It's hard to beat the "Mag" though!

Great shot John!

That last one strikes me like an Anna's. Dark breast, pink feathers on neck and head.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 15, 2014 - 08:36pm PT

I/we got a great one today in our Fall eastern Warbler surprise. It was an Northern Parula. I missed one last year and one 3 weeks ago. It was a sweet lifer. There were 8 of us at the end when Beckey first spotted it.

Stoked!

It was way at the top of the tree so shots a little fuzzy.

Later we went, we were all high from the NOPA, to try for a Black-throated Green Warbler. No go.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Oct 15, 2014 - 08:40pm PT

I think those "pheasant tail feathers" are really from a Bird of Paradise, maybe the ribbon tailed?

I stand corrected. Thanks for sharing the information.

john hansen

climber

Oct 15, 2014 - 08:41pm PT

Good stuff Dee.. wish I could make it to the OC. Maybe next time.

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Oct 15, 2014 - 08:51pm PT

this is another proud and awesome side of ST.
that I have no where to sing its praises reminds my of the fact that the mainstreaming of climbing though the marketing of the endeavor as,' for everyone', has pushed the eclectic
community that was so welcoming to so many of us who did not, or did not want to fit in
has been pushed into dusty corners.(maybe the same location as always?)
The gym rats and the rest of the throng are poor quality
hiers to the once colorful and diversely rich history. Wine tasting and bird talk at the Uberfall
the Eldo parking lot, JB's saxophone in the Buttermilks/east side,driving in and camping at the head of the canyons in red rocks... all memories that while dating me are so much of what
was a part of the whole. thanks for the awesomeness and I know change is the only thing that is constant. sad pointless rant thank you again.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 15, 2014 - 08:51pm PT

Healyje - saw that hawk attacking the drone the other day on Zite. A wise person made the following comment there:

Hawks will just knock your drone out of the sky. Golden eagles will grab them and fly away with them. And crows will intercept them, reprogram them, and send them back to hunt down and destroy their operators.

healyje

Trad climber

Portland, Oregon

Oct 15, 2014 - 09:18pm PT

little Z - that's hilarious...!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Oct 16, 2014 - 02:24pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 16, 2014 - 03:46pm PT

Mystery bird. Bad view, bad unedited photo.

Anyone have any idea?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 16, 2014 - 03:52pm PT

john hansen

climber

Oct 16, 2014 - 07:28pm PT

Dee ee , what's the Hawk?

Got a few today, here is a Gila woodpecker.

And maybe another Swainsons hawk? White above the bill.

Cactus wren

One of the people watching the Hummers at the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera canyon said he thought this one was a Magnificent Hummingbird.

He sure look's big compared to that Anna's.

Magnificent on right , Anna's on the left.

I am ready to be shot down on this one...

And a cool shot of a big Grasshopper that was on the hood of my car.

Had to be 2 3/4 inches long if not 3.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 16, 2014 - 08:18pm PT

John, it's a Red-shouldered Hawk. They have a distinctive call that I'd been hearing for a couple days before and then there it is! He dominates that part of the park lately. I saw it again yesterday while looking for the Black-throated Green Warbler.

Yeah, the "Mag" is big! I can't tell from the back though. We did have both male and female while I was at Madera.

john hansen

climber

Oct 16, 2014 - 08:58pm PT

Man, hawks are almost as tough as Gull's. Not to mention Hummers...Good Fun.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Oct 17, 2014 - 01:09pm PT

This Raven or perhaps Crow has the mouth of a wharehouse man, LOL
[Click to View YouTube Video]

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 17, 2014 - 02:06pm PT

We left Sicily today, spending the night in Rome, then heading home with a brief stopover in Oslo. Here are a few birds from the last couple of days.

We saw some flocks of Common Crossbills on Mt. Etna. These are quitte distinct from the other European populations and could become a new species or subspecies.

The most recent eruption of Mt. Etna was in July-August, but we saw much ash being spewed.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Oct 17, 2014 - 06:26pm PT

On Saturday, October 11, 2014, the fifth annual Kenai National Wildlife Refuge BIG SIT, co-hosted by the refuge and the Keen Eye Birders, lasted from 8:00AM to 5:30PM at the Lower Skilak Lake Boat Launch Campground. Four adults and 6 children scanned lake, forest, and sky for birds. An early morning low of 38 F was recorded as well as an afternoon high of 43 F. A cold but moderate rain at the start ended by 10:00AM. Skies were completely overcast all day long but there was a noticeable lightening of the skies during the middle of the day. Conditions were windless until 4:00PM when a 15 MPH wind developed from the southwest and continued through the remainder of the survey. A total of 29 species were observed from the 17' count circle. Four species were recorded for the first time. The most notable sighting was of two light phase Rough-legged Hawks flying north across the lake. A lone harbor seal was observed. * Denotes new count species.
10 Trumpeter Swan
30 Mallard
220 Greater Scaup
16 White-winged Scoter*
12 Bufflehead
26 Common Goldeneye
2 Common Merganser
40 Red-breasted Merganser
3 Common Loon
1 Horned Grebe
1 Double-crested Cormorant
15 Bald Eagle
2 Rough-legged Hawk*
35 Bonaparte’s Gull
2 Mew Gull
10 Herring Gull
3 Glaucous-winged Gull
1 Belted Kingfisher*
1 Hairy Woodpecker
1 American Three-toed Woodpecker
5 Gray Jay
5 Black-billed Magpie
2 Common Raven
10 Boreal Chickadee
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
1 Varied Thrush*
1 Rusty Blackbird
60 White-winged Crossbill
55 Common Redpoll

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 18, 2014 - 10:37am PT

Great list Cyndie! There are 6 that would have been lifers for me.

Owls are cool.

Yesterday.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 18, 2014 - 10:47am PT

Earlier this year.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 18, 2014 - 11:10am PT

Owls are cool, and rule.

Cyndie, hats off for promoting envirnmental education for the next generation! I think like dee ee does, 3 of those species would be lifers for me. So how did you decide on a 17' count circle? You'd be in trouble if you had fifty people show up to count!

Any action (or inaction, in this case) photos?

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Oct 18, 2014 - 01:16pm PT

Wonderful photos, Dave!
Owls are cool!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 18, 2014 - 02:00pm PT

Remember me? I saw some Bee-eaters at Pompeii today.
My initial jet-lagged reaction when they flew by was:
"Hey! Look! Parrots!"

Sorry, no pics.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 18, 2014 - 09:16pm PT

307 - Prairie Falcon.

so , dee ee, is it lonely at the top?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 18, 2014 - 10:35pm PT

little Z, I'll let you know on Dec. 31.................maybe!

That Prairie Falcon was a godsend (no religious interpretation intended)! I was at Irvine Park doing my semi-regular Zone-tailed Hawk check.

Jeff will be hard to beat, he birds twice as much. We were both over looking for a Swamp Sparrow today......maybe tomorrow morning. There were a couple other good birds there (Harriet Wieder Park), a Red-breasted Sapsucker and a Green-tailed Towhee (only the second one I've seen this year). That park also recently hosted a Vesper Sparrow and a Clay-colored Sparrow. Earlier this year there was a male American Redstart there, good stuff. Last year a Tropical Kingbird.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 19, 2014 - 03:58pm PT

Yikes, that is scary!

From today. No Swamp Sparrow.

Merlin

AMWI

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 19, 2014 - 07:05pm PT

Great stuff Dee, I spend the day climbing and then to the Monte. Vista NMR, the cranes are back for a short stay.

john hansen

climber

Oct 19, 2014 - 07:12pm PT

Dee ee 307 for the year in OC.. impressive.

Beat's my life list.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 19, 2014 - 07:26pm PT

Giving me the stink eye.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 20, 2014 - 04:00pm PT

Swan geese along the Rio Grande?

Townsend's Solitaire

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 20, 2014 - 04:11pm PT

A few more pics from mid/late summer...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 20, 2014 - 04:46pm PT

^^^ Nice photos B.N. All birds that I know pretty well, but photos let me see the details. Thanks for the Solitare photo, too, Bob. and of course the GT Towee and Sapsucker photos. ... the list goes on and on.

ps: I've only see a Cassin's Finch once that I know of, so that one was special.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Oct 20, 2014 - 08:09pm PT

I went down to Homer over the weekend and birded along the beaches. I saw a group of about 100 Harlequin Ducks, White-winged Scoters, Marbled Murrelets, about 20 Common Loons, Bald Eagles, Ravens, Northwestern Crows, 400-500 Red-necked Grebes, Horned Puffins, Pelagic Cormorants, Black-legged and Red-legged Kittiwakes, Mew Gulls, Herring Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Glaucous Gulls and a Snow Bunting. It was a great weekend.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 21, 2014 - 01:18pm PT

Cyndie, Dee, John and Brass...really great photos.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet on the hike today.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 21, 2014 - 05:03pm PT

great stuff folks.

In light of recent thread nuking, I spent a wonderful couple of hours last night looking over old posts on this thread (between posts 1000-2000, more or less). Amazing, entertaining and educating content and photos. Every now and then I ran across breaks in the thread where former posts had been deleted. Can only guess at what I missed. Sure hope the thread stays intact from here on out. My hope is to read through the whole thing. I'd encourage anyone to give it a go (unless you're among the original dozen or so contributors who are still adding content and who probably remember all that has transpired here).

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 21, 2014 - 09:00pm PT

Bob, that Kinglet looks like he's thinkin' about flaring his crown. You mighta' been pissing him off.

2 birds top on my OC need list, Townsend's Solitaire and Pine Siskin!

Hey, what's up with Swan Geese? I had 2 this year and they were only accepted as domestic. What is the deal?

Great shots BN, Bob and Cyndie. BN, we have been missing you.

Yesterday.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 22, 2014 - 03:36pm PT

I have to stop checking this thread for a day more often. Harlequins just make me happy. Could this be a Lesser Goldfinch? Note this is in Seattle where they usually aren't, but a few have been seen in general area recently. I'm prepared for the answer of "f' no". The color seems pretty accurate w.r.t. what I saw through the binocs, [edit] although what made me bring out the camera was that it looked greener backed and smaller(fwiw) than the ones I normally see here[edit]. Taken through a window on a dark rainy day(surprises never cease)

I can provide the raw image, too. ... .
[edit] Actually after looking at the Natl.Geo. Guide, I'm swinging back to American and not Lesser. I looked at the big Sibley first.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 22, 2014 - 04:43pm PT

Nice pictures up page all, like the Alaskan birdies and Kinglet :-)

Darwin, I would put my money on a female American Goldfinch.

Here's a shot I got in Yellowstone last month - 3 warblers at once!!!
Couldn't resist ;-) Carry on...

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 22, 2014 - 06:33pm PT

I have to agree with BN. Those wingbars say American Goldfinch to me......but then, I have had a couple.

3 warblers in one view...wow.

john hansen

climber

Oct 22, 2014 - 07:50pm PT

It has been very slim pickings the last week.

Been to the Grand Canyon, Zion , Las Vegas, now in Bishop.

Seems everywhere I stop, not a peep..

Had this one a week or so ago at the Santa Rita Inn at Madera canyon.

Thinking maybe Rofus?

Maybe it's just the back lighting.

Lots of Red Naped sapsuckers, and WH Nuthatches, a titmouse or two and lots of ravens. I did see a Turkey in Zion.

Too late for warblers, too early for ducks. Gonna try Grey Lodge next week
and see if anything show's up, then back to Monterey bay for a couple day's before I fly out.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 22, 2014 - 07:57pm PT

BN, that Wilson's Warbler looks like a yella to me. At least on my phone. Also, all the Dendroica are now Setophaga. Just sayin', don't believe everything you read (note: this policy can be applied to stop signs, too).

PS - Darwin's bird is definitely an American

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 22, 2014 - 08:59pm PT

thanks y'all! I'm blaming it on desire and the stormy light turning everything greener. In my defense, I think that I eventually arrived at the correct conclusion on my own during the course of the post. Maybe.

Tony Brake quoting someone else: "SIZE IS NOT A FIELD MARK" then paraphrasing: relative size might be, obviously. And yes, I too saw that big buttery wing bar but just chose to ignore it.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Oct 22, 2014 - 09:27pm PT

More excellent examples of why the Bird thread is the best on the taco! Lots of laughing over here!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 24, 2014 - 08:34am PT

This guy was giving me the stinkeye while birding a couple of months ago in the front range. Good looking teeth eh?
A few more late summer Boulder birds...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 24, 2014 - 12:46pm PT

Great shots above Dave...slim pickings around Taos lately.

A few from today's hike.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 24, 2014 - 06:01pm PT

Bob/Dave, did you guys agree on a bug themed post?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Oct 24, 2014 - 08:59pm PT

Good idea DE, more bugz!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Oct 25, 2014 - 04:27pm PT

BN
That guy says, hmmmmmm, people, tastes like rattlesnake!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 25, 2014 - 05:15pm PT

Continuing the bird-bug theme:

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 25, 2014 - 05:21pm PT

^^^ Tony; I give up. What is it? Maybe if you gave us country or continent.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 25, 2014 - 05:28pm PT

Africa

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 25, 2014 - 06:58pm PT

Keeping the theme going.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 25, 2014 - 07:13pm PT

I'm flailing: babbler?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 25, 2014 - 07:14pm PT

Purple/Rufous-crowned Roller?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 25, 2014 - 07:24pm PT

Tony, I don't have my Africa field guide handy, well actually, I don't own one!

Bugs?

Kinda' like a bug.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 25, 2014 - 10:18pm PT

Willoughby got it right (of course). This is a scan of a slide from Masai Mara, Kenya. I had hoped to see the European Roller in Sicily, but no dice.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 26, 2014 - 11:26am PT

Cool shot Dee and awesome bird Tony.

A Black-capped Chickadee and Red Tail Hawk on the hike today.

john hansen

climber

Oct 26, 2014 - 05:25pm PT

Staying with the theme for this page

john hansen

climber

Oct 26, 2014 - 06:42pm PT

A few from today

Tundra Swan,, only one, could be an escapee.

Not good with hawks...Red shouldered?

Met a group of birders in Bodega bay. They said they had seen a Red Necked Grebe near where we were. I think this is the bird.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Oct 26, 2014 - 08:11pm PT

Kasilof Beach today, 10/26, incoming tide. It was chilly, around 35 degrees. I saw mallards in two groups of about 30 males with a few females scattered in, scaup and this lone surf scoter.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 26, 2014 - 10:45pm PT

John,

I'd say that looks like a Horned Grebe in its confusing transition plumage. Note the white tip on the bill.

Here is what a Red-necked Grebe might look like now - stouter,slightly downcurved, yellow-based bill and different head shape:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 27, 2014 - 07:24am PT

Brewer's Sparrow.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 27, 2014 - 08:21pm PT

I'm thinking Common Black Hawk???

Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache, today.

Snow Geese.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 27, 2014 - 08:52pm PT

13 hours at Chevron El Segundo....I got nothing'.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 27, 2014 - 09:04pm PT

Bummer Dee, the Bosque was a little slow too.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Oct 27, 2014 - 09:12pm PT

Bob,

How about juvenile Harris's Hawk? I'm going on the rufous in the wings and white undertail.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 27, 2014 - 11:13pm PT

Tony, you could be right, way north for them.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Oct 28, 2014 - 12:09am PT

A couple of Grey crowned rosy finches

Some golden eagles flying by.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 28, 2014 - 03:11pm PT

I was working out in the banana desert the other day

As bad as it looks for birds there is actually some habitat for aquatic birds inside the plantations along the drainage canals and it’s not unusual to see herons, egrets, ibis, gallinules and shorebirds and hear plenty of rails and yellowthroats in the grassy canals.

Anyway, I came upon this sad sight

A Sora just lying in the middle of a gravel road inside a plantation.

It was still alive but only flapped weakly when I picked it up. I checked it out and felt no damage to the wings and there was no sign that it had suffered a blow and it had good muscle mass, so not a case of exhaustion. Probably it was intoxicated by something it was exposed to in the bananas. Its legs were useless which is a typical sign of poisoning in birds (the kidneys swell up and press on the nerves that go to the legs). I put it up out of harm’s way, but its chances for survival were probably slim.

At another area where they compost culled bananas I found this other species of rail, the Paint-billed Crake.

It’s a pretty good bird here, although like most rails, it’s probably more common than folks think.

And on that note, we can start a Halloween theme for birds (note the Paint-billed Crake has a candy corn stuck on its bill!) Time to move those black and orange birds to the forefront…

john hansen

climber

Oct 28, 2014 - 09:43pm PT

Here is one for a starter.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 28, 2014 - 10:10pm PT

ATTACK!

Mayhem.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 28, 2014 - 10:29pm PT

Chewybacca bringing the crisp focus!!

MH2

climber

Oct 29, 2014 - 08:10am PT

Cooperation. Alliance. Group tactics. Survival.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Oct 29, 2014 - 10:54am PT

DMT, thanks for your gallinaceous musings.

just went outside and saw this chicken-wanna-be struting his stuff on the lawn, but he was all by his lonesome

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 29, 2014 - 06:12pm PT

DMT, Wow, thanks for your brilliant cross-species behavioral (aka gallinaceous musings)observation and commentary!

I wonder about sh#t like that all the time. Call me weird.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Oct 29, 2014 - 06:13pm PT

Dee ee
You can see the mallards do that in a local shopping center
parking lot here in Denver!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Oct 29, 2014 - 06:13pm PT

Hah!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 29, 2014 - 06:38pm PT

Love the Paint-billed Crake, and as Little Z said "good luck little dude" to the sora. We go bonkers over just regular Soras up here. (Like it's my most contested sighting at the Fill).
dee ee: I have a soft spot in my heard for Coots, especially lots of them.
Yeah about Chewybacca's photos. who.t.f is he? ; -)

This is the first X Y in the Fill this Fall. Should have been here Tony.

A week short and a dollar late.

You all are so good about selecting a single best shot, but I just can't do it, and I'm too nervous about the WS so I have to spend more time here.

And I only post the following cause it captured the grey so well

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Oct 29, 2014 - 07:03pm PT

This guy's new around here.

Actually there are two. They seem to be paired-up.

I think they're eyeing my Gray Squirrels. I doubt they've had any luck. I don't think these hawks could lift a squirrel - the Gray Squirrels around here are pretty fat - and I haven't seen any squirrel parts laying around.

I'd never seen one here before until recently. I had to look it up to find out what it is. Red Shouldered Hawk. Big birds to be flying in the dense pine trees.

Owls are back.

Actually they never left. But they've paired-up this year.

Playing hard to get:

( sorry to interrupt, but I live here too )

john hansen

climber

Oct 29, 2014 - 09:44pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Oct 29, 2014 - 11:59pm PT

The 308th (pretty sure that's right) species for the Lake Tahoe basin showed up today: a stonking adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. No pics worth showing, but he was a beaut!

Crazy to think he may have traveled from Iceland for this visit. The way things have been going on this continent, especially back east, they'll probably be annual in another 10-15 years. Meanwhile, this one was pretty sweet!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 30, 2014 - 06:36am PT

Wonderful photos/stuff above. Just a few from yesterday.

I think Tony Was right on this being a young Harris Hawk....pretty cool as the Bosque is pretty much out of their range to the north.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Oct 31, 2014 - 11:18am PT

Bump...a few from today.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Oct 31, 2014 - 02:02pm PT

Saw an interesting thing today while walking in the Boboli Gardens in Firenze. I saw a European Kestrel harassing a Hooded Crow, quite the reverse of normal. The Kestrel was 7 o'clock high on the crow, who was clearly worried and heading full steam for points unknown.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Oct 31, 2014 - 04:28pm PT

Interesting to me, too! ^^^

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 1, 2014 - 12:49pm PT

What is this??

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 2, 2014 - 07:27am PT

Was out climbing in RRocks for the last week, so although a little late on the theme idea, here's another bug shot just for fun.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 2, 2014 - 10:10am PT

Cassin's Finch with his mouth full on the hike this AM near Taos, NM

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 2, 2014 - 01:37pm PT

I can't wait for Dee's photos of the Olive-backed Pipit!!!!
I hope I get back from Eyetalia in time to nab it.

10b4me

climber

Nov 2, 2014 - 04:25pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 2, 2014 - 05:21pm PT

5 ALARM RARE BIRD ALERT!!!

OK Reilly, you asked for it. Holy crap.
I didn't hear about the Olive-backed Pipit till it was too late to go on Sat. Jeff (who birds twice as much as I do) had this gem drop out of the sky right in front of him. He knew it wasn't anything he'd seen before and immediately sent photos to Doug Willick for ID.

Sure enough it was a OBPI, only seen in the lower 48 2 or 3 times before, WTF.

He alerted the birding community immediately and within an hour or so there were 100+ birders there. By the end of the day over 150 had viewed this very cooperative rarity.

I ditched my family obligations on Sun. AM and headed over to Yorba. When I got there, there were at least 100 birders there already. Many were just milling around in the area it had been seen in. Maybe 50 others were combing the rest of the park. I joined in and combed the perimeter as the central part was well covered. A handful of other good birds were turned up, I found the Mandarin Duck and others found a Cackling Goose. My friend Sandy Remley needed both for county list and was raking it in. She found a Great-horned Owl first.

I lucked out on the perimeter and got a Pine Siskin for county year. I kept looking back into the main area to determine the demeanor of the rest of the birders. After a while it seemed some were hurrying in the same general direction. I rushed back and ran into Bruce Airde (president of Sea and Sage Audubon). He yelled "the bird has been seen!"

I headed around the opposite side of the grove where the crowd was and within one minute there it was! WWHEEEHOOO!

It was fairly cooperative foraging on the ground in the grass. The crowd was fairly unruly but all got views and photos. We chased it all over the general area.

#308 Pine Siskin

#309 Olive-backed Pipit

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 2, 2014 - 09:08pm PT

Sorry no birds, but I saw a Coopers Hawk (which I tried to turn into a Goshawk) coursing these cliffs for pigeons. That's the Columbia River down there.

Even more non-bird related; steep columnar basalt at Vantage sure is more difficult for me to climb than slabby granite.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 2, 2014 - 11:24pm PT

Deee, you suck big time! ;-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 3, 2014 - 07:33am PT

Damn Dee, you are on a roll.great stuff.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 3, 2014 - 08:22am PT

Love the pic of the birding nuts viewing the Pipit, very fun.

Another bug pic - parent feeding a nasty looking worm kinda thing to the kids...

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 3, 2014 - 10:09am PT

Congrats Dave! Nice move out-flanking the mob to nail that sucker. Your photos were still hot to the touch on my computer screen. Must have been the thrill of a lifetime for your friend Jeff.

Any Big Year types show up? This bird 'll be bringing them out of the woodwork.

Just looked at the top 100 page on eBird and for Orange County it is almost all "Olive-backed Pipit", what a riot! It's the bird de jour for 5 out of the top 10 California listers, but for the top US listers it doesn't show up until position 21. I'm sure that will change over the next few days as the Big Guns zero in on Yorba.

Darwin: nice to see the smoke has cleared off the eastside.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 3, 2014 - 11:28am PT

Bob, that's an imm. male House Sparrow.

Nice work on the Olive-backed Pipit. Looks like a fun twitch! I'm proud to say that I managed to ID and then catch California's first on Southeast Farallon Island, back in the late 90s. That species holds a special place in my heart, as it's probably the only species I'll be adding the CA list!! 1st one in North America turned up in Reno of all places. There's a record for Baja too.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 3, 2014 - 12:08pm PT

One from today's hike.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 3, 2014 - 07:57pm PT

Wow Willoughby, you were the first Cali record for the OBPI!

I talked to folks that had seen the first report on Sat., basically drove straight to the airport and flew in, some from the NW and the east coast.

No one found it today. Man I feel lucky!

Yeah, Jeff feels like a total hero!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 4, 2014 - 01:03pm PT

I guess I came back two days too late - story of my life.

My last boids in Italy as seen from the hold-short line for Rwy 24 @ FCO.
Alas, not lifers ...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 4, 2014 - 02:04pm PT

Juniper Titmouse on the hike today.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 4, 2014 - 02:32pm PT

Sounds like that pipit had a case of the Mondays yesterday, but it's being seen again today. Go get it!!!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Nov 4, 2014 - 02:48pm PT

Congrats Dave! Way to get after it.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 4, 2014 - 03:06pm PT

Damn, I might have to drive down there tomorrow!

BTW, here's a shot of the little known Italian Sea Pigeons.
Luckily, they don't engage in projectile vomiting on climbers.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 4, 2014 - 03:15pm PT

Reilly,

glad to see you were able to pry yourself away from all that rich food and fine wine (not to mention the art and history). So, how did you know that dee ee was getting photos of the pipit before he posted anything about it here?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 4, 2014 - 03:32pm PT

Soy un famoso brujo - mia abuelita fue una Roma bohemiana con 'el ojo' y el lineaje continua en mio.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 4, 2014 - 03:40pm PT

so, stink eye runs in the family, I should have guessed as much :-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 4, 2014 - 08:06pm PT

Hah! Thanks Rob.

Yes the Pipit is hangin'.

Plan B

Ice climber

SoCal

Nov 4, 2014 - 08:47pm PT

Thanks Dave! for the Pipit info.

Drove strait to Yorba Pk after work, and saw it. OC birder Mike H. and a couple others were looking at it.

Olive-backed Pipit
[Click to View YouTube Video]

Saw the Cackling Goose too.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 5, 2014 - 07:33am PT

Love the vid Steve.

10b4me

climber

Nov 6, 2014 - 02:47pm PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 6, 2014 - 02:50pm PT

Great shot, Steve! Super light!

I got shut down by the pipit yesterday. |-/ I missed it by less than half
an hour. I thought I saw him in a tree just after I got there but it was
for two seconds, at best. Grrrrr....

10b4me

climber

Nov 6, 2014 - 06:02pm PT

Gracias, Reilly.

Plan B

Ice climber

SoCal

Nov 6, 2014 - 07:06pm PT

Thanks Dave. Still photos weren't working in the low light, so I tried the video button which worked much better.

Great shot 10b! Really nice.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 6, 2014 - 09:12pm PT

10b, superb Kinglet shot, really great.

I was over there today looking for the Long-eared Owl for 3+ hours. Despite excellent beta and many other fine birders there I/we didn't find it. I don't think anyone got the Pipit or the Varied thrush or the Northern Parula as well.

Dang.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 6, 2014 - 10:01pm PT

That LEOW was hard to see even with someone pointing it out for me! That dude was full on camo!
If you didn't know which tree he was in fuggetaboutit! :-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 7, 2014 - 02:11pm PT

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 8, 2014 - 12:17pm PT

no Olive-backed Pipits here in my yard, yet, but did have a nice showing of small doves the other day, including a few Ruddy Ground-Doves that, until recently, were pretty rare in our area. Looks like they're the next lower elevation species to move up into the west side of the Central Valley where we live. Last year it was Yellow-headed Caracaras. White-fronted Parrots are becoming more common too. It's that global warming thing.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 8, 2014 - 12:26pm PT

Dave, Good work on the OB Pipit. I hope it decides to stay for the winter so I can see it in Jan. It turns out that there was also one that flew over during our Sicily trip. Our local guide, Andrea, heard it and rushed to get a view. He said it was the 16th record for Italy (his 13th!). I did hear it but of course had no idea what it was and didn’t get a look.

That looks like an Aleutian Cackling Goose. Didn't know they ever made it that far south.

In an effort to balance the western balance. We just got back from a conference in DC. We managed a couple brief birding escapes, and since I have never birded in the NE, many of the common birds are lifers. Here are a few:

Some others weren’t lifers, but I had only seen one or a few. I had never seen flocks of White-throated Sparrow, for example

Here were a couple of rarities. Of course they were in the zoo.

A non-bird lifer.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Nov 8, 2014 - 02:58pm PT

Great stuff, Tony!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 8, 2014 - 03:16pm PT

The last few days around Santa Cruz

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 8, 2014 - 07:56pm PT

Great new pics on the last few pages everybody! Not sure if people might want to play, but a couple of years ago I posted some "guess the eye" pics and now I have some from this year if you are keen to ID the boids from just the eye pics below. I'll post more if there is interest in the "game" (winner gets?? ;-)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 8, 2014 - 08:06pm PT

My guesses:
Canada Goose
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 8, 2014 - 08:19pm PT

Boom!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 8, 2014 - 08:27pm PT

Good job Willoughby! But I'm not sure it's fair if you play :-) However, maybe for extra credit you can name these feet? (or anyone else...)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 8, 2014 - 09:50pm PT

Don't you just love going somewhere new? It's even better for a dilettante birder like myself (little harsh, but not much). Imagine DC's Rock Creek Park during migration when the warblers are coming though. One of these years! First S. Arizona, though.

Thanks Tony.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 9, 2014 - 07:33pm PT

On the feet.....no coots.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 9, 2014 - 08:08pm PT

No geese, no ducks and no woodpeckers. We are narrowing it down Dee ee!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 9, 2014 - 08:17pm PT

Great stuff above everyone...thanks.

Merlin, southern Colorado today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 10, 2014 - 12:01pm PT

When to the San Luis Valley and managed to do a new 12b in honor of my good friend Dave Pegg who sadly took his life this past weekend.

When to one of my safe places (Monte Vista NWR) after climbing and just enjoyed the beauty.

Sandhill Cranes

And this guy?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 10, 2014 - 03:17pm PT

Sorry, I've got no good bird shots or answers to Dave's very difficult bird foot photo challenge.

I've been out every day for a week pre-dawn, on every lead I can dig out of the intardnet birding world. I have multiple strike outs since and before the Pipit. Townsends Solitaire, Long-eared Owl, Brown Creeper, Parasitic Jaeger, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Swamp Sparrow, oh, and top secret....Ring-necked Pheasant. We did get yet another Varied Thrush, irruption year?

We talked to a kid that found and had (in his hand) a baby Lesser Goldfinch caught in a spiders web, not this web.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 10, 2014 - 04:22pm PT

Bob, wonderful photos. That Richardson's Merlin shot is field guide quality. The other raptor in your last set is a Ferruginous Hawk. Very sorry to hear about your friend Dave Pegg. Gald you could find some solace with the rocks and the birds.

Thanks Brassnuts for the fun quizzes. So, what does BN Productions produce? I googled it and only found an outfit that makes porno. That's not you, is it? Seriously, produce a calender. I'd buy one.

Dropped my camera on the concrete today. Wiped out the viewfinder screen. It still takes photos but can't tell what I'm shooting, and it is stuck in the last setting mode (can't see to make the changes!). This will be interesting if anything good shows up. Just started a week long field trip.

Darwin, did you get out to Neah Bay to see the Eurasian Hobby? Hope something good like that shows up next time I'm back in WA.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20388570

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 10, 2014 - 05:10pm PT

Bob; To me, Sandhill Crane photos are a good tribute to a friend lost.

LittleZ; no I didn't go out there. My excuse was heading to the east side of the Cascades for climbing, although the steep columnar basal kicks my a$$. The weather all around here has been unsettled in the British understatement meaning of the word. The East Side had SPECTACULAR clouds and light his last weekend, but it had zilch for birds. It's still cool to see Magpies once again. On the other hand I hear that Neah Bay had the Coby, Tropical Kingbirds and a couple sparrows and warblers I've never ID'd before. That's not even mentioning pelagic and shore birds.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 10, 2014 - 05:16pm PT

BN, do more eyes, and I'll bow out. But do more; they're great shots (as are everybody else's)!! I don't think I can conjure too many guesses on those particular feet.

Small birds can definitely find themselves caught in spider webs, and there's a bunch of YouTube videos of hummers, warblers, and even decent-sized finches all ensnared. I'm told that fake Halloween web decoration stuff can trap a lot of birds too, so that's probably something to avoid.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 10, 2014 - 07:35pm PT

Some of the most expensive birds in the world:

OK, I'll bite, why?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Nov 10, 2014 - 08:16pm PT

From the above story:

By our calculations, that would bring bridge spending on the various protected birds to more than $33 million — which ain’t chicken feed.

Waah!

Let's see, it's been 25 years since the earthquake and the total cost has been $6.4 billion. I would say $33 million(0.5%) is "chicken feed". They have another 5 months before next nesting season.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Nov 10, 2014 - 08:25pm PT

My new pest control partner. For a few weeks at least.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 10, 2014 - 09:16pm PT

So those aren't baby Velociraptor feet upthread?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 11, 2014 - 08:39am PT

I figured the feet pictures were a pretty tall challenge, but I wanted to see if we could stump Willoughby ;-) I would have been amazed if someone got those (1-Western Wood Peewee, 2-Verdin, 3-Cassin's Vireo). Anyway, more eye pics below for anyone who wants to play on a snowy (here at least) day.

little Z - I only do "bird porn" and other photo/video samples on my side business website:
http://dvisionproductions.com/
Sorry to hear your camera took a digger, sounds like bad timing :-( I actually do produce a calendar every year, I'd be happy to share a thumbnail of the images for this year's calendar once I compile it over the next week or two...

Now, onto more eyes :-)

ClimbingOn

Trad climber

Nov 11, 2014 - 09:02am PT

#1: No idea.

#2: Allen's Hummingbird.

#3: Purple Finch.

#4: Catbird?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 11, 2014 - 09:41am PT

Sorry ClimbingOn, nice try but no hits... Next contestant please. Bonus foot pic for the 'hard core':

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 11, 2014 - 09:54am PT

^^^ Vermillion Flycatcher, what do I win?

