Bird Light Wind

Moving On

2008-03-03T19:44:00.001-08:00

See the new blog here: WWW.BIRDLIGHTWIND.COM

Rare(ish) Moments

2008-03-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

Today started with a lovely gathering at the botanical gardens. Everyone who showed up for the bird walk, led by Allan Ridley and company, was greeted by the Red-shouldered Hawks - one slung low in a tree outside the gate, the other bathed in morning sun on a branch in the large beehive-laden tree just inside. Also inside:

The rare Golden-crowned Song Sparrow, suffering a pollen induced identity crisis.

After the Arboretum I checked out Corona Heights Park in hopes of something interesting and tested my reflexes against this White-crowned Sparrow. The rare part of this moment is it stayed in the frame, in good light... that was worth the expedition up the hill. (click the image to see the details - this small version has many compression artifacts)

Then to North Lake for 30 minutes of looking before other engagements called. I found a pair of Pied-billed Grebes and settled in to watch them. They resumed their fishing and about 5 minutes later one came scooting out of the reeds at top speed, running on the water, out into the open to deal with its catch. The last rare moment of the day. Definitely click on these to see the larger versions.

Moments after the catch, the grebe takes a break before attending to the fish.

Now properly oriented after an initial attempt at swallowing it failed.

Down the hatch.

Corona Heights, Strybing, and the Sutro Duo

2008-03-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

Around 11:30 the wind picked up and the male Kestrel showed up at Corona Heights to hunt. The resident Red-tail was only seen briefly and was chased off by two determined Ravens. The Kestrel caught several insects and a spider, all eaten on the wing.

Heading back to base. The Kestrel takes frequent breaks in the pines.

Floating with apartment windows in the distance.

A spider just taken from the right foot.

In the Arboretum the Red-shoulders were audible but only glimpsed in distant trees. The Great Egret allowed a very close approach and fished contentedly, pond to pond.

One of the Sutro Red-tails was kiting when I arrived and as is often the case, as soon as I got out of the car it disappeared like a shot over the pines to the north. Undeterred, I followed and found the male kiting over iceplant covered cliffs near pockets of wind-blown pines. After some attempts at evasive gophers, the hawk switched from the cliff faces to the upper fields and I lost it behind a tangle of pines. I raced up through the dark hollows that hikers and homeless have created in the trees, heading toward a triangle of light that I thought might give me a better vantage point. When I emerged from the trees I was out of breath and there was no hawk in sight... until I looked up.

It was kiting 20 feet above my head and descending rapidly. A few adjustments in flight and the talons emerged and the body pivoted into that familiar committed posture.

It slammed into the grass just 6 feet in front of me. I didn't realize how close it was until I took the camera away from my face and saw it in the grass, wings out, head down, focused on its prey.

Then it turned sharply toward me, grabbed the gopher and everything around it, and took off, ripping away the surrounding vegetation.

A few deft transfers of the prey from foot to foot allowed the grass and plants to fall away and the hawk just floated away.

I found the pair in the trees about 200 feet south, and it was the female that was eating the gopher that the male had just caught.

He coughed up a pellet while she dined. (you can see it falling just below the branch)

Red-tails in the Sunset

2008-02-27T23:24:00.000-08:00

With only 20 minutes of light remaining in the day, I decided to get to Sutro Baths to see what might transpire. Upon arrival the scene was quiet but the setting sun seemed to hold promise. A moment later two specks over the distant pines banked in unison and within seconds the resident hawks appeared over my head and hung motionless. Flickering primaries and focused scanning ensued, the pair seemed intent on finding something before night fell. Then the male approached the female in a slow glide with his legs extended and she quickly angled her wings and banked away. She was apparently not interested in his advances and he seemed distracted. His attempts at hunting were hurried and scattershot. She, on the other hand, stayed over one area for a long time. When she committed to her attack the sun had already set on the ocean and it quickly set for her prey, a 2-3 foot snake. Apparently she grasped the wrong end because as she flew away, the snake's head was free and one of the photos shows it, mouth agape, still struggling. When the city is consumed by encroaching night, there is still light to be had near the sea. Even 20 minutes can be revelatory.

