Woodhouse Scrub Jay

On December 13, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

The Woodhouse Scrub Jay is found throughout the drier regions of the southwestern United States in a variety of habitats ranging from scrub oak forests to stands of pinion pines. This day we noticed a persistent rustling in a stand of scrub oak tree and we pleased to find this Woodhouse Scrub jay.

Scrub-jays of the West evolved in two very different habitats: oak woodlands and montane pinyon pine stands. Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays live mainly among pinyon pine trees. They developed relatively thin, pointed bills that are adept at getting at the pine nuts hidden between pine cone scales. California Scrub-Jays live around oak trees and have developed stouter, more hooked bills that help them hammer open acorns.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Woodhouses_Scrub-Jay/overview#

Scrub Oak and Scrub Jay a nice way to start the day.

When the storm clears

On December 12, 2021December 3, 2021 By Mike and ChristyLeave a comment

As the storm whipped up the waves and the rain came down sideways a land-bound and lonely looking Brandt Goose looks longingly out to sea waiting for the storm to clear. This goose looked to be alone and we sure hope they caught up to their flock when the storm finally cleared the next afternoon.

On the pond

On December 9, 2021December 8, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

A nice assortment of ducks graced the pond one recent afternoon. All just passing through and very temporary visitors staying just long enough to rest-up and grab a meal on their journey south. Lesser Scaups (both males and females) Red-headed ducks and Buffleheads were present and enjoying a nice afternoon of filtered winter sunlight.

Chicken Dinner

On December 8, 2021December 6, 2021 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

Looks like someone is going to have a nice chicken dinner this evening.

Illusions

On December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Wether you take the long way around or just jump across.

When you cross the chasm you soon forget you are on the other side.

What Rain?

On December 5, 2021December 3, 2021 By Mike and Christy5 Comments

It rained and it rained and it rained but this Gull just took it it in stride perched on a magnificent weathered log.

Grumpy?

On December 4, 2021December 3, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Looking a bit on the grumpy side a Curved Bill Thrasher lets me know he is aware of my presence. Busted again.

Big Bird

On December 1, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

It’s amazing that with just a few quick footsteps this big bird can seemingly disappear into their surroundings. A Sandhill crane with feathers matching their environment hunts for a meal in the dried reeds and cattails in an ever shrinking wetland. It’s a true testament to survival with these creatures when this years wetlands become next years strip-mall.

House Sparrow

On November 30, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

It’s always nice to find a House Sparrow away from the house so to speak. Perched in the dried cattails and with all those shades of brown and rusty reds they just seem to look more at home.

The House Sparrow was introduced into Brooklyn, New York, in 1851. By 1900 it had spread to the Rocky Mountains. Two more introductions in the early 1870s, in San Francisco and Salt Lake City, aided the bird’s spread throughout the West. House Sparrows are now common across all of North America except Alaska and far northern Canada.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Sparrow/overview#

pounce

On November 28, 2021November 19, 2021 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

Prowling a meadow for the morning meal and it sure looks like something is on this Coyotes radar screen.

Target in sight and onto the pounce

Looks like this attempt was a failure but it does not stop a coyote from trying. A lesson learned.

nature has no boss

Tag: ecosystem