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 11, 2014 - 10:21am PT

Reilly wins 10 "birdman" points for his ID of a level 1 foot pic. With that, he also gets first option to ID this level 2 foot pic:

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 11, 2014 - 10:31am PT

#3 House Finch

I'll come back with more answer attempts.

the museum

climber

Nov 11, 2014 - 12:01pm PT

8F with N wind at 26mph today, wind chill -13F. 4 Rough Legs frolicking in the field by the new Walmart.. They arrived today. The 4 Red Tails stayed, too. Cold weather coming your way, y'all!

the museum

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 12, 2014 - 04:17pm PT

We are very sorry to hear of your loss Dwain :-( I'm sure he was a great bird and friend :-)

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Nov 12, 2014 - 04:24pm PT

eye #2, Rufous Hummingbird
eye #3, Crossbill
Level 2 foot, Say's Phoebe

Wild guesses, I actually thought House Finch for #2 initially, but had to
guess something different from dee ee

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 12, 2014 - 04:26pm PT

Cosmic, my heartfelt condolences.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 12, 2014 - 04:58pm PT

ScuffyB wins 5 birdman points for correctly identifying bird eye #2 - Rufous Hummer. Other answers were misses :-( Next contestant please...

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Nov 12, 2014 - 05:02pm PT

WHOA, visualize me dancing circles in wild delirium!!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Nov 12, 2014 - 06:20pm PT

Dwain
I'm sorry to hear of your loss.
My sincere condolences.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 12, 2014 - 07:36pm PT

So sorry. Another photo of your baby.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 12, 2014 - 07:50pm PT

I bet Zulu is sad too. (Thanks for the correction). Sorry we don't have one of Shiloe.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 12, 2014 - 08:35pm PT

Oh, I believe you! I can identify what bird a tail feather came off of at my house. They are all that different to me.

It is BrassNuts hand in the photo.

Plan B

Ice climber

SoCal

Nov 12, 2014 - 08:49pm PT

Sorry you lost Shiloe, Cosmic.

Inspired to go out birding more after being lucky to see that pipit, I headed back to Yorba last weekend, and then for Veterans day, to Huntington Beach Central Park, and Bolsa Chica Beach. The park was very dry, but it was fun and I found some good birds.

Perching Egret at Yorba

At Huntington Beach Central Park
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

And Townsend's Warbler. There was a small flock of these.

White-tailed Kite, a new one for me

Bolsa Chica

Male and Female Surf Scoter, also a new bird for me.

Savannah Sparrow at Bolsa

This guy really wanted a big dead fish in the water, but did not want to get wet. Gave up after a while and flew off.

Clark's Grebe

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 14, 2014 - 03:16pm PT

Great shots Plan B. Evening Grosbeak on the hike today near Taos, NM

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 15, 2014 - 12:23pm PT

Cosmic, sorry to hear about the loss of your buddy Shiloe.

Brassnuts, I see scuffy b got the Rufous Hummer eye, how about the other three as:
#1 - Western Wood-Pewee
#3 - Cassin's Finch
#4 - Yellow-eyed Junco

Struggling along with my busted camera. I take a hundred photos on the odd's one might work out, but it's almost too frustrating to have all these great opportunities and then get back to my puter to see the disappointing results. Two cases in point:

at least nothing super rare has shown up yet

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 15, 2014 - 03:22pm PT

Parasitic Jaegers going after an Elegant Tern

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 15, 2014 - 03:25pm PT

little Z shoots and scores 3x for 15 birdman points! :-) Good job. Below is another batch of four eye shots for another round. Sorry your camera is goofing up - that's a cool Gray Hawk nonetheless :-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 16, 2014 - 12:14pm PT

BN, those eye shots are hard!

I especially like the top one above.

Good shots upthread. I got Parasitic Jaeger from Newport Pier last Monday for OC year #310. It took 3 visits to the pier, not super fun squinting into my old telescope in the dawn (cloudy) light. I even got a parking ticket one day, $58. I missed getting back to the car in time by minutes.

Yesterday we had our long awaited field trip to the Starr Ranch where we struck out on both Scott's Oriole and a Brown Creeper. Everyone was disappointed.

I broke my camera and am awaiting warranty decision.

Unfortunately I'm going to San Clemente Island tomorrow and won't have it.
Maybe Jake will lend me his.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 16, 2014 - 01:11pm PT

#2...Red-Bellied Woodpecker?

#3...Red-breasted Woodpecker or Vermilion Flycatcher?

Another Evening Grosbeak shot, just love these happy little birds.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 16, 2014 - 07:16pm PT

Bob scores 5 birdman points for #3 - Vermillion Flycatcher! Judges will not penalize this time for the double guess/answer posted ;-)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 16, 2014 - 08:05pm PT

survival

Big Wall climber

Terrapin Station

Nov 17, 2014 - 05:06pm PT

The birds are just spectacular at Colusa NWR right now!!

Wish I had a better camera.

Night Heron are bigger than I thought!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 19, 2014 - 03:42pm PT

I just got back from San Clemente Island. I was bummed without a camera. I could have had killer shots of Chukar, Varied Thrush, Bell's Sparrow and others.

Apparently Chukar was introduced many years ago as a game bird and has thrived, they are very tame as well. It is the only place in LA County you can get Chukar.

I guess I wasn't that surprised to see another Varied Thrush, they are popping out all over the place, irruption year.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Nov 19, 2014 - 04:01pm PT

I'd love to see a Varied Thrush!

We are having a Red-Breasted Nuthatch irruption here.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 19, 2014 - 04:30pm PT

As an old Seattleite it is hard to get excited about Varied Thrushes.
They're nice enough but not exactly Olive-backed Pipits!

Dee, how did you get to go to San Clemente? The Navy wouldn't let you
bring a camera because of the 'top secret' holes in the ground from
naval bombardment?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Nov 19, 2014 - 04:33pm PT

Central Valley Bird Symposium is this weekend, and I'll be there leading some tours. Should be ducky (if rainy).

If anybody's going to be there, find me and say howdy! http://www.2013cvbs.org

10b4me

climber

Nov 19, 2014 - 04:41pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 21, 2014 - 05:11pm PT

This was our second year testing on the power plant on San Clemente Island. It's a mega easy job but because of safety regs we have to have 2 peeps on site. That means plenty of time for birding. They let us bring cameras, if I had one........but....as of yesterday I do have a new camera, a Canon SX 60 HS.

Got a Swamp Sparrow (#311) today, whee hoo, lifer. I looked for a couple of hours and gave up. I started to leave and went back for one more look and....yes.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 21, 2014 - 08:52pm PT

Great stuff above...first one of the winter for me.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 21, 2014 - 09:38pm PT

Speaking of winter, they just started showing up: From Monlake Fill on this morning's commute.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Nov 22, 2014 - 01:59am PT

well, it happened, had to shoot a rare bird with my busted camera. Luckily I got a reasonable shot - suitable for documentation only. And on the winter theme, the first to show up here this winter

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 22, 2014 - 08:09am PT

It's funny that one person's rare bird is another's daily fare, although Redheads aren't that common here. Hey Z, I meant to compliment you on that scope shot of the Oystercatchers. Misaligned or not, I love the effect and may even capture it for my desktop. Royalties? ;-)

Darwin

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

From Panorama City, CA

Nov 22, 2014 - 06:04pm PT

From the Whitney cam

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 22, 2014 - 09:43pm PT

We had our long awaited trip to Seal Beach NWR today. Good birds but nothing new for me this year. Afterwards we went by Bolsa Chica to salvage the day (for me) and got a Black Scoter (lifer) and a Common Goldeneye (for cty. yr.).

BLSC

Distant COGO

Ferruginous Hawk

Green-tailed Towhee (first ever at Seal Beach NWR)

BRPE

Here comes the Peregrine Falcon!!!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 22, 2014 - 09:58pm PT

Good score and shot of the Towhee!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 23, 2014 - 02:27pm PT

Today's catch in Boulder.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Nov 23, 2014 - 07:19pm PT

Look who was at the bird feeder this morning. At one point there were 6 male and 4 female Pine Grosbeaks feeding. As soon as the larger birds left the chickadees and nuthatches were on the food too. Must have been our light dusting of snow last night that made them hungry.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 23, 2014 - 07:58pm PT

Ooh, nice Cyndie and Bob. I guess winter has hit for some areas of N. America?

No winter here though.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Nov 24, 2014 - 09:25pm PT

Our recent dose of winter has brought out lots of hungry birds as well. We are also enjoying an irruption of Red-breasted Nuthatches this year - although not gifted in the song department they have lots of personality :-)

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Nov 24, 2014 - 10:16pm PT

A rare Zombie Pooping Eagle

It was pretty cool watching as these eagles locked talons and spiraled towards the earth.

Bummer about your camera Little Z. Time for an upgrade?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 25, 2014 - 07:33am PT

Great photos - the eagles are spectacular

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 25, 2014 - 07:35am PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 25, 2014 - 12:51pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 28, 2014 - 10:52am PT

I've had a great birding week! After getting Swamp Sparrow, Black Scoter and Common Goldeneye I got a Townsend's Solitaire and today a Brown Creeper (#315)(2 lifers and 5 cty. yr. birds).
I also had a Red-breasted Sapsucker and a Red-naped Sapsucker chasing each other around today, pretty cool.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Nov 28, 2014 - 12:19pm PT

Cool stuff Dee...this guy caught something for lunch today along the Rio Grande near Taos.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 28, 2014 - 04:40pm PT

Bob, do you see eagles every day? Seems like it.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 30, 2014 - 10:17am PT

^^^ I probably see Bald Eagles twice a week on the way into work in Seattle. There is a nest nearby.

But more importantly Tony is a movie star! He appears twice in Pelican Dreams and even has a speaking part. He's a natural! I'm pretty excited about this, because I didn't know he was in it (nor did Tony) before I saw him onscreen and blurted out in the theater "That's Tony!". This is a movie about Brown Pelicans in general and the rehabilitation of one that was rescued from the Golden Gate Bridge. It's by Judy Irving, the same woman who did Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. It's gotten favorable reviews from the non-birding mainstream press (*1), based no doubt on the strength of Tony's acting. I didn't think it overly romanticized nature and bird rehab, but it did have a heart wrenching scene from the 2010 Gulf oil spill. Maybe Tony will chime in after he sees it.

http://seattletimes.com/html/movies/2025109238_pelicandreamsxml.html

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Nov 30, 2014 - 12:21pm PT

Carpenteria's Gray Hawk has returned for the third winter in a row!
Who doesn't enjoy wintering along the Oxnard-Santa Barbara coast

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 30, 2014 - 02:16pm PT

Yay, Tony is a star! He always had it in him.

....and yay, the Gray Hawk is back!

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

From Panorama City, CA

Nov 30, 2014 - 02:47pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 30, 2014 - 04:00pm PT

It's like this...

and then, it's like this...

and then...

and then

and then

and then

and then

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Nov 30, 2014 - 04:35pm PT

The photos of the Brown Pelicans in breeding plumage in the movie were beautiful. I had never seen that before. I do want to add a caveat about Pelican Dreams: I would have a hard time calling it a documentary but more a single persons image of Pelicans. We've seen that kind of personal take on wild life go completely wacko before, and I still think this was pretty restrained and the director was aware of the liberties she took in that that regard, when she took them. And I'm not even going to touch the politics of wild life rehabilitation and triage in response to disasters with a 10' pole. The movie had extensive quotes from Monte -Last-name?-, and from second hand stories, he has very realistic approach to rehab.

Here's a link of a breeding plumage CBP from the net, i.e. not mine

Credit: www.birdsasart-blog.com533 × 800Search by image
California Brown Pelican, stunning breeding plumage. Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with the 1.4XII TC and the EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 250.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 30, 2014 - 05:52pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Nov 30, 2014 - 08:07pm PT

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Nov 30, 2014 - 08:11pm PT

Dee and Mike,

Awesome photos!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Nov 30, 2014 - 08:23pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 2, 2014 - 11:40pm PT

Thanks to Darwin for the heads-up on the file "Pelican Dreams". I just managed to see it before the local run ended. As Darwin said, it's not quite a documentary, but is a nice little film. It wasn't overly schmaltzy and had some excellent footage of breeding colonies and some interesting archival footage of when the DDT/DDE effects on eggshells were being documented. I am old enough to have witnessed their former abundance as a surfer in SoCal and then see their decline, and then recovery after the DDT ban. It's worrisome to learn of the recent breeding failure over the last several years. Presumably this due to reductions in anchovies and sardines, their preferred food. I wonder if this might also be involved in the northern irruption of Blue-footed Boobies in central and northern CA this year?

Darwin certainly used "speaking role" and especially "star" very loosely for my brief appearance. "3.5 kilograms" was my entire line. A little quibble I have is that it would have been nice to show some of the other less well-known and charismatic aquatic bird species that were in care, even though it was focused on pelicans. Also a more photogenic casting choice for a volunteer rehaber would have been Yvonne:

I was surprised I didn't get any good photos of pelicans during those days in the spa. I guess we were usually too swamped. Here are some of the Peruvian Brown Pelican cousins:

Glad to hear that the Gray Hawk is back in Carpinteria. It will nice to see it as an adult after its first winter there a couple of years ago.

As far as rarities around here, there is a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Half Moon Bay. I probably won't be able to see it, but maybe Mike B. can get there for some photos. There was also a possible Japanese Murrelet at Pt. Reyes, but no reports for a few days. That would have been a first NA record.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 3, 2014 - 07:40am PT

Great photos Dee, Mike and Tony.

Quick trip to Bosque del Apache, here are a few.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 4, 2014 - 12:08pm PT

Did someone say Shag?

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? JUNIOR AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR HOURS!"

Somebody has a slight squirrel problem at their feeders...

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Dec 4, 2014 - 01:54pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

They need a Yankee Flipper

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 5, 2014 - 07:54am PT

Tenacious S!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Dec 5, 2014 - 01:56pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 6, 2014 - 08:25am PT

From yesterday and the same old venue for me. I think they both get a little better with clicking to expand.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 6, 2014 - 08:36pm PT

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Halfmoon Bay

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 6, 2014 - 11:20pm PT

SWEET! I'll never forget my first one although it was far from CA.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 6, 2014 - 11:54pm PT

HFMOG ^^^

I can't believe there's a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Half Moon bay, and what Reilly said. Nice photos Mike.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 7, 2014 - 09:33am PT

Great shots Mike and Darwin, just a few from Bosque del Apache, NM

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 7, 2014 - 09:11pm PT

There are purple berries planted around our gym because U. Washington's colors are purple and gold. The C. Waxwings love them! It was all I could do to select just one photo. Thanks Bob ^^^.

john hansen

climber

Dec 7, 2014 - 09:34pm PT

These are photo's I took a while back..

American golden plover? , I think,, Elkhorn Slough.

Could be a Pacific Golden Plover? But ,,, Probably not.

Birding,,,,,, Go figure..

I love it.

They had a Red shank's here in Hawaii.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 7, 2014 - 11:25pm PT

Thought I'd throw a question out for the birders in the hopes one of you have some advice+/or experience...
I'm thinking of buying a Sigma 50-500 lens for my Nikon D80

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/50-500mm-f45-63-apo-dg-os-hsm

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-50-500mm-4-6-3-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B0009F3MPQ

I've used the 150-500 and really like it, but I figured why not spring the extra $$ for the 50-500...?

Any advice/thoughts would be welcomed.

thanks

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 8, 2014 - 07:21am PT

I'd be interested in people's experience with this lens or the Tamron equivalent. None other than Verm gave it a pretty good review.

https://photographylife.com/my-one-night-stand-with-the-tamron-150-600mm

This is another competent review of that genre:

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/01/tamron-150-600-telezoom-shootout

10b4me

climber

Dec 8, 2014 - 07:54am PT

If it were me, I would go with the Tamron. I have the older 200-500mm(f5-f6.3)lens, and like it a lot. Just my .02.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 8, 2014 - 07:56am PT

The Sigma 50-500 is the Toyota GTR of the camera world. The hoity-toits may turn their
noses up at it but it is The Business. It just likes a bit more light than the higher priced
spreads. I haven't read anything about the Tamron but I have to admit I could be accused of
prejudice against them. To show that I'm not a real snob I did buy a Tokina 11-16 and I'm
happy I did.

John Hansen, I'd say you have a Pacific there based on primary extension or rather lack
thereof. It also, at least in the first pic, looks deeper-chested and the legs do look longish.

RED ALERT!

RUSTIC BUNTING IN GOLDEN GATE PARK YESTERDAY! ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 8, 2014 - 02:36pm PT

I have the Tamron, great lens for the money.

Here are a few taken with the lens this AM at Maxwell NWR in northern NM.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 8, 2014 - 03:01pm PT

How long have you been using it Bob? Do you find it sharp enough all the way out to 600? You've had some great shots put up here the last month.Most of them with the Tamron?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 8, 2014 - 03:25pm PT

Mike, been using it a couple of months, light and pretty sharp. In good light it really kicks ass even all the way out to 600.

I think it is a great lens for the money.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 8, 2014 - 05:44pm PT

Thanks for the replies guys!
And the link with comparisons helps Mike!

I used the Sigma 150-500 on a recent bird trip to Orissa (will post some images when I can) and really liked it-even in lower light it performed adequately.

But I hate swapping out lenses and with the 50-500 I figure there'd be a lot less. I know one lens can't do it all, but I'm looking for the next best thing:-)

I'll take a closer look though at the 600.

cheers

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Dec 8, 2014 - 06:10pm PT

I received my copy of the Tamron a few weeks ago. So far I'm really happy with it. It works great in good light, but I struggle with it in low light. Hand holding at that focal length is a challenge at low shutter speeds, but it is getting better as I learn more about the lens. At $1,069 it is a great deal.

Sigma has responded to Tamron's lens by creating two models of 150-600mm lens. A contemporary version which is comparable to the Tamron. And a sport version which has better weather sealing and a larger objective glass. The sport also weighs two pounds heavier and is significantly larger. Here is a link to the sport- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Sigma+150-600+Sport+Lens&gclid=CI6ChKrut8ICFdKEfgodxW4Azg&InitialSearch=yes&N=0

I'm pretty busy tonight but I'll try to get some Tamron pics up here tomorrow. I've mostly been shooting eagles with it.

Looks like you are enjoying the lens Bob. How are you carrying it? I made a shoulder harness that screws into the lens tripod mount. Since the lens is so much heavier than the body I prefer to support it by the lens to prevent damaging the camera/lens mount.

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Dec 8, 2014 - 06:55pm PT

*
Mr Bolte,...Hoping you and Bill can make the _ Snow goose festival in Chico this year ? http://snowgoosefestival.org/

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 8, 2014 - 06:58pm PT

Hi Nita! I'll send Bill the link and see if it can work. He was just here over the weekend. Mike

nita

Social climber

chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.

Dec 8, 2014 - 07:28pm PT

*
Mike, i just received a letter from Bill, and he told me he was thinking about possible attending this year...I just wrote him back (snail mail ) and said..It would be great to see him, and i hope he seriously considers coming....

.I didn't realize he was a bird nerd...(-;

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 8, 2014 - 07:46pm PT

are you kidding? He just got back from chasing incidentals in Nome.

He does confuse birds and farm implements sometimes

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 8, 2014 - 08:11pm PT

Here are few more from today's outing at Maxwell NWR in northern NM with the Tamron 150-600mm.

These are at 600mm in early more light with the ISO I think around 1200 or higher.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Dec 8, 2014 - 08:16pm PT

Had to take down the Hummingbird feeder yesterday.

The Kestrel has decided to hang around and snack on them.

They need to lie low till he leaves town.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Dec 9, 2014 - 08:11pm PT

Greetings from the DR. Just got back from chasing Ashy-faced Owl (semi-successful, better view desired) and Solentadont (complete dip). We only need the Palm Crow, E Chat-Tanager and Ridgway's Hawk to knock off all the DR endemics. Bay-breasted Cuckoo is my fav so far - a pre-historically huge cuckoo that makes weird, loud noises.
Observations:
Palmchats are everywhere, rivaling perhaps only Bananaquits in abundance.
Antillean Palm-Swfts sound like Cedar Waxwings.
I just saw 5 people on one motorcycle

Photos to follow

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 9, 2014 - 08:42pm PT

Nice one Lil'Z, although I had to look up that dinosaur-sounding Soylent-o-dont or whatever. Never heard of it, nor has my Googler. What is it?

Quiz time!!! Not my photo, but this little cutie got scooped off the road in Quincy yesterday. Hopefully we can get it back where it belongs in good health. Any guesses? The folks at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care didn't have a clue what they had on their hands.

Hint:
Neither blankets nor wet roadways in the mountains are considered "typical" habitat.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 9, 2014 - 08:48pm PT

An Ancient Murrelet in Tahoe?

Will, what's yer opinion of the plover up page?

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 9, 2014 - 09:24pm PT

Thanks for those images Bob.
Now I'm leaning towards the 150-600 though I sure dig the idea of (down to) 50mm for a tele...

Not the best image (I'll do better next time:-) but I finally got a Brown Wing Kingfisher!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 9, 2014 - 09:45pm PT

Reilly, FTW! Although, it was scooped up in the vicinity of Quincy or Portola or somewheres in-between. I'm really not sure. I do hope I get to see one on Tahoe in my lifetime. No records yet, but both Pyramid and Mono have had them.

Plover looks good for juv. Black-bellied. They can definitely have a yellowish cast, but the golden-plovers would never have that much white underneath (belly, undertail, etc.).

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Dec 10, 2014 - 12:02pm PT

Sorry about the spelling for the Hispaniolan Solenodon, a mammal that is endemic to the island, sort of like a rat-shrew. One of the rarest mammals in the world. We got the Palm Crows today (in the pine forest - go figure!), taking a siesta before we go after the Ashy-faced Owl again and also hope to get a Stygian Owl. Going to be an all-nighter.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 10, 2014 - 04:16pm PT

little Z, that sounds exciting!

Got #316 today, Red-breasted Nuthatch.

From Bolsa Chica today.

edit: I forgot to say there was a questionable report from today of a Little Blue Heron at bolsa Chica, couldn't find it.

Lorenzo

Trad climber

Oregon

Dec 10, 2014 - 04:21pm PT

Great pictures!

john hansen

climber

Dec 10, 2014 - 06:34pm PT

Hey Dee, what's the big year record for OC?

Willoughby, you know your birds. Here is another shot of the same plover in flight. Sibley's shows... "Black axillaries unique" Thanks.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 10, 2014 - 06:57pm PT

John, it's close to 334, I'm not sure exactly. Tom (Ford-Hutchison) and Tom (Benson)were right there last year in their dual/duel attempts to break the record. Ford-Hutchison had one uncomfirmed bird, a Chimney Swift, I think, that kept him from the record.

Those guys are the real deal, a couple of the best birders in the US.

If I had every bird I went after this year I would be pretty close. I missed quite a few, between 10 and 20.

Oh well, it ain't over yet.

Yes the black axillaries! The Pacific Golden Plover gave me fits this year!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 10, 2014 - 07:08pm PT

Nice, John, now you tell us about the black axillaries after you con me into embarrassing myself!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 10, 2014 - 07:09pm PT

A good photo day today. Although the red-breasted Nuthatch pissed me off. He was 15' directly overhead and I just couldn't get him in the frame. Bugger!

Redheads are trouble.

TV dinner.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 10, 2014 - 07:18pm PT

Thanks, I can't believe it myself!

2 more.

I also made a futile attempt for Zone-tailed Hawk this afternoon, not even one turkey Vulture.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 11, 2014 - 10:32am PT

WHOA!!!!!!

Owls can swim?

And pretty well apparently.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 11, 2014 - 12:15pm PT

Cool, he looks pretty casual about it!

Get to beach, dry off, it's all good.

Tork

climber

Yosemite

Dec 11, 2014 - 12:17pm PT

10b4me

climber

Dec 11, 2014 - 04:24pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 11, 2014 - 07:30pm PT

Great photos above, thanks.

A few from the last couple of days.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Dec 12, 2014 - 03:07am PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 12, 2014 - 08:47am PT

Great photos above!

Yesterday I tried for Scott's Oriole at the Ramakrishna Monastery, no luck. But, I did get a Varied Thrush in a location they've never been.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 12, 2014 - 01:19pm PT

Great Photos Dee, here are a few from today.

Got this Ladder Back Woodpecker along the Rio Grande. A little north for this fella.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Dec 13, 2014 - 05:22am PT

Wow, the photos here have been taken up a notch. Great stuff everyone.

We knocked off all the Dominican endemics yesterday with the Ridgway's Hawk (closely related to Red-shouldered). That's 30 out of 31 for Hispaniola Island. We missed the Gray-crowned Palm-Tanager, which is confined to Haiti, and we're not going there.
We're in chill mode now for our last 2 days. We're at Los Haitises NP where there is actually some climbing on these funky limestone towers.
Have a story to tell about Ashy-faced Owl, Vodoo, and a 2 foot long knife but it'll have to wait until I can type on a real keyboard instead of this bogus little iPod.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 13, 2014 - 10:09am PT

Boy, luv me some Vodou stories! Can't wait! I also can't wait to know why the Ashy-faced is
considered a distinct species.

signed, The Lumper

the museum

climber

Dec 13, 2014 - 06:32pm PT

Experts:

Is this a Harlan's? seen him twice on the same post in two different years.

Note the slate tail.

Sorry on the fuzzy..

the museum

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 14, 2014 - 05:44pm PT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/14/birds-ears-hear-external_n_6314760.html

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 14, 2014 - 09:13pm PT

^^ Interesting thanks!

Not sure if this has been shared or noticed by anyone here yet...

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/12/11/370087804/birds-of-a-feather-arent-necessarily-related

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 14, 2014 - 10:45pm PT

A couple from a trip back in Oct.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 15, 2014 - 12:55am PT

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 15, 2014 - 02:24am PT

Edit: I had to go back through my photos after updating my list of woodpeckers for TT and realized I had labeled this dude incorrectly the first time. I have a female shown below.

The thing is they changed names (as they sometime do). Use to be Flamebacks now they are called Goldenbacks. Anyway so many of these look very similar especially at first glance.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 15, 2014 - 07:55am PT

These two were from last week in Bhitarkanika NP
Orissa, India

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 15, 2014 - 01:03pm PT

DD, those are very cool!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 15, 2014 - 01:10pm PT

YIKERS! FREAKS!

TFPU!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 15, 2014 - 03:28pm PT

Delih Dog; thank you! Can I ask, where were you in October?
Dee ee; the Reddish Egret photo was as good as it gets.

and the rest of you on the previous page totally ROCK!

Anyone need more photos of Cedar Waxwings and Hooded Mergansers? sigh.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 15, 2014 - 04:55pm PT

Delhi Dog...great photos, thanks.

A few "western birds" today on the hike.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 15, 2014 - 05:03pm PT

Cool photos DD, thanks for sharing. The Hooded Redstart has very similar features to the White-rumped Shama that was somewhat common on Kauai, but it makes sense since the Shama came over from Asia... Cool.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 15, 2014 - 05:32pm PT

Thanks.
I've been too busy to post but spent some time this weekend trying to get caught up with some of my bird photos.

In October I was in Corbett NP.
http://www.jimcorbettnational-park.com/
Lots of woodpeckers and kingfishers.

The park was closed but we just did a bunch of walking along one of the rivers and through the forest. Cool place.

Just this past Thanksgiving we went to Orissa to a couple NP's.
Here are a few more.

Not a great photo but you get the idea.

Brass- I've always been fascinated with those Hawaiian birds and the changes they've gone through over time.
We have a variety of redstarts here. I'll try to post a few more later.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 15, 2014 - 05:46pm PT

That Gray-headed Woodpecker is very cool.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 15, 2014 - 05:52pm PT

Here is one more

Edit: From below...Great eye/catch Deeeeee! Yes they are different...woodpeckers! I mislabeled the first one and have since edited that-thanks!

cheers

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 15, 2014 - 06:09pm PT

Are those 2 the same sex? They are quite different.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 15, 2014 - 06:23pm PT

We had our Peter's Cyn and vicinity Christmas Bird Count yesterday. I am on the "vicinity" duty. We birded pre-dawn to post-dusk.

We had a good day though. We re-found my Red-breasted Nuthatch, got one White-breasted Nuthatch, got 2 new Varied Thrushes,5 Western Tanagers (tough this time of year), 8 Mtn. Chickadees, a Red-naped and a Red-breasted Sapsucker, a Summer Tanager and made a last ditch effort for a Roadrunner (successful). For all groups around 85 species (low).

My partners were Roy Poucher, 22 yrs. birding and a vet of both Cali big year (around 500) and ABA (north America ) big year (he got around 680) and Neil Gilbert. Neil is a young (22) birding genius. He knows all songs and calls and can hear everything. But, he is a master of "pishing." He doesn't do a pishing sound but runs through about 6-8 different noise patterns the last one being an Eastern Screech Owl. At one point he called in a tornado of birds. There were 60 or so of 10 different species swirling around us. It was insane!

I didn't get too many photos but...

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 15, 2014 - 06:53pm PT

hat's off to D Dog! some beautiful shots.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 15, 2014 - 07:05pm PT

Thanks Mike!

TT I'm telling you, you need to come here if for nothing else than the birding.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 15, 2014 - 07:16pm PT

TT- Just in the last couple weeks...

Grey Headed Woodpecker
Fulvous Breasted Woodpecker
Grey Capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Grey Slatty Woodpecker
Streaked Throated Woodpecker
Rufous Woodpecker
Greater Flameback
Lesser Flameback
Greater Yellow Naped
(not to mention the barbets)

Pied Kingfisher
Crested Kingfisher
White Throated Kingfisher
Stork Bill Kingfisher
Collard Kingfisher
Brown Wing Kingfisher
Common Kingfisher
Black Capped Kingfisher
(still haven't seen a Ruby here yet-but I did see one in Bangladesh:-)

FRUMY

Trad climber

Bishop,CA

Dec 16, 2014 - 07:22pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 16, 2014 - 07:54pm PT

WHEEEE HOOOO!!!

#319 FRANKLIN'S GULL, Woodbridge Lake, Irvine. First found during CBC on Sunday.

I went yesterday morning, 9-11am and in the afternoon 3pm-4:15pm. It was seen for the second time at 1:15. In between I went to Lido Isle to look for the Red-billed Firefinch, presumably an escaped pet, no go.

Today I went at 8am till 9 am and again at 10:30 and stayed till around 2:45. First saw it at around 2:00 gaining altitude and moving away from the lake. I called to my friends across the lake and they got on it. It vanished and returned 20 minutes later to vanish again. Whew!

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 17, 2014 - 03:24am PT

Congratulations! Wow-319...still some days to go:-)

I was out with a bunch of Kindergarteners this morning and we saw a Grey Indian Hornbill and a white-throated Kingfisher (very common). The kids loved it and we ended up playing "bird tag" with me trying to tag as many as I could while they "flew" around me.
Great fun!

Here are a few more:

MH2

Boulder climber

Andy Cairns

Dec 17, 2014 - 01:40pm PT

I love the pictures, mood, and knowledge, here.

Thanks for the recent help identifying this uncooperative subject.

A woman I know came along as I had the camera out and asked me what the bird was. I hadn't got a good enough look and said I did not know. She told me that the restless bundle of feathers in the blackberry reminded her of a bird from her childhood in Europe, whose german name translates as 'King of the Hedges.' After she had left, the rascal flashed a bit of red and I realized I did know. When I met the woman again later, she was tickled to learn that she had seen a kinglet.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 17, 2014 - 02:20pm PT

nice shots of a ruby-crowned kinglet. It is rare to see their ruby crown. A similar bird is a Hutton's Vireo. Hutton's have a heavier beak and look a bit head heavy

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 17, 2014 - 02:21pm PT

^^^
Funny, I also saw a RC Kinglet on this morning's commute. That's not too unusual around here, but I always love getting good looks at them. This one little thicket had the Kinglet, an Orange Crowned Warbler (uncommon in winter here), a Bewick's Wren, Goldfinch and a House Finch singing its little heart out. Then I turn me head and see the big rafts of Wigeons, Coots, Gadwall, Buffleheads and sparser Scaups and Ring-necked Ducks. A Bald Eagle cruised over at that point and eyed but didn't prey on the Coots. The Trumpeters weren't there today, but they've been around. That was all at one spot. A little later on I saw a raft of 19 Common Mergansers. They are big, so that's a lot of fowl.

You who are good by-ear birdirs (LittleZ ...): Do you have a difficult time distinguishing House and Cassin's Finches?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 17, 2014 - 02:36pm PT

You who are good by-ear birdirs (LittleZ ...): Do you have a difficult time distinguishing House and Cassin's Finches?

Not usually, but all the Carpodacus engage in a fair bit of mimicry, and that's where I occasionally get into some trouble. E.g., House Finches sounding a little like siskins and the Cassin's in my neighborhood add a lot of Evening Grosbeak to their repertoire. I think all the Cardueline finches probably mimic a fair bit.

If you're interested in bird vocalizations, this blog is phenomenal. It will open up your mind and ears to all sorts of new possibilities regarding understanding bird communication: http://earbirding.com/blog/

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 17, 2014 - 03:19pm PT

Yeah? How about Swainson's Thrush and Louisiana Waterthrush?

Thanks for that link, Will, I'm making a big effort to improve my aural skills.
But I had to chuckle about him going on about Ross' Gull and such. Dude! :-)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 17, 2014 - 03:25pm PT

I've seen Nathan Pieplow give presentations getting into the songs of swallows, female blackbirds, nocturnal flight calls, you name it. Next level stuff.

I'm actually trying to see if I can learn my chipmunks by vocalizations here in Tahoe (we have five). I think I'm catching on, but it's hard to know if I'm not just fooling myself. You really need to be recording this stuff to go that deep. Let's you listen later and compare and look at sonograms and all that jazz. A bit like comparing photos I guess.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 18, 2014 - 09:25pm PT

Oriental White Eyes are showing up now and they've been dueling with the sunbirds and the Taylorbirds on a micro scale...funny to watch.

Headed to China tomorrow (will spend a week around Tiger Leaping Gorge and another along the coast south of Shanghai).
Been online searching, so far haven't found any easy to download bird list from there. Anyone know of something along those lines...