The kiting hawks arrive.

The male in orange light.

When kiting turns to diving.

Stretching a leg.

Over the horizon with a hard-won meal.

Grainy, but you can clearly see the snake's mouth open.

Earlier, a freighter came by with precious cargo. That must be how they get that thing back to the east.

After sunset you can reclaim the day with a 40 second exposure, gathering the light and turning the waves into a creeping fog.

Great Blue Heron Review

2008-02-26T22:22:00.000-08:00

On occasion, I'm going to post visual reviews of particular species and their behaviours. Photographs that I've taken over the past 2 years. Starting us off is the ubiquitous Great Blue Heron. **Warning** not for the squeamish. (As always, click the images for the juicy details.)

Dressed alike.

Non-serious nest building at the Palace of Fine Arts.

Crissy Field night fly-by.

Predators have forward facing eyes.

A large-mouthed bass fished from the Palace of Fine Arts Lagoon. 10 minutes of thinking, 2 minutes of swallowing.

Sunset illuminates a heron with gopher hunting history evident on its bill.

7 foot wingspan.

Balancing at Lake Merced.

On the hunt, with a stylish bracelet on to boot.

Lovely profile.

Top view of head and dagger-like bill.

Nesting for real at lake Merced.

Gopher for dinner.

This took many minutes. The heron kept dunking the gopher to make it slide down a bit easier.

15 minutes later and almost done, when the resident Great Blue came charging in and scared it off.

Flying away with the gopher still in progress.

A more manageable morsel.

In flight with a profile on the wing.

Cruising past the footbridge.

Chased off at Crissy field.

Red-shouldered Hawks Entertain

2008-02-25T19:21:00.000-08:00

If you have to wait for an estimate on your car's brakes, find a mechanic near the park... then eschew the waiting room for the arboretum. The Red-shouldered Hawk pair were calling and I found them in the cloud forest. This one plummeted down at an astounding rate to land in a little creek - not even a creek really, the water was a millimeter deep. But apparently that is deep enough to hold a fish.

Click for the detailed view.

Next was a plunge into a marshy deeper area. Here is the hawk emerging from the water...

and eating a frog...

Seeing the world through frog-footed glasses. (they are rose coloured, I guess) Click the image for better detail.

A gull as seen via its reflection.

GGP Coyote and Gull Studies

2008-02-24T20:49:00.000-08:00

I started with another trip to Stow Lake and upon arriving a Coyote came into view trotting nonchalantly down the road. No Glaucous-winged Gulls at Stow. I'm somehow fascinated by them because they are new to me. It is an exciting time in any endeavor when there is so much yet to learn, that even the relatively mundane can be spectacular. At Lloyd Lake I was watching for the Hooded Merganser and the first gull to settle near my feet was a GWG. It turns out there were 2 of them there today. I finally got one of the Common Mergansers comfortable enough with my presence that it fell asleep after some preening. Back at Stow Lake something triggered repeated Mallard fly-bys and the geese were feeling territorial. In the midst of it all, a Green Heron flew by. I know it's a lot of pictures, but - this is one of those rare media where you can over-share a little and people make their own choices by clicking. Anyway, thanks for looking - I'll do my best to keep it interesting.

Coyote after the storm.

Just a lovely pose.

The first Gull that I surmise is a Glaucous-winged.

Wings in motion.

Grey to the tips.

This is the other GWG, I think it is a 3rd year because the bill still has some black in it, but the plumage is clean so, I'm not sure. Gulls aren't really my specialty.

Beautiful wings.

Common Merganser.

Territorial Goose. (click to view larger)

Green Heron comes out of nowhere.

While the Mallards criss-cross giving me a chance to practice my skills.

Wind flattened vegetation at Stow Lake.

Stow Lake and Strybing

2008-02-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

A walk in the rain around Stow Lake. A Pied-billed Grebe led me towards the thickets over the waterline near the boathouse. Once there, it called mellifluously to its partner who was busy rearranging leaves and sticks as if building a nest. Wanting to get a better photo, I entered the thicket carefully, so as not to disturb them, and found myself eye to eye with a Varied Thrush. It made its way across the road to the Eucalyptus grove and vanished with a blur. The Glaucous-winged Gull was happily preening on a paddle-boat. Other interesting birds were a Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Downy Woodpecker. Strybing Arboretum was lively, but most of that was due to foraging squirrels.

