"birding" fun

[birder]

Meadowlark mentioned above, and Common Loons, April migrants that are lovely and are nearly always in pairs, calling to each other as they dive gracefully about the bay. Common mergansers thinning out, Buffleheads still around, warblers singing, swallows flying ...a very nice time of year if you like to watch birds.

[birder]

I'm pretty excited about just seeing a Winter Wren in the summer, but he sat by singing for awhile to let me get pictures!!!, on a dark gray morning did not think they would turn out....this cute little bird is more reddish brown than a House Wren, smaller, but tame like a Chickadee..

[whulsey]

Finishing up (finally) the photos from my last trip to the Cal Central Coast in September 2014. Going on 3 years since I've been there, been a crazy time. Anyway birds: Snowy egrets, California gray gull, got this listed as cormorant but not sure can't find my notes, hummingbird, brown pelicans and black cormorants.

[Don Boose]

Wonderful images Wayne!

Don

[whulsey]

Thanks Don, encourage me and I'll post more.
Pelican dive bombing a fish, turkey vulture, plover (?), what I feel is probably the best shot I've ever got of a turkey vulture. They're either way up there, or swooping in really fast on a thermal. This one I was up on some high cliffs and got to shoot down on it somewhat.

[whulsey]

Finally, 1st day of fall and it was actually cool enough to head down to the Salt River Riparian Area for a morning walk. Not many birds but did see a Road Runner. Only the 3rd one I've seen for as long as lived in Arizona. Didn't have time to do anything fancy just shot from the hip. They're nervous and quick.

[whulsey]

Finally getting cool for Phoenix even thought we set a new record of 89 on Thanksgiving, at least it was cool enough in the morning to head down to the Riparian Area. A Mallard out for breakfast and I think a Abert's Towhee. Saw another Road Runner and a Green Heron but they were too skittish to get photos.

[Don Boose]

Both excellent images, Wayne. Thanks for posting.

Our pileated was back a couple of days ago. In a day or two I will post an image, along with a few others that I have taken over the past few months.

I see mallards and a blue heron almost every day in my walk along the Conodoguinet, and today a belted kingfisher was swooping out over the water and over the banks at low level. Last week, a golden eagle soared overhead. An eagle nest has been reported a few miles from our house.

The white-throated sparrows and northern juncos are back, so winter is definitely on the way.

I have never seen a towhee of any sort, although rufous-sided and eastern towhees are said to be summer visitors to this area. I will keep on the look-out.

Meanwhile, please keep on sharing your Phoenix-area birds.

Don

[Kevin WS]

Wayne - thanks for update pics - I was wondering what happened!

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And Glen, lovely images......

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Are there any UK birders good at identifying calls? I recorded a sound in north London this month at 2.30 a.m., but cannot ID it. It does not appear to be an owl, but I may be mistaken.

If you want to have a crack at the ID PM me and I will e-mail an MP3.

[birder]

Just a couple pics from cold mid December here, unfortunately for taking pictures the light is low most days and especially in the shade. However we are enjoying some nice cold water ducks, especially Hooded mergansers, that this year are hanging around nearby, usually there is a pair or two around but lots more this year. Common goldeneyes are here and quite a few Common mergansers. Eagles are around, and were feeding on coots, but mostly fish eating now, quite a few are along the rivers and larger lakes. Scenic but getting a bit cold...the lake will likely freeze in the next week or two some ice around the edge. Kingfisher with a minnow this morning hitting it on the perch as they do before tossing up and catching headfirst to swallow, classic.