Blog Archives

American Kestrel closeup, Bodega Bay

1/28/2018

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This female kestrel actively hunting alongside Highway One, Bodega Bay

They have the ability to hover in mid flight while pursuing prey on the ground.

Female kestrel, Bodega Bay

The other strategy is to perch on a wire, fence post or branch so as to better observe movement on the ground.

Female Kestrel, giving the camera a good look, Bodega Bay

Immature red-tail hawk on a utility pole, also along Highway One, Bodega Bay

These photos are from late November 2017, and there was a small flock of Bonaparte gulls in the bay.

Hanging with the Bonaparte gulls were some first winter ring-billed gulls.

Western Grebe, Bodega Bay

Wrentit, Owl Canyon, Bodega Bay

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American Bittern, Las Gallinas Valley Water Treatment, San Rafael

1/18/2018

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Usually very reclusive and shy, this bittern made an uncharacteristically bold appearance at Las Gallinas and even moved around a bit, in spite of a small group of observers close by.

American Bittern, Las Gallinas Valley Water Treatment, San Rafael

Actively hunting, its entire body perched like a spear.

Another view, American Bittern

It finally seemed to have had enough of us, and flew over to a more remote spot.

American Bittern in flight, Las Gallinas Water Treatment, San Rafael

Green winged teal near the entrance

Northern mockingbird grabs a palm date, in one of the palm trees close to the parking lot.

Yellow-rumped warbler, Las Gallinas

An eared grebe, pond two

This beautiful male northern harrier flew over our position.

American Pipit along the shore of the second pond

Cackling goose, pond three, Las Gallinas

Bonaparte Gull, first year plumage, Las Gallinas Valley Water Treatment

Bonaparte Gull in flight

Cinnamon teal ducks, male and female, Las Gallinas Valley Water Treatment

A pair of common gallinules, first pond, Las Gallinas

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Camp Meeker Townsend Warblers

1/14/2018

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Townsend warblers wintering over, camp meeker - this is a male visiting the deck feeders daily.

Another view, male Townsend warbler, camp meeker

Also visiting the feeders, is this female or immature male townsend.

Townsend warbler, camp meeker

Ruby-crowned kinglet also still visiting feeders, this I believe is a female.

Another view, camp Meeker kinglet

Leucistic dark-eyed junco? Camp Meeker.

Red-breasted nuthatch

This is a very small squirrel. At first I thought it was some kind of chipmunk due to its size, but in doing some research, I found it to be a Douglas squirrel. Camp Meeker is the only place I have noticed these squirrels.