Attempting macro shots with a telephoto lens.

The Grebe appears.

The couple call to one another as they seem to engage in nest building.

The Varied Thrush departs.

Wary but calm enough for a picture.

Glaucous-winged Gull series.

Sick Day

2008-02-22T19:31:00.000-08:00

Feeling sick as a... sick dog, I took the slow way home to recuperate with a film and all the remedies prescribed by my kind friends. But as is often the case, I find being outside therapeutic, even in the stop start rain and brisk wind. So I bundled up and made a few stops on my way home. The PFA lagoon offered up some relaxed geese. The Burrowing Owl at Sutro has had to suffer power-washing near its rock wall and people meandering off trail towards its crevice, so unsurprisingly, it was out. At Lloyd Lake a Great Egret fished in the run-off from the falls and in the distance, the glowing spot of the Hooded Merganser's crest gave it away. The other Mergansers were quite active, surfacing with fish of all sorts and covering the entire area of the small lake. Now I'm home with warm soup and ginger-lemon-everything... ahhhhh.

From the Past

2008-02-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

Taken 2 years ago at the Palace of Fine Arts Lagoon.

The Odd Couple - Alta Plaza Hawks

2008-02-20T23:00:00.001-08:00

First, Ill start with a couple of images from the Palace of Fine Arts lagoon. While stalking a juvenile Night Heron, I saw a flash of yellow emerge from the reeds and clicked the shutter to reveal a Common Yellowthroat. The first I've ever seen, so that was a treat. And just a reminder that the beauty is in the details - please click on the images to get a closer look.
I stopped by Alta Plaza park to see what the hawk situation was like and found it very very calm. After twenty minutes surveying the park I settled in to photograph the sparrows and a woman with three dogs walked by apologizing for disturbing the birds. I told her I was anticipating the birds would fly away and was waiting for that moment to take my photo.

Suddenly the sparrows that were still foraging on the ground leapt en masse into the trees. A roaring sound, like opening a car window while at freeway speeds, grew up out of the silence as a dark, wavering, plummeting, shape appeared over the rooftops. I recognized the shape of a hawk in full stoop, and by the time I raised my camera, the hawk, with talons outstretched, checked its dive and pulled up three feet above the woman's miniature poodle. Changing its mind at the last second,, the Red-tail swerved hard to the right and landed in a blossom filled tree next to the sidewalk to compose itself. It was only perched 5 feet above the ground. This was as sincere a hunt as I've seen, and I feel if that dog had been by itself, the outcome would have been quite different. The moment was impossible to photograph as it happened so quickly.

Sitting in the tree after the poodle hunt.

I surmised that this was a female as there was a companion in the area too.

Wings askew, head level.

Talons out for the kill.

Banking hard left.

Gathering nest material. Moments earlier she had been grasping at tree branches to wrest them loose.

Her companion, a juvenile male I assume. This is not the same dark bird as was in the park a few months ago (the bird I called Leroy) This one has a band on its right leg, and it's patterns of behaviour differ markedly from the previous juvenile which was unbanded.

They followed each other all over the park and ranged between 4-8 blocks from the park on further flights. This might encompass Lafayette Park as well. We'll see how this develops. It would be remarkable to have a new nesting pair in this neighborhood. Does anyone know if coupling between adults and juveniles occur and whether they are ever successful?

A favored tree for evading Ravens and having a clear view of the park. Here the male departs with a start.

It was remarkable to have two hawks flying low through the park vocalizing much of the time. People actually began to take notice, although I suspect taking a poodle as prey would have garnered them more attention.

Calling out with a raspy voice, not as clear and piercing as the adult bird's.

The male banks to give a beautiful view of juvenal plumage.

While the female goes hunting.

The wet ground kept most gophers safely underground.

Time to search for greener, er... gopherier, pastures. Both hawks depart and leave me with a lovely last image.

