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

 

 



 

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