Blog Archives - Cosmic Birding - an amateur bird blog

Black-headed grosbeaks, near Occidental, June 2020

12/31/2020

Adult female black-headed grosbeak, near Occidental

Another view, same bird

One of the fledged black-headed grosbeak youngsters, drinking water near deck feeders.

Juvenile black-headed grosbeak

Young black-headed grosbeak in the tree canopy, near Occidental

Juvenile black-headed grosbeak

Fledged black-headed grosbeak eating cherries near the deck, Occidental

Another cherry eater, a female purple finch

Black-headed grosbeak youngster among the cherries, near Occidental

Willow Creek Rd near Jenner, early summer 2020

12/28/2020

Male Wilson's warbler, Willow Creek RD

Bewick's wren with a large bug

Cliff swallow, Willow Creek RD

Another view, cliff swallow in flight

This area is also a good spot for wildflowers.

Orange-crowned warbler in the thick green canopy along the creek

Bee plant, with a bee

Male American Goldfinch. Willow Creek RD

California quail scout along the road

Distant glimpse of black-headed grosbeak, Willow Creek Rd

Indian Paintbrush

Coast nettle

This is a great spot to see and get pretty close up photos of Wilson's Warblers.

Male Wilson Warbler, Willow Creek Rd

Chestnut backed chickadee fledgling, waiting for parent to bring it food.

Young chestnut backed chickadee, getting ready as parent bird approaches, along Willow Creek Rd

Also a good point for Hutton's vireos, Willow Creek Rd near Jenner.

Birds in the woods, near Occidental, early summer 2020

12/26/2020

Bewick's wren

Wilson's warbler

Swainson's thrush

Another view, Swainson's thrush

Common Selfheal wildflower, Occidental woods

Pacific Slope Flycatcher

Early summer 2020, Ellis Creek Petaluma Ca

12/22/2020

A pair of black-necked stilts move in unison in one of the ponds at Ellis Creek

Black-necked stilt in flight, Ellis Creek

There was a small flock of white faced ibis mostly in the first pond.

A pair of greater yellow legs, Ellis Creek

Closer look, greater yellow legs

An osprey overhead!!! Elllis Creek Petluma

Western kingbird catching insects, Ellis Creek, summer 2020

Western kingbird in flight

Western kingbird with a dragonfly! Ellis Creek Water treatment, Petaluma.

The first black-headed grosbeak fledglings show up, June 2020

12/17/2020

Fledged Black-headed grosbeak near the deck from early summer 2020

Black-headed grosbeak youngster, near Occidental

First of season, newly fledged black-headed grosbeak

Adult male black-headed grosbeak, following after the younsters

Adult female black-headed grosbeak giving a feeding, summer 2020

Orioles Tolay Lake Regional Park, Petaluma, June 2020

12/11/2020

Male Bullock's oriole, Tolay Lake, Petaluma

Bullock's oriole

Summer 2020, Bullock's Oriole - these birds also nest in this park.

Hooded oriole, Tolay Lake

Hooded oriole in flight, Tolay Lake, summer 2020

Male Northern Harrier in the park.

Tree swallow, Tolay Lake

Nesting is beginning or already started in the park - tree swallows and western bluebirds use these nest boxes.

Tree swallow in flight

Red-winged blackbird in the park, also in their nesting season - they make nests in the tall grasses.

Red-shouldered hawk, Tolay Lake

Northern mockingbird beginning to harass the sitting hawk.

Female Bullock's oriole with food in her beak for her nest, also stops to take swipes at the hawk.

Hawk decides to change position after being dived bomb by the smaller birds

Male downy woodpecker in the park, Tolay Lake

Bright red house finch, Tolay Lake

Allen's Hummers at the deck, June 2020

12/5/2020

Male Allen's hummingbird at deck feeder, near Occidental, from early summer 2020

Tail feathers show no notched feathers, definitely male Allen's hummer, also much green on the back unlike the rufous.

Male Allen's hummer in flight.

Female or immature male Allen's, near the deck feeders

Immature or female Allen's hummer at one of the deck feeders, near Occidental

Male Allen's hummingbird, from early summer, 2020

Male Black-headed grosbeak among the cherries

12/5/2020

Male black-headed grosbeak foraging for cherries, near Occidental

Black-headed grosbeak

A Cooper's hawk circles high overhead, near Occidental

Wild iris bloom in the redwoods

Wilson's warbler in the woods near Occidental early summer, 2020

A return to Pine Flat Rd, Summer 2020

12/1/2020

Purple martin flyover, near the top of Pine Flat Rd, summer 2020

Hutton's vireo, Pine Flat Rd

Area still full of wildflowers, these are fariry lanterns

Red maids wildflower? Along pine flat rd Healdsburg

Male Lazuli bunting, Pine Flat RD

Blue field gilia, Pine Flat Rd

Foothill Penstemon, one of my personal favorites, Pine Flat Rd, summer 2020