A few more for last trip:

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 18, 2014 - 09:50pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 18, 2014 - 10:55pm PT

^The Kinglet rocks!

And; thanks! for the aural birding advice you two. ... It's easier nowadays to hear recordings of bird songs. I postulate that nothing takes the place of hearing a new song in the field and thinking "wtf is that?", and then tracking it down and seeing it. Maybe it's just the way my aural memory works, which seems distinct from and much worse than my visual and vocabulary memories.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Dec 19, 2014 - 08:30am PT

Yes that is a wonderful shot.^^^^

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2812292/Word-TWEET-Shazam-birds-app-lets-identify-birdsong-real-time.html

:-)

the museum

climber

Dec 19, 2014 - 05:02pm PT

the museum

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Dec 19, 2014 - 05:05pm PT

the little bird looks like a transitional juvenile starling. Is that a Harris's Hawk?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 19, 2014 - 06:13pm PT

I went looking first thing this morning for a Yellow-headed Parrot and struck out but had good birding anyway. I saw a flock of 15 Red-lored Parrots, way more than I've ever seen at one time before (eBird questioned that) and a cool Merlin.

Then in the pm I thought I'd cruise through Lake Forest and look for Turkey Vultures and maybe find the elusive Zone-tailed Hawk. I went to the area and spied a flock of TUVU to the east, maybe 12 or so. I jumped in the car and sped east a few blocks and saw 2 black birds soaring overhead. I pulled over and HOLY CRAP there it was!!!

WHEE HOOOO!!! #320

the museum

climber

Dec 19, 2014 - 06:23pm PT

Mike Bolte:

Starling thank you we couldn't agree!

Rough Legged Hawk. But, usually the starlings are gone by then! Or at least the young ones.. Or the young are not that color. Nov 45N lat....

the museum

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 20, 2014 - 04:04am PT

Going through photos last night I think I did get a shot of the Franklin's Gull. #319

edit: I've been told this isn't the FRGU. I knew I didn't get in the frame. Chalk it up to looking at photos late at night while intoxicated.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 20, 2014 - 07:44am PT

Great photos everyone, you are guys are killing it.

A few from yesterday. Sorry Dave, another Bald Eagle photo.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 20, 2014 - 11:22am PT

Digging all the exotica. Great pics all around too, as usual.

Not only do Hooded Crows like to snowboard, they can use their noodle to work out analogies:
http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/crows-understand-analogies

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 20, 2014 - 11:55am PT

Apparently our little friends have a built-in tornado detector based on 'infrasound'. They can
detect supercells hundreds of miles away by hearing the ultra-low sounds they produce!

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-bird-migration-tornadoes-20141217-story.html

I wonder whether the researchers looked at nesting success after their wee
charges returned from their impromptu trips to Florida.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 20, 2014 - 12:34pm PT

Nice links, thanks.

A few from today. Bushtits are so are to shoot. Little buggers.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Dec 20, 2014 - 05:43pm PT

Kenai Christmas Bird Count today. I got a section that was 17.8 miles of dirt roads, icy, and mostly dead ends. I saw seven species: White-winged Crossbills, Bohemian Waxwings, Common Raven, Bald Eagle, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, and Black-billed Magpie. Our cone crop is huge this year, so a large number of seed eaters is expected. It was about 20 degrees, partially cloudy with a slight wind from the northeast.

10b4me

climber

Dec 21, 2014 - 05:48pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 21, 2014 - 09:12pm PT

Nice shots above you guys, Bob love the Bushtit!....and Cyndie, Bohemian's, Wow.

I had a great day yesterday with Todd Battey up at Edward's Air Force Base birding the Paiute Ponds for an LA Cty. CBC, a closed area. I will post up some highlights soon.

I got home and was super bummed to find I had been shot down on my Franklin's Gull sighting, long pathetic story. See bad, and wrong photo above.

I got up predawn with a very optimistic plan to try for the Lewis's Woodpecker and then go back for a 6th try on the Franklin's Gull. I often fantasize about having a great day like that, it never materializes.

Predawn at Riley's and within an hour I run into Lee and Carol Bush and Cha Ching!!! 2 Lewis's Woodpeckers! WHEEHOO!

It's only 8 but we agree to meet at Woodbridge for a look for the Franklin's. We get over there and it's way too early, only 25 gulls there. By noon there should be 250 or more. I go home but am back at the lake at 11. Rick Shearer shows up and at around 12:30 there it is plucking tossed popcorn out of the air. DOUBLE WHEEE HOOO!

john hansen

climber

Dec 21, 2014 - 09:28pm PT

Great photo's Dee.

I hope you get a few more birds before the year is done.

Any target birds?

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Dec 22, 2014 - 02:40pm PT

back in Costa Rica, finally recovered from being turned into a rooster by that Haitian witch doctor.

Did the La Selva CBC on Saturday, their 30th anniversary count, the longest running CBC in CR (I've done it 20 times, now). We had 143 species on our route (Hook-billed Kite was the only addition to my year-list, # 722). Haven't heard the count total yet, and it will take a few days as the parties who were up in Braulio Carrillo NP send in their lists, but at La Selva and the surrounding lowland sites we had a preliminary total at dinner on count night of 306. We'll probably end in the high 300s, might even break the count high of 372.

Nabbed a Bare-necked Umbrellabird (# 723) yesterday morning before leaving La Selva, and found a Blue-headed Vireo (# 724) up in the pine plantations behind our house this morning. But I'm running out of gas. Would have to hit the Caribbean middle elevations pretty hard to make real headway. Sure I'll pick up a few more, but the weather is nasty over there, and it's nice to be at home, finally, where there are hot tamales, eggnog, fruit cake and smiling faces.

Merry Christmas to all you bird nuts.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 22, 2014 - 03:51pm PT

Dee is on fire, Little Z maybe see you in a month.

My offering from today, this Redtail kinda posed for me.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 22, 2014 - 04:02pm PT

finally recovered from being turned into a rooster by that Haitian witch doctor

Since that sounds like it's on topic for this thread, care to elaborate??

I've been La Selva once, just a few years ago and just for a very brief time. It wasn't exactly satisfactory. In fact, my whole visit to Costa Rica felt like a teaser, like I was setting myself for a lifetime of unfinished business. I need to get back down there!!! I hear Southwest is going to opening up flights to San Jose. Hmmnnn... (he thinks, while steepling his fingers like Mr. Burns).

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 22, 2014 - 05:00pm PT

Wow, Costa Rica RULES!

John, possible Palm Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Bell's Sparrow....we are praying for birds down here!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 22, 2014 - 05:16pm PT

A few shots from our Edwards AFB LA County CBC. Our leaders were Alan and Myra Brown with Todd Battey and I along as well. We split into 2 teams till the end where all 4 of us waded 1/2 mile in cold water to view the Rosamund "Dry" Lake. It was anything but dry. We counted several thousand birds including one flock of over 1000 Least Sandpipers. It was overcast all day so bad lighting.

Sunrise

sunset

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 23, 2014 - 10:03am PT

I want to thank Willoughby again for turning me onto the earbirding blog. Man, that dude is
damn near a bird! His blog on gulls is awesome! On the right margin of his page is a long
list of other blogs, Bourbon,Bastards, and Birds being my current favorite. The author claims
to be "the Global Birder Ranking System's #7 U.S. birder". I haven't sussed this claim out
because I'm too busy enjoying his blogs, which are at once thoughtful and wickedly well
written. He would fit in well here based on this blog's title: "Your Mom Is Ship Assisted".
BwaHaHaHaHa! BTW, it is about 'vagrancy', as pertaining to birds. :-). Check it out!

Your Mom Is Ship Assisted

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Dec 23, 2014 - 11:56am PT

Glad you're enjoying it, Reilly!
That B,B,&B blog is really fantastic. The young turks having at each other, consistently clever, great photos, and I occasionally learn something. It also helps keep me abreast of the latest scandals (both real and fake), to which I'd otherwise be oblivious. I know some of that gang, barely, and they're a really fun bunch, but with serious naturalist chops!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 24, 2014 - 09:12am PT

A Yellow-rumped Warbler from yesterday's hike.

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season, thanks for all the great photos and information.

It has really helped my birding.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 24, 2014 - 09:15am PT

GREAT SHOT, BOB! Maybe your best?

10b4me

climber

Dec 24, 2014 - 03:57pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 24, 2014 - 06:01pm PT

Does this guy look like Santa or what? Ho Ho Ho everyone!! Have a great holiday and fantastic new year!

reptyle

Trad climber

Kali

Dec 24, 2014 - 10:38pm PT

I'll give it a lash.
The first ( lack with prominent white wing bar is probably a Lark Bunting (calamospiza melanocorys)
The ducks are not detailed enough but is maybe Ruddy duck (oxyura jamaicensis) or Cinnamon Teal (anas cyanoptera)
The tbird is the northern "Bullocks" Oriole (icterus galbula)
I'll work on the others.
possi ly Sharp tailed Grouse (tymphanuchus phasinellus)
Juvenile Great Horned (bubo virginiansus) 3
Long Eared owl (asio otis)
Red tailed dark phase ( buteo jamaicenses)
Great lue Heron (ardeo herodias)
Marbled Godwit (limosa fedoa)
Brant (branta bernicla)
More later...
D-<

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 25, 2014 - 09:00pm PT

10b, the coloration on that Thrasher is interesting, what's the deal?

10b4me

climber

Dec 25, 2014 - 09:42pm PT

A bit of post processing, Dave.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 25, 2014 - 10:24pm PT

Willoughby, after reading the exhaustive treatment by the Earbirder I now have serious doubts
that Bicknell's Thrush is anything more than another Quebec separatist. What think you?

Bicknell's c'est un poseur!

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Dec 26, 2014 - 12:30am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 26, 2014 - 11:21am PT

If yer still in the spirit of giving yer donation to the Cornell Lab will
be matched by Daddy Warbucks, or a cheerier stand-in, by THREE TIMES!:
Jess sayin'...

Cornell Lab 3X Matching Donation Deal

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 26, 2014 - 07:55pm PT

We are getting stacks of American Goldfinches at our feeders lately, as many as 30 at once :-) This little guy hit one of our windows pretty hard a couple of days before Xmas, but after about an hour of warming him up in hand, he was ready to head out again - ho ho ho! :-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 27, 2014 - 11:38am PT

Thanks Reilly, hope you had a great holiday.

A little Juniper Titmouse enjoying zero temps here in Taos this morning.

Looks like a mouse to me.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 27, 2014 - 02:31pm PT

Today.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Dec 27, 2014 - 04:13pm PT

That's amazing, BN. How did you take the pic and hold the bird
at the same time?????

hee hee hee. . .

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Dec 27, 2014 - 09:03pm PT

Took a trip to Homer today. I went searching for an American Coot. I know it is not a rare bird in most of the U.S. But, it is rare in this part of Alaska. I found the bird at the outlet of Beluga Lake. #181 on my Alaska bird list. I also saw a small flock of Gray-crowned Rosy Finches and got a good photo to share.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Dec 27, 2014 - 09:16pm PT

Ducks at the supermarket, for Dee

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Dec 28, 2014 - 12:38pm PT

HAPPY NEW YEAR !! THANKS FOR ALLOF THE D'ANTONIO LINES ,CLIMBS, BOYDS AND BOLTZ!!(Bob I held you off the ground at the nears in the foggy past, you of course did not fall I just liked holding you off the deck as the pretty girls strolled past!
them duckies are messing up a glassy water shot!// straight on looking at the beak. . .that looks better
away or onthe return Oh it is a brass eagal.we miss this tennis ball alot she was a salty dog swearing and cheating at cards. RIP, Brady A quaker Parrot that was ignored/ mistreated. WE came along just in time, she stopped picking and even flew she responded so well to our rescue, she was, in the end, well loved. Please think hard about the life in a cage before you get a boyd!!
thanks for the space to post
and where is Werner's Duck??

10b4me

climber

Dec 28, 2014 - 04:11pm PT

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Dec 28, 2014 - 04:51pm PT

john hansen

climber

Dec 29, 2014 - 04:01pm PT

Hey Dee ee, here is your Palm Warbler. Maybe access issues,,

He is probably out looking for it...

http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=835276&MLID=CAO&MLNM=CA - Orange County

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 30, 2014 - 07:41am PT

Gnome, thanks and what route in the Nears? ;-)

Here are a few from yesterday.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 30, 2014 - 07:42am PT

John, that spot has closed access!

Another showed at HB Central Park yesterday, I'm going there to look.

Been birding this week with Tony, we had 5 possible Stilt Sandpipers yesterday. I'm waiting for confirmation. It's a little iffy.

I/we have been hitting the parrot roost hard with no luck just a couple of weird hybrids. Between 400 and 800 parrots there every night.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 30, 2014 - 08:01am PT

Dee, no offense, but Stilts are a pretty easy call for you I would think.
I know it was for me. Oh, wait, it was standing on its nest! ;-)
Now a winter Palm Warbler is another matter, especially finding it.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 30, 2014 - 08:33am PT

The Siskins are back to the feeder in full force. I know, no human made objects, but that's a carabiner in the foreground and we are a climbing forum. And its the best photo I have of the bird.

A leucistic(?) BC Chickadee.
and a comparison of its back with a regular one:

I always like the moving water shots
and to help with the ID

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 30, 2014 - 08:42am PT

We had a Palm Warbler hang around here for a couple weeks last winter. Here's my best shot of it:

There are a bunch more of lesser quality at
http://173.160.158.251/postings/2013_12_16_Palm/slideshow_htmls/P1030803.html

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Dec 30, 2014 - 10:32am PT

Here a couple of photos of the sandpipers in question. The bills didn't droop enough, but they looked good for stilts otherwise. It was troubling that there were 5 and that nobody had seen them on the CBC they day before. They do normally winter at Salton Sea.

I also went to the Newport Beach Pier where I saw hundreds of Black-vented Shearwaters feeding along with CA Sea Lions, Brown Pelicans, Heermann's and Western Gulls. At one point they almost made it to the surfline.

Common and Pacific Loons were just off the pier and could be seen pirsuing prey through the clear water.

Also at Bolsa Chica a Reddish Egret was feeding nearby

The parrot roost fly-in was quite a spectacle.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 30, 2014 - 10:47am PT

I agree that bill 'droop' is minor, at best. What gives me a bit of pause is
how stout the bills look. But everything else is surely in keeping with
Stilts - uniform grayish back, black primaries extending past tail, strong
occipital, blackish lores. What else could they be?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 30, 2014 - 12:07pm PT

Dave and Tony; Good luck today and tomorrow. Any joy looking for the Palm Warbler?

Do you have a New Year's Eve owling trip planned?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 30, 2014 - 07:16pm PT

ANNOUNCING.....

Supertopo Bird-a-palooza III!

Yes, the third annual Bird-a-palooza dates are confirmed. This year, we hope to hit some new places (for out of towners) including Dee ee sharing some of his sweet spots in Orange County.

BrassNuts will be in town living the dirtbag life already, but I'll fly in on Wed April 15th. Birding will happen on Thursday the 16th, Friday the 17th, and Saturday the 18th of April.

I have to fly home early on Sunday the 19th so I'll miss any birding that day.

Who will join us? I look forward to seeing everyone!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 30, 2014 - 07:39pm PT

I hesitate to proclaim a pox on yer planning so I will just say that I will be scouring the mating
leks of the midwestern Woodcock. I will force myself to let that be the salve on my disappointment. :-(

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 30, 2014 - 07:41pm PT

Noooooo! The Woodcocks are late this year. Join us! :)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Dec 30, 2014 - 07:42pm PT

^^^ thanks Crimpie. One of these years, and maybe this is the one.

I had a cold bike-birding day out in Shilshole (on the salt water Puget Sound) with wild light. It was 30F and windy, and I loved it. Neither of these had any manipulation other than minimal sharpening and simple auto level adjust (contrast-expand in Gimp).

I have always found Belted Kingfishers to be way too nervous and had never gotten a photo of one before. You can see this one was cooperative. I almost got a action shot, too. I didn't know they worked salt water.

10b4me

climber

Dec 30, 2014 - 10:00pm PT

Count me in for Birdapalooza III.

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

From Panorama City, CA

Dec 30, 2014 - 10:47pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 31, 2014 - 07:17am PT

Darwin, great shot of that Kingfisher.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 31, 2014 - 08:22am PT

Bird-a-palooza III RSVP

BrassNuts
Crimpie
10B4ME
Darwin (hopefully)
Dee ee (I think - waiting for confirmation)
Reilly (c'mon!!!)

Anyone let Aho, Dr. F and the other regulars know?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Dec 31, 2014 - 11:02am PT

LAST DAY TO DONATE TO THE CORNELL LAB AND HAVE YER DONATION MATCHED BY TRIPLE!!!!!!

Cornell Lab Donation Campaign

Jess sayin'.... ;-)

Bonus coverage:

Dee! Worm-eating Warbler at Village Green in Torrance!
{Yer prolly all over it already}

One of the more exciting birds this week was an ABA Code 4 Northern Lapwing found near St Martin’s, New Brunswick.

In New York a Couch’s Kingbird took up residence in Manhattan, New York County. This is one of only a very few records of this species in the east, as the very similar Tropical Kingbird has had a much more established pattern of vagrancy over the years.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Dec 31, 2014 - 02:04pm PT

Happy New year to everyone and happy birding, heading to Bosque del Apache tomorrow.

All I got for today.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 31, 2014 - 02:09pm PT

Bird-a-palooza III RSVP

Is that Easter week?

I'll give a 99% confirmation.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 31, 2014 - 02:21pm PT

I just came back from getting what will probably be the last bird for my 2014 Orange County Big Year, #321, Winter Wren.

Jeff and I were first on the scene this morning. It looks like he will finish 2 birds ahead of me. He got Ancient Murrelet (Dec. 28th) and a Palm Warbler (today).

He called me for the Palm Warbler but by the time I got there it was gone. We looked for a couple more hours but finally I had to throw in the hat. I made a major effort this week on the hard to find Parrot species hitting the OC Parrot Roost 4 nights in a row. On the biggest night I estimate there were 500-600 parrots. That could be an exciting way to end a Birdapalooza day!

Reddish E.

Common Goldeneye

Bufflehead

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 31, 2014 - 03:38pm PT

Bird-a-palooza III RSVP

BrassNuts
Crimpie
10B4ME
Darwin (hopefully)
Dee ee (99%)
Reilly (c'mon!!!)

Easter? I have no idea!?!?!

I checked here: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/easter-sunday and it looks like it is April 5. Phew!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 31, 2014 - 04:30pm PT

News flash, my Pacific Wren looks more like a Winter Wren.

I went point by point here and it looks to be the case.

http://www.sibleyguides.com/2010/08/distinguishing-pacific-and-winter-wrens/

We are waiting for the final verdict.

It would be better for me as it would be a lifer.

oh, our possible Stilt Sandpipers have been deemed Red Knots. When I look at Tony's shots with both birds (in field guide) open in front of me I have to agree. Bill length difference is subtle but.....

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 31, 2014 - 04:49pm PT

Your Reddish Egret is gorgeous!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Dec 31, 2014 - 06:16pm PT

What is that little flat fish? Sand dab?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 1, 2015 - 10:13am PT

Duh, I didn't even think of Red Knot, I haven't been doing shorebirds for a few years.
That explains the stout bill, eh?

I concur with the Winter Wren call based on the bill and somewhat more variegated coloring
but I would like to see a better shot of the overall. Couldn't you have gotten him to turn
sideways?

Nice shot of the Reddish Egret with the baitfish!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 1, 2015 - 03:00pm PT

Reilly, I was lucky to get him sitting still and in the sun!

Tony and I went back this morning and saw it again. It was a lifer for both of us, for me yesterday and Tony today.

COT

climber

Door Number 3

Jan 1, 2015 - 08:55pm PT

Birding got me into the outdoors and helped shape the person I am today. Last month I worked on a video project for Maven Optics telling the story of my interest in birding. The video highlights the first sighting of a Western Reef Heron (normally found in Western Africa) in North America and my meeting of birding legend Roger Tory Peterson. It also features my very cute nieces learning about watching birds and being outdoors

https://vimeo.com/110006283

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 2, 2015 - 12:37am PT

COT,
I wasn't able to open the video. I look forward to seeing it.

[Edit] Here is the fixed link. Very nice expression of some of the
joys of birding.
http://vimeo.com/110006283

Thanks to Dave for getting us to see the Winter Wren. I need to look at some Pacific Wrens when I get home to compare. Even though that was a lifer, i think the highlight of our outing was seeing the Ridgeway Rail (aka Clapper) pair(?) at Bolsa Chica. I don't think I have ever seen one calling so well. We first saw one rail in the open, then it called and the other joined it.

This is same spot where a pair produced chicks this year for the first time in decades.

There were also a couple of hundred Brant among the many species. Maybe Dave has a photo.

I later went to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine to check up on an Osprey nest. It was very birdy including lots of Blue-grey Gnatcatchers.

It's embarrassing, but our "Stilt Sandpipers" were actually Red Knots. I've never seen them in full-on winter plumage. Oh well.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 2, 2015 - 10:21am PT

From Calbirds:

Congratulations to Curtis Marantz, who in 2014 set the record for the most
number of species recorded in California during a calendar year. Recording
a list in the mid-480s was particularly impressive given that it was a
decidedly sub-par year for numbers (good for Megas, but poor for the
overall volume of vagrants, particularly wood warblers and shorebirds),
making one wonder if the magic number of 500 might actually be possible. I
understand that Logan Kahle also recorded a very high total as well.
Congrats to Logan and, especially, Curtis for their memorable 2014 big year
accomplishments! Good birding,

You can see these guys' big year totals here:

2014 California REALLY Big Year!

I think what I found most impressive is that the top dog submitted 1378
complete checklists to eBird in a year! Hope he came up for air once in
a while! Another guy submitted 2626 checklists? Are you kidding me?

I just noticed that Dee ee is there at #46 with 347!!!!
DOOD! WAY TO SEND! Almost a boid per day!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 2, 2015 - 12:10pm PT

Reilly, was Curtis the highest after subtracting the exotics?

My buddy Roy Poucher got 450 or so a few years back.

I want to congratulate my compatriate Beckey Turley at #6 and Justyn Stahl (San Clemente Island local) at #13.

Damn, Jeff beat me by 10 for Cali as well as 2 for the OC! DOG!

It's not happening in 2015. Lifers and county birds will be twitched only.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 2, 2015 - 01:52pm PT

^^^ awwww. Nice photos Tony!

and Dee ee, yours was an awesome send.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 2, 2015 - 02:05pm PT

Yes, Tony, pardon my oversight of complimenting you on not just getting
Clapper pics but Gud ones! I hate to use the 'C' word but those chicks
are definitely CUTE! OMG, I can't believe I said that! ;-)

COT

climber

Door Number 3

Jan 2, 2015 - 04:13pm PT

Thanks Tony for fixing the link. I also edited in the original post!

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 2, 2015 - 05:33pm PT

Just to be clear, that was NOT my photo of the rail chicks. I got it from an article here: Endangered bird species mating in Bolsa Chica

Agreed they are cute.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 2, 2015 - 10:09pm PT

A few from Bosque del Apache, the weather was cold, snowy and overcast. Bird counts are way down.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 4, 2015 - 12:39am PT

Nice shots again, Bob.

On our way home from SoCal to the SF Bay Area, we decided to take a route that would give us a chance to see the Gray Hawk that has returned to spend its third winter in Carpinteria south of Santa Barbara. We saw it in the first winter while still a juvenile. I was looking forward to seeing it as an adult, almost a lifer. We searched the area where it had been reported in recent days, but failed to find it. Almost ready to give up, we went back to the highway and headed north, but I spotted it on top of a utility pole. We got off and headed back along the frontage road and saw it perched briefly but it flew off to another pole. I grabbed by camera, but DEAD BATTERY! Fortunately, I found a fresh one as we parked. Here is a sequence as it spotted some prey, swiveled around and flew after it, not reappearing. Whew!

By the way, congrats to Dee ee on an impressive effort on his Orange County Big Year. I think his total was within about 10 of the all time ABA record.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Jan 4, 2015 - 12:42am PT

Hi everyone, hope you all enjoyed the holidays.

Cool pictures Bob, do you know what kind of bird the eagle is carrying? Around here I mostly see them eating mallards and coots.

Last time I was here we were discussing the Tamron 150-600. Here are a few shots with my copy. These are all hand held because I'm a tripod assassin. ( I threw my spare tire on top of it)

Great shots Tony. We must have been posting at the same time.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 4, 2015 - 12:45am PT

A Sandhill Crane??

Beautiful shots Chewy.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 4, 2015 - 01:27pm PT

Tony nailed with a Sandhill Crane, the Eagle was having some trouble getting airborne.

Here is one from today and congrats to Dee for a great year and great photos Tony & Chewy.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jan 4, 2015 - 01:41pm PT

Congrats to DEE on his year. Great job my friend.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jan 4, 2015 - 01:58pm PT

Cheweybacca--great shots!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 4, 2015 - 04:07pm PT

Thanks Rob, it was pretty epic.

Think of climbing El Cap every month for a year........or.....sompthin' like that.

If there is anything slower that climbing El Cap emfay it is birding El Cap emfay.

Right now I'm trying to claw my way back to the top 10 OC, but, I'm not doing a BY, I promise.

Bob, Chewy, Tony, most excellent.

Oh, p.s. I got the Lewis's Woodpecker and the Northern Water-thrush today.

That has nothing to do with a county year. Just psycho birding.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 4, 2015 - 11:14pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Norwegian

Trad climber

dancin on the tip of god's middle finger

Jan 5, 2015 - 05:45am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 5, 2015 - 04:41pm PT

Mr. Mastodon Farm could be my favorite Cake song!

A few from today.

Franky is still hangin'. He let me get within 5 feet.

Irv. Val. College resident.

Scrum

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 6, 2015 - 08:26pm PT

Rustic Bunting!!

We managed to see it today on our second try. It has been in Golden Gate Park in SF for a month now.

There is a Le Conte's Sparrow at Pt. Reyes. I hope to get up there before it leaves.

john hansen

climber

Jan 6, 2015 - 09:35pm PT

Man .. you guy's are good.

It is always fun to check in with this thread.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 7, 2015 - 12:31pm PT

Today's photo from Taos, NM

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Jan 7, 2015 - 12:35pm PT

Thanks Bob, nice one. Looks like he got a vole or mouse.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 7, 2015 - 12:47pm PT

Yay, Rustic Bunting!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 7, 2015 - 01:51pm PT

Elcap...I'm pretty sure it is a mouse, when down in two quick bites.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 8, 2015 - 09:09pm PT

Todays pursuits.

First, the Tundra Swan up on the San Gabe River, LA County. After 8 hours working.

Then over to Garden Grove for the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet. I looked at all the date palms and was ready to leave when several workers at the Orthodontic Office came out and were looking up and pointing. The Parakeet had come out and presented. Then when I was ready to leave later out came a second one.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 8, 2015 - 10:13pm PT

Dave,

Those look pretty bright. You must have gotten an early start @ work. The Tundra Swan appears to be a juvenile. Hope it makes it back OK.

Darwin and I are going to try for the Rustic Bunting tomorrow. I'd like to guarantee it, but we failed on our first try. The next day we will go to Pt. Reyes in hopes of seeing the LeConte's Sparrow. That one sounds less sure-fire, but I'm sure we'll see lots of other good stuff. Darwin need his fix of beach/ocean. Hoping for some Ancient Murrelets, which have been numerous this winter.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 9, 2015 - 01:07am PT

Man, I need to get down and catch that bunting! Sibes are my favorites. Great photos of a hard-to-photograph bird, Tony. Most of the pics I've seen of that thing are rubbish.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 9, 2015 - 02:18pm PT

Nothing special, just a few from yesterday.

10b4me

climber

Jan 9, 2015 - 04:00pm PT

john hansen

climber

Jan 10, 2015 - 12:18pm PT

Can I get a little ID help on these two birds?

Saw both at Patagonia lake in AZ last October.

Crappy photos but hopefully good enough for an ID.

Ladder backed Woodpecker?

And some type of Flycatcher? Pacific slope?

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 10, 2015 - 08:19pm PT

The Sea and Sage Pelagic trip rocked today. It was the best in 3 years or so. We had...oh, where to start.... We had an Ancient Murrelet before we left the bay for a later total of 16 or so. We had a Glaucus Gull just after we left the bay. Once out to sea we had numerous Rhino and Cassin's Auklets, Red Phalaropes, Bonaparte's Gulls, 10 species of gulls, Thayer's etc. We thought the high point were 17 Brown Boobies on an oil platform until we got a Little Gull on the way back. DUDE!

Friday, I struck out on the Worm-eating Warbler in LA. I may go back Mon. AM.

GLGU

REPH

Common Murre (not so common)

Brown Booby

Aquatic Mammals (later a Fin Whale)

Little Gull

Gulls-

Ring-billed
Western
Cali
Thayer's
Glaucus-winged
Herring
Heerman's
Glaucus
Little
Bonaparte's

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 10, 2015 - 08:50pm PT

The Little Gull was SICK! Now, about the photo., diagnostic as it may be. ;-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 11, 2015 - 01:53pm PT

A few from today. Looking forward to Spring.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jan 11, 2015 - 10:59pm PT

Dave,

That sounds like a fabulous pelagic trip. 15 Brown Boobies in one place! The Little Gull photo is funky, but it does capture the field marks.

Two days ago Darwin and I looked for the Rustic Bunting at Golden Gate Park in SF to no avail. It had been seen shortly before we arrived. After an hour we left to do some surf and seawatching. When we returned for the Rustic Bunting we were told that it been visible again about 30 minutes earlier!

Yesterday was more successful at Pt. Reyes. We hiked out to Abbotts Lagoon to look for a Le Conte's Sparrow that has been around for a couple of weeks. A bit of patience paid off with good looks at the bird, a pretty colorful sparrow. That was my third lifer of the New Year.

There were some pretty relaxed Turkey Vultures perched right by the trail.

Some shorebirds along the way were unusually tolerant of us hiking by.

We were entertained by a Gopher while waiting for our sparrow to show.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 12, 2015 - 07:36am PT

Great shots Tony and Bob! Love the Leconte's Sparrow.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 12, 2015 - 08:54am PT

Nice pics this page everyone, even some Boobies, hehheh. Keep up the good work! Mostly snowy and cold here lately, feeders are busy and we've had a new player this year as have many along the front range - Cassin's Finches :-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 12, 2015 - 10:14am PT

Yous guys make it hard on us patzers!
But I saw some birds this weekend, too!

On top of Dante's View, Death Valley...

I changed from the 16mm lens...

OK, so he wouldn't look at me. Can't blame him.

edit: I assume Dee is off to the Salton Sea for the Roseate Spoonbill.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jan 12, 2015 - 07:55pm PT

killer photos everyone.

Tony and Dar, looks like you all had a great trip. That Le Conte's Sparrow is a real looker. I've only ever seen it once, also as a vagrant, but that was back in the late 70's in Maryland (Patuxent).

Dee ee, I see your friend Jeff has vanished from the top 100 eBird output. I know you can choose to opt out in your user settings, but any idea about his motivation for this? ... just curious.

Did my last CBC a week ago at the Rainforest Aerial Tram. That was the first CBC anywhere to get over 400 species (that was back in 2002 or something like that), but now there are a bunch of counts in South America that blow that out of the water.

We had wind and rain with brief sunny spells. Only 369 or so spp total. Got to ride the tram all day (and also do laps on the maintenance trail). Only 73 species on our route, but some fun ones.

both were perched right next to the tram line.

Already have 3 species that I didn't get last year for the old CR year list. Managed 729 for 2014 which is my personal best. Biggest year I know of is 746 which my friend Kevin Easley did in 2009 (that included a trip to Cocos Island). He doesn't list in eBird though. But in Costa Rica I think you could easily get up to 775 with a good effort, and maybe 800 if you were truly insane. Because it is such a small country, you wouldn't need to be rich to do a record big year. You can even get to Cocos Island for free if you sign up as a volunteer with the Park service, although I hear it is sort of like slave labor. Anyways, big years are fun even if they are only in your head.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 13, 2015 - 07:39am PT

little Z, nice camo on the Common Potoo.

Yes Jeff opted out and no one knows why yet. I called him last night and he didn't answer, pretty strange for a guy who never puts his phone down.
I have been getting emails from others wondering why as well.
I did peek at his Facebook page and he is posting run and walk stats, looks like a possible total paradigm shift.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 13, 2015 - 02:05pm PT

^^^wrt Tony's Pt Reyes photos.
Thanks for posting the photos Tony.

Going to Pt Reyes after coming down from Seattle in mid-winter was a gobsmacking treat for me. It's hard to beat the mild weather, lots of birds that I don't see around Seattle proper, and getting to hang with Tony and the "Y" person who shall not be named. And the surf was pumping, if mostly closed out and being cruised by Great-White Sharks. Birding-wise: watching lots of C.B. Pelicans ride updrafts along the waves, seeing the Sanderlings and working-for then seeing the Le Conte's Saprrow were the high points that come to mind. Oh, and we got pretty close to a White Pelican, too. But heck I get excited about seeing Brown(California) Towhees when I go down there so, I'm not particularly discriminating. Talk abut excited, Little Z's Christmas bird count is mind boggling.

Anyway, here is another photo of Tony's of the Le Conte's Sparrow that highlights the unique coloring on the nape. I did crop it and ran it through Gimp's sharpen and contrast stretch. The colors are slightly over saturated but still pretty true. In some lights the throat took on an rose color that the photos didn't capture.