Perched on the cathedral's steeples with Bernal Hill as a backdrop. The male on the left and the female on the right. What an exciting day. I feel that this is going to be a great spring for hawk-watchers in the city.

Hummer Buzz

2008-02-20T08:33:00.000-08:00

This image has developed a following on Flickr so I thought I'd share it here.

Ummm, well... you see, I have this store.

2008-02-19T22:23:00.000-08:00

This is the formal announcement of a little experiment. I have opened an online store to explore the idea that people might be interested in a set of note cards, or a sweatshirt, or a wall clock with a giant falcon head on it. Well, tasteful little quality of life things that may be good as gifts, or as gifts to self. Prints, posters... you get the idea. So in lieu of making this a completely self promotional affair, here are a few pictures to show my gratitude for your having read this.
Oh yeah... to get to the store... CLICK HERE

Acorn Woodpecker earning his title.

Great Egret in good form, over Crissy Field.

Residents Day (in pictures)

2008-02-18T20:21:00.001-08:00

Wandering around the city yielded these photos today.

Randall Museum hawk departs after a sizeable meal.

Randall Museum Kestrel on the hunt...

and swallowing an insect.

Corona Heights Anna's Hummingbird.

Crissy Field Kestrel.

Mallards mating.

Drying off.

Great Blue in color, at the Palace of Fine Arts.

Cooper's Hawk discovers photographer, Palace of Fine Arts Lagoon.

Mallard takes off from the PFA lagoon.

Crissy Field Red-tailed Hawk.

Alta Plaza Park gets a low flying visitor (unbanded).

A feast for sparrows.

Spring is here.

Another view of the Alta Plaza visitor.

Resolute Owls and Acrobatic Ravens

2008-02-17T22:43:00.000-08:00

I staked out the Sutro Burrowing Owl for almost two hours hoping it might hop out for some breakfast and let me get a clear photo. No such luck. For those who might like to know exactly where it lives, I've attached an image of the retaining wall. I trust whoever visits this page already respects and appreciates birds, but I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you to use this info with some discretion so the bird can continue on without being disturbed. Heading to Lake Merced I encountered a Red-tail just off the Great Highway who fended off some Ravens with unique mobbing techniques. Merced was mellow, but as I was leaving an Anna's Hummingbird allowed me a close approach and his flights and stretches made it hard to leave.

Click for a larger version.

Inverted mobbing style. The hawk seemed to be staring in disbelief. The raven swung over and hung upside-down for 40 seconds, vocalizing the whole time. At first it concluded by dropping off the line but after that it would swing back upright after its inverted episodes.

Pouncing on a gopher...

Ending up with a fist-full of iceplant. The gopher got away.

Lake Merced. A Grebe in mid-dive. Click the image to see the red eye on the waterline.

Mallards at rest

Anna's at full stretch.

And again.

Into the mist. The hummingbird departs.

Pinnacles and Mercey Hot Springs

2008-02-17T00:49:00.000-08:00

I had the distinct pleasure of spending a day with expert birders from the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. We went to Pinnacles National Monument and Mercey Hot Springs and enjoyed all the moments in between. Here are a few highlights. (remember you can click the images to view the more detailed, larger versions)

The landscape was highly varied and consistently breathtaking. We had great weather.

I saw my first Prairie Falcon... but it didn't stick around for long.

Here is the Prairie leaving while keeping an eye on us.

At Pinnacles the campground yielded an incessantly vocal Red-shouldered Hawk which was later joined by another. Acorn Woodpeckers, California Quail, Spotted Towhees, Sunning Turkey Vultures, a Bobcat, and the promise of Condors, created a wonderful atmosphere.

Early on, we came across two Golden Eagles feeding on the carcass of a Wild Boar that we surmise had been hit by a car the previous night.

Immense birds... this was a great way to start the day. Later we saw a Soaring Bald Eagle as well.

Here is one of the Golden Eagles flying away with a massively distended crop obscuring its head.

At Mercey Hot Springs, a close encounter with a Great Horned Owl on a nicely exposed branch.

