If you would like to go back to Volume #301 the following link will take you back:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1084078/
These are a few of the picture I took on my vacation to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA. I went to Anza-Borrego to see the desert spring flower bloom, and did a lot of birding at the same time. Each of the following species were new additions to my life list.
The first is a male Lesser Goldfinch
Two pairs of Lesser Goldfinch were frequently seen in the desert botanical garden surrounding Anza-Borrego's Visitors Center.
One more shot of the Lesser Goldfinch.
A portrait of a White-winged Dove.
Great shots Grasmussen!
This is a Swainson's Hawk. During spring migration, Swainson's Hawks roost for an evening in the trees of Borrego Springs, a community surrounded by the desert park. There is an organised Hawk watch each morning during the migration, to count the number of birds leaving. During peak migration in 2009 there were separate two days 1000+ hawks counted.
This message was edited Mar 30, 2010 7:09 PM
When the morning temperature begins to create thermal up drafts, the Swainson's form groups of birds slowly spiralling up. A group of spiralling hawks is called a "kettle." There was a "kettle" of 40 to 50 birds circling above me, when I took these pictures.
The second astounding thing is the Hawks are leisurely feeding, as they increase their altitude. Large flying ants are swarming during the migration. The hawks catch the flying ants in their talons, and then pass the ant to their mouth. In this picture the bird is take the ant out of it's talons! I had to see it to believe it! But i witnessed it hundreds of times while taking these pictures.
Nice start Grasmussen. I have a picture of what I believe is a Lesser Goldfinch that I got when I was in Tucson. Here are a few shots of the Cardinals from the backyard
This is a male Phainopepla, scientific name, Phainopepla nitens. A bird with NO common name!
2nd photo of Cardinal.
I saw that bird while in Tucson too. I have a few pics that I have yet to process
This message was edited Mar 30, 2010 11:27 PM
Next photo is the female Cardinal (The Lady)
This is a female Phainopepla.
2nd female shot
last one for tonight
unbelievable... there's nothing like an FX and the skill to use it!
A dark morph. Swainson's Hawk.
This is a shot taken from the Borrego Springs official hawk watch sight, on the morning of March 15th. A kettle of Hawks is about to disappear over the mountains. Birds are only counted as they go out of sight over the mountain tops.
This message was edited Mar 30, 2010 8:06 PM
A rainy day feast.
(American Robin)
Very nice shots from your trip Grasmussen!! and thanks for starting the new thread! Very nice shots on the last thread also!
Met, nice set of your Cardinals!
Adel, nice shot of the Robin with the worm!
Not much time last couple of days to get any shots, thought I would try today for a few minute's before work but as soon as I went outside with the camera, the birds left. Took me awhile to locate Mr. Cooper, but you can always tell when a hawk is around.
thats all I got..lol
Great shots Gary! Thanks for starting the new thread! I love the Phainopela's, Swainson's Hawk and the others! Nice mountain shot showing the kettle!
Beautiful shots of the Cardinal's Met!
Hi Adel, Sweet Robin!
Burd, Nice Coopers Hawk!
Great shots on the last thread everyone!!! That one went so fast!
Quite the 'hair-do' on the unusual bird.
Awesome shots to start off the new thread. I have a few to add before I head outside. Here's the Collared Dove.
The Catbird.
Blue Jay.
Red-bellied Woodpecker doing some preening.
Final pic, Red-bellied.
Thank you Gary for the new thread. Beautiful pics. as always and thank for sharing your wnderful experience while birding. It must be quite an experience to watch the "kettle" in action. Burd, Mr. Cooper Hawk is quite handsome. GP, the Collared Dove is very pretty, I'm hoping to learn more about the catbird. It's a hoot watching those Red Bellied Woodpeckers. It has to be -- a territorial thing like Nan has mentioned once, when the Redbellied Woodpeckers come to the feeder, they seem to have kept the Red Headed Woodpeckers away (from the feeder). Al, pretty Cardinals I especially like the Lady. Here is my share this morning...
Right off the hot press....errr the camera. A male Towhee enjoys the morning sun.
Not too far from where the Towhee was, my 'snowbird' Baltimore Oriole looking pretty among the cherry blossoms.
My backyard love birds.
How sweet!
Awesome shots Gary! Thanks for sharing information about the Swainson's hawk too...Very Cool!
I had a birthday wish yesterday ...it showed up today. Just like DH , always a day late! lol It would not give me a good profile shot tho. He was close by when I put the feeders out this morning because I heard it laughing. Came back for just a minute a little later, but I think there were to many other birds around then. But sure enough he came back by a few minutes later.
Pileated Woodpecker!
GP, Beautiful pics!!
Lily, Lovely as always!
Nanny, Great present with the Pileated showing up! Your b' day isn't listed on Daves? I would have started a thread this morning. Happy Birthday!!!!!
Grasmussen - nice start to the new thread. AND those Swainson's Hawk pics are terrific. AND the male and female Phainopepla pics are great - new bird to me, though
Methodical - I enjoyed your Cardinals.
adelbertcat - I've noticed that my Robins are here rain of shine, but I've never caught one with dinner in mouth.
Burd_Fotos - it may have been all you got, but to me Mr. Cooper was a hit. Nice shots.
gardenpom - all the birds you posted, I've seen and photoed around here, with the exception of one - I really like the look of the Collared Dove but I've never had one visit. But, I'm in their range, so who knows,maybe some will visit later.
Lily_love - what a beautiful pic, - the Baltimore Oriole looking among the cherry blossoms.
reddirtretiree - your backyard love birds look cute.
Hack.
Great start to the new thread Grasmussen! Too many have already posted for me to comment individually, but I love them all so far!
We went to National Zoo on Monday, but the weather was crappy and they closed so early! We did some "birdwatching" at the zoo though...
Mandarin Ducks
A Merganser, but I am usure of his full name... Hooded Merganser
(Edited to correct name, thanks to Resin!)
This message was edited Mar 31, 2010 9:48 PM
Burrowing Owl... so cute!
Toucan "Sam"
Barred Owl...
This little guy is a diving duck and can stay down for long periods of time. I didn't catch his name! I am sure one of you knows!