(Tony I didn't get your permission, I'll of course pull the photo if you want.)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 13, 2015 - 07:59pm PT

That's a beautiful Sparrow.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jan 13, 2015 - 09:13pm PT

We're happy to have a new visitor in the hood this winter, Cassin's Finch
Another newcomer, a partially leucistic House Finch
And of course, the usual winter suspects

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Jan 14, 2015 - 01:11am PT

Super Brass!

Well I went ahead and bought the 50-500mm Sigma.
Haven't used it yet except out the hotel window in Bangkok trying to catch some Barbetts.

Not worth posting, but I am headed next week to a NP and will bring the bazooka along.
Looking forward to what it can (or can't do).

Meanwhile:

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 14, 2015 - 11:19am PT

Oh, no: Delhi Dog gets a better lens! I'll never bother posting again.

Apropos Little Z's Costa Rica yearly count records: I could probably find out online, but about how big is a big year in in India?
(if anyone says 366 days, I'll pout)

10b4me

climber

Jan 14, 2015 - 03:39pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 14, 2015 - 03:45pm PT

Nice Wobbler and all of yers Brass.!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 14, 2015 - 06:19pm PT

Great photos above, a few from today here in Taos, NM

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Jan 15, 2015 - 12:24pm PT

O MY What a wonderful Full Flight Eagle Shot!! All of the photos here are always so well shot and lit..!! The exposure thread just saying...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 15, 2015 - 06:21pm PT

Mind-blowingly great photos on this page! (Like all the rest)

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 16, 2015 - 04:44pm PT

Bob, great Bald Eagle shot, one of your best out of many (Bald Eagle shots!).

On my second try up in LA today I found the Warm-eating Warbler!!! I was lucky to hook up with Don Sterba, the guy that originally found it back in Dec.

I didn't get a perfect pic but I learned that flash is OK to use, just too late for today. Don used his flash, I didn't, (it was 7:10 in the morning and still darkish) and got great shots.

Yesterday and the day before.

Merlin

Rock Wren

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Jan 16, 2015 - 08:58pm PT

Darwin, there is no big year here in India as far as I know though I do know a dude here who is up to over 1030 (though not in one year). I think the current count is somewhere around 1300 or something like that species. I'm still searching for a max year count.

I still am very impressed with Dee's +300 in Orange Co. Pretty cool.

Lots of great shots over the last few pages-it's been fun getting caught up with this thread.

A couple more (I don't think I've posted these yet)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 17, 2015 - 10:09am PT

Just booked a flight to Belize...first stop, Crooked Tree!

http://www.birdinginbelize.com/northern.html#crooked

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 17, 2015 - 12:28pm PT

Damn you Bob! When are you going?

That White Crested Laughing Thrush is rad! Does that reflect his head shape? LOL.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 17, 2015 - 01:36pm PT

Dee, I leave 2/15, you should come. :-)

Great photos Delhi!

10b4me

climber

Jan 17, 2015 - 05:03pm PT

Went on a Pelagic trip with the Pasadena Audubon Society today. Saw hundreds of California ,Herring, and Heermanns Gulls. Also saw Cassins, and Rhinoceros Aucklets, Brown Vented Shearwaters, Ancient, and Xantus's Murrlettes, Brandt's, and Double Crested Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, and this guy

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jan 18, 2015 - 10:39pm PT

Went to Seward to look for a rare, for Alaska, Purple Finch. I had to look through hundreds of Pine Siskins and caught a fleeting glimpse of the Purple Finch. No good photos of either of those. I did get OK shots of some Pine Grosbeaks.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 19, 2015 - 07:12am PT

Cool Cyndie.

We're having a bit of an irruption year for Purple Finches down here. They had 50+ at Shipley Nature Center in HB and we had 2 yesterday at Carbon Cyn.

Last year we had to go to altitude (for OC) to find them, 3000'+ on Saddleback.

Steve, love the Common Murre.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 19, 2015 - 01:31pm PT

I've discovered that I can't not do a big year, so the fun continues. These aren't all first of year but the Sparrow is.

Heerman's Gull

Lesser Scaup

Cali Thrasher

Red-tailed Hawk

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

Yay, I got #7800!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 19, 2015 - 04:09pm PT

I'm going for a "little year". A few from today's search for new rock.

I did find some new rock.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 19, 2015 - 05:43pm PT

I love the surrounding geography photos Cyndie and Bob.

Cyndie, I'm pretty sure I've been to that beach on a trip over to Day Harbor to visit friends Eric and Martin! No big surprise, but when I was there it was too overcast to see the mountains, but you could make out Seward across the Bay. We might have been a little further out towards the point.

Not dismissing the bird photos all the rest of you!!!!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 20, 2015 - 04:37pm PT

OK, maybe it was a bad idea for me to get a cameral with video capability. ;-)

[Click to View YouTube Video]

but I just love the big flocks of birds, sight and sound. The sounds the best part of this one for me. I know this would have been better with a wider lens, but it was zoomed out as far as it would go. Marymoor Park over in Redmond(ed.), WA.

Here is something from the commute today. They are cute when they aren't going though your camp site or garden. Few birds today though.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Jan 21, 2015 - 02:30am PT

One of my brothers use to have a racoon. He lives in Modesto and that little dude would go out at night hunting for cats.
My brother would at times find cat pieces in his backyard. I never would have guessed.

Anyway, most of you probably already know this (or have another site) but I found this site when I was looking for a bird list to Panna NP (where we're headed this 3 day weekend (I NEED to use that lens!:-)

http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?lang=EN

It has just about everywhere on it and easy printable lists.

I managed a quick snap as this roller was flying away. I love these guys-so many shades of blue.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 21, 2015 - 08:10am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 21, 2015 - 09:09am PT

Whoa! Hooded Warbler! I hate you!

Can't compete with that but Sunday I did see a Texas variant Horned Lark
amongst a herd of C. Cali nominates. Hey, I thought it was cool. Also
saw a dozen Brant at Moro Bay on Sat.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 21, 2015 - 10:17am PT

Finally got to try for the Rustic Bunting yesterday morning ... in the fog!! Eventually the sun did come out, as did the bird, though the two never intersected for me. Here's my contribution to the long string of blurry bunting photos:

amyjo

Trad climber

Jan 21, 2015 - 10:35am PT

So many fine photos on this thread.
Always a pleasure to check in....

Dear Mike,
Thank you.
That Hooded Warbler. Wow. Good spotting. Any chance he's still around?
I may have to make a trip. I've been having a great time out at Arrowhead Marsh with the king tides. 4 Sora yesterday. In particular I love it when the dock is covered with birds, mostly Marbled Godwits and Willets
300+ of each, GBH, Snowy Egret, Great Egrets. The sounds! And then a flock of Black Turnstones flies in, maybe forty, and is completely hidden in the forest of larger birds, and then there's one Ruddy Turnstone but you can only see its reddish feet scampering within the bigger birds, Hehe.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jan 21, 2015 - 02:31pm PT

Barr lake bald eagle. . .

Thousands of Canada geese, some snow geese, and a few pintails & mallards. . .sorry only had my little camera. . .

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 21, 2015 - 06:06pm PT

Green Jays!

And no camera!!! Cruelness!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jan 21, 2015 - 06:21pm PT

Hi Amyjo - that Hooded Warbler is still hanging around Natural Bridges Park as of today (Wednesday). it has been there almost a week.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 21, 2015 - 06:37pm PT

Hooded Warbler, Wow!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jan 23, 2015 - 08:11am PT

Great photos Mike and Delhi...here are a few from the last two days.

I'm on a Bald Eagle fixation.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 23, 2015 - 09:52am PT

GREAT stuff!! I love Hooded Warblers and you got the best pose!

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Jan 23, 2015 - 02:43pm PT

I am the proud owner of a new camera, .
It is so light! and Iam not steady or well sighted enough without glasses to do justice to this thread,
I will practice and hope that I can catch a shot that mesures up.

Thanx Bob and haven't you eaten enough rock dust?</;+D
Go climb a route for the fact that it is 2015 thats 40yrs , huh!!?
Glad to see that your traveling,
Good on ya,!
boltin bob for the United States 1st Bolt Zsar!

john hansen

climber

Jan 23, 2015 - 08:02pm PT

Such a fun thread.
Stopped by at the Kealakehe Waste Water Treatment Plant, on my way down to Kona. There has been a Spotted Redshank and a Black Tern hanging out there this winter. Quite pleasant with the onshore breezes blowing in over the sewage ponds.

With the thick Vog, the black plastic pond liners for the background, and looking into the sun with my Canon SX50 zooming in and out thru the chain link fence , conditions were perfect for nailing that once in a lifetime photo.

Hawaiian Stilt

Black Crowned Night Heron

Pacific Golden Plover

Wandering Tattler

Ruddy Turnstone

And Sanderling

Did not see the Redshanks or the Tern, I think I need a scope.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jan 23, 2015 - 08:18pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 24, 2015 - 08:04am PT

I found this new Eurasian Wigeon yesterday.

Blue-winged Teal

(not so) Wild Turkey

Oh ps, I want to count these mother efffers on eBird. I mean they are out side of the fence RIGHT?

10b4me

climber

Jan 25, 2015 - 03:54pm PT

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Jan 26, 2015 - 01:35pm PT

From the net, one hell of a cute Titmouse.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 26, 2015 - 03:41pm PT

My organization, the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, is sponsoring a "Tahoe Big Year," with loads of folks doing a big year in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee area in 2015. If you're interested in learning more (e.g. we're giving out prizes!), check out our website. Anyhow, it's been fantastic so far, with all the participants getting out and having a great time in the mild weather, and they've been turning up some great birds too. Yesterday, a group found a real doozy, and it was right in my neighborhood: a male Rusty Blackbird in the Glenshire neighborhood of Truckee. They weren't 100% on the ID, so I was in no rush to chase it, but during lunch I managed to turn it up. Second state bird in consecutive Mondays, and a hell of a bird for the Tahoe region - w00t!! Here's my best iPhone digiscope:

This one's not nearly as good, but shows some of the colors much better

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 26, 2015 - 03:45pm PT

immature Fieldfare? (strictly off the cuff - no booking!)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 26, 2015 - 06:54pm PT

Reilly, you talking about my pics? Man, I wish!! This is a male Rusty Blackbird. Gotta read the fine print.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 26, 2015 - 07:33pm PT

Well, the eye did look rather un-Fieldfarish but I thought I had to come up with something wild!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 26, 2015 - 07:40pm PT

WOW, if I were anywhere near Tahoe I would be in.

We are having a pretty good week down here. It started with 2 Orchard Orioles, 1st year males (lifer).

Then a Dusky Flycatcher

Then... a Bay-breasted Warbler!

Wheehoo!

john hansen

climber

Jan 26, 2015 - 07:50pm PT

Willouhby, how many birds do you think are possible in that area in a year?

We did a few Big Days in Placer county back in the early 80's and got around 125 or so. But that goes all the way down into the valley. I think they are up over 150 for big days now.

I am thinking it might be hard to get 200 in that small area. Any established record to go for yet?

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jan 29, 2015 - 09:25pm PT

Birds was really burried.

Kelp Gull - First lifer for 2015 and a new Costa Rica bird for my list (only the 4th record for the country). Not my find, but sure am glad it hung around.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Jan 31, 2015 - 09:28am PT

bump

all wet

crest down

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 31, 2015 - 11:01am PT

Deeee, you're not supposed to pet the Clappers, that's how you get the Clap, isn't it?

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 31, 2015 - 12:00pm PT

Hey John,
It will be very hard to get 200. Scott Dietrich did a Lake Tahoe basin big year last year and ended up with ~ 185, which is pretty phenomenal. That guy was out nearly every day and picked up all kinds of rarities, including Tahoe's first Short-eared Owl (which was waaaaay overdue) and Lesser Black-backed Gull, a couple of rare sparrows, Semipalmated Sandpiper. But he also missed a handful of stuff that should be gettable, like owls, but I don't think he had too many easy dips. It wasn't a particularly good year for shorebirds though. I think 200 is possible, but you'd have to be fantastically lucky. Personally, my goal this year to make sure I add to my own Tahoe basin list, and try to pick up some things I have (or Tahoe has) been missing for too long: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, White-winged Scoter, Glaucous-winged Gull, Flammulated and Western Screech-Owls, Juniper Titmouse, Tri-colored Blackbird, Yellow-billed Loon, and who knows what else. My Tahoe list has been stuck at just shy of 90% of Tahoe's list (now at 307, I think) for about 10 years. I catch up, and then we keep adding new species. Some things I'll probably NEVER get (e.g., Chestnut-backed Chickadee), but many others are doable with a little luck. I've chased Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at Tahoe countless times, so this year I NEED to check that box. The owls are very doable too. The rest ... dare to dream, eh?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jan 31, 2015 - 12:19pm PT

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are that regular there? I am amazed W Screech are
so hard to come by as well as Short-eared. But what do I know?

BTW, thanks again for the Ear Birding link. I spent a while the other night
listening to his myriad recordings of Brewers/Timberlines. Whoa, that
is some interesting stuff! Not to mention arcane! ;-)

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 31, 2015 - 12:40pm PT

No problem, and glad you're enjoying it. I need to spend more time on that site myself!

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are definitely annual in the early to mid-summer, turning up at feeders for a few days and then disappearing (usually as soon as I give chase). Occasional fall records too.

Screech-owls may be more common in the Tahoe basin than I realize, but my owling efforts have been few, far between, and remarkably unsuccessful. I need to be up and at 'em waaaay early almost every day during the breeding season, so motivation for owling, especially after so many goose-eggs, can be tough. I've turned them up a bunch in the East Side Pine habitat around Truckee.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jan 31, 2015 - 12:53pm PT

Yup. Head up Barker Pass Road (Blackwood Canyon - west shore a few miles south of Tahoe City) in late summer pull over about halfway up the road, or at least periodically, and they'll fly over soon enough. Helps to know what they sound like. In spring they come down to nibble on willow and especially cottonwood buds, so the again lower in Blackwood Canyon can be good but that road will be closed. Bridge Tract in Meyers in late May can be good for this:

But they're all over Tahoe. I've found two nests up North Canyon on the NV side, that I can recall. I've even had a few hit the net over the years. I think this was along Logan House Creek, on the NV side:

IIRC, the type locality for the Sierra subspecies was somewhere around Pyramid Peak.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 2, 2015 - 07:20am PT

A few from the weekend.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 2, 2015 - 06:34pm PT

Good ones above Bob and Will!!

Raven's Roost, a small fraction.

Love is in the air, or on the ground .

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 3, 2015 - 02:06pm PT

I've been legitimately trying hard to get this bird on my Tahoe list for the last 15+ years. First documented Harris' Sparrow record for the Tahoe basin, finally.

Crap light during a cloudy sunrise = crap focus. Still a great bird.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 3, 2015 - 02:16pm PT

Great score! Did you just come across him?
Photoshop is yer friend.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 3, 2015 - 02:19pm PT

Here are a couple more from this morning, behavior stuff.

A Red-shouldered Hawk taking off with some fish skin:

And a magpie with a gob chock-full o' peanuts:

This next one's not really in focus, but it shows how they stack 'em at an angle to fit more in:

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 3, 2015 - 05:15pm PT

Great stuff above and great score Willoughby. Western Bluebird today in northern NM.

Common Goldeneyes and Mallards.

New Mexico blue sky and Western Bluebird.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 3, 2015 - 11:35pm PT

Love the Harris's Sparrow, Western Bloob and Common Goldeneyes!

Had a Wren day, got Canyon Wren #215 and Cactus Wren #216 (yes, another county year).

a little fuzzy but...

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Feb 3, 2015 - 11:43pm PT

hey there say... just recently, learned of this 'program' for the
osprey...

http://powerlines.seattle.gov/2012/10/26/osprey-successfully-raising-chicks-on-seattle-city-light-nesting-platforms/

https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEVr_xrdBUzZoAgronnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTB0N25ndmVnBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1lIUzAwNF8x?_adv_prop=image&fr=yhs-mozilla-001&va=power+lines+AND+osprey+nest&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001

how many of you birders, have been blessed to see any osprey nest, i was
curious... ??

well, i just can't get to take bird pics, but, i can share this:

http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/tv/osprey-cam-highlights/

:)

thanks for sharing all the great bird shares, :)

also, i enjoyed this:

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 4, 2015 - 12:31am PT

A friend found it late in the day yesterday, and I made sure I was there at sunrise to have the best odds (and still get a full day of work in).

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 4, 2015 - 01:09am PT

^^That's way cool.
I'm only in Truckee June+ July but I'd sure dig seeing some of these little guys you keep finding.

Maybe Timid and I will do a little weekend birding trip in the area sometime this summer and have interested folks come visit too.

Just a thought:-)

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Feb 4, 2015 - 02:17am PT

All ways such great stuff !!
I think each of the pictures And the grabbers of the view are Full Value!
thank you !
I can not just pick one that from #xx20 - 45!
Each of you have great skills and determination
What are you ?A bunch a Climbers?🍒🔆⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 4, 2015 - 05:53pm PT

Darn wish I could go.
A cool opportunity.

Congratulations Fred!

Slater

Trad climber

Central Coast

Feb 4, 2015 - 07:50pm PT

Hey there, been absent from this thread for a while... but still birding like crazy.

Heading to Texas in April, UPPER Coast and Big Thicket area. Any tips from Ya'll?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 4, 2015 - 10:43pm PT

It seems that there are hints of Spring in Seattle. Our feeder is hopping with Siskins and occasional RB Nuthatches.

These are two "hike and bike" lifers for me from the Seattle Arboretum. Spring or not; What with the overcast, rain and tree shade, it was so dark for these that the exposure was 1/5 sec before I jacked up the iso to astronomical values. On this trip I also heard Pacific Wrens and Varied Thrushes, but I couldn't catch a glimpse of them.

These are rare up here:

But not so much these although it's the first I've seen here.
(clicking on this^ one helps)

Then from a little closer to home;

and

a through the window pane, one from the feeder

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 5, 2015 - 08:26am PT

Point & shoot birds south of PV Mexico - January 2015

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 6, 2015 - 12:17pm PT

We spent last week at a cabin in Mendocino overlooking the ocean. From the deck we saw 4 species of alcids, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled and Ancient Murrelets. Except for the Murres, non came close enough for photos.

On the Headlands wee surpised to see 2 Ross's Geese with some Cackling Geese.

This Western Gull managed to get a dead Octopus ashore and gulp down two tentacles.

We spent a lot of time looking for a Rock Sandpiper, which would be a lifer for both of us. No luck there, but there were many Black Oystercatchers everywhere we went - 40 on one rock.

There were also Varied Thrushes all over the place.

A Pacific Wren put on quite a singing performance at spots throughout its territory. It was good to have seen the Winter Wren with dee ee, so I could go over the differences.
[Click to View YouTube Video]

A Western Screech-owl was sunning its face in the botanical garden.

[edit]
Back at home we went out to monitor Golden Eagle nesting in the Diablo Range. A pair of eagles flew very close to us and landed in a tree together. I only got this lousy digiscoped photo.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 8, 2015 - 08:24am PT

That boobie is a strange looking bird.

A few from our local birding spot today.

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Feb 8, 2015 - 10:53am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 8, 2015 - 11:09am PT

Amazing birds Delhi Dog!

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 8, 2015 - 03:23pm PT

Hammond's Flycatcher

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 8, 2015 - 04:34pm PT

Long-tailed Duck in Agate Bay (n. Lake Tahoe) today. I got these shots from my kayak, moments before the rains started. Distant moving birds + moving boat + dark and gloomy skies = crap focus and exposure, so these are the best I could do to clean them uwith Photoshop. Great tic for the Tahoe Big Year though!!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 8, 2015 - 08:00pm PT

Thanks all above.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 8, 2015 - 08:51pm PT

Yo Dehli Dog and Timid, I posted a reply a ways back, but it looks like it didn't upload. Anyhow, that all sounds great to me. I like birding, and picking music, and I even go climbing sometimes. Just know that I'm pretty seriously booked up during the summer days, including the weekends, especially during June/July. But I'll be doing all three of those things mid-June (~ 19-21) down at the Mono Chautauqua, which is based out of Lee Vining. The weekend before that, I'll be tied up with our own little one-day Tahoe birding festival (with free guided bird walks) on Saturday and a Native Species Day on Sunday. I'll be leading gobs of outings June and July, so check in once we get a little closer and maybe you guys can hop on something I'm already leading some morning, and then we could put a rope up and/or pluck some strings aprés.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 8, 2015 - 08:54pm PT

Dee, did you hear the Hammond's? I'm sure you catch my drift. ;-)

BTW, the AOU just gave us a free lifer!!!!! WOOT!!! They've split the Clappers.
The westerns are now Ridgeway's! I love sitting on the couch adding a lifer! Oh,
wait, I haven't seen one back east so ... :-/

And how bout that BL Kittiwake in AZ? Talk about lost! And a Painted Bunting in Joisy!

Oh, Willoughby, there's a Fieldfare in Nova Scotia so I wasn't far off!

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 8, 2015 - 09:24pm PT

Willoughby, sounds good!
Hopefully we'll makes something happen.
Is there link to these outings and when they happen-thanks!

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 9, 2015 - 12:17pm PT

Shrikes are gnarly.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Feb 9, 2015 - 12:33pm PT

Yeah, the title is pretty misleading, but shrikes definitely kill small passerines (and whatever else they can catch) when they can.

My first experience with a shrike was during a dendrology field exam in Vermont. The class was all huddled around a red-osier dogwood, going through the various field marks and such, when somebody gasped. There was a mouse leg impaled on a broken-off twig.

dee ee

Mountain climber

citizen of planet Earth

Feb 10, 2015 - 04:39pm PT

Reilly, I hear ya!

Yes, that Chickadee was not well.

We had a weird incident down here a couple weeks ago. A person/ranger at the Dana Pt. Harbor reported a Masked Booby on the jetty. They said it didn't look well, said it looked "really tired."

The next morning it was dead.

Eventually a guy paddled a paddle board over and recovered the body to send somewhere for study.

All us birders were pretty bummed we weren't there when it was still kickin'.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 11, 2015 - 04:19pm PT

Got some infection so the trip to Belize/Guatemala has to wait a month. I'm stuck here looking at these fellows.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Feb 11, 2015 - 04:28pm PT

They say, "Thanks for havin' us."

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Feb 11, 2015 - 06:26pm PT

Bob, bummed to hear about your trip to Belize, but there´ll be better migrants in March. Get well.

Went out on the windswept pampa Guanacasteca to look for rare ducks at this water tank on a big cattle hacienda.

Had to stay on the correct side of the fence on the hike out there

found some rare duck. In case you haven't noticed, I have no shame when it comes to the quality of the photos I post here

walked past a tree with a pair of White-tailed Hawks perched in it. Looked like the beginnings of a nest there. The pair stood their ground and one started screaming.

got back to the car just as the sun was going down, 5 minutes earlier and the light would have been stellar for this little bucko

I did a 360° scan before getting in the car and counted 92 Lesser Nighthawks up flying around, and 5 Double-striped Thick-knees just sort of appeared out of the grass and stood there hunched over like little undertakers at the side of the road.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 13, 2015 - 12:25pm PT

Great stuff/photos Little Z, I'm going early April, should be quite good then. Here are a few from today.

Of course more Eagles.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 13, 2015 - 12:31pm PT

Hi, Birders,

Just a quick note to let folks know that I had a report of 7 BROWN
BOOBIES and the continuing NORTHERN GANNET present at the Farallon Islands
National Wildlife Refuge.
Some of the boobies are reportedly engaged in displaying and bringing in nesting material.
Could be interesting....

Shearwaters Forever,
Debi Shearwater

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 13, 2015 - 06:20pm PT

Today.

Cali Gnatcatcher

Cactus Wren

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 13, 2015 - 06:24pm PT

Tony and I went out yesterday.

Pelagic Cormorant

bathing PECO

Ruddy Turnstones

Cedar Waxwing, a rare loner

RSHA

john hansen

climber

Feb 13, 2015 - 07:43pm PT

Always cool stuff here.

A couple weeks ago I started putting some birdseed on the railing to see what might come in. It is right out side my window so I could set up my tripod.

So far I have had four speices, all introduced, Japanese White eye, Spotted Dove, and some other smaller dove I am not sure of..

There were also this pair of Cardinals. They are the only ones I have got so far. The rest spook really easy.

EDIT:
De, Big Island Hawaii

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 13, 2015 - 08:45pm PT

Wow, great Cardinal shots!

Where you at?

Let's see that mystery dove.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Feb 13, 2015 - 08:47pm PT

Speaking of Stone-curlews/Thick-knees as undertakers, we saw ~40 of these Bush Stone-curlews in a cemetery in Cairns.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Feb 14, 2015 - 02:27am PT

John,

have fun with your feeders. Try putting out some fruit too (orange halves, bananas and papaya).

was this your dove?

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 14, 2015 - 10:06am PT

Once again: I love this thread.

I know it makes me a little person, but I liked that little-Z got jazzed at seeing a Cinnamon Teal. There aren't too many that we see around town but he has to travel to Guanacaste! Of course the Cinnamon was almost buried in Blue Winged Teals. They aren't that common here.

I've been revisiting the idea of a hike-and-bike big year, just for me. Little-Z and Dehli Dog, you live closest to the equator. Do you have a guess how many birds you could count within walking distance from your house. I think little-Z told me that he saw 90+ species during one casual 4.5 mile hike around his house. For me, 40 would be a huge walking day, and I think the most I've bothered counting is around 30. I can't remember what Tony got on his first day of the STBY on SF Bay: 60+?.

Of course going on a bike tour would change everything, especially if I were to get over the Cascades. I can't imagine it would push me up to tropical numbers, though.

love the photos, y'all

P.S.: Tony, gave me Stone Curlews as an un-named photo from his Australia trip. I couldn't get close even with research. Days passed, and I had to email back one of those "I give up" messages.

MH2

Boulder climber

Andy Cairns

Feb 14, 2015 - 08:37pm PT

Found in the snows of yesteryear.

john hansen

climber

Feb 14, 2015 - 09:35pm PT

Z, I think that is the one. Zebra Dove.

Here is a spotted Dove.

climber

California dreamin' on the farside of the world..

Feb 15, 2015 - 10:09am PT

Holy Moly! Some amazing bird photos here!

My embarrassingly humble offering, taken with a phone...

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Feb 15, 2015 - 10:12am PT

Are you back in Cali, L????

How's about some stories from your last trip???

hee hee hee. . .

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 15, 2015 - 11:56pm PT

tu wee

Vireo huttoni

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Feb 16, 2015 - 02:01am PT

Little-Z and Dehli Dog, you live closest to the equator. Do you have a guess how many birds you could count within walking distance from your house.

This link:
(http://avibase.bsceoc.org/checklist.jsplang=EN&p2=1&list=clements&synlang=®ion=INnwdl&version=text&lifelist=&highlight=0); shows 413 in the Delhi area and that should indicate a fairly large number for a city that is now purported to be the 2nd largest in the world (and one of the most polluted).

Believe it or not there is a lot of green space in and around the area I live.
But, to answer your question I'd go somewhere around 100... Jan1-Dec31.
Like other places Delhi has a significant number that passes through during the seasons. We're on major fall/winter/spring migratory paths for much of N. Asia and to Africa.
However, we're not that close to the equator:-)

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Feb 16, 2015 - 07:09pm PT

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Feb 17, 2015 - 02:58am PT

Some may remember the sound and fury of the Mono Lake crisis in the seventies and eighties.

Everyone thinks of the California gull and its breeding ground.

But what of Wilson's phalarope which spends it's idle hours there tuning up for the long flight south?

Some photos from National Geographic from 1981.

"Save Mono Lake."

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Feb 17, 2015 - 09:16am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

john hansen

climber

Feb 17, 2015 - 07:34pm PT

Apapane at Volcanoes National Park.

Japanese White Eye (introduced)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 18, 2015 - 09:34am PT

Dee ee ;
Thanks for the good Hutton's Vireo photos. One of the little things I would like out of life, is a day where I could get good long looks at three or four of the different Vireos along side each other and (apparently) Kinglets and small olive-colored warblers. The bills are a real key, eh? Likewise with Purple, House and Cassin's finches. It's not much to ask.

(edit)
And DD thanks for the information. I always envision S. India almost touching the equator, even though I know intellectually that it doesn't. You're way up north, top of that. I did not now how large N Dehli was, though. I imagine it being "nestled below the Himalaya" in what I envision as a migrant trap.

Closeness to equator (don't you just love Google maps!?):
Anchorage 61 deg N ( Cyndie)
Seattle 47 deg N
SF 37 deg N
LA 34 deg N
N.Delhi 28 deg N
Big Island 19 deg N
Mexico C. 19 deg N
S.J. C.R. 9 deg N

(I reserve right to make corrections on this post)
Any S. hemisphere posters on the birds thread?

referring to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latitudinal_gradients_in_species_diversity

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Feb 18, 2015 - 10:53am PT

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Feb 18, 2015 - 10:57am PT

10b4me

Social climber

Feb 18, 2015 - 03:58pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 18, 2015 - 04:28pm PT

Rough-legged Hawk and Bald Eagle in the San Luis Valley, southern Colorado today.

Also a pretty Mountain Bluebird.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 20, 2015 - 05:31pm PT

bump batch

Cygnus olor #225 (Tony, it took 2 more tries)

Aphriza virgata

Aratinga mertrata #224

Mergus merganser #226

Lanius ludovicianus #227

Branta bernicla

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 20, 2015 - 05:53pm PT

photo bomb

Tringa Incana #228 Todays find

Podiceps nigricollis

Recurvirostra americana

Tachycineta bicolor

Anus cyanoptera aka "Squinty"

john hansen

climber

Feb 20, 2015 - 06:11pm PT

Great series there De, looks like your year is going well.
Still using the Cannon SX50?

Rosy faced lovebirds (introduced) nesting at a gas station awning in Wiakaloa.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 20, 2015 - 06:40pm PT

I'm confused. That is an N. Shrike's bill and some intermediate eye-mask.

At the moment I want to say: great catch Dee ee.

These are Northern from up here in the fall.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 20, 2015 - 10:17pm PT

John, I warranty-ed up to the SX 60.

Darwin, note minimal white around eye and lack of barring on breast. But, hmmm, that bill does seem extra hooked.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 21, 2015 - 09:54pm PT

Today was our long awaited field trip to the Seal Beach Nat. Wildlife Refuge (AKA Naval Weapons Reserve). Here are 3 of the best.

I went with the San Bernardino Valley group led by ex-climber and guide book author Brad Singer.

Ferruginous Hawk

Nelson's Sparrow (dull) (we've seen a bright one there as well)

And the big surprise was a Sage Thrasher

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Feb 23, 2015 - 03:48pm PT

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Feb 26, 2015 - 08:55am PT

Freaking corvids. They will inherit the earth some day

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31604026?ocid=socialflow_facebook

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Feb 26, 2015 - 09:33am PT

10b4me

Social climber

Feb 26, 2015 - 01:10pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 26, 2015 - 01:44pm PT

Nice photos above...a few from Bosque del Apache the other day.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 26, 2015 - 02:05pm PT

Gnome ... ; Red-shouldered Hawk? Where was that? Beautiful and we just don't have them much(at-all) in Western Washington. I've seen them perched in California, but never got such a good view flying.

Thanks all the rest of course.

ps: I wouldn't hearing about Bob's flycatcher ^^^. I don't want to embarrass myself more than usual by venturing a guess. aw heck: WWPW?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 26, 2015 - 02:27pm PT

I wouldn't hearing about Bob's flycatcher

Darwin, according to the Stokes it goes "p't'peer p'd'jjeet... also a
plaintive peeeuu."

Sibley says "pidiweew,pidireep,pidiweew,pidireep

Hope that helps

;-)

scuffy b

climber

heading slowly NNW

Feb 26, 2015 - 04:17pm PT

How about some narrative detail regarding the Heron and the fish?

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Feb 26, 2015 - 07:53pm PT

Bob,

that photo of the red-wings is amazingly captivating. Great shot.

Dar, I think that flycatcher is a Say's Phoebe.

sorry, no (crappy) photos to add to this post,

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Feb 26, 2015 - 08:41pm PT

Thanks Little Z and yes it is a Say's. The other bif picture is of long-billed Dowitchers.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Feb 26, 2015 - 10:01pm PT

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Feb 26, 2015 - 10:15pm PT

Mike B,

That sequene is fantastic.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Feb 26, 2015 - 10:49pm PT

You're all too kind. That and black were my first guesses but then went far afield.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 27, 2015 - 01:29am PT

Bob, that Red-winged Blackbird shot is RAD!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Feb 27, 2015 - 10:51am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 27, 2015 - 10:55am PT

Claude, we hear plenty of loons right here on ST, don't we?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Feb 27, 2015 - 01:12pm PT

Beautiful gold and blue loon there. ;)

sween345

climber

back east

Feb 27, 2015 - 02:37pm PT

Reilly,

Cornell lists a couple of songs for the Says Phoebe.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/says_phoebe/sounds

Jim

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Feb 27, 2015 - 06:48pm PT

New yard bird.

Through the sliding glass door.

BUOR

In the Jacaranda

10b4me

Social climber

Mar 1, 2015 - 05:22pm PT

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

From Panorama City, CA

Mar 1, 2015 - 09:33pm PT

Methow Valley

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 2, 2015 - 12:16pm PT

Cool one from the web

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 2, 2015 - 12:18pm PT

Me too DMT, they are such happy little birds, they always brighten up my day when I see them. Nuthatchers are really funny too.

Lacey

Social climber

Nevada

Mar 2, 2015 - 06:05pm PT

Lacey

Social climber

Nevada

Mar 2, 2015 - 06:37pm PT

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Mar 2, 2015 - 07:46pm PT

john hansen

climber

Mar 2, 2015 - 09:21pm PT

So where did you see that Snowy Owl?