Eventually we found over 15 Long-eared Owls. They were packed into a single tree (notice the tail of another owl behind this one). The day would eventually have 4 species of owl including a Burrowing Owl, and a lovely look at a Short-eared Owl floating over a darkening field that was still populated with White-tailed Kites, Northern Harriers, and an Egret that plucked two gophers from the ground.

A Cassin's Kingbird pursues an insect. (the little black dot)

A roadside stop found us scanning for raptors while the locals scanned us.
(click to view this larger)

Click below for a look at a distant aerial battle between
a Ferruginous Hawk and a Golden Eagle.

Aerial Battle 1
Size Comparison 1
Size Comparison 2

Meadowlarks under Golden Gates

2008-02-15T21:08:00.000-08:00

This morning as the sun ducked in and out of the receding clouds, there were at least 10 Western Meadowlarks rolling through the scrub near the Crissy Field Lagoon. A Female Belted Kingfisher skirted shoreline as it headed toward the Marina. At the Palace of Fine Arts an aerial battle ensued between 3 unsettled Great Blue Herons.

Meadowlark in flight.

A sleeker view.

Strolling.

"Craaaaack!"

The trio redetermines the pecking order.

Up from the depths, a Mallard feeds.

Over Crissy Field

2008-02-13T22:19:00.000-08:00

This is one of the two resident Red-tails who spend time tracing triangles between the grove of eucalyptus trees and the pines closer to the lagoon. I took this image after leaping out of my car to photograph the hawk making an attempt at a gopher. It returned to the pine and is pictured departing, to try its luck from the other side of the field.

Lunch with a Willet

2008-02-12T18:23:00.000-08:00

Near the Marina, I found a lone Willet feeding during low tide. I spent 20 minutes there and it overcame any initial fear and proceeded to feed around me. At the Palace of Fine Arts a large Cooper's Hawk sent the pigeons into panicked swirls as it gained altitude and headed downtown. In addition to the Sutro Baths Red-tails, there is a regular Red-tailed Hawk pair at Crissy Field. They were active in the morning but had moved toward the Presidio by noon. Fog swept over the city by 5pm leaving only the bay and Oakland hills in sunlight.

Landing in stride.

Stepping stones. (click for greater detail)

Gliding in toward shore.

Sutro Bath Couple

2008-02-11T20:01:00.000-08:00

I went to Sutro Baths to check on the Burrowing Owl and was met by a lovely pair of resident Red-tails. The light was strange, filtered by the encroaching fog. Soon the entire place was socked in. Never did see the owl but it was an eventful 45 minutes nonetheless.

A peaceful pair. (click the image to view larger)

The male departs on an unsuccessful hunt.

Copulation commences.

The female is definitely bigger than the male who has a beautiful rusty orange color.

The fog closes in and the male flies up into Sutro Heights Park.

The female keeps an optimistic watch on the hillside below. Oddly, she switches light posts, going back and forth over my head 6 times, restless but not bothered.

Golden Gate Park and Richardson Bay

2008-02-10T19:55:00.000-08:00

This weekend I went for a stroll in GGP and spent an hour at Richardson Bay. Perched on the rocks near the bay, I sat patiently waiting while the tide drew out and a Snowy Egret approached and hunted around me. In the distance an Osprey surveyed the bay and dove in among the ducks to secure a fish. On the way toward the parking lot I came across a photogenic but easily perturbed Cattle Egret with a taste for high-end SUVs. I got a few portraits and was on my way. Golden Gate Park showcased a slew of Ravens and 6 Red-tails, Warblers and some dueling Great Blue Herons... but the best photos came as the light dwindled at Ocean Beach and South Lake.

A Snowy Egret pursues a fish.

Golden Gate Bridge in blue.

Cattle Egret

Contemporary Cattle.

Distant Osprey Catch (3 shot sequence)

Brown-headed Cowbird - much reviled by some, but I admire their adaptability and incredibly complex song.

Gull landing at South Lake.

Magnolias in bloom.

Redirection (momentary)

2008-02-08T21:20:00.000-08:00

Check my Flickr Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitundu_birds) for some newly uploaded images. More to come at birdlightwind this weekend. I can feel it.

