I happened to see this Kit Fox one day when I was at an event for work. I came back today to see if I could find him again, and sure enough, there he was, sunbathing in the lot.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Birds of Hart Park - Duck - 2/12/12
There are lots of "mutt" Mallards at Hart Park, like this guy. He was busy taking a bath in the water and would rear up and flap his wings to dry them every once in a while.
Creatures of Hart Park - Turtle - 2/20/12
I don't know what kind of turtle this is, since I am more familiar with birds than reptiles, so if you know, leave me a comment :)
Birds of Hart Park - Rose Ringed Parakeets - 2/20/12
A pair of Rose Ringed Parakeets snuggle up in a tree in Hart Park.
Birds of Hart Park - White Crowned Sparrow
This is a juvenile White Crowned Sparrow. The adults have a black and white striped crown, while the juveniles have brown and buff striped crowns.
Birds of Hart Park - Brewers Blackbird - 2/20/12
The male Brewer's Blackbird is black with yellow eyes. The females are gray-brown with black eyes.
Birds of Hart Park - American Coots - 2/20/12
The bread...the bread.....it's over...there!!!
These American Coots spy another kid handing out bread over that way and take off to see if they can get in on the action.
Kern River Parkway - Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher - 2/20/12
Even energetic birds must take a breather once in a while.
Kern River Parkway - Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher - 2/20/12
Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers are birds amped up on energy. Like they have been drinking Red Bull all day. They are non-stop, hopping from brank to branch. It is a lucky day when you get one to sit still long enough to get a picture.
Kern River Parkway - White Crowned Sparrow - 2/20/12
This White Crown Sparrow seems to spot something good over to the left there....wonder what caught his eye,,,maybe those french fries that were on the ground.
Carrizo Plain National Monument - Red Tailed Hawk - 2/19/12
Red Tailed Hawks are handsome birds. They are oten spotted perched on top of fence posts, tree tops and telephone poles, like this one.
Carrizo Plain National Monument - Red Tailed Hawk
It was a chilly winter day on the plain, and this Red Tailed Hawk was fluffing his feathers, perhaps to warm up a bit.
Lake San Antonio - Rock Wren - 2/19/12
I spotted this little guy on the north shore of Lake San Antonio in a parking lot around the rocks. The Rock Wren breeds in dry rocky areas and feed on mainly insects and spiders.
Lake San Antonio - Acorn Woodpecker
The Acorn Woodpecker is a noisy little guy, with a laugh-like call. If you have ever been in the woods or in a city park, chances are that you have heard one of these guys.
Lake San Antonio - California Valley Quail - 2/19/12
The California Valley Quail is California's state bird.
Lake San Antonio - Mule Deer - 2/19/12
Mule Deer are named for their large ears. They are also known as Black Tailed Deer.
Lake San Antonio - Mule Deer - 2/19/12
Lots and lots of Mule Deer were roaming around the South Shore of Lake San Antonio this weekend. Well, roaming and lounging around, like this guy.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tilie Creek Campground - California Towhee - 2/12/12
I had been trying to get pics of the Spotted Towhee (you can see pics of these birds if you scroll down), but have had bad luck with trying to get them out in the open. This California Towhee, however, was much more cooperative than its cousins - lol.
Tillie Creek Campground - California Quail
There are lots and lots of California Quail in Tillie Creek Campground, but they are wary of people and often run by so quick that you rarely have time to focus your camera lens to get a pic. If you are lucky, you will find one standing on a rock (but as my luck would have it, that rock was in the shade - lol).
Tille Creek Campground - Cedar Waxwing
I happened to be in just the right place as a group of Cedar Waxwings landed in the tree just next to me as I was walking thru Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights, CA.
Kern River Parkway - Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
These birds are a challenge to photograph, as they are constantly moving, darting from branch to branch in trees and shrubs in search of food and to defend their territory.
Lake Ming - Say's Phoebe
These little birds are often found sitting atop fence posts and tree branches, where they fly up or out to catch insects as they fly by.