Nevada is pretty far south for one of those.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Mar 3, 2015 - 02:06am PT

Has anyone else noticed an early migration in your area. The tundra swans, robins, red wing blackbirds, and other migrants started showing up in western Montana about 3 to 4 weeks ago.

Plan B

Ice climber

SoCal

Mar 3, 2015 - 05:11am PT

Spectacular! :)

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 3, 2015 - 09:56am PT

https://gma.yahoo.com/woodpecker-takes-weasel-ride-life-154631256--abc-news-pets.html
A photograph of a weasel riding on the back of a woodpecker that seems almost too incredible to be true, is not photoshopped, according to the British man who snapped the now-viral photo.

Martin Le-May says he was out for a walk on Monday with his wife, Ann, in a London park when they heard a “distressed squawking.”

The couple trained their binoculars on the bird in distress and saw it was “unnaturally hopping” and flapping its wings.

"Just after I switched from my binoculars to my camera the bird flew across us and slightly in our direction,” Le-May told ABC News by email. "It was obvious it had a small mammal on its back and this was a struggle for life.”

The mammal on the back of the woodpecker was a weasel. The Le-Mays watched as the woodpecker landed right in front of them and fought for its life.

I feared the worst,” Le-May wrote. “I guess though our presence, maybe 25 meters away, momentarily distracted the weasel.”

“The woodpecker seized the opportunity and flew up and away into some bushes away to our left,“ he wrote. “Quickly the bird gathered its self-respect and flew up into the trees and away from our sight.”

As for the weasel that caused all the drama, Le-May says it disappeared into the long grass of the park, “hungry.”

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 3, 2015 - 10:39am PT

Really great photos above. A couple from today, Sage Sparrows have showed up and a few of the usual suspects are still hanging around.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 3, 2015 - 11:47am PT

nice shots Chewy!

Ghost

climber

A long way from where I started

Mar 3, 2015 - 12:44pm PT

Dirt Claude's loon video reminds me of an adventure a long time ago...

In the 1960s I did a lot of wilderness paddling guiding in northern Saskatchewan, where loons are so common that they're unremarkable. Common or not, they are fairly wary, and would dive if a canoe came any closer than 50 meters or so -- not coming up for ages, and a long way away when they did.

But one day, paddling across a lake not too far from a small settlement, we got closer and closer to a loon that, while obviously agitated, didn't dive. Curious, we came so close that we could see that its feet were trapped in a fish net strung just below the surface.

I unsheathed my knife, and while the others kept the canoe still I tried to cut the bird free.

Which sounds simple, but have you ever been up close and personal with a loon? (I mean other than the politards here on ST). Those birds are LARGE. And their beaks could be used to spear elephants. Seriously. The beak was at least six inches long, and the bird was doing its best to kill me. I had to fend the beak off with my paddle in one hand, while trying to cut the net with the other hand.

Actually kind of scary, as it could easily have driven its beak right through my arm. But I finally got it cut loose.

At which point it immediately tried to dive, and of course immediately became tangled in the net again. So we went through the whole "I'll try to kill you while you try to save me" thing one more time.

And this time, when its feet finally came free, its dive was successful.

Gypsy

Social climber

Usually behind the camera

Mar 3, 2015 - 02:45pm PT

Speaking of spring migrations, the hooded mergansers are courtin' and sparkin' in Black Mountain, North Carolina

Meanwhile at another lake nearby, there were red headed and canvasback ducks as well as an American wigeon.

And about two weeks ago while there was still snow on the ground, a brown thrasher (who we only see in spring/summer around here) was sitting on my birdbath (which was frozen)

the museum

climber

Mar 3, 2015 - 03:49pm PT

Chewy, YES we were snowshoeing at 6800', 11F, 40" of snow, 40mph wind, no sun, 45o N lat, last sunday, we saw a group of some kind of flycatcher - several flying and playing and singing. They were so unusual and out of character we couldn't ID them.

I'm still puzzled.

the museum

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Mar 3, 2015 - 05:26pm PT

Great photos above!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 4, 2015 - 05:48pm PT

Need a little ID help with this one - pics in Kaufman guide just don't seem to match up all the way... What u think? Seen in central NMexico 2 weeks ago on my way to Cochise.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 4, 2015 - 05:56pm PT

I'd say a Chipper who has gone with the anti-Mohawk look.
He looks a classic pale 1st winter Chipper but for his crown.

Plan B

Ice climber

SoCal

Mar 4, 2015 - 06:35pm PT

I vote for White-crowned Sparrow

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 4, 2015 - 06:39pm PT

"Yer honor, I'd like to change my plea!"

You're right, the first winter White-crowned has the buffy crown.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 4, 2015 - 06:46pm PT

Cool, thanks Gentlemen, I would agree 1st year White Crowned after reading some additional descriptions and seeing a couple of pics on the intardnet, but it certainly threw me off at first... Below are some other birdies from NMex on the way south a couple of weeks ago:

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Mar 4, 2015 - 06:50pm PT

hey there say, john hansen... say, sue had one year, where she lived, that snowy-s were all over the place (well, as a manner of speaking) meaning:
many were being spotted, more than usual... we saw them in michigan here and
where she lived, which was, at the time, might have been nevada...

sue, are these new shots, or the same snowy?
not sure why, but the news was saying it was a 'great year to view them'...
(not sure if that meant great for, enviourment wise, though) ...

say, chewybacca, is that the Pileated woodpecker, there...?
we are supposed to have them here... my ex son in law, saw one, and, well:
was shocked at the GIANT woodpecker...

i hope to see one someday, and thought i heard some, one morning...

also:
dirt claud, that was amazing story... i did get to see about that, too...

and gypsy:
GREAT TAKE OFF, or landing, captures, wow!

and bird-bob... always love your pics, but especially those blue, or, giant blue herons... :)

so fun, everyone... thanks so much for sharing...

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 4, 2015 - 11:03pm PT

All birds have their "birthday" on New Years Day, so BrassNuts' sparrow is a second-year bird, having hatched in 2014. Honestly, I'm surprised it doesn't have more black in the crown, as those head feathers get replaced during the winter. I just see one black feather right up against the bill. Another thing worth noting is the pale loral area in front of the eyes. That and some other features make this a Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow, down from the higher latitudes. Check out the Sierra, Rockies, and southern Cascades birds mid-summer and you'll see that their lores are black, but these guys push further south in the winter, being replaced by the northern gambelli. I always love seeing that turnover in subspecies, as the period of overlap here at Tahoe is very, very small. Subspecies are FUN!!

http://www.sibleyguides.com/bird-info/white-crowned-sparrow/

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 5, 2015 - 07:02am PT

Awesome...love when you chime in Willoughby. I am in Florida enjoying the sun, work, roseates, red tails and even an adult bald eagle!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 5, 2015 - 07:03am PT

10b4me

Social climber

Mar 5, 2015 - 03:41pm PT

DangerLaef

Trad climber

Sydney. NSW

Mar 5, 2015 - 04:57pm PT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR_QotxFewM

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 5, 2015 - 05:58pm PT

^^^ Totally awesome bird porn!

MH2

Boulder climber

Andy Cairns

Mar 5, 2015 - 08:38pm PT

Thanks for the Seattle crow gifts story, the heron sequence, the redwing blackbird cloud, and other fascinating photos and stories.

My wife showed me the weasel on a woodpecker just after I had looked up ermine and then stoat on Wikipedia. The stoat entry includes a picture of a weasel on the back of a rabbit, allegedly killing it, but it looks like it requires cooperation from the rabbit. What I am wondering is whether a woodpecker might look to a weasel a bit like a rabbit.

Not a bird but it flew. None of the photos showed a foot touching the ground. I would not want to be what it was looking for.

Floyd, a one-time member of the family.

Part of the reason we live in a place called Eagle Harbour, next to Eagle Island and Eagle Creek, under Eagle Bluff.

Where birds sense rotational accelerations.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 6, 2015 - 03:58pm PT

Today I got a Palm Warbler while looking for the Burrowing Owl. then I headed over to visit the Great-horned family.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Mar 6, 2015 - 06:50pm PT

Neat weasel!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 7, 2015 - 07:20pm PT

One of my favorite OC trash birds, European Goldfinch.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 8, 2015 - 09:03pm PT

I was a little scared to report the Palm Warbler I saw a few days ago. It was in full breeding plumage and I thought no one would believe me. It's only the end of the first week of March and the books all say not till April. But, I had no choice but to let the cards fall where they may and put it in eBird and the RBA. A couple people even said "what, no photos?"

Today there were a bunch of folks over there and it was re-found and photos taken....wheeee hooo!....along with a Sage Thrasher. I have to say it feels good to be confirmed by my peers.

Here is a link to one of Don's (Hoechlin's) shots

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46984141@N04/16732862706/

Here is another bird I saw today.I had been looking for this cavity thinking of Birdapalooza and some folks (Brassnuts) desire to see a Western Screech-Owl. Today Lee Bush gave me exact location details.

john hansen

climber

Mar 8, 2015 - 09:22pm PT

If you remove the 's' after the http, the link works, not sure why sometimes the s gets added....but some one has mentioned this before.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46984141@N04/16732862706/

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 8, 2015 - 09:27pm PT

Oh....sure enough!

Thanks John.

...another shot...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46984141@N04/16572634499/in/photostream/

one more

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46984141@N04/16758756895/in/photostream/

Gypsy

Social climber

Usually behind the camera

Mar 9, 2015 - 05:59am PT

Love his work Dee ee. Thanks

I have a small set of warblers on flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gypsyflores/sets/72157627805303297/

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Mar 9, 2015 - 07:36am PT

A flock of vultures roosted in my pine tree last night.

We almost never see these guys around here. Maybe once every few years when they're passing through.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 9, 2015 - 08:12am PT

Gypsy, I believe this

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gypsyflores/6183906330/in/album-72157627805303297/

and the next two shots are of a Palm Warbler not a Yellow-Rump. Nice small set of small warblers!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Mar 9, 2015 - 09:37am PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 9, 2015 - 09:51am PT

Warblers, Owls, Hummers - spring is near! A few recent edits from my trip to Cochise last month;

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Mar 9, 2015 - 03:26pm PT

Great eagle, Mike!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 9, 2015 - 03:53pm PT

BN,
Lincoln's Sparrow it is, and a dandy one at that!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 9, 2015 - 05:35pm PT

Great shots above you guys....and Gypsy, nice set of Warblers.

Tony, there is a new Osprey nest in the OC. I hope it lasts, at UCI.

Chaz

Trad climber

greater Boss Angeles area

Mar 10, 2015 - 10:51am PT

Vultures are back.

We rarely ever see vultures here in East Redlands. When we do, it's in the early evening. I've never seen one during daylight here, and this morning it looked like Buzzard Woodstock!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 10, 2015 - 01:32pm PT

Great photos! I went to a raptor rehab place outside of St. Louis once. Best park was a giant pen of turkey vultures. They saw me and ran over in the way that TVs run. Love it! So curious they were pulling on my clothes and camera strap (through the chain link fence). They are sweet and important birds

The baby Flickers are adorable! We get many at our home we call "V-heads". They are Red-Shafted, but have the red V (some full, some partial) on the back of their heads like their yellow-shafted cousins.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Mar 10, 2015 - 03:13pm PT

Here is a bird that I saw today in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 10, 2015 - 04:46pm PT

Cyndie;

What are you doing up in Fairbanks? Ititarod start?

10b4me

Social climber

Mar 10, 2015 - 05:31pm PT

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Mar 10, 2015 - 11:20pm PT

Darwin, yes I went to the Iditarod start. I got away from the crowd and waited on the river to see the mushers. It was fantastic! Also came up to see and photograph the International Ice Carving Championship and hopefully see the Northern lights. No luck on the lights yet.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 11, 2015 - 12:04am PT

love the baby flickers and the ice birds.

Just a few from Bosque del Apache today.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Mar 11, 2015 - 12:15am PT

Wow I love checking in on this thread. Bob that is a great road runner...beep beep.

Wow! Almost 8000 posts in this thread

And with none of that other crap that appears and gets spewed in so many threads.
Guess we're a bunch of bird brains!

Which is very cool.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 11, 2015 - 11:48am PT

Dave,
I guess that is Osprey nest #4 in OC. It looked like the adult might have been feeding young? Was this posted, so that Jim Pike knows about it?

Osprey nesting season is getting into swing in the SF Bay. It seems to be about two months behind SoCal. The nests are on a variety of structures

A few nests are on structures expressly installed for the Osprey to divert them from other structures such as utility poles.

The population has grown enough that there are frequent skirmishes over available nest sites.

10b4me

Social climber

Mar 11, 2015 - 03:52pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Mar 12, 2015 - 03:01pm PT

This goofball showed up a week ago, checking out all the action at my seed feeder. I put up the sugar water and a few days later he reappeared, and has been here since. March 5th, 5964' elevation. I guess we're just skipping winter this year. He's singing up a storm today.

Also today, the bluebirds are taking inventory on all the cavities in the 'hood. I've seen as many as 11 file into this box at twilight in years past.

john hansen

climber

Mar 12, 2015 - 09:42pm PT

As always , amazing stuff.

A couple of Apapane.

Gypsy

Social climber

Usually behind the camera

Mar 13, 2015 - 05:32am PT

spring is beginning to happen in Western North Carolina. The crocus and jonquils are blooming. The red-bellied woodpeckers are tap tap tapping on the top of the power poles and the male cardinals are in the top of the trees saying "pretty, pretty, pretty" (or rather purdy, purdy, purdy).

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 13, 2015 - 07:56am PT

Great stuff above, really nice. A few from Monte Vista NWR in southern Colorado. The cranes are back along with a few other flying creatures.

climber

California dreamin' on the farside of the world..

Mar 13, 2015 - 10:56am PT

Great shot of the cranes, Bob!
And the owl. Very nice.

From December

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 13, 2015 - 11:30am PT

Spring is starting to spring! Some more bird pics from Cochise a couple of weeks ago...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 13, 2015 - 11:48am PT

Thanks, L...here is a another of the Norther Harrier at Monte Vista NWR.

jonnyrig

climber

Mar 13, 2015 - 01:45pm PT

Coopers Hawk? There are two around. Maybe nesting, as they've been around about two weeks, and they seem to like our tree.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Mar 13, 2015 - 04:44pm PT

Hay BN!
I thought that was an albino cardinal for a minute!

hee hee hee. . .

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Mar 13, 2015 - 05:10pm PT

was down in the stinkin' hot lowlands a few days ago checking out the waste water treatment ponds at a palm oil processing facility (for you non-birders out there, places like that are great spots to look for shorebirds) and ran across this pair of nesting Southern Lapwings

This was right around noon in an open gravel parking area. The heat was suffocating (the smell of fermenting plam kernals didn't help either). No need to incubate the eggs. The trick was to keep them from frying. In the photo above you can see how the one bird is squatting over the nest to provide shade.

while I quickly got a photo of the eggs the two birds crouched nearby keeping up a constant ear-splitting squawk. These lapwings have a very sharp, red bone spur at the bend of their wings that they can use as a defensive weapon.

so think of little fighter jets ready to blast off and nail you if you let your guard down. As soon as I turned my back to get out of there they were all over me. I wound up having to back away to keep the two birds in front of me so as to fend them off. No surprise this species is rapidly spreading through Central America headed north. They are formidable little critters and love trashy habitat.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 13, 2015 - 10:24pm PT

^^^ Lapwings kind of weird me out, and one of Tony's photos of one from Australia(?) inspired me to post it the Cthulhu thread.

I walked instead of cycled into work today. I was was able to go slightly different way, and came across a Pileated Woodpecker right in front of me. What a big hunk of beautiful bird. I didn't have my camera, but this is from a year and a month ago from right in my neighborhood, so I'm posting.

john hansen

climber

Mar 13, 2015 - 10:30pm PT

Pileated are the coolest of the woodpeckers.

Great shot.

Gypsy

Social climber

Usually behind the camera

Mar 14, 2015 - 05:49pm PT

Wonderful pileated shot...love them.

Spring continues to come to Appalachia:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 14, 2015 - 06:27pm PT

Oh, that male House Finch succeeded....I'm impressed!

Great photos Gypsy!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Mar 14, 2015 - 07:28pm PT

lots of great photos. Bob - the owl is really nice as is the Harrier looking at the camera. Gypsy, the Brown Thrasher is fabulous. Brassnuts, excellent images as always.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 16, 2015 - 04:25pm PT

This is really wild to watch but also pretty graphic. Would not suggest climbing at these cliffs. These Eagles have some serious power, and a brutal way of getting these mountain goats.

[Click to View YouTube Video]

MH2

Boulder climber

Andy Cairns

Mar 16, 2015 - 06:15pm PT

Aaaahh, bird's eggs, deeply if inexplicably gratifying. Thanks.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 17, 2015 - 09:50am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 17, 2015 - 10:02am PT

Brunch...

splitclimber

climber

Sonoma County

Mar 17, 2015 - 12:11pm PT

8000 posts. What a great thread!!!

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Mar 19, 2015 - 11:14am PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 19, 2015 - 12:17pm PT

An opposite scenario, bird munching a 4 legged critter...
Some other AZ bird shots

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 19, 2015 - 02:57pm PT

Great photos above.

Bushtit and Mountain Chickadee outside the house today.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 19, 2015 - 09:37pm PT

Here was our big excitement this week. It was a Dusky-capped flycatcher at Gilman Park.6th or 8th ever in the OC. Last time in 2005-6.

.....and yes we heard it singing and calling many times! It has a very complex song with several very different parts. Check it out.

Poloman

Trad climber

Anna, Il

Mar 20, 2015 - 01:45pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 20, 2015 - 03:49pm PT

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Taos, NM today.

Gypsy

Social climber

Usually behind the camera

Mar 20, 2015 - 07:29pm PT

Love the white crowned sparrow, Poloman

And a very fine shot of that little nervous bird, Bob D'A

Gypsy

Social climber

Usually behind the camera

Mar 20, 2015 - 07:30pm PT

Happy spring

Gypsy

Social climber

Usually behind the camera

Mar 21, 2015 - 06:45am PT

10b4me

Social climber

Mar 21, 2015 - 01:17pm PT

Gypsy

Social climber

Usually behind the camera

Mar 22, 2015 - 08:48am PT

Only female hummers take care of babies on the nest.
My guess it is an Anna's hummingbird but I don't know where you are located

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 22, 2015 - 12:03pm PT

Those hummers look just about ready to fledge!

More excitement this week, Pine Warbler yesterday. That and the Dusky-capped Flycatcher were lifers.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Mar 22, 2015 - 12:16pm PT

Plain old, same old...the pig birds are about all I have...At least on most days.There were two happy blue jays the other day, though.

Gypsy

Social climber

Usually behind the camera

Mar 22, 2015 - 01:35pm PT

Not the very best focus; but a very lovely wingspread.

climber

California dreamin' on the farside of the world..

Mar 22, 2015 - 06:03pm PT

Nice one, Gypsy! ^^^

Loved the HummerCam, Dave. Could have watched that thing for an hour. :-)

G_Gnome

Trad climber

Cali

Mar 23, 2015 - 09:26am PT

The young hummers will hang around mom for another week or two. I'm always amazed at how fast they go from tiny to fledgling.

otisdog

Big Wall climber

Sierra Madre & McGee Creek, Ca.

Mar 23, 2015 - 12:32pm PT

There is a bird in my neighborhood (socal) that is singing every night - actually there are many. song is a poop - poop -poop -poop- poop -poop-poop -poop that rises in frequency as it continues. sorry about the poor explanation. any ideas what it is? Much thanks

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Mar 23, 2015 - 02:07pm PT

Funny bird commercial.
[Click to View YouTube Video]

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 23, 2015 - 07:26pm PT

"poop. poop".... that's a tough call!

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Mar 23, 2015 - 08:10pm PT

Went for a long walk along the Russian River yesterday. It felt like Spring,51 degrees, it sounded like Spring, it is Spring! Early for those of us in the far north, but I'm not complaining. Lots of Brown Creepers, Common Redpolls, White-winged Crossbills. Heard a Varied Thrush. The American Dippers were singing and establishing territory. Saw several Golden-crowned Kinglets and a few Juncos.

john hansen

climber

Mar 23, 2015 - 09:05pm PT

Otis, perhaps a Common Poorwill?

You can probably find a call some where online , like Cornell bird sounds.

EDIT, like this one

http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/common-poorwill.

Scroll down about halfway and they have the recording in the right hand side.

otisdog

Big Wall climber

Sierra Madre & McGee Creek, Ca.

Mar 24, 2015 - 06:07am PT

No,that's not it. The song I'm hearing doesn't change notes…just pitch. Kind of like a helicopter taking off, but slower.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 24, 2015 - 09:45am PT

Great stuff everyone, had to cancel the trip to Belize as we are buying a new house in Taos and settle in three weeks, down in Chihuahua now for five days and really having a great time, when birding in the Madera area, Basaseachic Falls and Casas Grandes. Chihuahua is a pretty amazing place and really quite good for birding, it also has the biggest wall in North America.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 24, 2015 - 03:10pm PT

Bob, the biggest wall in No. America? What is it? Photos?

Great shots of the Golden-crowned Kinglet and pissed off Golden-crowned Cyndie!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 24, 2015 - 10:59pm PT

A few from Chihuahua, Mexico.

Basaseachic Falls

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

Mar 25, 2015 - 06:31am PT

Crimson sunbird lounging on the razor wire... A nice day in Pakistan.

Any idea how to fine tune autofocus on Nikon D5100? Focus is more or less consistently just a bit behind subject, even if using spot focus mode.

Lasti

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 25, 2015 - 08:44am PT

Lasti, I'm sure you can get an answer on the Nikonians (I know) site. You may not be able to
ask a question without forking over $25 but you can read for free. I might suggest you turn
down the saturation and contrast in-camera settings a tad. That should help a bit with your
focus issues.

Cyndie, GREAT Kinglet shot! I would like to see the first one cropped a little closer and
maybe brightened a bit?

Bob, those are some really nice ones, too! Almost thought that was Yose Falls! LOL

This just in - construction was halted yesterday on a bridge over the 60 freeway when chicks
were found in a Say's Phoebe nest! Woo-Hoo!

Otisdog, the bird whose call is often described as a ball bouncing down a flight (pun intended)
of stairs is the Western Screech owl. Go to Cornell Lab to hear it.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 25, 2015 - 11:49am PT

American Black Duck, Rio Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico

Black-throated Sparrow.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 25, 2015 - 12:59pm PT

Lasti,

I had focus problems on a Lumix 100-300mm lens. With spot focus, it would seeming randomly focus on anything in the field of view. If it happened to pick the bird, the focus was fine, but it would often focus on something else. I have a very nerdy (& in the case correct) friend talk me into doing a firmware upgrade on the lens (not the camera, although I did that, too). It made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the world as to getting spot focus to focus on the "spot".

Darwin

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 25, 2015 - 06:34pm PT

2015 OC #252

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Mar 25, 2015 - 06:46pm PT

Great stuff Dee, slow down dude you are making the rest of us look weak. :-) Reilly thanks and it is quite an impressive waterfall.

Glossy/White faced Ibis?-La Junta, Chihuahua, Mexico

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Montana, Whitefish

Mar 25, 2015 - 07:00pm PT

Lasti- The D5100 doesn't have a feature for fine-tuning the auto focus. As Darwin suggested you could try updating the firmware. Here is a link-http://https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17547/~/d5100-firmware%3A-a%3A-1.0.1-%2F-b%3A1.01-upgrade

If that doesn't work you could call a shop to see if they can adjust it. Did it get dropped or something?
I've been pretty happy with mine for the last couple of years. But I think I'm going to upgrade this summer. Good luck with getting it fixed.

Lasti

Trad climber

Budapest

Mar 25, 2015 - 08:59pm PT

Thanks for the tips, will tone down in camera tweakage and will look into firmware. The lens (18-200 vrii) has seen better days, but the camera is pretty well looked after.

Get back to you about results.

Lasti

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 27, 2015 - 09:03am PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 28, 2015 - 08:46am PT

I took a little non-birding trip up to the Skagit yesterday with my visiting brother in law. Even a non-birding trip up there usually results in photos.

They are on their way up to you Cyndie. On a side note, there's a nice climbing photo of Cyndie on one of the other threads.
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2545343&msg=2601386#msg2601386

This following one from the Fill confused me for a few seconds (before I saw the bill).

And here's a joke ID challenge from the fill. They are not terribly common (a couple a year) around here.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 28, 2015 - 02:54pm PT

We just returned from some birding in High Island TX (yes fun) and are excited that the third annual Birdapalooza is just around the corner.

Hour hope this year is to hit some new places (for out of towners) including Dee ee sharing some of his sweet spots in Orange County.

BrassNuts will be in town living the climber dirtbag life already in California and I will fly in on Wed April 15th. Birding will happen on Thursday the 16th, Friday the 17th, and Saturday the 18th of April.

I have to fly home early on Sunday the 19th so I'll miss any birding that day.

I look forward to seeing everyone!

The RSVP list so far:

Dee ee
BrassNuts
Crimpie
10B4ME
Darwin (hopefully)

Who else will join us?

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Mar 28, 2015 - 04:26pm PT

Thanks Darwin, we are ready for them to show up here.
Saw a ringed-neck duck the other day and the gulls are back.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Mar 28, 2015 - 07:37pm PT

I can't wait to see the action from the birdopalooza!!!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 28, 2015 - 09:26pm PT

It should be fun as always. As an appetizer, here is a point-and-shoot shot of a distant relative we saw this week:

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Mar 29, 2015 - 12:58am PT

It seems we will be in SoCal during that time, so count me in for the ST Birdapalooza. Is there any sort of schedule? Where/when do we meet?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 29, 2015 - 06:18am PT

The RSVP list so far:

Dee ee
BrassNuts
Crimpie
10B4ME
Darwin (hopefully)
Tony + 1

Who else will join us?

In the past, we decide on a starting point (not yet determined...Dee ee, any suggestions?). Where we go is usually based on the most knowledgeable birder in that area and of course the cooperation of the birds.

We are hoping Dee ee can guide us to the best places. If he is unavailable, we can get his recommendations and figure it out from there. If you want, we can all exchange cell numbers so you can join mid-way.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 29, 2015 - 02:25pm PT

I know BN wants a Western Screech-Owl, I'll check on that dude to see if he's still in his cavity.

Migration is really kicking in so it should be pretty good.

10b4me

Social climber

Mar 29, 2015 - 04:40pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 29, 2015 - 04:55pm PT

Woohoo!! Owls are always fun!

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Mar 29, 2015 - 07:57pm PT

Went to the Kasilof River mouth at noon today. I saw a Bald Eagle, mallards, Greater Scaup, Pintails, Long-tailed ducks, Common and Barrow's Goldeneyes, and White-winged Scoters. Still waiting for the arrival of the cranes and geese. The gulls are returning and their numbers are growing daily.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Mar 30, 2015 - 09:46am PT

It is still down in the teens at night in Ontario. Looking like my
Birdapalooza there is gonna be a plain ol' Looza! :-(

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 30, 2015 - 10:49am PT

A quick sampling of pics from our trip to High Island TX last weekend. We were a little early for migration, but still good birds :-)
Looking forward to seeing some birding Tacos in a couple of weeks :-) BTW, if anyone is interested, I'm looking for climbing partners for Josh on April 14, 20 and 21.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Mar 30, 2015 - 12:34pm PT

I'm in for birdapalooza! cheers

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 30, 2015 - 07:49pm PT

Great news Matty! Steve Aho is also in. Sitting in another airport so I can't copy and paste the RSVP list.

Hoping other tacos join too!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Mar 30, 2015 - 08:17pm PT

I can see Callie's hungry. She wants more tacos.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 30, 2015 - 08:20pm PT

In fact I am hungry!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 30, 2015 - 09:31pm PT

Dee ee
BrassNuts
Crimpie
10B4ME
Darwin (hopefully)
Tony + 1
Matty
Steve Aho

Awesome group! Who else will join us?

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 30, 2015 - 09:59pm PT

YO Birdapalooza People

I have a couple thoughts regarding our upcoming birding.

After doing the LA county thing for the last couple of years I'm thinkin' we should hit the OC, but I'm not opposed to going to LA for a day. We did score the first Calliope Hummer ever at the LA Arboretum last year.

So....we should hit Bolsa Chica at some point. It is a good/great spot that isn't necessary to hit in the early AM (a great second spot)and is good for many species. The Great-horned Owls may still be in their nest. Reddish Egrets, Black and Surf Scoter, Terns, Mergansers, Osprey, Peregrine,... etc.

Some of the other hotspots are the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (usually good for 70-80 species and a best first stop), Irvine Park (Western Screech-Owl, Black-chinned Hummer), Laguna Niguel Regional Park and or Carbon Canyon (possible Brown Creeper and Sapsuckers), HB Central and Mile Square Park, Tucker (Costas should be here by then), Serrano...the list goes on and on.

Any input regarding types of habitats or species are appreciated. YO, ante up!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 30, 2015 - 10:11pm PT

Would love a Reddish Egret....it is one that hadn't arrived to the Tx coast last week. I am a sucker for songbirds but and happy with all. Have not been to Bolsa yet...would like to go there.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Mar 30, 2015 - 10:59pm PT

Dee Eee and gang - are folks up for just one coordinated palooza day, two or possibly even 3? Seems likely that Saturday would be the easiest day for the most people to attend and given DE's locale suggestions, maybe we should start at San Juaquin at maybe 7:30am on Saturday? (then maybe Bolsa Chica etc. etc.?) CG and I are happy to meet up with whoever can get out Thurs and Friday as well at whatever starting location is deemed best for those days... Looking forward to it!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 31, 2015 - 08:55am PT

^^^
B.N. NICE shots on the previous page!!!!

Birapaloza is getting more tempting by the second, but I probably will not be there.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 31, 2015 - 08:56am PT

We need that on a T-shirt!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 31, 2015 - 09:07am PT

It's never a good idea to post photos after BrassNuts has, but we haven't seen one of these for a while.

I think it looks better quality before Supertopo expands it.

WyoRockMan

climber

Flank of the Big Horns

Mar 31, 2015 - 09:08am PT

Help me ID this guy! Thanks!

Southwest Montana

10b4me

Social climber

Mar 31, 2015 - 09:21am PT

We need that on a T-shirt!

Agreed.

Dee ee
I think that San Joaquin, and Bolsa Chica should definitely be on the list.
Those are my two favorite places in the OC. I have been to HBCP, but not to those other places.
I live pretty close to the LA County Arboretum. I will head over there in a couple of days, and report back.

Edit: BN, and Crimpie.
I am available Thursday, and Friday.
If we went into LA County, I recommend Bonelli Park, in San Dimas($10 to get in)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Mar 31, 2015 - 09:22am PT

^ Evening Grosbeak
(Wyorockman)
I don't think I've ever seen one in life. Nice photo.

WyoRockMan

climber

Flank of the Big Horns

Mar 31, 2015 - 09:30am PT

Thanks!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Mar 31, 2015 - 11:50am PT

Gorgeous birds!

climber

California dreamin' on the farside of the world..

Mar 31, 2015 - 01:08pm PT

Took this from my kayak in Little Sarasota Bay. Sorry for the blur, it was rough water that day.

10b4me

Social climber

Mar 31, 2015 - 03:35pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Mar 31, 2015 - 10:45pm PT

I have Thurs.-Sat., so any combo.

We had an Oriole party/invasion in the yard today. Male Bullock's and Hooded, female Bullock's and Hooded and a juvy Hooded male. Didn't get a shot of the male Hooded (today). I see them all regularly but usually not at the same time.

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Apr 1, 2015 - 07:26am PT

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Apr 1, 2015 - 07:29am PT

WOW

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 1, 2015 - 11:26am PT

Great stuff/photos above.

Birds are amazing.

http://news.yahoo.com/tiny-songbird-tracked-across-1-700-miles-open-231334828.html

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 2, 2015 - 07:27pm PT

A Black-throated Blue Warbler showed in December up at a feeder 15 miles north of my house. This escaped my and most of the local birders for a while, but the buzz has been growing. I really wanted to cycle up there to see it, but between the thunder lightning and rain, I drove up there today. And effing-A but I saw it. Sorry I don't have my photos, but here's a link to Hank Heiberg's photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/16384292463/in/photostream/
It was pretty.

Meanwhile spring has sprung here.

FOY from today.

10b4me

Social climber

Apr 3, 2015 - 01:33pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 4, 2015 - 06:32am PT

House Finch.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 4, 2015 - 03:58pm PT

Dee ee
BrassNuts
Crimpie
10B4ME
Darwin (hopefully)
Tony + 1
Matty
Steve Aho

What's the call on where to meet on the first day (Thursday)?

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 4, 2015 - 04:02pm PT

BrassNuts is out on the wall in Black Velvet right now. Thought I'd post a few shots from our recent trip to High Island Tx.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 4, 2015 - 05:01pm PT

Gorgeous stuff, Crimpie and BN! Hope he's havin' fun in RR!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 4, 2015 - 05:09pm PT

Ooh, love the Spoonbill!

BIRDAPALOOZA
I'm up for whatever you guys want to do the week after next. Maybe San Joaquin and Bolsa Chica (Great-horned nest there)on Sat? Those 2 spots are so good you could even go twice. There are lots of other good places as well. You guys are the "guests" so feel free to decide.
Also, I climb at Rockreation on Tues. and Thursdays and can get at least one guest in free, maybe more.

I went to Starr Ranch (unfortunately private) yesterday birding and am going back tonight for an "Owl Prowl", although we had Barn and Great-Horned yesterday. The highlight yesterday were Grasshopper Sparrows. They are a hard "get" around here, very secretive.

