Mommy Mallard cuts a path through the pond scum. More babies are out of this shot but all follow Mom.

Tags:   malibu birds mallard ducks duckling Malibu Lagoon pekabo90401 southern california birds Bird watching Birdwatching Los Angeles

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"A group of royal terns are collectively known as a "highness" of terns." Fancy that.

Tags:   Thalasseus maximus royal tern malibu birds Malibu Lagoon southern california birds Bird watching Birdwatching Los Angeles pekabo90401 Terns

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"The small size of this heron, somewhat smaller than a crow, its short cut-off tail, its general greenish-black color with a chestnut-colored throat and bluish-gray primaries make its recognition in the field easy.

The green heron is too interesting a bird to be used for a pot hunter's target as is often the case. He who is so fortunate as to have a breeding place for this bird near him should zealously guard it and he will learn many interesting and amusing traits and will be well rewarded."
*Original Source: Bent, Arthur Cleveland. 1927."

Tags:   Butorides virescens greenie Heron vert birds of Malibu Legacy Park Birds Garcita verde Los Angeles birdwatching Birding with Jerry Southern California Birds Canon 100-400 héron 苍鹭 Green Heron fluffy lightroom 90-D between storms in LA Ardeidae heron uses tools to lure prey grooming heron

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Because the road was closed to our original birding/hiking destination we found ourselves at Charmlee Park. We also call it rattlesnake park and the last time we visited it was infested with screaming children. But not on this day. Out pops a Fox Sparrow and my mind quickly clicks through the short list of birds I might confuse him with. I do my best to get a photo for documentation. This is a shy bird with subtle fascinating beauty.


"Fox Sparrow is one of the most geographically variable bird species in North America. Experts have identified at least 18 subspecies partitioned into three or four distinct groups that each differ in breeding habitat, vocalizations, plumage, and behavior. The species breeds in montane forest across the northern boreal forest of Canada and Alaska and in the western United States, generally preferring streamside thickets and chaparral. By October, Fox Sparrows have vacated the breeding range and can be found across most of the lower 48 states in dense thickets, where they commonly occur with other sparrows seeking similar habitats. During the nonbreeding season in January, the species is found in the eastern states, especially the Southeast, and along the entire Pacific Coast from coastal British Columbia to southern California. Listen for the species’ loud smack call, a sure giveaway that a bird is lurking out of sight in deep brush."
birdwatchingdaily.com

Tags:   Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca Chingolo Zorruno Bruant fauve birdwatching birdwatching Los Angeles Thick-billed Fox Sparrow shy bird canon 100-400 Spatz sparrow malibu birds Charmlee Wilderness Park 90-D birding with Jerry Pleistocene bird Variable bird Winter visitor migrating bird FOSP Charmlee Wilderness Park is perched on a bluff overlooking Malibu's alluring coast. Santa Monica Mountains November light

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Beach birds hanging out.

Tags:   malibu birds Malibu Lagoon pekabo90401 Bird watching Birdwatching Los Angeles gulls Terns

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