Conversing with giants

On May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Conversing with giants kinda makes your neck sore but oh what stories they can tell.

Wrentit

On May 6, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Peeking into the shrubs to get a view of the ever-present but what seemed to be always-hidden singer of a wonderful back and forth duet of sound that guided us on our walks in a costal forest. The Wrentit is a beautiful bird with a piercing eye that inhabits the costal scrub and chaparral along the west coast of the United States. They are prolific singers the fill the forests with song at all hours of the day making it easy to know they are present even if seeing them is a chore. Wrentits are non-migratory and it is reported that they may not travel further than half a mile from where they were born.

Reference: Geupel, G. R. and G. Ballard (2020). Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.wrenti.01

One windy morning

On May 5, 2021May 5, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

A male Horned Lark hangs on tight with his horns up and and feathers flying. In fact he looks none the worse for wear despite the winds that blew so strong birds could hardy fly.

American Pipit

On May 4, 2021May 3, 2021 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

American Pipits breed on the arctic tundra as well high alpine meadows yet can regularly be observed during winter and spring migration, as was the case this day. While they sometime can be an inconspicuous looking bird the touch of peachy-orange on this bird certainly drew our attention her way as she foraged contently on a fresh hatch of spring insects.

A kingfisher rattles

On May 3, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Up and down a little stream a kingfisher rattles in flight.

As the tide went out

On May 2, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Life forms often overlooked become revealed.

A humbling experience appreciated.

In threes

On May 1, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Trees in threes.

Just seem to please the eye.

As well as instill a sense of wonder and awe.

Hoary Redpoll

On April 30, 2021April 30, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

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Sitting in the tree-tops with a group of Pine Siskins and other small song birds was a beautiful looking small bird we decided was a female Hoary Redpoll. She was at the southern edge of her winter range and it was a pleasure to get a glimpse of her before she returns to the high arctic tundra for the summer.

Everybody likes water

On April 29, 2021April 1, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

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Along an old county road where the snowmelt and recent rains have made temporary wetlands a variety of birds enjoy a cloudy spring afternoon.

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Yellowlegs, dowitchers, stilts and even a great tailed grackle enjoyed some time in the pool.

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Having open lands and bit of available water is vital for many migratory birds making the spring journey to their breeding grounds. With development of open farmlands and ranches for housing, business parks and the wonderful strip mall birds lose both land and water in which they need and humans in turn lose another connection to the other creatures we share the planet with.

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These farmers fields will dry up in the blink of an eye but for now support life not only for bird habitat in the spring but they also grow food for us humans as well. Less farmland, more development. Virtual reality birds and lab grown food. The future is looking bright.

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Time to get out and enjoy what we still have.

Solar Powered

On April 28, 2021April 1, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Hot Dog

Prairie Dog warming up the engines on a chilly spring morning with some wonderful solar power. Hope your enjoying the sunshine if you have it.

nature has no boss

Tag: nature photography