Western Gulls - Morro Bay, CA - 12/26/11

cr_western_gulls_morrobay, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This adult Western Gull has caught a crab dinner and its young is begging for a bite - but it didn't get any this time. Its parent ate the crab up and didn't leave a crumb for its chick - lol.

Long Billed Curlew - Morro Bay, CA - 12/26/11

cr_long_billed_curlew_morrobay1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The Long Billed Curlew is a large sandpiper, with a very long bill, measuring 4.4 - 8.6 inches long. These birds (once called the Candlestick Bird or Sicklebird) can be seen at shorelines of lakes and oceans, using their long bill to poke and prod at the sand in search of food, such as crabs, fish and insects.

House Finch (female) - Morro Bay, CA - 12/26/11

cr_bird_morrobay, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This female House Finch is brownish in color, while the male has red on its breast, rump and crown. They are popular at bird feeders, eating both seeds and insects.

Yellow Rumped Warbler - Morro Bay, CA - 12/26/11

cr_yellow_rumped_warbler_morrobay1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Golden Eagle - Santa Margarita, CA - 12/26/11

cr_golden_eagle_santamargarita_1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

After many years of coming up empty handed, I finally got a pic of a Golden Eagle... and a pretty good one at that. This guy was out on the road to Santa Margarita Lake.

Coyote - Hwy 58 West - 12/26/11

cr_coyote_hwy58_1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Ok, so it's not a bird, but if I see a photographable coyote, I am not passing up the chance to get a pic ;) We saw 3 of these guys on the trip, but this was the only one that I could get a pic of. He trotted across the road and then turned around to give us a look before trotting off.

Loggerhead Shrike - Hwy 58 West - 12/26/11

cr_loggerhead_shrike_2_hwy58, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The Loggerhead Shrike is a bird I have been trying forever to photograph. I finally got a decent shot yesterday. I always think this bird looks like the Lone Ranger, with its black eye mask - lol.

Red Tailed Hawk - Hwy 58 West - 12/26/11

cr_red_tailed_hawk_hwy58_4, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This bird was perched atop a fence post along Highway 58. It sat for a bit, allowing us to get some nice, close up shots (I barely had to crop any of this photo). Beautiful bird.

Bakersfield - Cattle Egret - 12/23/11

cr-White Ln - Cattle Egret, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

I actually found this bird in town near the Starbucks at White Ln and Stine Rd. At first I thought it was a youngGreat Egret, but judging by the buff colored patches on its body and crown, yellow bill and dark legs, turns out it is a Cattle Egret. I barely had to do any driving to find one of these (and it's the first photo of a Cattle Egret that I have gotten).

Tule Elk State Natural Reserve - Northern Mockingbird

TESP - Northern Mockingbird (8), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

I found this fellow in a tree at the Tule Elk State Reserve. He sat there and let me take quite a few photos of him before he went to chase off another bird that was trying to land in the tree.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - Juvenile White Crowned Sparrow

cr- Sparrow (8), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

There is a photo of an adult White Crowned Sparrow posted below. The juvenile is not as colorful as the adult, and lacks the white crown.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - Northern Shoveler

cr-KNWR - Northern Shoveler, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This colorful fellow is the Northern Shoveler, a type of duck which is related to the Cinnamon Teal and Blue Winged Teal. It's broad bill (which sort of resembles a shovel) is used to strain seeds and small animals such as fish from the water.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - Black Necked Stilt

cr-KNWR - Black Necked Stilt (2), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Black Necked Stilts can be found year round at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge. These birds make salt and freshwater marshes as well as shallow coastal bays their home.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - Snowy Egret

cr- Snowy Egret (6), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

There are a few types of egrets found here at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge, such as the Great Egret, Snowy Egret and Cattle Egret. This Snowy Egret is distinguished by its black bill and black legs with yellow feet. The Great Egret is larger, with a yellow bill and black legs, while the Cattle Egret is smaller than the other 2, with a yellow bill and pale yellow or orange legs (legs are dark in juveniles).

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - White Crowned Sparrow

cr-KNWR - White Crowned Sparrow, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

There are many types of sparrows on the Kern National Wildlife Refuge, such as this White Crowned Sparrow.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - Red Tailed Hawk

cr-KNWR - Red Tailed Hawk (6), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Red Tailed Hawks are the most common hawks in North America. You will often see them perching atop fence posts, telephone poles and perched up in trees, and of course, soaring high up in the sky overhead hunting for prey.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - White Faced Ibis

cr-KNWR - White Faced Ibis (3), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - White Faced Ibis in flight

cr-KNWR - White Faced Ibis, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The White Faced Ibis is the only Ibis found in the west.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - Western Grebe

cr-KNWR - Western Grebe (1), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The Western Grebe is one of a few types of grebes you will see at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge. I also spotted a few Pie Billed Grebes too (but they were too far out on the lake to get a good picture of)

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge - Northern Harrier

cr-PNWR - Northern Harrier, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

There were a lot of raptors out in force on today's trip, including the Northern Harrier. The females and juveniles are brown in color with a white rump, while the males are grey.

Unlike the Red Tail Hawk and other hawks who are often seen perching atop fence posts and telephone poles to search for prey, Northern Harriers hunt by flying close to the ground.

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge - Sandhill Cranes

PNWR - Sandhill Cranes (15), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Thousands of Sandhill Cranes were roosting in and around Pixley National Wildlife refuge today.

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge - Sandhill Cranes

cr-PNWR - Sandhill Cranes (6), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Thousands of Sandhill Cranes winter at Pixley National Wildlife Refuge from November thru March. (and there were thousands there when I went today). The refuge is located near Earlimart, CA. From Hwy 99, take Avenue 56 to Road 88. The refuge is located about a mile down the road on the left. (you can also get to the refuge from the Kern National Wildlife Refuge. Take Garces Hwy to Hwy 43. Make a left on Hwy 43 and then make a right on Avenue 56. From there drive to Road 88)

Kern National Wildlife Refuge - Snowy Egret

cr- Snowy Egret (3), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

I caught this pic of this Snowy Egret just as he was flying off.