This beauty was high up in a power line behind our home in La Mesa.
A murder of crows was circling this hawk, giving it hell.
The hawk was shrieking in response.
November 28, 2021
July 28, 2021
Birds of summer
Birds spotted along the Pacific Crest Trail near the Sunrise Highway, about 10 miles south of Julian, CA.
Photo ID provided by Dr. Ryan Petterson.
Western Bluebirds
Mountain Mahogany in flower
Western wood Peewee
Allan's hummingbird in my backyard in La Mesa
March 13, 2021
Get vaccinated as soon as possible and keep your chin up!
Hello boating friends,
As many of you know, when I'm not mucking about on boats or looking at birds....I teach classes about our immune system and Covid-19.
I recently made a video to express my current optimism with the pandemic.
We are beginning to see data come in that suggests the new variants may not pose as big of a threat as previously feared. Of course, it isn't time to pound our chests or plant a victory flag....but at the same time, it is okay to start feeling good about the future.
I share my thoughts in the video below.
March 2, 2021
Loggerhead Shrike in Anza Borrego State Park
Saw this very cool bird on top of an Ocotillo cactus along Fish Creek Wash in Anza Borrego State Park.
Loggerhead Shrike
This bird is famous for impaling small mammals against the spines of cactus. A carnivorous passerine...
They call this bird, the butcherbird.
Check this video of the shrike's handiwork. It has impaled about 10 horned lizards on a cactus.
credit:unknown (clearly not my photo, because the quality is too good....)
February 10, 2021
Pandemic 2021: The good news and the bad news
Hello friends,
It has been far too long since I last wrote. This past year has brought many changes in my life.
Among other things, I've moved into a new home in the eastern portion of San Diego County. This area is a nice change from the crowded coastline of southern California. I'll soon be planting citrus trees in my backyard.
In addition, Covid-19 has changed the focus of my career. Much of my work is centered around science communication and lately, everyone wants to talk about the pandemic. I've spent much of the past year talking to different groups about the evolving situation with the pandemic. I speak a lot about our own immune system (B cells, T cells, antibodies) and the manner the virus engages with our human physiology.
On Feb 10, I made the video below to summarize the situation with herd immunity and the new virus variants. In summary, I'm optimistic that we are on track to curtail the pandemic, but I do think the new variants are an additional curveball. I figured we would see mutations arise in the spike protein region of the viral genome, but I was hoping the mutations would not affect the protection delivered from natural immunity and vaccine induced immunity. Recent news suggests one of the new variants can escape our immunity to a certain degree.
I share all of my thoughts in the video below.
~Kevin
It has been far too long since I last wrote. This past year has brought many changes in my life.
Among other things, I've moved into a new home in the eastern portion of San Diego County. This area is a nice change from the crowded coastline of southern California. I'll soon be planting citrus trees in my backyard.
In addition, Covid-19 has changed the focus of my career. Much of my work is centered around science communication and lately, everyone wants to talk about the pandemic. I've spent much of the past year talking to different groups about the evolving situation with the pandemic. I speak a lot about our own immune system (B cells, T cells, antibodies) and the manner the virus engages with our human physiology.
On Feb 10, I made the video below to summarize the situation with herd immunity and the new virus variants. In summary, I'm optimistic that we are on track to curtail the pandemic, but I do think the new variants are an additional curveball. I figured we would see mutations arise in the spike protein region of the viral genome, but I was hoping the mutations would not affect the protection delivered from natural immunity and vaccine induced immunity. Recent news suggests one of the new variants can escape our immunity to a certain degree.
I share all of my thoughts in the video below.
~Kevin
October 19, 2020
Waterfowl in Imperial Beach
We are poking around Imperial Beach, looking at possible homes. The vibes along the water and SeaCoast Drive are very good.
Everyone seems to really be enjoying themselves.
Lots of Long billed Curlews and Whimbrels out along the water line.
July 26, 2020
Southern Sierra Nevada mountains: in the Main Fork of the Kern River
We finally, headed up the main fork of the Kern River, and then up farther to the North Fork of the Kern. This is the area around Lake Isabella, it is Merle Haggard country.
We did a lot of hiking around 7,000 feet near Alta Sierra, much of this area has been burned in recent fires (Cedar Fire of 2016), but there are some beautiful wooded areas as well. Almost empty of people also... this is a less common visited area of the Sequoia National Forest.
We did a lot of hiking around 7,000 feet near Alta Sierra, much of this area has been burned in recent fires (Cedar Fire of 2016), but there are some beautiful wooded areas as well. Almost empty of people also... this is a less common visited area of the Sequoia National Forest.
