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.


Western Bluebird
Western Bluebird
White headed Woodpecker
Swainson's Thrush

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.


Western Tanager

Western Tanager


Dark eyed Junco

April 12, 2020

A falcon at San Elijo Lagoon

Took another swing though San Elijo Lagoon and saw this falcon stalking prey mid-flight. 


American Kestrel

American Kestrel





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.


Common Yellowthroat (adult male Southwest)

Common Yellowthroat (adult male Southwest)






American Avocet (breeding male)

American Avocet (breeding male)






Marbled Godwit (non-breeding)



American Widgeon (breeding pair)




Mallards









Mourning Dove




California Towhee


California Towhee





Green Heron (1st year)



Anna's X Costa's Hummingbird hybrid (yeah, I know....I'm getting a bit ambitious with this ID)



Anna's X Costa's Hummingbird hybrid (yeah, I know....I'm getting a bit ambitious with this ID)




Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper (maybe)




House Finch



Spotted Towhee



Willet




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. 



American Coot




I am calling this an Anna's Hummingbird. If anyone knows better, please let me know. 

Anna's Hummingbird?




Black Phoebe



Black-necked Stilt

Black-necked Stilt


Blue winged Teal


Great Blue Heron


Large billed Dowitcher (?)

Large billed Dowitcher (?)




House Sparrow (ID thanks to my rock jock friend Ryan P.)



Snowy Egret



Whimbrel

House Sparrow (ID attributed to Ryan 'deep quarantine' Petterson 





Willet (adult non-breeding)


Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler