The California Condor is on the critically endangered list. As of May 2012, there were 405 California Condors left: 226 living in the wild and 179 in captivity. And I got to see 3 of the 226 wild condors on this day. It was awesome!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Big Sur, Hwy 1 - California Condor - 1/29/13
A California Condor cruises by. At 9.8 feet, they have the longest wingspan of any North American bird. Which explains why I was unable to get all of the left wing into this photo (which is uncropped by the way).
Big Sur, Hwy 1 - California Condors - 1/29/13
One of the rarest birds on the planet, the California Condor....2 of them (actually, I saw 3 - the other was perched just below these 2).
Carmel, CA - Point Lobos SR - Golden Crowned Sparrow
Quite a few juvenile Golden Crowned Sparrows were foraging in the grass for some food.
Carmel, CA - Point Lobos SR - Peregrine Falcon - 1/29/13
The Peregrine Falcon is a bird hunter, so naturally, the birds below were a little nervous (perhaps that is why the Bewick's Wren was so chatty - perhaps warning others that Mr Falcon was in the area). Would have been a nicer shot if the sun had been shining and it he had been closer, but, of course, it HAD to be overcast that day and he HAD to perch on the tree furthest from me, way on top - lol. But a less than stellar pic is better than no pic at all. And it is my first halfway decent pic of a Peregrine Falcon, so I call it a success :)
Carmel, CA - Point Lobos SR - Bewick's Wren - 1/29/13
This little Bewick's Wren was quite the chatterbox. He was singing away to someone....or maybe to me - lol
Carmel, CA - Point Lobos SR - Song Sparrow - 1/29/13
This little guy came right up to my car at Whaler's Cove in Point Lobos State Reserve.
Carmel, CA - 17 Mile Drive - 1/29/13
The big rock to the left is called Bird Rock, but it is actually full of sea lions. You can clearly hear them from shore.
Carmel, CA - 17 Mile Drive - 1/29/13
I just love 17 Mile Drive. Totally worth the $9.75 toll you have to pay to drive it. The scenery is amazing.
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - 1/28/13
I visited Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA kind of on a whim. I was just going to cross the Golden Gate and travel down to Monterey, but, instead, I thought, "why not?" So I ventured to Oakland instead. And it was worth it! Lakeside Park was awesome. I think I stayed there nearly 5 hours. I could have stayed all day. I mainly went to see the famous Tufted Duck, who is a rare visitor to California, so I could take pictures of course, and add one more bird to my life list. Instead, I was able to add 4 new birds to my life list...the Canvasback, Common Goldeneye, Black Throated Gray Warbler AND the Tufted Duck. Not a bad day for birdwatching :) I will definitely visit this place again.
I posted some pics below. The full album can be viewed by clicking here: Lake Merritt Flickr photo album. Enjoy!
I posted some pics below. The full album can be viewed by clicking here: Lake Merritt Flickr photo album. Enjoy!
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Black Crowned Night Heron
Looks like this Black Crowned Night Heron looks like he's too pooped to party any longer.
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Feeding Frenzy!
This is what happens when someone brings bread to the park - lol. It's a veritable feeding frenzy of American Coots, Scaups, and Canvasbacks - bread = yum!
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Bufflehead
Finally got a close up shot of this bird. They are quite small and are forever diving to the bottom of the lake to find food. But this guy swam on top of the water long enough to get a decent shot - thanks Mr Bufflehead!
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Eared Grebe
Another Grebe, the Eared Grebe, was hanging out at the lake, along with his cousins the Western and Pied Billed Grebes.
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Fox Squirrel
This little Fox Squirrel looks lost in thought. Maybe thinking about what to have for lunch? Or maybe wondering why I was looking at him for so long....lol
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Orange Crowned Warbler
Another warbler, the Orange Crowned Warbler, was busy foraging in the trees. Only the 2nd time I have observed one, too.
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Nuttal's Woodpecker
This female Nuttal's Woodpecker demonstrates her expert hanging upside down skills.
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Black Throated Gray Warbler
Another life bird for me, the Black Throated Gray Warbler. Apparently this is a rare visitor also, as he has been showing up on eBird's rare bird alerts. I didn't know that when I was up there tho. I just thought he was a pretty bird :)
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Black Phoebe
This little bird is commonly found around water sources, flying up and down, catching insects.
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Tufted Duck
Another life bird for me, Oakland's famous winter resident, the Tufted Duck. A rare visitor to California, this duck has been coming to Lake Merritt every winter for the past few years. He gets his name from his little mohawk of feathers on top of his head.
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Common Goldeneye
This is a life bird for me :) First time ever seeing a Common Goldeneye in person. I had 4 life birds on this day in one spot. Pretty cool.
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Western Grebe
Quite a few Western Grebes, along with a few of their cousins, the Pied Billed Grebes, were enjoying the sunshine.
Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Canvasback
My first time seeing a Canvasback - pretty cool for a nature dork like me :)
Friday, February 01, 2013
Tillie Creek - Oak Titmouse - 1/21/13
I know I have a lot of pics of these guys, but they are just so cute:)
Tillie Creek - White Breasted Nuthatch - 1/21/13
Photo taken at Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights, CA
Tillie Creek - Phainopepla - 1/21/13
A female Phainopepla photographed at Tillie Creek Campground in Wofford Heights, CA.
Weldon - Black Throated Sparrow - 1/21/13
A pretty little Black Throated Sparrow - photo taken along Kelso Creek Road in Weldon, CA
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