Yesterday after Starr I went to Irvine Park to check on the Western Screech Owl cavity and find Lesser Nighthawks (and watch the full moon rise). He wasn't there but could be tomorrow, hard to say. I did get 3 Nighthawks, good viewing but no photo ops. When the light was good they were too far away and when they came close it was too dark for my camera.

A couple pics from Starr.

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Apr 4, 2015 - 07:43pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 5, 2015 - 07:27am PT

^^ Wow! Love it~

10b4me

Social climber

Apr 5, 2015 - 08:48am PT

Maybe San Joaquin and Bolsa Chica (Great-horned nest there)on Sat? Those 2 spots are so good you could even go twice.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 5, 2015 - 10:56am PT

Birdapalooza will be good times! Here is a proposed 'schedule', cast your vote:
1. Thurs-RPV area for anyone interested. Maybe meet at lower Trump public parking at 7:30am, check out the trails and coast, then north a little to the point etc, then maybe south coast botanic gardens or other area parks.
2. Friday- OC tour. Local palooza experts pick starting place and time. :-)
3. Saturday- OC tour. Start at San Joaquin at 8am? Then move on to Bolsa Chicago etc. Local palooza experts to advise meeting place for San Joaquin...

Sound like a decent plan??

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 5, 2015 - 11:43am PT

Great stuff above, love the Violaceous Trogon, I saw one too in Honduras.

Just a couple from today's hike.

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Apr 5, 2015 - 04:11pm PT

Hey Bob, I was thinking black-throated trogon above?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 5, 2015 - 04:55pm PT

Q-ball...I think you are right.

From internet... Violaceous Trogon

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 5, 2015 - 06:49pm PT

Beautiful Military Macaws! We saw several in January on the western coast of Mexico south of Puerta Vallarta. Such a treat to see them in the wild.

Here is another from our recent trip to the High Island area. I love this photo!

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Apr 5, 2015 - 07:17pm PT

I waited around for momma or dad to show up to this nest but no dice! Crimpergrl, I've always wanted to see a military, those guys above are the great green aka buffon's macaw. They are still hanging on in Moskitia! I am heading back down there in July to check on a Harpy nest. First one recorded in Honduras in a very long time!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 5, 2015 - 08:40pm PT

OK, BIRDAPALOOZA FOLK, BN HAS SPOKEN!

Birdapalooza will be good times! Here is a proposed 'schedule', cast your vote:
1. Thurs-RPV area for anyone interested. Maybe meet at lower Trump public parking at 7:30am, check out the trails and coast, then north a little to the point etc, then maybe south coast botanic gardens or other area parks.
2. Friday- OC tour. Local palooza experts pick starting place and time. :-)
3. Saturday- OC tour. Start at San Joaquin at 8am? Then move on to Bolsa Chicago etc. Local palooza experts to advise meeting place for San Joaquin...

Sound like a decent plan??

This works for me as long as my work schedule doesn't shift. I'll put something together for Fri.
DE

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 5, 2015 - 09:27pm PT

Q-ball - aren't they also called Military Macaws? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_green_macaw.

I didn't realize they went by so many names. Beautiful birds regardless!

edit: oh, I think I see. There is the Military Macaw and the Great Military Macaw (aka Buffons and Great Green). Not sure how the two differ. They look alike quite a bit. Cool info!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 6, 2015 - 02:59pm PT

This is Marlin Greene's photo of the Black-throated Blue Warbler that was in north Seattle (Bothell actually). I think this shows why it was such a big deal, even discounting the range! I saw it when I drove but didn't see it when I rode my bike back up there. On bike I did discover a beautiful riparian zone just north east of the tip of Lake Washington. I'll be back up there for that even if the bird has flown.
I got permission from the photographer, Marlin Greene to post this. He has a blog, too, so check it out. http://www.oneearthimages.com/blog/blog_index.php . It's not mine, so I can say: Nice Photo!

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 6, 2015 - 03:30pm PT

I'm only able to make saturday palooza. Any schedule is fine by me.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 6, 2015 - 05:36pm PT

Woohoo, Birdapalooza 2015 is gonna be good!!!! Good birdies in Josh this morning. Looking forward to seeing what the SoCal birding tacos come up with for that Friday :-)

Craig Fry

Trad climber

So Cal.

Apr 6, 2015 - 07:49pm PT

QUESTION???

What are the dates?

if they are this week, then I'm out because of the Josh Fest

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 6, 2015 - 08:30pm PT

April 16, 17 and 18.... hope you can join CF!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 7, 2015 - 06:26am PT

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 7, 2015 - 06:59am PT

I'm sure you've all heard the news by now, but here's the actual video.

pretty amazing! we should have a birdapalooza here in Costa Rica.

http://www.strangerdimensions.com/2015/03/16/video-a-dodo-sighting-in-costa-rica/

EDIT: I thought it might be a hoax, but it's on the internet so I figure it has to be legit

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 7, 2015 - 09:28am PT

Yay for the Dodo!

Pete DiSimone and Silent Bob at Starr Ranch the other night.
Bob is a rescue bird and was found with a broken wing. He has been in Pete's care for 10 or so years.

Mallards in muck.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 7, 2015 - 10:05am PT

Finally got a camera to take some shots with, still need a zoom lens, sneaked up on these fellas while in Bend, OR.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2015 - 11:27am PT

I WISH about the dodo. Fun video nonetheless. A few more from our recent trip.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 7, 2015 - 12:22pm PT

I'm heading down Thursday, so will be able to make it for the Friday outing. How about that Brown-crested Flycatcher dee ee? Is it still around?

I haven't gotten out much lately, but we did go on a pelagic trip out of Monterey a couple of weeks ago. It's the first time out so early. As expected the bird numbers were not as high as in summer-fall, but we were hoping for some unusual species. No luck there, but there were lots of alcids: Common Murre, Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, Cassin's Auklet and Ancient Murrelet.

The "horns" of the Rhinos weren't yet worn down by burrow digging.

A nice group of Ancient Murrelets was more than the total I had seen previously.

No more chumming allowed in Monterey Bay, but a number of Black-footed Albatrosses followed us.

The Brandt's Comorants were displacing the CA Sea Lions from the jetty for the nesting.

There were good numbers and variety of marine mammals.

We saw a few sea Otters on the way out.

A large group of Risso's Dolphins

A large pod(?) of Short-beaked Common Dolphins accpmpied us for a while. They were around because of the unuaually warm water.

A solitary Orca was circling around hunting.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2015 - 01:12pm PT

Dee ee
BrassNuts
Crimpie
10B4ME
Darwin (hopefully)
Tony + 1
Matty
Steve Aho

Am I missing anyone?

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 7, 2015 - 01:31pm PT

Sweeet!!, just noticed you guys are planning another Birdapalooza. I think Beth and I can make it on Saturday. Will let you know for sure as soon as we find out. Look forward to seeing the gang, maybe we should make up some shirts ;)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 7, 2015 - 03:11pm PT

Dee ee
BrassNuts
Crimpie
10B4ME
Darwin (hopefully)
Tony + 1
Matty
Steve Aho
Dirt Claude
Beth

This is going to be awesome! Someone in the know should work on the shirts. No clue how... (no time either. :/)

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Apr 8, 2015 - 05:49am PT

the mundane again

Starling
Sparrow
Pigeon

bird life of middle earth

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 8, 2015 - 12:05pm PT

Tony, the Dusky-capped flycatcher was seen Monday at Gilman Pk. so should still be around.

Maybe we should hit Gilman Park and Carbon Canyon and or Craig Regional on Friday BIRDAPALOOZA'S.

tolman_paul

Trad climber

Anchorage, AK

Apr 8, 2015 - 12:13pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 8, 2015 - 01:20pm PT

Dave,

That's great and sounds like a plan. Is it feasible to hit all of those spots on Friday? How about Gilman Park to start? Being selfish here, since that is quite close to where I'll be staying and that would be a lifer for me. I presume the Pine Warbler has moved on.

10b4me

Social climber

Apr 8, 2015 - 01:41pm PT

1. Thurs-RPV area for anyone interested. Maybe meet at lower Trump public parking at 7:30am, check out the trails and coast, then north a little to the point etc, then maybe south coast botanic gardens or other area parks.

That should work for me. If nothing else I could meet at South Coast. There is also Madrona Marsh, in Torrance,which is not too far from South Coast. You can check on ebird. It is a pretty small area.

Re: shirts. I could work on this. Of course it would be too late for this year.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 8, 2015 - 02:17pm PT

Tahoe's first Hooded Oriole showed up with yesterday's snowstorm. Sadly, she's got a wonky right eye, which may explain why she's so off course. But she's found a fine yard to settle in with a hummingbird feeder, jelly, and orange halves on offer, so maybe she can recuperate a bit before the next leg of whatever goofball journey she's on (surely back down to lower elevations and suburban palm trees).

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 8, 2015 - 03:28pm PT

Was just kidding about the shirts, just gave me a reason to post that pic ;). That would be cool to plan for next year though if someone has a connection.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 8, 2015 - 03:50pm PT

Tony, yes, apparently I was the lucky one to be the LAST person to see the Pine Warbler.

Plan B

Ice climber

SoCal

Apr 8, 2015 - 05:47pm PT

I can only join for Saturday. Looking forward to it!

Steve

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 8, 2015 - 05:56pm PT

I would seriously love the shirts! Not sure if the graphic posted is fair game. The phone that BN posted above is.

I would pay, but sadly have zero time too coordinate.

Also, we can do the RPV area on the first day and also do Marona Marsh (think we've done it in the past). If anyone needs a phone number of coordination - post the need here and we'll get connected off site.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 9, 2015 - 09:10am PT

Yeah, that graphic is from the net and I just messed around with AutoCAD to add the wording. We would have to come up with another image or draw one up. Looks like Beth and I have a Birthday to attend on Saturday so we will not be able to make it :(.
If there is any birding going on Sunday, please let us know, we can cruise up that day.

Cool pic I saw on the net of a Quetzal.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 9, 2015 - 04:18pm PT

FOY Nashville W. OC 2015 #263

Oops, forgot photo!

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Apr 9, 2015 - 07:26pm PT

scaredycat

Trad climber

Berkeley,CA

Apr 9, 2015 - 07:57pm PT

And some of us are just holding down the fort at work.

More power to those of you who aren't!

really

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 10, 2015 - 06:56pm PT

Day One (Thursday) Birdapalooza:

Meet at 7:30am in the Trump Golf Course Parking Lot in Rancho Palos Verdes.

We'll go by consensus from that point on.

If you need to join us later, email for cell numbers so you can find out where we are. Skipping work is encouraged.

Stay tuned for meeting place/time for Friday and Saturday.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 11, 2015 - 08:30am PT

Dee ee and Tony;
I was looking up Gilman Park on Google maps and noticed Limestone Canyon Regional Park to the south east of Gilman. Is it really a limestone region? I didn't know there was limestone down there. I ask because sometimes the flora and fauna change in karst or limestone areas.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 12, 2015 - 11:17am PT

MORE, the crowd shouted MORE!!!!

Dvision, Dee and other masters of the image!

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 12, 2015 - 12:50pm PT

OC birdos - what time and place for Friday's palooza? A few lurkers are hopeful attendees on Friday...

So, right now we have;
Thurs 4/16 - RPV etc., meet at Trump lower public lot at 7:30am.
Friday 4/17 - OC tour, starting time and place TBD by OC gang.
Sat 4/18 - OC tour, meet at San Juaquin wildlife area at 8:00am.

Woo hoo!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 13, 2015 - 11:11am PT

Western Meadowlark today.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 13, 2015 - 05:18pm PT

Great shots, BN and Bob!

A Coop who was building her nest in my rels' back yard in Layton, UT.
She was pretty mellow and I thought this a funny pose...

Edge

Trad climber

Betwixt and Between Nederland & Boulder, CO

Apr 13, 2015 - 08:01pm PT

I just built this small watering hole near our bird feeders on the edge of an aspen stand. Cost $10 for the rubber pan and took about 1/2 hour total, including relocating the juniper from another spot on our property.

It is a huge success with both birds and bunnies, as this Cassin's will attest.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 13, 2015 - 08:56pm PT

Edge;

I think our birds would have up put up an umbrella.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 13, 2015 - 09:52pm PT

Nice Edge! A water feature is such a great thing...it just brings in so much. You'll get to enjoy that for a long time to come.

Zamfir

Trad climber

Danbury, CT

Apr 14, 2015 - 01:52am PT

Resident red-tailed hawk outside work in Yorktown Heights, NY

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 14, 2015 - 12:50pm PT

Zamfir - nice debut photo! welcome to the Birds thread.

just back from a little walk in the woods and ran across a big flock of angry birds that were hopping around on or near the ground in a very agitated manner. I knew they were mobbing something, most likely a snake down on the ground like that. They were about 25 feet off the trail so I eased my way in there and sure enough, a small Boa constrictor had just nailed a White-eared Ground-Sparrow. It did not have ahold of the bird, probably had to let go to defend itself, especially against some Brown Jays that were the biggest birds in the group (about Crow-size). This is the first time I've seen a Boa with a bird.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 15, 2015 - 04:39pm PT

BIRDAPALOOZA UPDATE

Here is a proposed schedule for Fri.

Tony has requested a visit to Gilman Park in Fullerton to look for the Dusky-capped Flycatcher. This may be a lifer for him. I checked eBird and the last birder to post there had the bird. It is a small but unkempt and birdy park (with a little creek) and the bird should be pretty easy to find, it is very vocal. There could be other good birds there as well, Hammonds Flycatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Orioles, Tanagers, 3 species of Hawks and other random migrants etc. I think the Varied thrushes are all gone. Linda Elkin had 40 some species on Thurs.

Directions: From the 57 north get off at Imperial Highway and go right (east) to N. Placentia. Go right (south) past Rolling Hills to Bastanchury and turn right yet again (west). Turn right (back north) on Hartford and park at the end of the street.

This is the upper part of the park. If you walk in and follow the path to the right it leads to the lower part. From down at the bottom you can see virtually the whole place so if late it would be very easy to find other birders.

Also we can probably see every bird there inside of 2 hours so maybe Carbon Canyon Reg. Pk. (close)or Irvine Park (not as close) later depending on desires.

How about 7:30?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 15, 2015 - 04:45pm PT

Sounds like fun. Trying to get out there. Multiple flight delays means I am still in Denver. See you all soon!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 15, 2015 - 05:29pm PT

After work I went over to HB Central Park to look for the Calliope Hummer reported yesterday (OC 2015 #265) and a phote hog pointed out this Hutton's Vireo nest.

hooblie

climber

from out where the anecdotes roam

Apr 15, 2015 - 05:58pm PT

lined with the finest fluff, and perfectly sheltered from 50 mph winds yesterday

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 15, 2015 - 07:40pm PT

A couple birds from the weekend.

At Covington Park in the town of Morongo Valley are two nesting pairs of Vermillion Flycatchers.

At the Cohn Ranch, the largest private inholding in Joshua Tree National Park and the best campsite in the park (with the right folks there, unlike last Friday night) a Black-throated Sparrow.

At the Murphy House in the town of Josh a Gambel's Quail.

Monday, back in the OC and up near Blue Jay campground in the Cleveland National Forest a Black-chinned Sparrow (OC 2015 #264).

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 15, 2015 - 07:45pm PT

Yippee, birdapalooza starts tomorrow! See folks at Trump tomorrow to start and DeeE's plan for Friday and Saturday sounds great!

10b4me

Social climber

Apr 15, 2015 - 07:58pm PT

See you guys in the morning.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 15, 2015 - 08:36pm PT

Finally landed in LA. See you in the morning!

10b4me

Social climber

Apr 16, 2015 - 05:38pm PT

Photos from day one, Birdapalooza 3

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 16, 2015 - 09:07pm PT

^Cassin's Kingbird? effing-A, you don't see those every day up here. lol.

Have fun down there Birdapalozers. Do you think you'll to scope out Limestone Canyon Park?

I'm actually going to be able to go to Leavenworth Saturday, which will get me off the couch, out of the pub, onto rock and maybe into some different migrations paths.

For being common as dirt, these aren't bad looking birds in full on breeding plumage. Not a particulary good photo, but it does improve with clicking.
The drawings in Sibley's big book are spot-on with the eye pattern, eh?

and just to make it more obvious

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 16, 2015 - 09:28pm PT

Yes a Myrtle's. I hear "they" are going to split into two species. And we thought bolting wars were contentious.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 17, 2015 - 07:06am PT

End route to day two. Looking forward to seeing tacos and birds!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 17, 2015 - 07:08am PT

Have a great time birding Birdzapaloozians!! Wish we could be there, look forward to the pics. :)

Zamfir

Trad climber

Danbury, CT

Apr 17, 2015 - 11:39am PT

Zamfir - nice debut photo! welcome to the Birds thread.

Thank you .. trying to get used to a new camera and lens.

Requisite bird picture ... I suspect Savannah sparrow

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Apr 17, 2015 - 11:51am PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 17, 2015 - 06:31pm PT

Bird of the day is Roadrunner!!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 17, 2015 - 06:54pm PT

Beep Beep!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 17, 2015 - 07:12pm PT

Hey Yo!

Tomorrow BIRDAPALOOZA.

Meet at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary at 8 am at the latest. Make sure you use the entrance off of Campus, NOT Michaelson. Sora, Virginia Rail, Ridgeway's Rail, Yellow-breasted Chat, Least tern etc.......

After SJWS we will have lunch and go to Bolsa Chica. Look for Gull Billed Terns!!! Should see Black Scoter, Least Terns, Great-horned Owl, Blue-winged Teal.

Should see around 100 species. I'm feeling optimistic.

BTW. Today was killer, Gilman Park was off the charts, not to mention the surprise Roadrunner.

10b4me

Social climber

Apr 17, 2015 - 07:21pm PT

Great day today, Tomorrow will be going off.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 17, 2015 - 07:23pm PT

Steve, is that Roadrunner flying or running?

10b4me

Social climber

Apr 17, 2015 - 07:32pm PT

running, Dave.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Apr 17, 2015 - 07:34pm PT

White-winged Crossbills at the feeder in the front yard today.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 17, 2015 - 07:59pm PT

Fun day today! For tomorrow, I'm not finding San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary on Google maps... Is there an actual address or cross street? Thanks!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 17, 2015 - 08:02pm PT

Yes, 25 Riparian View.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 17, 2015 - 09:11pm PT

I'm all ears to hear about Gilman Park. ???
and nice Cyndie
and really, what was 10b4me's King(?) bird?

Lots of singing going down here.

To follow up on the Myrtle from yesterday.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 18, 2015 - 07:17am PT

The trees are only just starting to leaf here in Chicago. The Robins, House Finches, and
Cardinals are here but the warblers are still holding their cards closely somewhere to the
south. There's a strong north wind blowing today so I don't think we'll be seeing a major
arrival for a few days yet, :-(

Edge

Trad climber

Betwixt and Between Nederland & Boulder, CO

Apr 18, 2015 - 08:32am PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Apr 18, 2015 - 02:06pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 19, 2015 - 10:17am PT

Here are a few from the last 3 days of Birdapalooza.

Thanks to all that participated, I had a great time even though I couldn't produce any owls.

10b4me

Social climber

Apr 19, 2015 - 11:10am PT

I will add a couple from Birdapalooza

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 19, 2015 - 03:05pm PT

Went for a short walk in the local forest preserve mainly for some exercise and scored a
Henslow's Sparrow! A first! WOOT! Also saw a strange female Mallard hybrid. She
appeared almost golden and she was tiny.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 19, 2015 - 06:59pm PT

So Dee, did you all make 100???

Zamfir

Trad climber

Danbury, CT

Apr 19, 2015 - 07:50pm PT

GHOs at Croton Point Park, New York

and sibling

and mama...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 19, 2015 - 08:02pm PT

I love Forster's Terns, and Clapper Rails and oh, yeah Road Runners. It all brings a grin to my face.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 19, 2015 - 08:35pm PT

Palooza 2015 was great - thanks to all the SoCal birding tacos for coming out and for the tour! Got my LA driving "fix" as well ;-). Will post a few pics in a couple weeks...

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Apr 19, 2015 - 10:00pm PT

Thanks to dee ee for excellent guiding around OC birding spots. A fun group and good birds. Here are a few photos from days 2 and 3.

At Bolsa Chica there were a lot of birds in confusing transitional plumage. This seems to be a Blue-winged Teal in molt.

This Eared Grebe was pretty far along, though.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Apr 20, 2015 - 01:20pm PT

Hey Ron, Sandhill Cranes have been reclaiming lost breeding range by pushing south over the last dozen years or so. I know they're all the way down to Bridgeport these days, and they've been in the Carson Valley for a couple of years. Starting to see them mid-summer in Truckee too, but no breeding here just yet. A handful in Kyburz Flat, and gobs in Sierra Valley.

By the way, your marten and horned owl mounts put in great performances at the Squaw Earth Day Saturday, plus a "friend-raiser" on Friday night. Next weekend they'll be at South Lake and Reno Earth Days. They've been seen and enjoyed by many thousands at this point!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 20, 2015 - 08:41pm PT

BIRAPALOOZA TOTAL

To the best of my ability, after one beer, I've got a total of 137 or so species for our 3 day marathon.

CAGO
WODU
GADW
AMWI
MALL
MALL (domestic)
CITE
NOSH
GWTE
LESC
BUFF
RUDU
INPE
PBGR
EAGR
HOGR
WEGR
CLGR
DCCO
AMWP
BRPE
LEBI
GBHE
GREG
SNEG
GRHE
WFIB
TUVU
OSPR
SSHA
COHA
RSHA
RTHA
VIRA
SORA
RIRA
COOT (AMCO)
BNST
AMAV
SEPL
KILL
GRYE
WILL
WHIM
MAGO
DUNL
LESA
WESA
SBDO
LBDO
RUTU
WISN
SPSA
RBGU
WEGU
CAGU
CATE
FOTE
ROPI
BTPI
EUCD
MODO
GRRO
WTSW
BCHU
ANHU
ALHU
RUHU
ACWO
NUWO
DOWO
NOFL
PEFA
DCFL
PSFL
BLPH
ATFL
BEVI
CAVI
HUVI
WAVI
WSJA
ANCR
CORA
NRWS
TRSW
BASW
CLSW
OATI
BUSH
ROWR
HOWR
MAWR
BEWR
RCKI
WREN
WEBL
AMRO
NOMO
EUST
CEWA
OCWA
NAWA
COYE
YEWA
YRWA
BTGW
TOWA
WIWA
YBCH
STTO
CATO
LASP
SASP
SOSP
LISP
WCSP
DEJU
WETA
BHGR
RWBL
BRBL
GTGR
BHCO
HOOR
BUOR
HOHI
LEGO
AMGO
HOSP
SBMU
PTWH

A few of the best were Least Bittern, Greater Roadrunner, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Dusky-capped flycatcher, Nashville, Townsend's, Wilson's, Yellow and Black-throated Gray Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Cassin's, Hutton's and Warbling Vireo, Ridgeway's Rail, Black-headed Grosbeak, Peregrine Falcon (2), Ospreys, Whydahs, Munias.... and.... not one gad damned owl.

PS. I got a lifer today! Gray Flycatcher.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 21, 2015 - 10:18pm PT

I love the Birdapalooza photos, you all. Good photos of many what would have been lifers for me! My Leavenworth trip was good for climbing but migration must not have hit full force over there. Or I wasn't paying attention. These are from Seattle this morning.

and gender equality (sorry about the framing, but all the bill is in the field). Edit:OK the one below was closely hanging with the CT above, but looking at the photo and book, I'm not sure what the one below is.

I should have recorded the vocalizations of these. Weird.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 22, 2015 - 06:43am PT

Why did I come to Canada? Oh, right, family. It bloody hailed and sleeted all yesterday!
But I did see a Caspian Tern the day before! WOOT!

Edit:

It doesn't look like we'll be seeing a big arrival of warblers today, does it?
Did I mention today's high is +3?

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 22, 2015 - 03:48pm PT

Wow, that looks COLD!

The woblers are going off in the OC!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 22, 2015 - 04:56pm PT

I probably haven't been paying attention, but:

Reilly,
What are you doing there?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 22, 2015 - 06:56pm PT

Great stuff above.

Happy Earth Day all.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 23, 2015 - 09:14am PT

Darwin, I ask myself rhat every day. Let's just say that you can pick yer friends, eh?
This is what we awoke to today!
Did I mention the wind is straight outta the north at 30 kph? Yes, a wind chill in the low
teens! Fookin' eh, it's colder than a loan shark's heart!

Well, between Photobucket and this POS iPhone my pic of two new inches won't post, but
trust me, we won't be seeing warbler one on this trip.

matty

Trad climber

under the sea

Apr 23, 2015 - 09:26am PT

Will post my birdapalooza shots after I get a dang virus off my machine at home. Had a great time with everyone again.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 24, 2015 - 08:20am PT

Birding is Hard
By Greg Neise, on April 22, 2015

I started birding in 1972, and took to it like an ibis takes to drainage ditches. I pretty quickly learned all of the birds that could be reasonably expected in the city parks of Chicago, where I grew up. By 1975, I was a fully fledged, vagrant-hunting birder. By the time I was 13 years old, there was nothing I couldn’t find, no bird I couldn’t identify.

It took me another 10 years to learn just how hard birding really is.

That knowledge—an awakening, really—doesn’t happen in the form of an epiphany. It’s a very slow process which begins with realizing that, after a dozen years at this, you really don’t know jack.
Feel lucky, punk?

Feel lucky, punk?

For some it’s gulls, for others it’s warblers or sparrows. But at some point you will realize that you cannot identify every individual of even the most common species that you see “every day”. Birds are variable in plumage, size, habits, and habitat choices. Put that all together, and you’re going to get thrown on your ear by a Song Sparrow or a Ring-billed Gull, at close range, and with 50 killer photographs. It’s inevitable.

It will be humiliating. And, if you’re open-minded, exhilarating.

Then, the tough birds get even tougher. You start to doubt all those yellowlegs that you glibly counted off as “16 Lesser and 27 Greater”. You’ll start rethinking that Baird’s Sandpiper, which now you realize, probably wasn’t.

Seeing gestalt and detail simultaneously is the mark of a truly experienced birder. Taking in tertial pattern, and undertail coverts, while comparing size, shape and overall “feel” to what you know, or the birds around it. One such birder was describing to me his experiences with Slaty-backed Gulls (a particular nemesis of mine), and while talking about all the field marks, said, “every Slaty-back I’ve seen … I’ve just known it when I see it.”

Musicians, especially drummers, use the term “feel” for that natural, almost indescribable ability to not only play music, but move within it, and stay in-time. It’s similar with birding. Study the common species, so that you become so familiar and comfortable with them, that something different—no matter how subtle—doesn’t have to be picked out so much as it reveals itself.

Differentiating the unusual from the common or expected is almost always how rarities are discovered (though, sometimes they do just seem to jump up and say, “hi!!”). Getting on that unusual bird and “working it”—taking in all the details, keeping field notes or getting photos, listening for calls—all will add up to a solid base of information to work through a tough identification. Often times, the key to identifying a bird is something you photographed or took note of, but didn’t give particular attention to while actually watching it.

Well, punk? Do ya?
Photo by Dan Wilkerson

The impetus for this essay was the “brown” shrike currently confusing the hell out of everyone in California. In a photo essay about this bird at Bourbon, Bastards and Birds, author Seagull Steve wrote, “What do I think? I think birding is hard.”

When this bird was originally discovered, it was photographed, and subsequently seen and documented as a Brown Shrike (an Asian vagrant) by many. Though skittish, it has stayed in one location for over a month—and during that month it’s been molting. Into something that is not a Brown Shrike. Oh, it’s a shrike, and it has brown on it … though considerably less brown than it did a month ago. It was speculated that it could be a Red-backed Shrike (as yet unrecorded in the ABA area). But as the bird continues to molt, it appears to be losing its “red back”. Experts from all over the world are flummoxed by this bird, that has been photographed hundreds of times, and even heard singing. It may never be identified to species (and, just for fun, may be a hybrid).

I have several friends who are eBird reviewers. It’s a thankless job that requires considerable skill, patience, good humor and a thick skin.

“I know what I saw!”, is a common response from novice birders whose sightings are questioned because they “throw a flag” in the eBird system. Being flagged means it’s out of range, out of season, or for some other reason, an unusual sighting. Even when the submitted sighting is patently absurd (a flock of Winter Wrens at a feeder?), the reviewer’s job is to contact the person that submitted the sighting, and ask for more details. Often, they are met with defiance from novice birders who take the questions as a personal affront. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth. An experienced birder, when told that they might have made an identification error, thinks, “hmmm … I didn’t consider that”. And then they consider it; most often agreeing that a mistake was made. (And sometimes, reviewers and records committees can make a mistake. But it’s quite rare.)

An old birding maxim—I don’t know who originally said it—goes something like this: the main difference between a novice and experienced birder is that the experienced birder has had the time to mis-identify more birds.

For me, anyway— that’s the biggest part of what continues to make birding exciting, even after being at it for over 40 years. Even after studying this stuff for decades, it can still throw you for a loop. There’s always more to learn. Your skills can never be honed or practised enough. And, you can take it at your own pace, make it your own thing. But it’s not simple, and it’s not easy or predictable. Which is why birding is so much fun.

–=–

Update: I found the quote that I reference above (“an old birding maxim…”). It’s by Pete Dunne, from his 2003 book titled, Pete Dunne on Bird Watching: The How-to, Where-to, and When-to of Birding. It goes like this:

“The difference between a beginning birder and an experienced one is that beginning birders have misidentified few birds. Experienced birders have misidentified thousands.”

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 24, 2015 - 09:38am PT

^^^Yep!^^^

A couple from yesterday, #270 and #271 for OC 2015.

john hansen

climber

Apr 24, 2015 - 08:35pm PT

Back on the Main Land for a few weeks.

Really enjoy this thread. Great shots everyone.

Got these today.

[photoid=407772

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 25, 2015 - 07:27am PT

At Bolsa Chica yesterday, new county bird (and year), Gull-billed Tern, there were 4 that I saw.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Apr 25, 2015 - 05:51pm PT

Greater White-fronted Geese have arrived on the Kenai Flats. There were about 30 Sandhill Cranes too, but they were too far away to photograph.

Craig Fry

Trad climber

So Cal.

Apr 25, 2015 - 07:20pm PT

What happened to the common courtesy of labeling your posts with the name of the bird you are showing us ????

Are we playing the "name that bird game"??
no, I see no pretenses of games, just laziness.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 25, 2015 - 08:06pm PT

Great stuff above.

Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Fred Baca Park, Taos, NM

Migration is starting here in Taos.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 26, 2015 - 09:15am PT

OK Craig, don't get your panties in a twist!

Nashville Warblers at Tucker yesterday.

Black-headed Grosbeaks at Tucker, I saw at least 8.

After Tucker I went to Gilman Park again, there was a Cockatiel reported there on Wed. I couldn't find it.

Western Tanager

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 26, 2015 - 10:43am PT

Fred Baca Park Taos, NM today.

Cinnamon Teal

Song Sparrow

Not a bird but pretty cool..Muskrat

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 26, 2015 - 11:01am PT

Gilman Park rocks!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 26, 2015 - 11:07am PT

Oh, I should have mentioned that at Gilman I did finally get the Hammond's Flycatcher (not FOY but very elusive) and for the first time missed the Dusky-capped Flycatcher. Someone else saw it later the same day though.

john hansen

climber

Apr 26, 2015 - 07:18pm PT

Oyster Catchers

Marsh Wren

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 26, 2015 - 10:38pm PT

I saw two male and a female Harlequin Ducks in bright breeding plumage after a good day climbing up Icicle Canyon in Leavenworth, WA. I was grinning from ear to ear after that. Other than that though I only saw a couple Juncos, which seems a little strange. I guess Icicle canyon's season is just later than ours.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Apr 26, 2015 - 10:40pm PT

Drove to Homer today and stopped at all my favorite birding spots. I saw a total of 33 species.
Northern Pintails
Common Mergansers
Red-breasted Mergansers
Barrows Goldeneye
Bald Eagle
Black-billed Magpie
Lapland Longspur
Harlequin Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Greater Yellowlegs
Cackling Goose
White-fronted Goose
Northern Shoveler
Rock Dove
American Golden Plover
American Wigeon
Northern Harrier
Northwestern Crow
Merlin
Common Loon
Common Murre
Marbled Murrelet
Common Raven
Red-legged Kittwake
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Red-necked Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Mew Gull
Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 26, 2015 - 10:50pm PT

Cyndie shoots!
She scores!

thanks for the photos, and that's what I was talking about w.r.t. Harlequins in breeding plumage.

PS: and jeeze the Lapland in breeding is awesome.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 27, 2015 - 02:59pm PT

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 27, 2015 - 06:25pm PT

Those are good birds Cyndie!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Apr 27, 2015 - 06:52pm PT

Good stuff Cyndie.

A black looking bird and a cinnamon looking duck out of water. :-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Apr 28, 2015 - 12:20pm PT

"You talkin' to ME?"

BTW, Dirt Claud, how 'bout a link so's we can pick up one of those
awesome mobile blinds?

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 28, 2015 - 01:30pm PT

Great Potoo time of the year again. Found another bird nesting with a young chick tucked in its belly feathers. Forgive me, as I've said this all before (this is the 3rd year I've presented nesting potoo photos here), but they just lay one egg on the end of a stump or some dimple on a branch that will hold the egg and afford the adult some camo. This is way up in the canopy, mind you. The chick is mostly white after it hatches (as is the one in these photos, although barely visible) but as it gets older it molts into a cryptic plumage pattern similar to the adult. This is probably the same bird I photographed in April 2013 as that "nest" and this year's "nest" are only about 50 ft apart, though in different trees.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 28, 2015 - 06:14pm PT

too cool, Little-z l^

From the Fill on my commute. I almost didn't bring my camera and thought "heck, the weather is changing, maybe something interesting will show up. I've heard rumors of a R-n Pheasant in the Fill for a couple months now. Do the females not squak? I haven't heard one recently nor for quite a few years.

john hansen

climber

Apr 28, 2015 - 06:37pm PT

Went by Grey Lodge today to see if any thing was left before they all flew north. I did get one White Fronted goose. It looked like it had a bad foot.
Also saw three snow geese. These were probably injured or old also.
Lots of other good stuff there too, plenty White Faced ibis's , and lots of White Pelicans. Saw some Long Billed Curlews in the distance, too far for any good photos.
Lots of BC Night Herons, Egrets, and Herons every where.
Also one American Bittern, have not seen one of those in a long time.
Added 22 to the trip list.

