Bird Call

Birds of Wine Country

Early one morning in Sonoma, I drove into the mountains to do a little birding.  I struck out on the birds, one Scrub Jay was it, but I did get some beautiful views of the Sonoma Valley. 

 Looking west into the Sonoma Valley north of town.

 After that I drove back to town and birded in the county park and saw scads of birds including the one below.

 Distinguishing Marks: white face and Belly; crown black, back gray.

 

Enlarge Photo

 

Enlarge photo

Boring Fact: these birds forage in the bark of trees, often upside down prying insects and larvae from under the bark.

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon race or population.  Photo was taken where else?  in Oregon...near Portland. :)

It's a common bird, but Portland "Hipster" styling for sure.  I was glad to get the shot. 

Distinguishing Marks: obviously a black head. :)  Sparrow sized: 6".

Click to enlarge.

Boring Fact: this bird represents one of five or six "races" or forms in its species. 

Wrentit & Common Sagebrush Lizard :)

Another Native Californian:

I found this little guy on the trail to Inspiration Point near Santa Barbara in August. The second photo is from the same excursion.  Obviously not a bird, but I know my grandsons will like it. :)

Distinguishing Marks: Small: 5"-6", breast and belly buffy.  Back and wings brownish gray. 

Click on Photo to Enlarge.

Boring Fact: Famously monogamous, these birds are almost always seen in pairs.  Also famous is their call--usually compared to a ping-pong ball because it starts slowly, increasing tempo to the end.

See more about wrentits at All About Birds

Common Sagebrush Lizard

Click on Photo to Enlarge.

Read all about it at  enature

California Thrasher

Expensive shot

I didn't have to pay for this photo, or spend money getting it.  In fact I found this bird singing his heart out at San Elijo Lagoon politely waiting for me to snap his picture. What made it expensive is that I did have to sneak about in the brush a bit, and in the process lost my sunglasses.  They weren't designer or anything, but the silly things still cost plenty.  Of course it's not too great a price to pay to provide these photos to those who follow my blog.  I just hope all three of you appreciate it.  :)

Distinguishing Marks: 12" long.  Dark brown cheeks, white chin.  Long strongly down-curved bill, unusual in song birds.

Click photo to enlarge.

Boring Fact: Males sing from prominent perches during breeding season.  Their songs often mimic other birds--this particular bird did a great crow. Meanwhile the females stay hidden.  Other times of the year both sexes stay mostly on the ground and run from place to place under cover. 

For more on the California Thrasher visit All About Birds

Bird-nerd-word of the day: Mollusk [MOL-uhsk]

Mollusk is another way to say shellfish.  This is a loosely defined group ranging from snails and clams to Squid and Octopi. It's so broad a group in fact mcwdn.org/mollusks describes it like this: "Shellfish are not all fish and many of them live on land. Not all of them have shells. They are not fish, although many of them live in the water." 

:) What?

Long-billed Curlew

 

Read more about it at All About Birds

"Like"  ?  Please click on it and take a look.

I'm very proud of this photo which I took early this morning...partly because I was up early this morning.  The other reason is that it looks like a close up. In fact it looks so close, some people might think I crawled slowly on my belly through the mud of the San Diego River tidal flats to take it. 

I did. :) 

Distinguishing Marks:  large bird with very long, down-turned bill.  Gray legs, beige belly and plain crown.

Click to enlarge.

Boring Facts: This bird's call is described as a high pitched "cur-lee."  Largest of North American sandpipers, it uses its forceps-like bill to probe deep for worms, mollusks and crustaceans.

Wood Duck

Tender Duck

These ducks were grooming each other and to all the world appeared tender. But their secret is safe with me.  I won't tell any Chinese restaurants. :)

I'm not above admitting that I stalked this bird in the Japanese garden at the San Diego Zoo.  But as I was shooting with my little (but beloved) 300mm lens, some guy walked up, stood right next to me, and started firing away.  When I looked, he had a camouflaged, Canon 500mm (or bigger) lens with some gadget on the end to gather light.  Now that is a serious investment.  They cost thousands.  I couldn't help thinking, oh sure some big shot photographer here taking photos at the San Diego Zoo.  Hmphh!  OK.  Could be a little lens envy there. :)

Distinguishing Marks: Male has the bi-colored bill and amazing color combination, while the female has the teardrop shaped white spot surrounding her eye.