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| Western Bluebird |
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| Western Bluebird |
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| White headed Woodpecker |
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| Swainson's Thrush |
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| Dark eyed Junco |
Southern Sierra Nevada mountains: near Kennedy Meadows
Summer is here... and nobody is flying anywhere due to Covid...
It's a great time to explore the nooks and crannies of your own neck of the woods.
I've been driving out to different spots in the southern end of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
These birds were spotted near the South Fork of the Kern River.
It's a great time to explore the nooks and crannies of your own neck of the woods.
I've been driving out to different spots in the southern end of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
These birds were spotted near the South Fork of the Kern River.
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| Western Tanager |
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| Western Tanager |
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| Dark eyed Junco |
April 14, 2020
April 12, 2020
A falcon at San Elijo Lagoon
Took another swing though San Elijo Lagoon and saw this falcon stalking prey mid-flight.
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| American Kestrel |
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| American Kestrel |
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| Anna's Hummingbird (male) |
April 4, 2020
Birds in the time of Covid: Lagoons of North County, San Diego, April 2020
In times like these, one finds themselves socially distanced and alone with the smaller things on this planet.
Which begs the question, Is birding important during a pandemic?
With resounding confidence I assert, 'NOW, MORE THAN EVER.'
San Dieguito and San Elijo lagoon of North County, San Diego still remain open to hikers as long as they convince the ranger they will not be congregating with others.
Ok, plowing foward...
For this post, we have a special cameo appearance from a celebrity landscape painter from central California.
Ryan 'two T's' Petterson is well known throughout the geological features/water-color painting community, however, he is considerably less well known among the birding community of San Diego.
But, please let's give this rock-jock a chance. He has requested a chance to pre-ID the birds on this post. No one has ever asked for such a challenge on the Captain's Log before, so what could I do??
I had to oblige.
Ryan, I wish you all the best. The microphone is yours. If you see fit, please list the common names for each bird, top to bottom in a comment below. And I will remind, you....the world is watching.
I included multiple shots for some birds, to show off different behavior or colors.
Which begs the question, Is birding important during a pandemic?
With resounding confidence I assert, 'NOW, MORE THAN EVER.'
San Dieguito and San Elijo lagoon of North County, San Diego still remain open to hikers as long as they convince the ranger they will not be congregating with others.
Ok, plowing foward...
For this post, we have a special cameo appearance from a celebrity landscape painter from central California.
Ryan 'two T's' Petterson is well known throughout the geological features/water-color painting community, however, he is considerably less well known among the birding community of San Diego.
But, please let's give this rock-jock a chance. He has requested a chance to pre-ID the birds on this post. No one has ever asked for such a challenge on the Captain's Log before, so what could I do??
I had to oblige.
Ryan, I wish you all the best. The microphone is yours. If you see fit, please list the common names for each bird, top to bottom in a comment below. And I will remind, you....the world is watching.
I included multiple shots for some birds, to show off different behavior or colors.
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| Common Yellowthroat (adult male Southwest) |
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| Common Yellowthroat (adult male Southwest) |
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| American Avocet (breeding male) |
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| American Avocet (breeding male) |
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| Marbled Godwit (non-breeding) |
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| American Widgeon (breeding pair) |
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| Mallards |
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| Mourning Dove |
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| California Towhee |
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| California Towhee |
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| Green Heron (1st year) |
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| Anna's X Costa's Hummingbird hybrid (yeah, I know....I'm getting a bit ambitious with this ID) |
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| Anna's X Costa's Hummingbird hybrid (yeah, I know....I'm getting a bit ambitious with this ID) |
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| Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper (maybe) |
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| House Finch |
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| Spotted Towhee |
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| Willet |
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| Yellow-rumped Warbler |
March 28, 2020
Birds at Famosa Slough in March 2020
Famosa Slough is one of the last remaining sections of coastal wetland in Point Loma.
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American Coot |
I am calling this an Anna's Hummingbird. If anyone knows better, please let me know.
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| Anna's Hummingbird? |
Black Phoebe
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| Black-necked Stilt |
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| Black-necked Stilt |
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| Blue winged Teal |
Great Blue Heron
Large billed Dowitcher (?)
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Large billed Dowitcher (?)
|
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| House Sparrow (ID thanks to my rock jock friend Ryan P.) |
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| Snowy Egret |
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| Whimbrel |
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| House Sparrow (ID attributed to Ryan 'deep quarantine' Petterson |
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| Willet (adult non-breeding) |
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| Yellow-rumped Warbler |
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| Yellow-rumped Warbler |
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