Travels and Adventures

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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!

Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Black Crowned Night Heron

Black Crowned Night Heron (29), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

Looks like this Black Crowned Night Heron looks like he's too pooped to party any longer.

Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Feeding Frenzy!

DUcks (1), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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

cr_Bufflehead (16), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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

cr_Eared Grebe (4), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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

Fox Squirrel (1), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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

cr_Orange Crowned Warbler (2), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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

cr_Nuttal's Woodpecker, originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This female Nuttal's Woodpecker demonstrates her expert hanging upside down skills.

Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Black Throated Gray Warbler

cr_Black Throated Gray Warbler (5), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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

cr_Black Phoebe (1), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

This little bird is commonly found around water sources, flying up and down, catching insects.

Lake Merritt - Oakland, CA - Tufted Duck

cr_Tufted Duck (28), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

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.