Here is a Common Morehen

And the Bittern ,,, I don't want to be recreated as a Bittern. Strange bird.

And a Red Shouldered Hawk flying overhead.

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Apr 29, 2015 - 12:59pm PT

Just saw this on FB, looks like a cool site.

vbirder.com
https://www.facebook.com/vbirder

With Earth Day and the Spring Migration on the horizon, it's a great time to brush up your songbird identification skills. Visit vbirder.com for an interactive birdwatching experience in four different habitats. Sign up for FREE and begin your adventure. Can you tell a downy from a hairy? How about a Least Flycatcher from an Acadian? Look for rare species as well such as the Black Rail, Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, and Northern Goshawk. Even take pictures and post them via social media! Over 200,000 bird have been identified already.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Kelly Morgan, Whitefish MT

Apr 29, 2015 - 01:01pm PT

The most patient Canada Goose ever. :*)

Sandhill Cranes having a dance party.

Immature Bald Eagle diving for fish.

Eagle fishing just before dark.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 29, 2015 - 05:04pm PT

Chewy, your flying raptors are superb!

here's one that should look familiar. Ditto a post that Q-BALL made a few pages ago....

john hansen

climber

Apr 29, 2015 - 05:11pm PT

Can I get some ID help please.

Saw this Hawk on a low dike between flooded rice fields, near Grey Lodge.

I am thinking this could be a 1st year Ferruginous Hawk.

The habitat and him being on the ground....

Still have a hard time with hawks with all the morph's and juvenile's and variations.

Wish I got a front side shot.

I did consider Merlin...

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Apr 29, 2015 - 06:36pm PT

Hey John,

that's a Swainson's Hawk, an adult, but can't see enough underneath to see if it's a dark morph or just normal. That white on the forehead and white throat are good keys. You can also see a bare leg (Ferrugy would have a feathered leg). Good habitat also for Swainson's, and they also commonly spend time on the ground.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Apr 30, 2015 - 12:43pm PT

A few group pics from Birdapalooza 2015! Great to see everyone and some good birds were had! More pics coming soon...

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Apr 30, 2015 - 04:56pm PT

Looks great! Looking forward to more photos. This thread is always a great place to be!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Apr 30, 2015 - 07:36pm PT

I just wanna know who is that gorgeous woman with the red t-shirt
and blue shorts on?????

:-)

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Apr 30, 2015 - 07:36pm PT

Awww. I love seeing y'all. ^^^

(PS: and I always like little-Z's sure handed IDs not to mention the photo of the Tiger Herron. I need your ears, dude. Spring comes, and I've forgotten all the songs over the winter. Then Chewy's inspirational flying birds and Hansen, and always d'A and ... )

PPS J. Hansen: I've never gotten a look at an American Bittern, so I am envious.

First Least of the year for me, but a pretty mediocre photo:

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Apr 30, 2015 - 10:02pm PT

Great photos above y'all but there is nothin' like a Potoo!!! They are the raddest ever.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

May 1, 2015 - 09:53am PT

great Birdapalooza group photos but....What happened to the common courtesy of labeling your posts with the names of the birders you are showing us ????

Are we playing the "name that birder game"??
no, I see no pretenses of games, just laziness.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 1, 2015 - 11:08am PT

Ha! Good one Little Z.

1st photo from L to R: 10b4me, Dee ee, and Crimpergirl (winter plummage).

2nd photo L to R: Dee ee, Tony, Brassnuts, and 10b4me.

3rd photo L to R: Dee ee, Crimpergirl, 10b4me, Tony, Matty, Olga and Yvonne.

FUN GROUP!

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 1, 2015 - 11:14am PT

The Big Z, as he should be known, also knows I get weak-kneed at the mere
mention of goatsuckers. Please, sir, can we have some more? I'm still
looking for my Buff-collared. But enough of my troubles.

My question to you today - why does the grouse cross the road? Or more to
the point, why does he think slinking across is a survival tactic?
DOOD! YER NOT FOOLING ANYONE!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

May 1, 2015 - 07:25pm PT

had this lovely creature yesterday

Cotingas are the neo-tropical answer to Birds-of-paradise.

This was an old nemesis of mine until just a few years ago when I finally had a look at one (a female). Since then I've twice had scope looks at very distant males. Could not beleive my eyes yesterday when I looked up and saw this bad boy perched right above the road (he almost shat upon my windshield!). Unfortunately the light was horrible and I had to run up the road to get the best affordable angle. Always a thrill seeing this bird, especially because it usually means you are in really cool habitat (there was a pair of Blue-and-gold Tanagers and a Rufous-browed Tyrannulet in the same tree, also very special birds). Do a google image search to see some better photos that capture the true beauty of this bird.

john hansen

climber

May 2, 2015 - 09:28pm PT

Some from the last few days.

Song Sparrow

Avocet

Ruddy Duck

john hansen

climber

May 2, 2015 - 09:43pm PT

And a few more.

White faced Ibis

Bewicks wren

Black throated grey Warbler

Surf scotter

California Quial

Lesser Scaup

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 3, 2015 - 09:51am PT

Great photos John, just a couple from yesterday.

Red-wing Blackbird and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

May 3, 2015 - 09:22pm PT

Went on our Spring Pelagic trip yesterday.

It was super birdy out in the OC Pacific. Sooty, Black-vented and Pink-footed Shearwaters, Cassin's and Rhino Auklets, Pomerine Jaegers, Black, Common, Least, Elegant and Forsters Terns, Pelagic Cormorants, Black Storm-Petrels (up close), Brown Boobys, Scripps Murrelet, Boneparts, Sabine, Western, Cali, Glaucus-winged, Herring and Heermans Gulls, Common and Pacific Loons, Red and Red-necked Phalaropes, everything in breeding plumage.

We had several areas with insane feeding frenzies of several thousand birds and hundreds of dolphins, only one distant whale though. I only got a couple of decent photos.

Brandt's Cormorant in breeding plumage.

A couple days before at the Barano Walk Trail. There were dozens of hummers there, Anna's, Allen's, Rufous, Black-chinned and Costas.

An itchy PSFL

BHGR (female)

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 4, 2015 - 02:49pm PT

Some more from High Island TX in late March - great spring venue and the site of Birdapalooza 2016 :-)

10b4me

Social climber

May 4, 2015 - 04:08pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 5, 2015 - 11:06am PT

A few more Birdapalooza peep pics
I'll put up some Saturday/day 3 Palooza pics in another post. Fun times with birdo tacos!

EdBannister

Mountain climber

13,000 feet

May 5, 2015 - 12:36pm PT

quartz… you must be a government employee.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 5, 2015 - 12:44pm PT

Dave - did you move up to a 600mm?

john hansen

climber

May 5, 2015 - 08:11pm PT

Here are some more from my ongoing trip.

Brass nut's has made art out of birds.

Here is what I got..

Long Billed Dowitcher

Short Billed Dowitcher

Was surprised to see a few lingering Tundra Swans.

Just when I was about to go back, I saw these on the nest.

A Curlew

And # 120 for the trip,, Brown headed Cowbird.... Lovely Plumage...

And I think this a Red Knot..

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 5, 2015 - 08:43pm PT

Hey Mike B - I shoot with a 500mm f4, mainly with a 1.4 extender attached, the 600mm is a dream at this point :-)

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

May 6, 2015 - 12:33am PT

Looks like you guys had fun!
Boy those curlews are sure funny looking things...what a face eh?

john hansen

climber

May 6, 2015 - 07:25pm PT

Not something you see every day, Western Grebe, Common Loon and Surf Scooter. Up on the beach.
The Jetty road at Moss Landing never gets old.

Was surprised to get all these three birds with one quick check. All three were the only ones I have seen this trip.
Ruddy Turnstone
Semi Palmated Plover

And Rock Sand Piper

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 7, 2015 - 08:19am PT

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 7, 2015 - 08:32am PT

That is a little odd, John, seeing those guys sitting on the sand like that!

Speaking of odd the wife went out to get the paper yesterday morning. That is odd but the
really odd part was that she heard a SQUACK! (sp?) and turned to see a Great Blue
Heron fly off! WTF? The nearest appropriate GBH habitat is at least a couple miles away.
I suppose she could have been attracted to the neighbor's pool but there's no fish in it. But
there is a whale when he gets in. (rimshot?)

john hansen

climber

May 7, 2015 - 06:20pm PT

Riely,, do you have gophers? The big blues love them.
They can wait forever.

Got three more cool shorebirds , all new for this trip. Been cleaning up between yesterday afternoon and today. These are from Pacific Grove / Point Pinos area. Grey and overcast with some rain.

Black Turnstone

Saw a flash out of the corner of my eye, turned and took the shot and a millisecond later he was gone. Did not know what I got till I saw the picture. Came out fairly decent too.

Wandering Tattler

And Sanderling for # 133

"Run for it!!"

Also added

Hermmans Gull

A junk photo of Elegant Tern

I got an even worse one thru my dirty windshield of some Tri colored Blackbirds, but cannot post it here next to all the other great photos on this thread.

Keep on Birding.

Six new ones for the day.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

May 7, 2015 - 10:54pm PT

Is Bob D'A's top bird above a Common Grackle? Isn't that a little far west for them? I got to get back east more if that confuses me.

p.s.
And of course I love the rest of the photos. Now I'll be able to ID Dee ee whenever I may meet him. I've never ID'd a Wandering Tattler so that was neat to see.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

May 8, 2015 - 12:22am PT

One more photo from Birdapalloza. The Daves zeroing on the Wood Duck family.

After we left the OC, we spent a few days in the Eastern Sierra for the Owens Lake Spring Big Day and Bird Festival. Arrived late in the day at Diaz Lake.

Darwin, judging from Bob's location and the pale eye, I would guess a Great-tailed Grackle. They have expanded westward and are common in the Central Valley and are even in the Bay Area.

I didn’t get many photos on Owens Lake, but is was teeming with migrants and some breeding birds. Since the shallow flooding began to control the duststorms, it has again become a major fueling stopover for migrating shorebirds, Eared Grebes and ducks. Many American Avocets and quite few Snowy Plovers breed around the lake.

We also visited some other nearby birding spots.

We also checked a spot near Lee Vining where we saw a Williamson’s Sapsucker using a wood flake as a tool a couple of years ago, hoping we can see a repeat in June. We were pleased to see this male around the previous nest site.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Kelly Morgan, Whitefish MT

May 8, 2015 - 08:00am PT

I'm loving the Birdapalooza shots. Looks like a great time.

These Osprey are also having a great time. This is an R rated thread isn't it?

G_Gnome

Trad climber

Cali

May 8, 2015 - 09:15am PT

Saw a flock of Black Skimmers in Santa Barbara last week. They were a first for me.

Not my photo.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

May 8, 2015 - 05:53pm PT

Back at home a pair of House Finches had built a nest in a neighbor's wreath. They also did this last year, but in a different spot. Yesterday there were only two nestlings left. Today the nest was empty. We're looking for them to show up at the birdseed on our balcony.

john hansen

climber

May 8, 2015 - 06:27pm PT

Here are a few from the last two weeks.

American Goldfinch

Spotted Towee

Ash Throated Flycatcher

And an Allen's Hummer

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 8, 2015 - 08:24pm PT

I attended the opening of the Peeps Art Show last night. This event is held in conjunction with the Kenai Bird Festival. It is an art show about birds of the Kenai Peninsula done by kids up to age 18. I thought I would share some of my favorites from the 60 entries.

john hansen

climber

May 8, 2015 - 10:33pm PT

That is really cool Cyndie

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 9, 2015 - 09:21am PT

A few from today bird count at Fred Baca Park in Taos, NM

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 9, 2015 - 12:26pm PT

Johnson Lake, Kasilof, Alaska

10b4me

Social climber

May 9, 2015 - 03:35pm PT

A couple from Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Refuge

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

May 9, 2015 - 04:26pm PT

Here are a few (slightly fuzzy)from our recent pelagic voyage.

Sabine's Gulls

Pomerine Jaeger

Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwaters

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 9, 2015 - 08:19pm PT

Kenai Flats this afternoon

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 9, 2015 - 09:02pm PT

Great stuff/photos above.

Things are happening in the Taos area.

Spotted Sandpiper.

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 10, 2015 - 09:33am PT

Awesome artwork, Cyndie!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 10, 2015 - 02:59pm PT

Randisi...http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/hummingbird_moth.shtml

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

May 10, 2015 - 07:07pm PT

I did my duty for the Spring Bird Count up at Blue Jay Campground and up at the Coulter Pine grove at the Los Pinos trailhead. It was our duty to get as many mountain species as we could. We got Mtn. Quail, Hermit Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Hammond's flycatcher, Black-chinned Hummer, Purple Finch, Lazuli Buntings, MacGillivray's Warbler (best bird) and others but no damn Townsend's Solitaire.

Here is one of the Hairy Woodpeckers (female). we had 3 males as well but no photo.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 10, 2015 - 09:24pm PT

Just back from a few days in Chicago visiting my folks. So great to see all those eastern species, and May = warbler-palooza migration time. Spring wildflowers too. Anyway, I didn't bring the camera, but I did manage grabbing this Barred Owl by holding my phone up to my binoculars.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 10, 2015 - 10:55pm PT

Beautiful Barred Owl above...neat trick with the i-phone too. I'll have to remember that.
Went to the Kasilof River,the ponds were full of birds. Then went to the Cannery Road side of the Kenai Flats, it was birdy there too.

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

May 10, 2015 - 11:06pm PT

Roger Breedlove

climber

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

May 11, 2015 - 04:25am PT

M and I just returned from a week in Panama--we had never been and wanted to see the canal.

We spent a night a the Canopy Lodge, which is built into an old US military radar station on the top of hill near Gamboa, mid-country along the canal. The upper deck is right at the top of the canopy. Unobstructed views, good coffee, quick eye-sighted guides, and great Ziess spotting scopes.

Pretty birds.

In our one day at the Canopy Lodge, we apparrently saw 36 different birds, one sloth, and a green snake high in a tree. The howling Howler monekyes are hard to see but easy to hear, all night long.

We met a couple from Bishop who know most of the folks we know in Bishop.

Panama City is a complete surprise.

The old city, Casco Viejo, is very nice, charming, and has great resturants.

Cool trip

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 11, 2015 - 10:43am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 12, 2015 - 05:38am PT

Really cool stuff above, Hey Roger Panama is really a cool place, did you go north towards David?

More from Taos, NM.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 12, 2015 - 09:48am PT

Finally getting around to editing Birdapalooza bird pics - first batch;

10b4me

Social climber

May 12, 2015 - 03:26pm PT

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

May 12, 2015 - 05:08pm PT

Dang, BN, those shots are crisp! All those hummers look like Anna's.

john hansen

climber

May 12, 2015 - 10:42pm PT

Gray Flycatcher

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 12, 2015 - 10:50pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 13, 2015 - 07:58am PT

Another round of SoCal Palooza pics

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 13, 2015 - 08:07am PT

Great stuff above.

This morning catch from Taos, NM

john hansen

climber

May 13, 2015 - 03:42pm PT

Always amazing photo's here.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher

Rock Wren

Black throated Sparrow

john hansen

climber

May 14, 2015 - 04:40pm PT

A beautiful Western Tanager, posing in the sun.

House Wren

Say's Pheobe

john hansen

climber

May 14, 2015 - 06:01pm PT

First time I have had a good internet connection for a while.

So, just for fun, here are a bunch of Hummers I took a week or so ago at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. Cool Place. There were hundreds of them buzzing around. Allen's ,Anna's and Rufous.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 14, 2015 - 06:24pm PT

All beautiful! Love it all!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 14, 2015 - 07:26pm PT

Awesome photos, BN!!!

10b4me

Social climber

May 15, 2015 - 02:20pm PT

Roger Breedlove

climber

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

May 15, 2015 - 03:57pm PT

Hi Bob,

We thought about going to David, but it meant another plane ride. We did drive west to Le Valle de Anton and spent three days there, poking around, gawking a the high-end weekend homes, hiking to the peak tops and finding nice resturants.

At the Canopy Tower, several ornothologist from Cornell were there on business. At dinner they described a "Big Data" project where birders all over the world enter sighting into an online data base. Besides the tracking, Cornell has developed a phone app to identify birds based on the probability given one's location.

Merlin.allaboutbirds.org

Cool stuff.

Wish I still had my Lieca glasses.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 15, 2015 - 04:09pm PT

Great stuff everyone, really nice...you don't get see one of these guys very often.

Roger...I think the area around Pipeline Road holds the record for most species in day...357.

Black-headed/Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Taos, NM

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

May 15, 2015 - 06:10pm PT

Wow, tons of great shots since my last post!!

Bob, that's an interesting Grosbeak hybrid (?). It does seem to have characteristics of both.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 15, 2015 - 11:09pm PT

Bird tally from the first day of the Kenai Bird Festival. The guided boat trip is a steal at $150 for the day.

2015 Kenai Birding Festival Kenai River Float Trip Bird List - May 14, 2015 0800-1400 Lower Skilak Lake Boat Launch to Kenai River Bing’s Landing

66 species

3 Gadwall, 50 American Wigeon, 40 Mallard, 55 Northern Shoveler, 50 Northern Pintail, 75 Green-winged Teal, 60 Greater Scaup, 1 Lesser Scaup, 40 Surf Scoter, 5 Bufflehead, 3 Common Goldeneye, 30 Barrow's Goldeneye, 10 Common Merganser, 40 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Loon, 9 Common Loon, 2 Red-necked Grebe, 7 Double-crested Cormorant, 15 Bald Eagle, 2 Northern Harrier, 3 Semipalmated Plover, 25 Spotted Sandpiper, 20 Greater Yellowlegs, 35 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Hudsonian Godwit, 2 Least Sandpiper, 5 Pectoral Sandpiper,
2 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 18 Western Sandpiper, 7 Short-billed Dowitcher, 4 Wilson’s Snipe, 20 Bonaparte's Gull, 30 Mew Gull, 120 Herring Gull, 1 Glaucous-winged Gull, 150 Arctic Tern, 2 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 3 Merlin, 1 Olive-sided Flycatcher, 2 Gray Jay, 10 Black-billed Magpie, 3 Common Raven, 60 Tree Swallow, 75 Violet-green Swallow, 2 Black-capped Chickadee, 2 Boreal Chickadee, 12 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 40 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 50 American Robin, 12 Varied Thrush, 1 American Pipit, 1 Northern Waterthrush, 12 Orange-crowned Warbler, 1 Yellow Warbler, 80 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Wilson’s Warbler, 4 Savannah Sparrow, 1 Fox Sparrow, 20 Lincoln’s Sparrow, 30 White-crowned Sparrow, 60 Dark-eyed Junco, 2 White-winged Crossbill, 25 Common Redpoll, 5 Pine Siskin

Tonight was the awards for the kids art show and a guest appearance from a Snowy Owl named Ghost.

Roger Breedlove

climber

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

May 16, 2015 - 07:49am PT

Hey Bob, The Canopy Lodge, on Semaphore Hill Hawkwatch, is about 5 miles from Pipeline Road. Great experience.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 16, 2015 - 09:58am PT

Most excellent pics, y'all! That conflicted grosbeak has issues!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 16, 2015 - 02:10pm PT

A few from today in Taos, NM

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 16, 2015 - 07:25pm PT

Another round of SoCal Birdapalooza pics - fun times!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

May 16, 2015 - 07:37pm PT

Great shots Dave!

Your Grebe looks like a Clark's even though the bill is a little dull. Tony says, "look at the bill."

edit: Here are a couple from Huntington Central Park today.

Only my 3rd Olive-sided flycatcher ever, second in OC.

CAGO family

I never see Yellow Warblers down low but saw 3 down low today along edge of Talbert Lake.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 17, 2015 - 12:26am PT

Hey DE, I saw an Olive-sided Flycatcher today too.

I got a new life bird today. A pair of Marbled Godwits. At the Cannery Road ponds in Kenai.

I also saw a pair of Three-toed Woodpeckers.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 17, 2015 - 03:48pm PT

Great stuff Cyndie and Dee. Love the three toed woodpecker.

10b4me

Social climber

May 17, 2015 - 03:59pm PT

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 17, 2015 - 09:25pm PT

Seen in my yard this morning. They were busy gathering nesting material.
Also see today.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

May 17, 2015 - 10:53pm PT

Wow, Three-toed Woodpecker!

From today at Carbon Cyn.

BLGR

OSFL- 2 days in a row at different parks

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 17, 2015 - 11:27pm PT

Was he asking for a quick three beers?

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

May 19, 2015 - 12:00pm PT

I wish, neither one vocalized!

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

May 19, 2015 - 10:42pm PT

Had a couple of Savannah Sparrows pose nicely for me today.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 20, 2015 - 10:31am PT

Last round of bird pics I have from the SoCal Palooza - next year it's High Island TX :-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 20, 2015 - 10:50am PT

BN, I believe that is the Large-billed Savannah although he wasn't sposed to be there until August.

And will someone tell me what the strategy is behind those big-azzed yellow
feets? Maybe they act as a lure?

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 20, 2015 - 04:09pm PT

Who wants to call this one...Black-headed or Rose-breasted Grosbeak?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 20, 2015 - 05:14pm PT

I'm going immature Rose-Breasted Grosbeak Male. A more knowledgeable birder should chime in...great opportunity to learn more! :) Nice photo regardless of the boid.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 20, 2015 - 06:49pm PT

Based on the seemingly lighter and bi-colored bill I'm in the Black-headed camp.
But I'll camp with anybody!

BTW, I think it is a female - too much streaking for a male.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 20, 2015 - 08:21pm PT

^^I thought it a dark bill, but appearing light due to glare. Can't wait to hear from others. I like the birding quizzes. :)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 21, 2015 - 10:04am PT

Holy Lost Boid, Batman! A Kelp Gull in Half Moon Bay!
Don't think I'm gonna drive up there though.

10b4me

Social climber

May 21, 2015 - 12:13pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]
[Click to View YouTube Video]

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

May 22, 2015 - 08:50am PT

I'm leaning towards female Rose-breasted on Bob's grosbeak due to the coarse streaking across center of breast, I can't tell if the bill is bi-colored or not.

Cyndie, love that SASP sitting on the yellow lichen covered stump.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 22, 2015 - 02:26pm PT

Here are a few more from Taos, NM.

I thinking Rose-Breasted. Thanks for responding.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 22, 2015 - 03:50pm PT

Look at this immature male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak here: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/rose-breasted_grosbeak/id

He's pretty streaky too and has the rosy wash on his breast. Not being stubborn, but would love to learn more about discerning the two (immature male and adult female).

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

May 22, 2015 - 07:58pm PT

Well, Crimpie, Bob's boid does bear a passing resemblance to the one in yer link, including
its bill. Rosies' normal range limit isn't too far from Taos so it isn't a huge stretch.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

May 23, 2015 - 02:46am PT

BN,

Pic #5 is a Red-breasted Merganser, not a grebe.

We went on a pelagic trip out of Ft. Bragg last weekend. I'll post a few photos soon.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 24, 2015 - 02:45pm PT

New feeder birds this year: Blue Grosbeak and Lazuli Bunting. House Wrens nesting in the front yard. Young Robins in the back (until a squirrel dined on their eggs).

Bump.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 24, 2015 - 03:53pm PT

Some of yesterday's "catch" in the soggy foothills of Boulder...
Happy soggy "Spring" from Boulder

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 25, 2015 - 04:20pm PT

Great shots Dave..that Redstart is amazing.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

May 25, 2015 - 06:24pm PT

The sh#t you see when you are out looking at birds.

john hansen

climber

May 25, 2015 - 07:04pm PT

F*#king Muskrats..

Here are a couple from this last trip.

I have determined after many hours of study that this is a California Gull.

And a Black headed Grosbeak doing his freakazoid thing.

This shot was good fun because it was from a long way off, so I did not know what it was.

But when I zoomed in there was only one thing It could be,,, six thousand feet at Lake Tahoe.

Townsend Solitaire.

I don't think it could be any other bird.

Hold the ctrl button and hit the + sign to zoom in.

McHale's Navy

Trad climber

From Panorama City, CA

May 25, 2015 - 07:38pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

May 27, 2015 - 03:16pm PT

Bird bump. Some big bird pics from High Island Texas in late March for something a little different. BobD - thanks, the Redstart has been a nice local addition this week :-)
I won't be posting for a little while, so happy birding everyone!

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

May 27, 2015 - 04:24pm PT

Are you gone, now, BN? Happy sailing@!

looking sketchy there...

Social climber

Lassitude 33

May 29, 2015 - 10:15am PT

Saw this nesting Bald Eagle near Mammoth last weekend. A life lister for me. Sorry for the crappy cell phone picture.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 29, 2015 - 02:18pm PT

Brassnuts has flown west again.... :) He was sighted in Yosemite for the last couple of days. Normal migration pattern.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 29, 2015 - 02:31pm PT

Dave, these are even better than your usual sky-high standard!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

May 29, 2015 - 05:30pm PT

Next year, we will do at least a phase of Birdapalooza at High Island. The rookery there (where those photos were taken) is mind-blowing and endlessly entertaining! Dates will be something like April 15-22ish. Block it out! Be fun to get a crew out there and other locales too.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

May 30, 2015 - 09:42pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 1, 2015 - 05:02am PT

Great owl shot Mike. A few from southern Colorado.

[photoid=412973

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 1, 2015 - 08:24am PT

Lurker thanks for all the above postings: Roseate Spoonbills and Hawaiian Owls and ... !!!! Is Bob D'A's a Lark Sparrow?

There hasn't been much happening within bicycling distance from my house and I don't bring my big camera over to Icicle Canyon (Leavenworth) for my weekend climbing trips, so I don't have any photos to contribute. The birding highlights for me of the Leavenworth trips have been breeding plumage Harlequins a month or so ago and more recently Prairie Falcons. Just this Saturday I saw a Chipping Sparrow whose crown was so bright it was almost orange.

Even though I know my Birdapalooza credibility is shot, I love the High Island idea.
Dar

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 1, 2015 - 05:25pm PT

It is a Lark Sparrow Darwin. :-)

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jun 2, 2015 - 10:14am PT

I found another OC European Goldfinch yesterday. I was looking for another exotic, a Red-billed Firefinch.

RSHA

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 2, 2015 - 11:26am PT

Great shots Dee, need help on this one, sorry about the quality.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 2, 2015 - 11:29am PT

Dee, have you gone to Castaic to see the Cassin's Sparrow?
You prolly have seen one in the OC though.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jun 2, 2015 - 11:36am PT

Bob,

Maybe a Warbling Vireo? Do you a photo where the head is turned to see from the side?

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 2, 2015 - 12:24pm PT

Warbling Vireo is a good guess. Head seems a little large, but you can see a bit of the white eyebrow. Around here (Santa Cruz) they tend to be whiteish and grayish. I've never seen one with the yellowish underparts as in Sibleys.

The call is very distinctive and "warbling" is a pretty good description.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 2, 2015 - 12:38pm PT

Tony & Mike...that was my first guess but the brown color is frowning me off.

Another angle.

Plus this guy was at around 7,000 feet in a piñon tree at Shelf Rd.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jun 2, 2015 - 02:07pm PT

Definite Warbling Vireo. I love those guys.

Whenever I see one I think of the color "cream."

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 2, 2015 - 02:17pm PT

Certainly looks a 'Western' Warbling to me. The small pale patch below
the eye, the darkish crown, and yellowish flanks.

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Kelly Morgan, Whitefish MT

Jun 2, 2015 - 08:14pm PT

I'm terrible at bird ID's, is the third photo a Wilson's Snipe?

Harlequin Duck

Blue/Dusky Grouse

Wilson's Snipe?

Northern Shoveler

Barrow's Goldeneye

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 2, 2015 - 09:19pm PT

Chewy went snipe hunting!!!! BwaHaHaHaHa! Great shots!
Of coarse, we well know that snipe on the stump was stuffed.

On our hike tonight a Rufous-crowned Sparrow flew in front of me and landed about 8' away
and began foraging. He allowed me to get within 4' where we communed for about a minute!

Chewybacca

Trad climber

Kelly Morgan, Whitefish MT

Jun 2, 2015 - 09:33pm PT

Haha, you're on to me Reilly. It's actually a cardboard cut-out.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 2, 2015 - 09:39pm PT

nice shots Chewy!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jun 3, 2015 - 09:06am PT

Damn, I need to get out more. Oh well, I'm camping at Margaritaville tonight with Mr. Battey, climbing, birds and reptiles......and beers.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 4, 2015 - 07:10am PT

A few from this AM from Taos, NM.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 4, 2015 - 09:37pm PT

Break it down, Snowball!

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jun 4, 2015 - 11:02pm PT

We went a pelagic birding trip out of Fort Brag a couple of weeks ago. Finally getting around to processing photos after a computer crash that required replacement of the motherboard. Whew!
For the most part there were the usual suspects. Pink-footed Shearwaters (and Sooties) were in major molt.

A few Northern Fulmars and Sabine’s Gulls appeared.

Lots of Jaegers, mostly Pomarine, but a couple of Parasitic were around.

There were more than 50 Black-footed Albatrosses around the boat at one point.

Chumming is still permitted here and a scrum ensued.

A couple of rarities appeared.

The biggest rarities were 3 Murphy's Petrels. I only got a UFO-quality photo, but one did come close behind the boat. These were the first Pterodroma or "Gadfly" petrels I have seen off California.

On the way back there were many By-the-Wind-Sailors (Velella vlella) on the water.
Red-throated Phalaropes were feeding on them.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jun 5, 2015 - 09:21am PT

OOH, OOH, Albatrosses! Very cool.

A few from Margaritaville. There were many Rock Wrens out there.

Say's Phoebe

Loggerhead Shrike

Scott's Oriole

Coachwhip (?)

And we climbed as well!

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jun 5, 2015 - 11:35am PT

hey there say, ... chewybacca... love those bird shots!!!

and wow, the bob = night heron... saw that special one at facebook...

and dave = neat little birds above cactus... so sweet and tiny...

and thanks to all the other birders for sharing...

say, this one little babe, was sitting on my porch... was letting me get close enough...

not afraid, yet, was it:

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jun 5, 2015 - 11:45am PT

A couple of weeks ago I was looking for swallow nests under a highway bridge and stumbled upon this Barn Owl with two owlets. No camera, so I took some digiscope shots with my phone.

A couple of days ago we were checking on some Golden Eagle nests in an East Bay park, and spotted a nest on a cliff band on the way out. There were 3 Prairie Falcon chicks and an adult flew in briefly. It turned out that Doug Bell, the park district wildlife manager and raptor guru was not far away and had his banding kit with him. We met up with him and went to the nest area to see the feasibility of banding these fairly old chicks. Doug rapped in from above while we waited below in case one the chicks decided to fly. Fortunately, all three hunkered in thee back of the cavity. Doug bagged them and came down to get them measured and banded. Here I am holding one of the chicks while another is being processed.

Back in the nest:

They will probably be flying in a day or two.

10b4me

Social climber

Jun 5, 2015 - 11:47am PT

cool pictures, Tony.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 5, 2015 - 12:56pm PT

Fabulous stuff everyone. This thread really is the best Supertopo has to offer: Great people, great photos, and great appreciation of the outdoors.

Willoughby

Social climber

Truckee, CA

Jun 5, 2015 - 01:04pm PT

Hadn't looked at this thread in a while, mostly 'cause I can't keep up with all the great stuff getting added every day. Here's my contribution, a redstart from Tahoe City this morning. Maybe my fourth for Tahoe, but always nice to see, and especially for our Tahoe Big Year competition. Collectively, we're at 220 species as of today, not too bad for just Tahoe and Truckee.

PS - kudos on the Murphy's, Tony!!

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 5, 2015 - 04:29pm PT

What Crimpie and the Complimenters (pop band?) said! I love the snake photo, and they're almost birds, right?

Tony, I'm going to use the Laysan photo for my desktop. My last photo below is for you. There is a pair of them hanging around, but I haven't seen a nest.

I've been trying to get more birds on the wing, but not terribly successfully.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jun 5, 2015 - 07:41pm PT

Wow, great stuff,yo!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 7, 2015 - 09:35pm PT

Three new routes in the San Luis Valley on what is going to be one of the best sport crags in the area...also some great birding.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jun 7, 2015 - 09:46pm PT

Hard to tell for sure from that photo Bob, but maybe a Pacific Slope from the head/body size and color. Was it a smallish bird?

Some recent birds from Santa Cruz and the Pinns. Click on them for a larger version.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 8, 2015 - 08:25am PT

Thanks Mike, pretty small, maybe six inches. I'm thinking Willow Flycatcher. Also...great photos.

Another one from yesterday.

Swainson's Hawk

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 9, 2015 - 07:30am PT

More San Luis Valley birds.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 9, 2015 - 07:48am PT

Love that wren shot, Bob! But I woulda cloned out that stalk near the bill cause I'm a cheater. ;-)

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jun 9, 2015 - 01:26pm PT

I took a road trip north, stopped at Tangle Lakes on the Denali Highway, not in the National Park. Up to Fairbanks and the Arctic Circle. I saw a lot of birds, got photos of a few. Three life birds: Willow Ptarmagain, Hammond's Flycatcher and Long-tailed Jaeger, no photos of those. I heard Arctic Warblers, but could never get one in my binos.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 10, 2015 - 01:49pm PT

Haven't had a chance to check in for a couple of weeks, no data service on the captain :-). Great new images and stories all!! Tony - awesome you got to help with Falcon banding!!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jun 11, 2015 - 09:24am PT

Did you say "Captain?"

