I returned "home" to California the last week in August and finally have my computer up and running and hopefully will get the pics posted on this thread.
I stayed with my brother who lives in a suburb of San Jose and his development has many mature trees in and surrounding the area. The weather was perfect and most of the birds are new ones for me. I hope I have ID's them correctly...but if not please correct me.
The first one I saw was a very noisy Acorn Woodpecker.
I would have missed the Calif. Quail if DH handn't noticed them under the bridge we were standing on.
I thought of Adel when I saw them...he is so lucky to see them all the time!
The following 5 pics are the male.
#2
#3
#4
#5
Here is a female!
#2 female
Black Phoebe...what a beautiful bird!
I think this is an Anna's Hummingbird!
#2 Anna's
The Lesser Goldfinch were easy to ID since they look so much like "our" American Goldfinch!
#2 Lesser
I believe this is a Nuttal's Woodpecker!
I was so happy to see this little Oak Titmouse!
The White Breasted Nuthatches are just elusive in Cal as they are in Mo!! LOL!
We spent a day in Monterey Bay and saw many shorebirds. I spent over 36 years in Calif but sadly never realized all the birds that are there!
Here are some Cormorants that were abundant. Thanks to Resin for ID'ing these as Brandt's Cormorants!
Edited to ID!
This message was edited Oct 11, 2008 7:09 AM
#2 Cormorants
#3 Cormorants
#4 Cormorants
Here is a close up!
Herrmann's Gull!
I thought they were so beautiful!
Not sure on this one!
Edited to say this has been ID'd as a juvenile Western Gull! Thanks Resin for ID'ing!
This message was edited Oct 11, 2008 7:12 AM
another
Another unknown!
Thanks to Resin for ID'ing this as an adult Western Gull!
This message was edited Oct 11, 2008 7:13 AM
again!
Our last day there I was sitting on the front step and these Acorn's came by to say hello...I thought it was a wonderful way to end our trip!
These are all wonderful, but certainly love that last one!!
Thanks Marna...there were actually 5 of the Acorn's but I couldn't get them to stay in place long enough to get a pic of all of them!
I see they're working on converting that to a granary tree! I never knew that they traveled in groups like that.
Great pics Rose! I love the Acorn Woodpeckers along with all the others!
All correct!
The cormorants are Brandt's Cormorant.
"Not sure on this one!" is a juvenile Western Gull; "Another unknown!" is adult Western Gull.
Resin
Nice pics Rose. Amazing last pic with all the Woodpeckers....almost like they were seeing you off! Can you imagine if you had the resources to travel the world, how many "new" birds you would see?
Marna...I could see and hear tons of them every morning flying around the woods! Their behaviour reminded me of our Blue Jays with their antics! Very entertaining indeed!
Thanks Pelle...they sure are beautiful!
Thanks for the ID's Resin...I knew I could count on you! I will go back and edit for ID.
Thanks GP...I did feel like it was a parting gift! I wish I did have the resourses to travel the world and see the kazillions of birds out there!
I can't believe that I forgot to show the Western Bluebirds!! Duh!! Sorry for the bright lighting but it sure was a joy to see them!
one more!
Great series! The acorns are soo cute! GM
Glad you're back! I have been missing all the birdies from Conway. I can't believe those woodpeckers - how cool!!
Thanks GM and 22...those Acorn's were a hoot! Lots of personality and very noisy! LOL!
I thoroughly enjoyed your holiday, Rose. The Quails are utterly adorable. Fantastic patterns. Also loved the gulls. How nice that the Woodpeckers came to say adieu. Have you ever seen that many in a group before?
