For several years Burrowing owls have spent the winter on the riprap along the shoreline at Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley, California. Last year none were seen. But this year they are back! They are remarkably tame and photogenic. As long as people stay a respectful distance away and keep their dogs on their leashes (the law there) the birds seem to do fine.
Tags: owl Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia Cesar Chavez Park Berkeley birds specanimal z The Perfect Photographer Platinumphoto AvianExcellence AnimalKingdomElite Blueribbonwinner FlickrsBest betterthangood
Our goldfinches are very close to full spring plumage now. It's such a treat to look out the window and get an eyeful like this one.
Tags: bird goldfinch American goldfinch Berkeley Nikon D200 600mm f/5.6 AIS QEMD Finch Admin Fave NaturesFinest Specanimal VIVID
This guy is camping out in my backyard, guarding a hummingbird feeder hung from a rafter. Today is rainy and I have time to watch and wait. Mr. Macho finally cooperated.
Tags: gorget Anna's hummingbird Hummingbird
This was the target bird for the trip my son and I made to the Colorado River in southeastern California. We found this handsome male in Mayflower Park in Blythe.
Tags: bird flycatcher Vermillion flycatcher Blythe, California Pyrocephalus rubinus 600mm f/5.6 AI polaris ImpressedBeauty AvianExcellence
I broke a lifelong jinx today when, with some help from other determined birders, I was able to see two tiny Northern saw-whet owls on Ryer Island in the Sacramento-Jan Joaquin River Delta. The bird was absurdly tame, and was too close and too densely hidden for a telephoto shot. I got this photo with a tiny digicam held just a few feet away. I promise I'll never bother this bold little owl again.
Tags: bird owl Northern Saw-whet owl Ryer Island Aegolius acadicus Casio EX-Z750 AnimalKingdomElite SpecAnimals AnAwesomeShot