 Beginning of April, the first black-headed grosbeaks are seen near the feeders.  Male black-headed grosbeak, near Occidental  Same bird, different view  In the woods, the fairy slippers start to fade, and near them rise the other native orchid in the area, the spotted coralroot.  Pacific hound's tongue in bloom  Red larkspur blooms along Hampton Rd near Occidental  Western cauliflower mushroom in the woods, near Occidental
1 Comment
 Pileated Woodpecker, Occidental redwoods  Female pileated woodpecker checking out the photographer, near Occidental  If you know where to look, you can find the rare native fairy slipper orchid in the local redwood forests.  Fairy slipper orchids, Occidental redwood forest.  Hutton's vireo in the woods, near Occidental  Brown creeper, Occidental woods  Male spotted towhee, all year round resident  Pacific Trillium or wood lilies are in bloom at this time in the spring  After the incredibly wet winter, lots of fungi wood growths.  Very shy male northern flicker, in the woods near Occidental  Very small and fragile looking, the wild redwood violet, spring, near Occidental  Male rufous at the feeder, near Occidental  Rufous hummer in flight   Allen's hummingbird  Allen's hummer at the feeder, near Occidental  Male Anna's hummingbird, near Occidental  Same bird, another view  Eye to eye, migratory Allen's hummer.  Male rufous at the feeder, near Occidental  Bodega Bay is an excellent place to get some close up looks at the resident kingfisher birds.  They are a challenging bird to get on camera, as they do not like being photographed.  This female was fishing along the edge of the bay, and they will hover in the air to get a glimpse of their prey.  Easier to get photos of them hovering as they are very focused....  ...still hovering.,..  Making the dive  Flew off with a small sea snake...  Female belted kingfisher, Bodega Bay  Nearby, a male common loon in full breeding colors grabs a crab, Bodega Bay  A willet browses along the shore...  Another common loon molting into breeding colors.  An osprey overhead, also actively hunting, Bodega Bay  An eared grebe beginning its molt to breeding colors, Bodega Bay  A long tailed duck was in the harbor entrance for a few weeks in the spring, I got this one fairly decent long shot of it - best seen with a scope.  Male northern shoveler, first pond - this is a great place to get closer views of these birds.  Green-winged teal resting, first pond  Marsh wren - spring is the best time to see these birds, as they often jump up to higher areas in the reeds for their display songs.  Male ruddy duck in breeding colors, Ellis Creek water treatment, Petaluma  There are some nest boxes in the park, and this time of year the tree swallows begin their competitive jousting to claim them for nesting.  This is a good place for a chance to see the American pipit.  There are resident red-shouldered hawks who are usually pretty active.  There can often be a variety of shorebirds as well, here is a greater yellowlegs, Ellis Creek Water Treatment Petaluma  Camera click takes a ruby-crowned kinglet by surprise  Ruby-crowned kinglet near Occidental  Pygmy nuthatch, early spring of this year  Migratory Allen's hummer at the feeder  All year round resident, the Anna's hummingbird, keeping watch near the feeders, early spring  Allen's hummingbird, feather display  Anna's female or juvenile hummer, near Occidental  Male red-breasted merganser close to shore, Bodega Bay. This is from late March of this year.  Large flock of sanderlings, Bodega bay  Sandlerling landing to join to flock, Bodega Bay  Also browsing along the shore, a smaller flock of Dunlin, Bodega Bay  Shorebirds in flight along the Bay  Dowitchers? With a Dunlin watching.  Dunlin up close, Bodega Bay  Red-tailed hawk hovering in the strong coastal winds near Bodega Head |