2015 OC #287

Tricolored Blackbird

Captain...or Skully

climber

Boise, ID

Jun 11, 2015 - 10:38am PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 11, 2015 - 12:58pm PT

Very nice Cyndie! I love the warbler (Black-poll). I'm going to be up in Fairbanks in late July and I hope the birds are still around. Isn't the Denali Highway neat!? At least whenever I was on it >24+ years ago, it had a really remote feel. We saw Jaegers up there, but I wasn't much of a birder then and don't recall what kind. The loop from Paxson Lake up to Delta Junction->Fairbanks is awesome for a climber due to its views of Debora, Hess and Hayes(whichever you can see).

john hansen

climber

Jun 11, 2015 - 01:05pm PT

Identify birds through your photo's.

Cornell Labs

Pretty cool site,, got about 7 out of ten right.

Try it out.

http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/photo-id/?utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=42cc5d93ea-Cornell_Lab_eNews_2015_6_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_47588b5758-42cc5d93ea-306726513

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 11, 2015 - 03:57pm PT

While in Yosemite 10 days ago a pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks came around our campsite during lunch and came right down to grab chunks of bread off our PBJ sandwiches! They hopped right on our hands, grabbed some crumbs and took off - super cool. Sorry for the blurry P&S photo, but I thought it was worth sharing :-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 12, 2015 - 11:01am PT

A few from yesterday in the San Luis Valley of southern CO.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 13, 2015 - 10:32am PT

BN, yer lucky you didn't get tooled! The wife, her mum, and I were having a picnic at Mt Rainier
when a junior ranger walked up to us. I got scolded for allowing a Grey Jay to sit on my hat.
What?

Bob, love those last two!

"You talkin' to me?"
female Kelp Goose, Tierra del Viento

10b4me

Social climber

Jun 14, 2015 - 04:34pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 14, 2015 - 05:03pm PT

Great looking goose you got there Reilly. Great shot Steve.

Here one from near the house.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jun 15, 2015 - 10:01am PT

happy Birthday Bob! Your Ruddy Duck above looks very proud!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 15, 2015 - 11:11am PT

Thanks Dave, maybe another trip together in the fall. I really close to retiring and just might pull the trigger soon...great feeling.

My birthday bird today.

Another birthday bird.

10b4me

Social climber

Jun 16, 2015 - 06:33pm PT

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 18, 2015 - 08:33pm PT

A series of images taken earlier this Spring show why you should NOT be a poser...

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jun 18, 2015 - 09:35pm PT

mmmmm! Tastes like rattlesnake~!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 19, 2015 - 06:03am PT

Swainson's Hawk, Las Vegas NWR near Las Vegas, NM

GOclimb

Trad climber

Denver, CO

Jun 19, 2015 - 06:32am PT

Brassie - ha! Awesome!

GO

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jun 19, 2015 - 10:16am PT

I have some bird pics from Josh/Morongo/RRocks in April that I haven't posted yet so here is a sampling of some fun desert boids...

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Jun 19, 2015 - 09:46pm PT

Osprey have been "dropping sticks on 'our' ball players"

So, a platform is put in.

But I've not seen them use it yet, and it's likely (way) too late in the season.

Meanwhile babies happen:

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jun 20, 2015 - 06:49am PT

Fun photos - I can't wait for more!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 20, 2015 - 09:44am PT

Great stuff Dave and Darwin.

Lark Sparrow posing with breakfast this AM at Las Vegas NWR in northern NM.

Rock Wren on a rock.

Dickcissel, not one see everyday.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 21, 2015 - 12:41pm PT

A couple more from Las Vegas NWR in northern NM.

10b4me

Social climber

Jun 21, 2015 - 04:47pm PT

this just in

climber

Justin Ross from North Fork

Jun 23, 2015 - 09:42am PT

Reilly, check out these Marbled Godwits;-)

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jun 23, 2015 - 09:59am PT

DOOD! Is that Shaver Lake?

Life ain't fair...and a fiver to anyone who can ID this poor chap.
BTW, Justin, seagull won't cut it.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jun 24, 2015 - 10:13pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Excuse the lame narration ;-)

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jun 26, 2015 - 09:03pm PT

Saw this bird at Vancouver Lake in southern Washington. I believe it is an immature, but I can't come up with an ID. Can anyone help?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jun 26, 2015 - 09:09pm PT

Cyndie,

Female Red-winged Blackbird. Most of ours look a bit different, as they tend to be the Bicolored subspecies.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 26, 2015 - 09:15pm PT

Black-crowned Night Heron in Taos today.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jun 26, 2015 - 09:57pm PT

Thanks Tony. I thought that might be the case, but the dark head threw me.

10b4me

Social climber

Jun 28, 2015 - 05:49pm PT

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Jun 29, 2015 - 10:53am PT

Some pics the Mrs. and I got while honeymooning in Mexico :).

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jun 29, 2015 - 11:22am PT

Great stuff above...

A few from the last couple of days.

Virginia Rail...kinda rare here in Taos, also a River Otter pair right in a park in Taos.

thebravecowboy

climber

liberated libertine

Jul 1, 2015 - 12:04am PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Jul 1, 2015 - 01:01am PT

BC

Pretty cool, White-tailed Ptarmigan. Where did you see it?

I've seen exactly one. It was while bc skiing in Ouray, although there is a tiny introduced population in the Sierra Nevada.

thebravecowboy

climber

liberated libertine

Jul 1, 2015 - 01:08am PT

SW CO, near Silverton

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 1, 2015 - 04:11pm PT

Boid bump... Some Ash-throated Flycatcher shots from the Josh area back in April. These guys are one of my favorite desert birds with their frog like calls and interesting behaviors.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 2, 2015 - 01:53pm PT

Great photo. Lots of changes in the ABA world: http://blog.aba.org/2015/07/2015-aou-supplement-is-out.html.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 2, 2015 - 02:49pm PT

Question - Sarah Stock is Yosemite's Ornithologist. Has she been here on our bird thread? If not, I hope she joins us!

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Jul 2, 2015 - 03:15pm PT

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Jul 2, 2015 - 06:50pm PT

BN--are those all shots of the same boid?

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 2, 2015 - 09:08pm PT

Bob, nice otter and chat!

BN, now I get the current hair styles.

Mouse, what did the pigeon say?

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Jul 3, 2015 - 03:45pm PT

"Better him than me. But he had the stash!"

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 3, 2015 - 04:58pm PT

Thanks Reilly, here are a few more from Las Vegas NWR in northern NM.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 3, 2015 - 04:58pm PT

SteveW - 3 different birds across the 4 shots, 2 different days out...i

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jul 3, 2015 - 10:00pm PT

Been working a bunch and then camping in Morro Bay last weekend for 5 days. No actual birding up at the Bay but got White-winged Scoter as a lifer. Getting hourly rare bird alerts from the OC the whole time and cringing.

Back to the OC, worked the remainder of the week and got out today to look for the Hooded Warbler and Red-eyed Vireo at the HB Central Park. I figured the Warbler was a possible but the Vireo was an impossible.
WHEEEE HOOO, got both! (3 lifers in one week) with help from the hotties, Curtis Marantz and Howard King.

Hooded Warbler

The freakish thing was when we finally got the Red-eyed Vireo it was sitting on a nest WTF!

Red-eyed Vireo

Edge

Trad climber

Betwixt and Between Nederland & Boulder, CO

Jul 4, 2015 - 01:33pm PT

This little one flew onto the brim of my hat today, stayed there as I took it off, stepped onto my outstretched index finger for a while, then flew on. Just seemed in need of a rest.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 4, 2015 - 01:46pm PT

Over-heated House Wren. They've had a very good year - so many of them! Have you heard their songs?

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Wren/sounds

Nice photo, though he/she looks a bit distressed. Hope the bird got cooled off and is resting.

10b4me

Social climber

Jul 5, 2015 - 05:47pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 5, 2015 - 07:08pm PT

Cool stuff above. thanks for sharing.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jul 5, 2015 - 09:06pm PT

We had an unexpected dinner guest tonight at my Mom's b.day party.

Here is brother Sonny with our little buddy.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 5, 2015 - 10:46pm PT

There is a pair of Golden Eagles hanging on the Santa Cruz campus

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 6, 2015 - 07:38am PT

A couple from this AM in Taos.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 6, 2015 - 12:38pm PT

Another shot of the Golden Eagle with its Ground Squirrel (or ground-squirrel) lunch.

Amazing talons

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 6, 2015 - 03:03pm PT

Really cool photos Mike, that is one beautiful bird.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 6, 2015 - 09:17pm PT

Yowza, that's a big bird Mike! Nice shots. Here are some smaller birds that can't eat you for lunch, all in the Josh/Morongo area in April.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Jul 8, 2015 - 11:22pm PT

GOclimb

Trad climber

Denver, CO

Jul 9, 2015 - 06:40am PT

Okay, what the heck, I'll add to this great thread. My photos are not as nice as some here, but that's alright.

I live on the CT coast, and there is a lot of osprey activity. Recently there was a big battle for the nest outside my window. Here's a shot of one in flight, in the middle of a skirmish (taken from my office window):

GO

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 9, 2015 - 09:10am PT

Seeing that eagle scarf the ground squirrel makes my heart soar. Nasy little buggers. Nice shot Mike.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 9, 2015 - 12:09pm PT

Two young Redtail Hawks, Las Vegas NWR, northern NM.

Dickcissel.

Barn Swallow.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 9, 2015 - 02:40pm PT

Welcome Gabe. Hope you stay!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 13, 2015 - 06:35am PT

Wow, five pages back. Just not right.

Here are few from yesterday hike/outing near Las Vegas, NM

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 14, 2015 - 08:00pm PT

Hanging in the yard for the last week

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 14, 2015 - 08:02pm PT

^^ Cool!! Great shot!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 14, 2015 - 08:26pm PT

so many good birds and excellent photos. Bob - a bunch of nice shots of birds I don't see very often.

A couple from the weekend down around Mono Lake. Click for larger versions

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 15, 2015 - 08:08pm PT

Has a buddy now. That neck thing freaks me out ;-)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 15, 2015 - 08:54pm PT

^^ Awesome!

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 15, 2015 - 10:06pm PT

Thanks Crimpie!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Jul 17, 2015 - 09:48am PT

Wow Rob! I know that owls have 14 vertebrae in their neck (as opposed to 7 for us) to allow looking backwards but that's crazy.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 17, 2015 - 10:43am PT

Great shots Mike and Rob.

Canyon Wren Las Vegas NWR.

StahlBro

Trad climber

San Diego, CA

Jul 17, 2015 - 02:57pm PT

I know Dave. They can rotate their heads about 270 degrees, but I have never seen that tilt thing before. Debbie took those.

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Jul 17, 2015 - 03:03pm PT

To all of you : You guys rock ! I Love the skill, the passion shows - I love the passion !
Your pictures-who's pictures make me drool, and wish for more skill with a camera, Only because I lurk here., all the time at all times, of day and night. . .
Thank you.!

Edge

Trad climber

Betwixt and Between Nederland & Boulder, CO

Jul 17, 2015 - 07:06pm PT

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 17, 2015 - 07:31pm PT

Adorable!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 20, 2015 - 09:24am PT

Gray Catbird and American Goldfinch at Fred Baca Park in Taos, NM

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 20, 2015 - 12:37pm PT

Cool hummer tricks Edge :-) A last batch from Josh/Morongo area back in April...

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 22, 2015 - 05:53am PT

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Jul 22, 2015 - 08:24am PT

Bob, you have really been killin' it lately. Thanks so much for the beautiful shares.

10b4me

Social climber

Jul 22, 2015 - 03:46pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 24, 2015 - 10:01am PT

Thanks Jim, hope to see you in October.

Dickcissel and Western Kingbird from my hike today.

shady

Trad climber

hasbeen

Jul 24, 2015 - 11:00pm PT

I love this thread, but due to my lack of skill as a photographer I've been unable to contribute. I hope you won't mind if I use my lack of skill as a writer to bring you some of my bird related experiences.
Most of these come from MTB trips in and around Fruita Colorado, and most involve peregrine falcons.
I'm sitting on my tail gate in an area called Rabbit valley eating breakfast, watching a flock of mountain bluebirds.
As they flit around they make a delightful little , single note, "feeer" sound. All is calm until one makes an uncharacteristic sound, that for lack of a better description sounded like "quack!", and all hell breaks loose. They explode in a roar of little wings as they all race for the cover of some juniper trees. At that same instance there is a sharp sound, like someone tearing denim, followed by a muffled thump as a peregrine throws open it's wings, not more than 30 ft in front of me.
The image ingrained in my memory of this moment is magnificent. With that thump the falcon appeared as if by magic, and everything went into slow motion. The falcon with one leg straining to grab a bluebird that was just able to stay out of reach.
Shortly after the Peregrine returned to normal flight it gave two, exaggerated, muscular, thrusting
wing beats that seemed to say, "damn-it!"

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 25, 2015 - 09:56am PT

Two from today.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 26, 2015 - 12:07pm PT

Great stuff Shady! I hope you contribute more. I view this as a thread about birds and not an only-good-bird-photos thread. There is evidence of that as I have a few here...so post up! We should get out birding one of these days.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 26, 2015 - 12:56pm PT

Bob, is that last one titled "Unrequited"?

Shady, nice story.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 26, 2015 - 01:10pm PT

That's funny Reilly...:-)

Here are few from today walk near Las Vegas NWR, northern NM.

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Jul 26, 2015 - 03:27pm PT

Bob is on a roll here, nice shots.

All from around Santa Cruz this weekend. Click them for larger versions

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 27, 2015 - 08:34am PT

Thanks and great photos Mike.

Rufous Hummingbird at the feeder today.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 27, 2015 - 06:40pm PT

Holy sh#t, got a half decent shot of this Sora and a not so good shot of this Virginia Rail tonight at Fred Baca Park, Taos, NM.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 27, 2015 - 08:11pm PT

Damn! I've never been mooned by a Sora before!

dirt claud

Social climber

san diego,ca

Jul 28, 2015 - 06:17am PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Jul 28, 2015 - 09:50am PT

When back today and tried to get a better shot of the Virginia Rail...success!

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Jul 28, 2015 - 06:40pm PT

New species discovery...the shockingbird.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 28, 2015 - 07:52pm PT

Right, and so I'm going all Dirt Claud on you!
Fair warning, break out the hankies all you softies!

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Fookin' Irish - "There's soo mooch loove there."

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 28, 2015 - 08:46pm PT

I really miss Willoughby too. And Quartzite who started this terrific thread. You are greatly missed.

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jul 28, 2015 - 08:51pm PT

Q- Ball

Mountain climber

where the wind always blows

Jul 28, 2015 - 08:53pm PT

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Aug 2, 2015 - 11:10am PT

I just got back from a week visiting old friends outisde of Fairbanks. It wasn't particularly a birding trip and it's not the best time of year for birding up there, but still: It was a blast. The non-photographed birding highlight was a Three-toed Woodpecker that I spotted but my friend John actually pointed out that it was wrong for a Hairy. That was on way cool mountain bike ride on the ridge between Goldstream and O'Connor Creek valleys. I think most of the bird photos get better with clicking to expand.

Hairy, not the 3-Toed.

Young ??? Thrush (266)

(272)

(279)

(282)

(287)

white fireweed. none of the locals had seen that before.(297)

Osprey nest in upper Goldstream Valley. Tony we think there were two young. I'm a little worried about the lateness if the season in central Alaska if they haven't fledged yet.(302)

Always a treat!(307)

The crew, but no John.

10b4me

Social climber

Aug 2, 2015 - 02:51pm PT

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 2, 2015 - 06:32pm PT

Yesterday we went on a pelagic trip to the Farallons from Half Moon Bay with unusually calm, warm conditions. As we departed the harbor there were many hundreds of Elegant Terns including many juveniles. In contrast, there are almost no juvenile Heermann’s Gulls, although ~95% of both species usually nest on Isla Rasa. Apparently, the Elegant Terns mostly bred at Southern California locations with better feeding.

There were many Common Murre chicks accompanied by their dads. This one still had down, but had already swum about 30 miles from where it nested at the Farallons!

First order of business was to get to a floating dead Humpback Whale that had been reported. It must have been pretty fresh, since there was no feeding frenzy yet, even though we were seeing a Blue Sharks and a possible Mako Shark. Here’s the whale. It was obviously a male. There were a few bite marks, but on the way back in it was nowhere to be seen, so it must have gotten “discovered” by sharks.

We saw many Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish), possibly due to the very warm water.

After the usual slow period on the way out, we got to the islands teeming with nesting birds. We saw way more Tufted Puffins than on previous trips. Maybe over 50.

There were a lot of Northern Fur Seals who seemed pretty curious about our boat.

The big bonanza was seeing the Northern Gannet that has been present since 2012 along with both a Brown Booby and a Blue-footed Booby. They were sometimes in the same frame! Not likely to see that again, but who knows with the warm waters. They were interacting quite bit and seemed to have staked out a Sulidae area of the cliff.

After circling the islands, we headed out to deeper water, but the lack of wind made the Procellariiformes reluctant to fly. We saw one Pomarine Jaeger, some Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters and a few Black-footed Albatrosses, Northern Fulmars and (live) Humback Whales, but no Storm-petrels.

TGT

Social climber

So Cal

Aug 2, 2015 - 06:45pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Aug 2, 2015 - 07:13pm PT

Great stuff, Tony!
Glad the whale went under and didn't end up on a beach!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Aug 2, 2015 - 10:19pm PT

Nice Tony, Darwin, 10b, Q, and Bob of course!

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Aug 4, 2015 - 09:41am PT

I just got back from working at Intel in Hillsboro Oregon for 2 weeks. I had minimal play time but did get out birding at 2 spots one day. I did a little research ahead of the trip and determined that the most likely lifer would be a Chestnut-backed Chickadee. I was fortunate to bird in the morning (at Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, a great location) with 2 expert young women and they pointed me to an area for the Chickadee where I went later (Portland Audubon). The birds were easy to find but super hard to photograph, always on the move.

Also Black-capped Chickadees there.

BAEA at Fernhill Wetlands

One of the best things about the area, boysenberries everywhere, very tasty!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 4, 2015 - 09:54am PT

Great photos above everyone. I'm on a rail quest. :-)

Virginia Rail in Taos this morning.

Redtail Hawk taking flight.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 6, 2015 - 10:59am PT

More birds from this morning hike. ;-)

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Aug 8, 2015 - 12:29pm PT

I saw these birds at a campground near Redding, California.
I need help identifying the last two photos. Thank you.

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 8, 2015 - 01:57pm PT

Cyndie,

Both are juvenile Western Bluebirds, male and female I think.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Aug 8, 2015 - 04:33pm PT

Thank you Tony.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 9, 2015 - 08:14am PT

Great photos Cyndie...a little Black Phoebe on the hike.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Aug 10, 2015 - 03:16pm PT

I was up climbing at Suicide Rock on Sat. and one of the coolest things about the day was the never ending stream of Anna's hummers coming to the seep at the base of the Weeping Wall, all females. At times there were 5 or 6 waiting for their turn or chasing off others.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 11, 2015 - 03:00pm PT

A few from the past few days.

hooblie

climber

from out where the anecdotes roam

Aug 11, 2015 - 07:12pm PT

just now, from the porch. brought to heal with all 70 mm's zoomin' in unison ... could use a hugany ideas on make and model?

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 11, 2015 - 07:27pm PT

Beautiful stuff everyone!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 13, 2015 - 07:21pm PT

A few from today.

o-man

Social climber

Paia,Maui,HI

Aug 13, 2015 - 10:02pm PT

john hansen

climber

Aug 13, 2015 - 10:17pm PT

That is really cool O man.

Perhaps a blue footed Booby....

Aloha from the Big Island.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 16, 2015 - 05:36pm PT

Down in southern New Mexico on my way to Juarez to get dental work done, stop at Rattlesnake Springs near Carlsbad and it really lived up to all it's hype, what a beautiful little spot in the desert.

The best spot for Vermilion Flycatcher that I have ever been too, the light was off (drizzle) so sorry about the quality. They really are spectacular little birds.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 17, 2015 - 11:43am PT

new camera time, Canon Powershot SX530 HS, a cheapo by the standards here, but a big upgrade for me. I think it's going to keep me happy

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 17, 2015 - 01:11pm PT

^ Gorgeous!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 17, 2015 - 08:16pm PT

this bad boy dropped on something in the roadside grass. What ever it was it was giving its death squeaks. Still a few hours of daylight left. Must have youngsters to feed. Love the way its sunny-side pupil is smaller than the sahdy-side one.

mouse from merced

Trad climber

The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.

Aug 18, 2015 - 12:14am PT

When I walk out to shoot the sunrise over the Sierra Nevada this bird sits there twenty feet away on its "nest" until I try to approach it to shoot its picture, then it's panic city and she flies off. This may prove interesting when the squabs arrive.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 18, 2015 - 01:13pm PT

More birds.

o-man

Social climber

Paia,Maui,HI

Aug 18, 2015 - 01:30pm PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 18, 2015 - 04:52pm PT

I'd love to see a roadrunner.

A couple from the last week. Click for larger

o-man

Social climber

Paia,Maui,HI

Aug 19, 2015 - 11:21am PT

hooblie

climber

from out where the anecdotes roam

Aug 19, 2015 - 12:18pm PT

we gottem here mike bolte ... from a previous bird thread:

they really are curious cuckoos. boldly charging in demanding answers. this guy had a whole different demeanor,
spent 3-4 days with us, dedicated to the only patch of bare gravel in a sea of snow complete with roost.
they act like flight is a last resort and a running takeoff in powder conditions prolly not happening.

text from previous post:

we had a nice accumulation of wind blown snow here north of flagstaff. the wind scoured to the bare ground
in front of the kitchen window and this road runner took to roosting there. he's been remarkably cooperative.
wish i could find a bug, or get out of the driveway

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Aug 19, 2015 - 03:46pm PT

Great shots, Mike!!!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 19, 2015 - 08:52pm PT

I got the new Nikon 500mm FL. What a great lens. Handheld at 1/250 second

thanks Steve

EDIT - you can really see how sharp this lens is by going to high-res here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mjbolte/20535622589/in/dateposted-public/

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Aug 19, 2015 - 09:01pm PT

^^^^^ WHOA!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 20, 2015 - 01:48pm PT

Great photos Mike and Little Z.

Male and female Lark Bunting at Las Vegas NWR in northern NM.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 21, 2015 - 01:16pm PT

A couple of hawks from today's hike.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 21, 2015 - 01:51pm PT

A few more pics of the American Redstart that hung out in Boulder this year since he is so unusual for the area. When I last saw him about 6 weeks ago he had found a lady :-)

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 22, 2015 - 06:38pm PT

Great shots Dave, really beautiful little bird.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 22, 2015 - 07:46pm PT

Cute baby!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 22, 2015 - 08:26pm PT

Getting out to play with my camera, although it's taking away from birding time. I'm seeing the limitations. Have to be close and hopefully with killer light, otherwise...

Thanks for all the motivation from you folks who continually nail it (and for the time and effort it takes!)

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 22, 2015 - 08:36pm PT

Love 'em! Curious about the field marks on the Song Sparrow above. I rarely feel confident about sparrows, and I wouldn't have know this was a SS. What did you see to know this? Thanks in advance!

10b4me

Social climber

Aug 23, 2015 - 03:32pm PT

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Aug 23, 2015 - 06:48pm PT

Hey Crimpie,
It's sort of cheating, but this little dude (previous photo) was keeping up a constant chatter of "jimp, jimp, jimp" calls, basically saying "I'm a Song Sparrow" so I didn't focus too much on how it looked, but up here along the NW coast SSs are really dark. Where other races show white these guys are mostly gray. The bird in the previous photo also looks to be a juvenile (has some yellow at corner of commissure, or "mouth") so is going to be more streaky and less well marked overall.

here is an adult more clearly marked, though still grayer than what you must see there in the Rockies

the birds sure were happy though with all those raspberries.

Here's another drab juvenile sparrow (White-crowned) enjoying the berries

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Aug 23, 2015 - 09:26pm PT

Cool! Thanks so much. I don't think I'll ever feel a capable Sparrow IDer. Adorable birds nonetheless. :)

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 23, 2015 - 09:57pm PT

john hansen

climber

Aug 23, 2015 - 10:21pm PT

That is an amazing picture of
how a bird can be so hidden Mike.

Great picture.

Brown Creepers are always a bonus.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Aug 23, 2015 - 10:45pm PT

^Nice Creeper Shot!

littleZ: "but up here along the NW coast SSs are really dark". Yes, with generally grayer coloring than other's I've seen. Z, are you back here now?

At the risk of very humble spewing, I had a really nice combined birding/climbing day this last Saturday. I didn't have my camera, though.

But first: it was up Icicle Canyon out of Leavenworh in the general area (NE slope of the Cascades) that is being ravaged by wild fires. It felt bad and slightly disrespectful to be climbing there, given that we recently lost thee fire fighters further north, but I went climbing anyway. Deep sorrow and respect to those lost ones, their friends and families and to those who lost houses. ICCanyon was unpleasantly choked with smoke, but there were no fires nearby.

I led a couple of slab climbs that were just the right difficulty and protectability to make them interesting for me. Both were rated 5.8 in a provisional draft guide. I would have called the easier one 5.7 and the more difficult one 5.8+. Both took small but appreciated gear.

But this is the birding thread, so: First a Rock Wren worked its way across our face. Then I looked up to see an unmistakable N Goshawk briefly come into view high overhead. That was a first for me since I've been paying attention and taking note. Something came out of the woods years ago at City of Rocks to try to remove Tony's head, which Tony said was a Goshawk. He had been watching it and had gotten a good view, and I wasn't so serious a birder back then. Then (back in ICCanyon) just as we were stepping out onto the road while returning to the car, a female Dusky Grouse posed in full view in a tree in pretty good light. Full disclosure: despite the marvelous view, I couldn't really tell what kind of grouse it was, but it was beautiful, looked most like a Dusky, and that fits the range map.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 24, 2015 - 07:48am PT

Cool shot Mike.

The migration has started here in Taos, lot's of birds are favorite area.

hooblie

climber

from out where the anecdotes roam

Aug 24, 2015 - 08:53am PT

handheld 70mm again. cooperative subject, ruthlessly cropped
possible bird in distant juniper, idunno

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 24, 2015 - 06:56pm PT

Who wants to take a stab at this one...?

Tony

Trad climber

Pt. Richmond, CA

Aug 24, 2015 - 07:02pm PT

Bob

Olive-sided Flycatcher juvenile. I seem to see a bit of the "vest" and the white throat is evident.The white patch was puzzling, but according to Sibley:

White tufts on side of rump exposed when relaxed

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 24, 2015 - 08:02pm PT

Thanks Tony, the white patches were throwing me off.

That makes 40 species for the day at little Fred Baca Park in Taos.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 25, 2015 - 08:13am PT

A few from recent weeks around Boulder.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 25, 2015 - 04:35pm PT

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Aug 25, 2015 - 07:20pm PT

BN, that flycatcher is amazing!!!

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 25, 2015 - 08:19pm PT

Bluelens

climber

Pasadena, CA

Aug 27, 2015 - 09:02pm PT

[url="/https://baynature.org/articles/a-condor-recovery-fueled-by-volunteers-needs-more-help/"]/https://baynature.org/articles/a-condor-recovery-fueled-by-volunteers-needs-more-help/[/url]
Pinnacles NP Condor Nest Observer volunteers needed!

Bluelens

Social climber

Pasadena, CA

Aug 27, 2015 - 09:16pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Live streaming California Condor nest cameras, right here in Big Sur and Ventura County!

Delhi Dog

climber

Good Question...

Aug 28, 2015 - 03:28am PT

Brass, you always have such fine images!

Bob, between your FA's and birds...well sh#t you crank!!

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 28, 2015 - 05:48am PT

Thanks delhi...here are a few from yesterday.

dee ee

Mountain climber

Of THIS World (Planet Earth)

Aug 28, 2015 - 02:08pm PT

Wow, you guys, great photos from all the usual suspects!!

I was working in Barstow for the last week and a half saw MANY House Sparrows (aka English Sparrow). I missed the bird thread.

Went climbing at New Jack City 3 times after work,super fun place! My New Jack (bird) list now stands at about 8 species, best one, Chukar. We had a number (4?) of Great-horned Owls. One landed on top of our shade structure in camp late one night, no photos though.

New Jack sunset

10b4me

Social climber

Aug 28, 2015 - 02:36pm PT

Mike Bolte

Trad climber

Planet Earth

Aug 28, 2015 - 03:28pm PT

that is a particularly nice set above Bob!

o-man

Social climber

Paia,Maui,HI

Aug 28, 2015 - 03:35pm PT

Bushman

Social climber

Elk Grove, California

Aug 28, 2015 - 03:47pm PT

Bird Bath View

Pressing down the layered hues of blue and grey,
Dense clouds lit by sun unseen holds the earth at bay,
Atmospheric pressure holds the olive trees that gently sway,
This alkaline and dry lake grit beneath my feet today,
The scorched and peeling skin around my claws is near burned away,
"Babawk!" this bird bath view is all I have to say,
In this former paradise where all my friends did play,
One by one they all forsook me saying it would never pay,
Such laws of luck and fortune I'm not inclined to obey,
Now this bird bath full of droppings and dead leaves is so full of decay,
I cannot smell myself at all and that's probably ok,
For the raptors won't approach not even alley cat the stray,
Good for a bird who cannot fly and and who has never learned to pray,
To a god who's more likely another bird I'd venture if I may,
A phoenix of the cosmos fitted with full solar array,
Of electromagnetic feathers but the feet just made of clay,
But what's a flightless bird to do but flap his wings and flay,
This bird bath view obscured by shadow all I can relay.

-bushman

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Aug 28, 2015 - 07:12pm PT

Thanks Delhi, I enjoy your images as well. Lots of babies around here lately, here is a sampling.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 29, 2015 - 10:06am PT

Thanks Mike...Green Heron this AM.

cyndiebransford

climber

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Aug 29, 2015 - 09:53pm PT

This afternoon at the Kenai flats.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Aug 31, 2015 - 07:46am PT

Cyndie that Plover is really cool.

Barn Swallow this morning.

Darwin

Trad climber

Seattle, WA

Aug 31, 2015 - 09:54pm PT

I've been wanting to get birds in flight, so this was practice. Really it wasn't just an excuse to post to this thread:

Just on my commute today I began to think the summer doldrums might be changing. I got good looks at Sharp Shinned Hawk (good look at the legs), Green Heron in good light, Osprey with either nesting material or fish in lake grass and this photo of B. Kingfisher.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 1, 2015 - 09:21am PT

This is the only thread on ST that I really wish has a 'like/love' button. Love it Darwin!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 1, 2015 - 03:53pm PT

my last outing (Aug 27) in the Pac NW was to go look for White-tailed Ptarmigan up around Sunrise in Mount Rainier NP.

We got up into suitable habitat, and the weather was superb, but the little blighters gave us the slip.

I ran into another local birder who was up there looking for them too and he also got skunked after 3 hours of off-trail searching. He said he usually finds them on only 1 out of every 3 trips, so I didn't feel so bad (and I've seen them in the Rockies anyways).

There were some birds around, plenty of Horned Larks, American Pipits, and Ravens. Had a small flock of Gray-crowned Rosy Finches fly over, and any little clump of trees or bushes had something lurking in them like American Robin, Mountain Bluebird, Yellow-rumped, or Orange-crowned Warbler. Heard a Rock Wren out by the Freemont fire tower which I guess is pretty rare on the west slope of the Cascades.

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 1, 2015 - 04:52pm PT

last birds from WA, some photos I like

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 1, 2015 - 06:09pm PT

Great stuff Little Z.

Here are few from today, got 50 species at Las Vegas NWR today.

o-man

Social climber

Paia,Maui,HI

Sep 2, 2015 - 01:42pm PT

SteveW

Trad climber

The state of confusion

Sep 2, 2015 - 02:05pm PT

Awesome stuff, Little Z!!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Sep 2, 2015 - 02:41pm PT

OH MAN! O-man!

little Z

Trad climber

un cafetal en Naranjo

Sep 3, 2015 - 09:49am PT

Back in the sagebrush again. Trying to get photos of Sagebrush Sparrow but they're tough. Barely getting looks in the binos. These photos are from Monday when there was smoke from the Rough fire all the way up here in the Carson Valley. Nice and windy now and not so smoky.

Bob, seems like I'm seeing a similar set of birds to what you're finding. Saw all three of the ones you show above, but couldn't get any shots. Keep it comin', and thanks to all.

EDIT: No, Reilly, you're joking right? take the drabest little sparrow and divide it into something you can only separate by song? God help us.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Sep 3, 2015 - 09:56am PT

NICE, y'all!!!!

Little Z, you up on the latest 'splitting' in the Brewers' world based on song?

I awoke in the wee hours last night (so that's why they're called that?) to a freaking cacophony outside.
There were three GHO's hooting it up like there was no tomorrow night.
I almost yelled out the window for some peace and quiet, almost.

10b4me

Social climber

Sep 3, 2015 - 03:38pm PT

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 3, 2015 - 07:18pm PT

Great photos Little Z & Steve.

Here are couple from today, Red Tails back in full force.

Bob D'A

Trad climber

Taos, NM

Sep 5, 2015 - 09:51am PT