Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Wild Bird Wednesday - Townsend's Warbler

Warblers frustrate me...sigh.  As a relatively new birder, I have a tough time even FINDING them (the ubiquitous Yellow-Rumped Warblers being the exception).  But, if I am lucky enough to see one, I then have the even more frustrating task of trying to get a decent photograph as they hop about in constant, hyperactive motion like they've just had a double espresso at Starbuck's. 

Still, every once in a while, I get lucky...like this day in October when I found some Townsend's Warblers hopping around this sycamore tree in the parking lot at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.  I didn't get as good of a series of shots as I would have liked - I'd just gotten out of my car and was still making some adjustments and taking test shots when I first spotted them.  Then, all too soon, another car pulled in and parked between me and the tree (and it was an open convertible so I KNOW the guy saw that he drove right through my shots LOL) and the birds took off.  Haven't seen them there since.

Here's what I did manage to get...


 
 
These guys were definitely good at hiding amongst the leaves.
 

 
 
Just love those facial markings - so pretty!


 
 
Peek-a-boo!
 

 
 
I think he sees me.
 

 
 
One last look before he was gone...
 
 
That was it - my one and only exciting warbler encounter for 2016 that I managed to capture in photos.  Maybe my skills will improve in 2017 - Spring Migration is not that far off!  In the meantime, I'm still processing photos I took over Xmas break.  Birding was not as easy as I'd hoped since we did finally get some longed-for rain.  In spite of that, I managed to add two lifers:  Long-eared Owl (but no photos!) and American Bittern.  I'll be sharing the Bittern in a future post.
 
KJ
 
 


 

Wednesday, January 04, 2017

Wild Bird Wedneday - Reddish Egret

There are approximately 3-5 Reddish Egrets that can be found fairly consistently at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.  I've found they are most active at low tide - especially if you want to catch shots of their strange sideways, hunting "dance" as they search for small fish in the shallow water.

This past May, I was also lucky enough to catch one in it's mating plumage - check out that tri-colored beak!  I though frosted blue eye shadow and Pepto Bismol Pink lipstick went out of fashion after the 80's, but these birds make it look good!


 
 
That hairdo also has a distinctly 80's feel to it!
 

 
 
The perfect pose!
 

 
 
Darn - I JUST missed him snapping up a fish, but you can see the water droplets falling from his beak!
 

 
 
In position for another strike...


 
 
And then it was time for the dance...
 

 
 
Step 1...
 

 
 
Step 2...darn no fish.


 
 
I had to return later in July to capture the full dance.  Notice that the bright beak colors from May are gone.  
 

 
 
Step 1...


 
 
Step 2 - some freestyle maneuvering...
 

 
 
Step 3 - Ballerina Pose...
 

 
 
...and the dance concludes successfully with a fish...


 
 
...unless you like to play with your food and accidentally drop it...


 
 
...but skilled performers know how to make a quick recovery!


 
 
And then take a bow!
 
Hope you enjoyed the dance of the Reddish Egret!
 
KJ