Click to enlarge.

Boring Fact: The birds' mottled (not to say motley) appearance is caused by molting .  All birds molt: some once a year some more often.  Not only does it make them less attractive, it can make it hard for them to fly. 

Bonus Boring Fact: I've seen these birds roost way, way up in trees near rivers in the northwest.  Hence the name.

Bird-nerd-word of the day: Display

Thought by scientists to be the way some birds communicate, displays run the gamut from vocalizations, especially in song birds, to elaborate flight displays and even odd sounds created on logs or air guitars...(actually air sacs--just thought I'd see if anyone was reading this far.) 

Marbled Godwit

Another photo from Torrey Pines State Beach.  I took this one in August near the river mouth:

Distinguishing Marks: This model sports a nice two tone, upturned bill, black sidewalls,  and beige body with a brown pinstriped convertible top. :)

Click to enlarge.

Boring Fact: There is research to suggest this display--ruffled feathers, upright posture--signals aggression.  This bird seemed to be traveling with its young and there were Willets feeding all around it, so it would make sense.  Of course the same research says it might be a courtship display as well.  Bird for, "want to Tango?"  :)

 

Bird-nerd-word of the day: Philopatry [fi-LUH-pat-ree]

 

A tendency for a bird (like the one below) to return every year to the same nest site or breeding territory, also known as "Site Tenacity."

Willet

Common in California, rare in Kansas.

When once in Kansas, the rare bird alert excited locals with the prospect of seeing an errant Willet.  I was not so enthusiastic.  Of course on any SoCal beach you can see dozens at a time on any given day.  All of which proves the old saw: one man's rare bird is another man's Willet. :)

Talking bird: If you want to hear this bird say its name, hit the listen button at this site: enature

I photographed this in August at Torrey Pines State Beach.

Distinguishing Marks: tucked neatly away in this photo so we can't see them are wings with bold white stripes. What we can see are black legs, black bill, white belly.

Click to enlarge

Boring Facts: this bird derives its name from its call, heard mostly on the breeding ground.  Most of us hear it in winter, however, where in flight it calls, "wee-wee-wee"  all the way home.  Really.  Tune in tomorrow for a link to this bird saying its name. :)

Allen's Hummingbird...Mayyybe

Could be a Rufous Hummingbird instead, but I'm guessing Allen's. Opinions?

I took this photo in Poway California Labor Day Weekend.  The hummingbird was in the shade so the shot isn't too hot  :) , but I find it interesting because it shows the bare spot on its breast.

Distinguishing Marks: white breast, rufous sides, orange line over eye.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Boring Fact: Saongbirds have a spot on their breast where feathers do not grow.  This bare spot is usually covered by the surrounding feathers...unless the bird happens to be sitting on eggs. :)

Cool site: Sibley Guides

Bird-nerd-words of the day: Orbital Feathers

Rows of tiny feathers circling the eyes of many birds.  Particularly noticeable in some--often called an eye ring.

California Gnatcatcher

This tiny bird is famous (or perhaps infamous, depending on your point of view).  :)

(This shot was also taken at San Elijo Lagoon near San Diego.)

Distinguishing Marks: tiny--almost as small as a hummingbird.  In breeding season males sport a black cap, this time of year a thin black line above the eye.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Boring Fact: this bird mews like a kitten.  Listen at this site: e-nature

Bird-nerd-word of the day: Piscivorous [pi-SIV-er-us]

Basicalliy: fish-eating.  Makes sense, but honestly, ever heard it? :)

Osprey

Welcome back.  To me I mean. :) 

I do apologize if anyone actually missed Bird-call during my absence. Slings and arrows.

I was inspired, however, by this bird which I found in front of my lens yesterday at San Elijo Lagoon near San Diego.  

Distinguishing Marks: large bird, with dark brown wings (on top), white below.  Dark line through eye.

Click on photos to enlarge

 Boring fact: These amazing birds, once in decline, are now common...but still amazing:  They catch fish by plunging head and feet first into the water. Not being able to swim or even float, they have to get airbourne quickly and fly energetically to carry the added weight of the water in their feathers. Then as they fly, they turn their prey head first making it more aerodynamic.