Birds of Hart Park - American Coot
The American Coot is a familiar face at parks, lakes and wildlife refuges. It is a member of the rail family.
Birds of Hart Park - Rose Ringed Parakeet
This female Rise Ringed Parakeet was checking me out with a wary eye
Bird of Hart Park - Western Scrub Jay
This Western Scrub Jay takes a break from his singing to get a drink of water.
Birds of Hart Park - Hooded Merganser (male)
This male Hooded Merganser has been hanging out lately at Hart Park with his mate.
Monday, February 06, 2012
Birds of Hart Park - Mourning Dove - 1/5/2012
This Mourning Dove sits on a branch on a sunny Sunday morning at Bakersfield's Hart Park.
The next few photos are also from Sunday's visit to Hart Park. Enjoy!
Birds of Hart Park - Lincoln's Sparrow
Somewhat similar in appearance to the Song Sparrow, these secretive birds forage on the ground for insects and seeds.
Birds of Hart Park - White Breasted Nuthatch
The White Breasted Nuthatch is a tree dwelling bird, foraging for insects on the branches and trunks. They have powerful feet which enable them to cling to the bark of the trees. You may not see them at first, but they are quite noisy birds, so just listen for them and then follow the voice. They are often seen hanging upside down, and can descend head first down a tree trunk.
Birds of Hart Park - Dark Eyed Junco
This little guy was doing a pretty good job of blending in with its surroundings. These birds are ground dwellers, feeding on seeds and small fruits. It is a popular bird at feeders as well.
Bird of Hart Park - Rose Ringed Parakeet
Birds of Hart Park - Red Breasted Sapsucker
I came across this little fellow quite by accident and was unprepared to take his (or her) pic, so it isn't the best, but it was the only one I got that day. As soon as I snapped the pic, the bird flew away. Males and females of this particular species look alike.
Birds of Hart Park - Nuttall's Woodpecker
This Nuttall's Woodpecker is a female. The male has a patch of red atop his head. These birds prefer oak woodlands, but are also found in riparian and chaparral habitats as well.
Birds of Hart Park - House Wren
The House Wren is a very small songbird of the wren family. They are often found in residential areas and city parks.
Birds of Hart Park - Spotted Towhee
The Eastern Towhee and this bird pictured here, were once considered a single species called the Rufous Sided Towhee (in fact, in my bird book, it is called the Rufous Sided Towhee, but my book is rather old - guess I need to update my book - lol). The male (pictured here) has a black head, upper body and tail, whereas in the females, these parts are brown or gray.
Birds of Hart Park - Spotted Towhee
This guy was tough to get a good shot of, as these guys were inside the brush foraging for food and would not come out into the open, no matter how long I sat and waited. So this was one of my better shots.
Birds of Hart Park - Western Scrub Jay
These handsome, bright blue birds are not exactly shy about letting their presence being known. They have a very loud and distinct call. They are a member of the corvid family, which includes crows, ravens, nutcrackers and magpies. They are regarded as extremely intelligent birds.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Backyard Birds - Mourning Dove - 1/29/12
Backyard Birds - American Robin - 1/29/12
The American Robin is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. It is found all over the US and Canada.
Backyard Birds - White Crowned Sparrow - 1/28/12
This little White Crowned Sparrow was busy feasting on the berries in the tree outside my bedroom window.
Backyard Birds - Cedar Waxwing - 1/27/12
The Cedar Waxwing is a striking bird, displaying its black face mask, yellow tail and orange-red wing tips.
Backyard Birds - Cedar Waxwing - 1/27/12
A whole flock of these guys were feasting on the berries in the tree just outside my apartment.
Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge -1/16/12 - American Avocet
This American Avocet is displaying its winter plumage.
Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge - Verdin
The adult Verdin has a yellow head and reddish wing patch. They can be found in hot, deserty areas where they feed on insects.