Alabama Hills - Mobius Arch

Alabama Hills - Mobius Arch (8), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Mobius Arch - how many times have I photographed this particular arch? Countless times, I am sure. But I never get tired of coming out here.

Alabama Hills - 12/31/12

Alabama Hills (8), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The fresh snow on the mountains was a nice contrast to the brown rocks of the Alabama Hills. It was a gorgeous day!

Alabama Hills - 12/31/12

Alabama Hills (4), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

What better way to spend New Year's Eve than at the Alabama Hills. You can see the snow blowing off the top of the mountain. It was breezy, and that breeze had a bite - BRRR!

Alabama Hills - 12/31/12

Alabama Hills, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

It was a beautiful day - cold and clear - at the Alabama HIlls.

Alabama HIlls - Heart Arch - 12/31/12

Alabama HIlls - Heart Arch (1), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Kelso Valley - Merlin - 12/31/12

cr_KV_Merlin4, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Not a magician per se, but the Merlin IS a falcon - lol.

Mountain Mesa - Cooper's Hawk - 12/30/12

cr_MM_Coopers Hawk2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

While working on the Christmas Bird Count, we came across this Cooper's Hawk. They are notorious bird hunters. If you see a flock of birds suddenly just fly off, look to the skies: you may just see one of these guys overhead.

Mountain Mesa - Northern Mockingbird - 12/30/12

cr_MM_Northern Mockingbird1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

The Northern Mockingbird has one of the prettiest songs around. I love to hear them sing.

Mountain Mesa - European Starling - 12/30/12

cr_MM_European Starling2, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

From afar, the European Starling can look like a black bird, but up close, it is a bird of many colors.

Mountain Mesa - Eurasian Collared Dove - 12/30/12

cr_MM_Eurasian Collared Dove1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Kissack Cove - Ring Billed Gull - 12/30/12

cr_MM_Ring Billed Gull1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

While we mostly saw California Gulls on this day, there were a few Ring Billed Gulls hanging around too.

Lake Isabella - Greater Roadrunner - 12/30/12

cr_LI_Greater Roadrunner1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

We spotted about 6 Roadrunners on Sunday, which was more than I have seen in one day in a long while. It was very cold, and if you look closely, you can see a few snowflakes. It snowed most of the day.

Hart Park - Black Phoebe

HP - Black Phoebe1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

These little guys love to hang out on roadside fences and around water. His cousin, the Says Phoebe, was hanging out around the Lake Ming area, but I just wasn't able to get a picture of him.

Hart Park - Rose Ringed Parakeet

HP - Rose Ringed Parakeet1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

A large group of these parakeets flies around wild in Bakersfield. They love to hang around Hart Park in the daytime.

Hart Park - Yellow Rumped Warbler

HP - Yellow Rumped Warbler3, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

I just love these little guys.

Hart Park - Ruby Crowned Kinglet

HP - Ruby Crowned Kinglet1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This is a female, as evidenced by her lack of a ruby crown.

Hart Park - Snowy Egret

HP - Snowy Egret1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This Snowy Egret was a little shy. He didn't want to stick around to get his picture taken it seems.

Hart Park - Great Egret

HP - Great Egret3, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

I just liked this reflection of the Great Egret in the lake.

Hart Park - Great Egret

HP - Great Egret1, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

I got to the lake just as this Great Egret was taking flight. They are really amazing looking birds.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and an adventurous New Year. Happy Trails!