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.

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).