Back to the Birds

2008-02-07T18:31:00.000-08:00

I'm back and hoping to get outdoors more consistently now that my schedule has eased. Here are a couple of memorable images from the past.

Sanderling Duo at Ocean Beach

Ring-billed gull with feet tucked in completely - very streamlined.

Lake Merced Osprey with fish (click for detail).

Hummingbird

2008-01-25T01:23:00.000-08:00

An earlier kinetic construction. The video is a little glitchy but not bad. Inspired by the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre in London.
(more real birds soon)

Heron and Fish

2008-01-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

I haven't been out with the camera as much as I'd like lately... So in keeping with the arts theme of my last post, here is a kinetic sculpture I recently built.

Pencil and Paper

2008-01-23T00:04:00.000-08:00

I loved drawing as a youngster and am discovering it again.

Morning on the Lagoon

2008-01-17T21:57:00.000-08:00

Glass calm

Otter impressionism

Morning... more like bedtime

The photographer is discovered

Apparition

A close pass

Amber waves of flame

Black Phoebe

Rodeo Lagoon Bobcat

2008-01-12T17:02:00.000-08:00

I was on my way to see the River Otters and got sidetracked by a beautiful pair of Northern Harriers that led me to the top of the surrounding hills. By the time I got back down to the lagoon there was a single otter making very brief appearances but the landscape had slipped into a lazy afternoon, warming light, gentle calm. I found my secret otter watching spot and scanned the water's edge carefully.

Suddenly, from the clump of reeds between me and the water, a Bobcat exploded into view. Determined to find cover in the taller brush, it bounded through the grass in a series of thundering leaps. Curious as to whether I'd disturbed it during a meal, I investigated the matted grass where it had been hiding and found nothing. The otter poked its head out of the water a few feet away, then rolled over and slid below the surface.

A Wrentit on alert.

Black-tailed Deer passes as I watch the Harriers.

A large Bobcat heads for the shadows.

River of Birds

2008-01-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

As the sun retreated beyond Mount Diablo, the Harriers took last looks over the marshes and the Goldeneyes gathered in mounting floating shoals. The waters of the Sacramento/San Joaquin delta were calm. The east-flowing breeze cooled to herald the darkness and overhead, a river of birds began to flow. Heading north of the setting sun, high in the sky, a seemingly endless stream of black birds snaked along in a pulsing, choreographed, ribbon of bounding wings. Even with binoculars it was impossible to find the beginning or the end of the flock which held itself in a compact sinuous band. The cord of birds was many miles long and it coursed by silently for over 10 minutes before dissolving as discretely as it appeared. I've never seen anything like it.

Color Change

2008-01-06T20:27:00.001-08:00

Due to popular demand (er... request), I've changed the colors of the blog to make it a bit easier to read. Thanks for the feedback folks... and thanks for looking.

Rodeo Lagoon Otters

2008-01-06T14:48:00.000-08:00

This morning in the Marin Headlands the weather was calm and punctuated by sunlight. I'd decided to see if I could catch a glimpse of the river otters that have taken up residence in Rodeo Lagoon. Yesterday the beach was closed as waves thundered over the dunes into the lagoon. Today the water level was as high as I'd ever seen it. The footbridge to the beach seemed to to be floating.

After five minutes I saw the first otter just a few feet offshore. It scared a few gulls off and then disappeared. Five more minutes elapsed, and in the distance across the lagoon, I saw 15 gulls leap and swirl into the air. One was left behind struggling, and I could see the otter drag it below the surface. It carried its prey toward a thicket on the north side of the lagoon near the road.

I decided to make a circuit and while I was watching a Western Grebe at the east end of the lagoon, a group of 6 otters made an appearance, swam toward me and across to the southern bank, where a Great Blue Heron was preening and relaxed on the shore. When they got to within 50 feet of the heron the otters submerged.

Three of them launched a group attack on the Great Blue which managed to leap to safety. The otters disappeared into the vegetation and emerged an hour later to make a circuit of the complete lagoon before returning to the north bank. I also had a close fly-by from a Northern Harrier (banded), a beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk, and a nervous Spotted Towhee.

