Birding the fish market in San Mateo

Night Heron


Egret



Common Goldeneye

Mike had a meeting near San Francisco Airport. While crossing a bridge, he noticed some birds and stopped in the parking lot of a restaurant to watch a while.

Backyard Bluebirds

We don't get bluebirds in the yard much, but some have been coming by this week. Maybe they'll find the Bluebird house we put up a few years ago.

Backyard Hawk

Hooded Mergansers rule

The hooded Merganser is the bird that pushed us ove the edge. We became birders because these ducks landed in the lake in New Jersey we lived on. I'm glad they spend the fall and winters in Southern California too.

Sunday. La Sierra University

La Sierra University is a very reliable place to see Acorn Woodpeckers carrying acorns from oak trees to palm trees.
It usually is a good place for western meadowlarks too.

Acorn Woodpecker


Western Meadowlark


Kingbird

Lazy Saturday

Other than getting a latte and a donut, and making pastrami for lunch, we sat around waiting for birds to come by. The Hermit Thrush is a special guest.



Hermit Thrush


Scrub Jay


Nutmeg Mannikin

The hoodies are back

The hooded mergansers are returning to Riverside.


The ring-necked ducks too

Huntington Central Park

We went to Huntington Central Park. There were quite a few exotic birds there like the Orange Bishops, but the good old Black Phoebe posed for a photo.

Hooded Orioles at home

It seems the only bird I photograph at home in summer is the Hooded Oriole.

Hahamongna Watershed Park

We went to Hahamongna Watershed Park in hopes of finding some rarities. Although we didn't find any, we got good views of some early migrants.


California Thrasher


Orange-crowned warbler


Female Lazuli Bunting



Yellow Warbler


Female common yellowthroat




Wilson's Warbler


Red-crowned Parrot

Hooded Oriole on a Rose

Mike slept late on Saturday, so Chris photographed a Hooded Oriole when it landed on a rose.

Oriole at the cactus

It's been fairly birdy around our house, mainly at the bird baths. A few birds are starting to eat the cactus fruit including this hooded oriole.

Pond Park, Murrieta

We visited Pond Park because a family of Least Bitterns had been reported. We only saw one, but it was quite entertaining hoping among the reeds. We also saw a few Ruddy Ducks and Wood ducks.

Black Oystercatcher

Here's a photo of a black oystercatcher from Del Rey Lagoon. I'm not sure what he caught.

Bolsa Chica: Rails, Skimmers, and more

Stopped by Bolsa Chica last weekend since the Ridgeway Rails chicks have hatched. With a little patience and a little luck, I was able to find a family.





The black skimmers were out and for the first time at this spot, I saw some skimming.



It's hard to resist the reddish egrets.



A few American Pelicans were out.




An osprey was flying overhead too

Big Sur: California Condors

We booked a trip to Big Sur to look for California condors. We stayed at the Ventana Inn and the first afternoon we saw one flying overhead while sitting out on our balcony. Two days later, we went out with the Ventana Wildlife Society and after some time, Chris spotted three flying high overhead.

Baby Burrowing Owl

We went back to Salton Sea in hopes of spotting some baby burrowing owls. We saw a few nests, and several smallish owls. Then Chris spotted this baby owl alone. We did see and hear several adult owls nearby. We left for a while and when we returned it was gone, so we are hopeful it found its burrow.



Here's some photos of some of the adults.

Back to Prado

We always post pictures of vermilon flycatchers when we go to Prado.

I'll start with the green heron instead



But the vermilion flycatcher was there, and it's hard not to photograph.

Western Tanager in the birdbath

Oriole at the hummingbird feeder

We like these little hummingbird feeders. So do the Hooded Orioles.