At Half Moon Bay the White-tailed Kites were as thick as thieves...on one tree alone I counted over a dozen....it was 'a beautiful sight'. With four of us on the hunt it was no easy task getting close to these gorgeous birds. Oft times using the trees for cover we were able to pop off a shot before they flew, but standing out in the open the approach was almost impossible...how do you do it Sue!...:)

Thinking they weren't doing very good at catching their prey, when I got home I realized how many of them were carrying little mice, they just didn't want to share!

Tags:   white-tailed kite half moon bay birds 2012 TheGALAXY AvianExcellence NGC Sunrays+5 COTH5 SuperShot

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I as we made a second stop at Madera Canyon, AZ on our way home I was in hopes of seeing a few more birds . I was concentrating on the ground hoppers trying to ID them when someone called out "Hepatic Tanager!" I, of course, had never heard of this one and immediately my attention was on it's every move, and then the female showed up. It was a great stop at the Santa Rita Lodge.

I would like to thank everyone on the ID of the flycatcher. Thank you for your visit and comments.

Tags:   madera canyon road trip #1 2017 hepatic tanager lifer #422 Santa Rita Lodge santa cruz county Arizona Green Valley Birds nature canon 7D Mark ll

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With the arrival of so many American Wigeon's on the small pond at Miller-Knox Regional Park, it took a bit of waiting to isolate both the American Wigeon and the Eurasian Wigeon 'side by side'...for a nice comparison of the two.

Tags:   waterfowl ducks miller-knox regional park american wigeon miller-knox 2017 wigeons Eurasian Wigeon northern california California canon 7D Mark ll nature

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I headed out yesterday for the Sacto WLR making a pitstop at the Maxwell cemetery in hopes of seeing the Vermillion Flycatcher that was recently reported. It didn't take long to spot this brightly colored little gem flitting from tree to head stone. For me all I need is 'one good bird'...this was it...:)

Thank you for your visit and comments.

Tags:   flycatchers vermillion flycatcher red colusa county maxwell maxwell cemetery northern california California canon 7D Mark ll Birds favorite bird

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One of the 'special moments' that I wait for, and there are many, is the ruffling of the feathers. I loved the beautiful display that this crane provided.

This being just the beginning of the Sandhill Cranes arrival...I'm sure there will be many more posted on Flickr to come....:)


Thanks you for you visit and comments...wherever you are stay safe!

Tags:   Sandhill Cranes ConsumnesRiverPreserve FB ConsumnesRiverPreserve 2016 northern california California Birds canon 7D Mark ll canon nature

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