Monday, February 20, 2012

Bakersfield - Kit Fox - 2/20/12


cr_Bak_Kit Fox2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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.

Birds of Hart Park - Duck - 2/12/12


cr_HP_duck1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Turtle, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Rose Ringed Parakeets, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

A pair of Rose Ringed Parakeets snuggle up in a tree in Hart Park.

Birds of Hart Park - White Crowned Sparrow


cr_HP_White Crowned Sparrow1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Brewers Blackbird2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_American Coots, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_KR P_Blue Gray Gnatcatcher3, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Even energetic birds must take a breather once in a while.

Kern River Parkway - Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher - 2/20/12


cr_KR P_Blue Gray Gnatcatcher1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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 - Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher - 2/20/12


cr_KR P_Blue Gray Gnatcatcher2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Is this bird really mooning me? For real?? lol

Kern River Parkway - White Crowned Sparrow - 2/20/12


KR P_White Crowned Sparrow1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_red tailed hawk3, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_red tailed hawk2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_rock wren1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_acorn woodpecker1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_cal quail1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The California Valley Quail is California's state bird.

Lake San Antonio - Mule Deer - 2/19/12


cr_mule deer2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Mule Deer are named for their large ears. They are also known as Black Tailed Deer.

Lake San Antonio - Mule Deer - 2/19/12


cr_mule deer4, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_TCC_California Towhee1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_TCC_California Quail, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_TCC_Cedar Waxwing2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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.

Canebrake Ecological Reserve - Great Horned Owl


cr_CER_Great Horned Owl, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Whoooooo you looking at??

Kern River Preserve - Oak Titmouse


cr_KRP_Oak Titmouse, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This little bird was just singing its little heart out.

Kern River Parkway - Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher


cr_bg gnatcatcher, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_says phoebe, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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.

Lake Ming - Double Crested Cormorant


cr_double crested cormorant, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

It says "no boats," but it says nothing about cormorants ;)

Cats of Hart Park - lol


cr_cat1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

There are lots of feral cats that hang out at Hart Park, such as this one.

Birds of Hart Park - American Coot


cr_american coot, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_rose ringed parakeet, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This female Rise Ringed Parakeet was checking me out with a wary eye

Bird of Hart Park - Western Scrub Jay


cr_west scrub jay3, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This Western Scrub Jay takes a break from his singing to get a drink of water.

Birds of Hart Park - Hooded Merganser (male)


cr_hooded merganser1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Mourning Dove, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Sparrow3, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_White Breasted Nuthatch2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Dark Eyed Junco4, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Rose Ringed Parakeet1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.
This bird is a female, as the male has a distinct reddish neck ring. These are a noisy species of bird. In the morning as I am walking into work, I see these guys flying off in flocks to do their daily duties, loudly squawking as they go. And in the evening as I am leaving work, I see them flying back in to their nesting grounds, again, loudly squawking, announcing their arrival. It always brings a smile to my face to see them :)

Birds of Hart Park - Red Breasted Sapsucker


cr_HP_Red Naped Sapsucker, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Nuttals Woodpecker1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_House Wren2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Spotted Towhee5, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Peek a boo!

Birds of Hart Park - Spotted Towhee


cr_HP_Spotted Towhee2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Spotted Towhee1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_HP_Western Scrub Jay, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_mourning_dove, originally uploaded by kimberzy.
The Mourning Dove one of the most commonly found birds in the US. It is named for its mournful song.... woo-OOOOOH-woo-woo-woo.

Backyard Birds - American Robin - 1/29/12


cr-am-robin, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


cr_white_crowned_sparrow, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


Cr_cedar_waxwing_10, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


Cr_cedar_waxwing_6, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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


SBNWR - American Avocet2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This American Avocet is displaying its winter plumage.

Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge - Verdin


SBNWR - Verdin, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The adult Verdin has a yellow head and reddish wing patch. They can be found in hot, deserty areas where they feed on insects.