I didn't expect to see Orioles in the desert during the summertime, but apparently some have stayed. My neighbor has water running all the time to water his Cottonwood trees and has created a small oasis for birds. Lucky me!

Much better Fullscreen

Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus


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Tags:   Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus California Vallecito Backyard Anza Borrego Desert State Park Canon Handheld © Patricia Ware © All Rights Reserved SpecAnimal NGC Sunrays5+ bestofblinkwinners blinkagain blinksuperstars

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I took great pleasure in watching this juvenile Great-tailed Grackle learn to fly. The Grackle had no restraints and could learn to try new things. As those of us who are Americans celebrate the 4th of July, let's relish our freedom to make our own choices. Happy 4th everyone!

Great-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus mexicanus

Member of the Flickr Bird Brigade
Activists for birds and wildlife
____

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Tags:   Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus California Playa del Rey Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Canon Handheld © Patricia Ware © All Rights Reserved SpecAnimal NGC Sunrays+5

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Swallows are so fast and small, and they fly so erratically, getting a good close up flight shot is very difficult. So far, this is the closest I've come.

It's a big file and is much better Lightbox

Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor


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Tags:   Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor California Irvine San Joaquin Marsh Canon Handheld © Patricia Ware © All Rights Reserved NGC SpecAnimal

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This little bird let me get really close!

Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor


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Tags:   Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor SpecAnimal California Irvine San Joaquin Marsh Canon Handheld © Patricia Ware © All Rights Reserved NGC Sunrays+5 bestofblinkwinners blinkagain NPC

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I saw something flash yellow, so I put my lens on it. As soon as it saw me it flew away, but fortunately I got the shot!

Geothlypis trichas
Common Yellowthroat

Best Fullscreen or in the Original size to see the bird more clearly. I didn't want to crop too much for Flickr thumbnails

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Tags:   Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas California Playa del Rey Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Canon Handheld © All Rights Reserved © Patricia Ware SpecAnimal TheGALAXY Sunrays+5 NGC bestofblinkwinners blinkagain NPC blinksuperstars SuperShot bestofsuperstars

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