Category: Birds
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Snowy Egrets Fighting
The Carmel River Lagoon was popular with snowy white egrets and great white egrets yesterday. In fact, it was crowded which led to a turf battle between two snowies. I’ve never seen a squabble before–it was so heated that the larger egrets left the area. The battle lasted about 20 seconds before calm was restored.…
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Quail Chick and the Protector
Quails spend much of their time crossing roads here with their chicks requiring extra squawking to get them moving. For some reason our front yard has a calming effect on California’s state bird, allowing me to get these close ups. Peace.
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Quick Snack…
This gull took all of three seconds from dunk to snack at the Carmel River Lagoon yesterday.
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The Brown Pelican Club
I’ve seen brown pelicans at eye level on the Carmel River, far away on ocean boulders in the Carmel Bay, or flying over my head along the Monterey Coast, but until this week I’d never directly looked down at them. It happened across the way from what is called Coal Chute Point at Point Lobos.…
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Egret Sunday…
I went for a walk to the Carmel River State Beach yesterday, camera by my side. Hoped to find some pelicans, but the river beach was taken over by Canadian geese. Headed for the lagoon to get a closer look at some loons when an egret flew over my head and landed about six feet…
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Cob-Webbed Birdhouse
Built this birdhouse for small birds, but to date I’ve only attracted cob webs. Removed the webs after I took this photo. Put up a total of four “hand-crafted” bird houses with no takers so far, however, I did see a sparrow last week checking out the one in the front yard. Remain hopeful.
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California Towhee
The California Towhee often builds it nest in poison oak which lines all those hiking trails I love. This bird is also attracted to its reflection which is why it is the one bird most likely to fly into our windows. Took this shot of a towhee on our fence.
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