None the worse for wear, the Great Blue departs.

Transition

2007-12-31T17:26:00.000-08:00

The Alta Plaza hawk got his first documented non-insect/worm meal today courtesy of a field mouse. At midnight he'll officially be considered a second-year bird. It seems his hunting skills are improving steadily each day and he is also beginning to develop discernible patterns with regard to his movements around the park, favoured perches, etc...

Let's hope he sticks around for the winter.

Hawking in the Rain

2007-12-29T22:42:00.000-08:00

Passing by Alta Plaza park I spotted the young Red-tailed Hawk on the power lines and decided to see how he behaves in the rain. Needless to say the worm feast continues. He seems to be acclimating to my presence as he flew within 5 feet of me on 4 separate occasions. Here are some of the nicer rain-soaked moments.

One of several close passes.

Drying feathers soaked by landing in wet grass.

Niño de la Tierra

2007-12-26T18:34:00.000-08:00

At the Randall museum today an adult Red-tailed Hawk flew down and landed about 15 feet from me and made quick work of a Jerusalem Cricket (aka - Niño de la Tierra). More evidence of the importance of insects in the diet of Red-tails.

It took a moment to orient the insect correctly... maybe because they can inflict a bite with their mandibles.

Click the image to get a better sense of scale. This is the same hawk toward dusk, surveying the cityscape below.

Ocean Beach Hunter

2007-12-25T23:29:00.000-08:00

I spent half an hour at Ocean Beach today with this Red-tail who seemed to be hunting, albeit casually. The ravens had a thing or two to say but they too seemed to go about their mobbing of the hawk rather casually. He didn't seem troubled. Nice bird.

Crissy Field Christmas

2007-12-24T19:03:00.000-08:00

On my way home I was turning left at Crissy field in the lovely dusk light and saw a Great Blue Heron pluck a gopher from the ground. I lept out of my car but was too late. It had already flown to the water, dipped it in, and swallowed it whole.

Above me a Kestrel was hovering, a pair of adult Red-tails sat in the crown of a nearby pine, and the Long-billed Curlew was going through its shrill repertoire of calls. I decided to see what might happen next.

I ended up stalking that Great Blue Heron for 90 minutes. It got dark and I thought about leaving... but didn't. It got cold and stiff fingers made it difficult to make quick adjustments to the settings on my camera. That heron was determined and I decided to wait it out with him. He ended up with a substantial prize and I ended up with some grainy, moody photos... and I learned that getting stabbed in the neck will make your bladder fail.

Graphic stuff - but the stuff of life.

Merry Christmas.

The safest way to hold your christmas heron.

Curlew up close.

Tipping out of the treetop.

Banking in sunlight. (view this one larger)

In flight with freshly caught prey.

Heading for water to dip the meal, making it easier to swallow.

Stabbed through the neck and trying to pee on the heron. Fighting to the last.

Exploring the Delta

2007-12-23T23:32:00.000-08:00

I left the house just after 6 am and headed for the hills in search of hawks and cranes. After a full 12 hour day exploring highway 12, I returned exhausted and fulfilled. Constant looking takes energy. Beautiful light, beautiful day. Here are a few highlights.

(I highly recommend clicking to view the photos in real detail)

Kestrel flare.

White-tailed Kite with prey.

It is easier to find birds when the signs are pointing them out.

Red-shafted Flicker

Northern Harrier

Red-tailed Hawk launch.

Kestrel on the hunt.

Retroactive Moments

2007-12-22T21:08:00.000-08:00

Here are a few strange, lovely, decisive, or puzzling moments from the past year.

Red-shouldered Hawk rising from the deep.

Goldfinch battle.

Plucked from the surface.

Close encounter.

Great Blue Heron juvenile takes the plunge.

Kestrel in mid-turn.

King of the skies eats a fly.

(captive bird, UofM Raptor Center)

Allen's touchdown.

Anna's hummingbird lazy in the sun.

Face to face.

Glass scuplture.

Anna's Up Close

2007-12-21T23:30:00.000-08:00

Since the Red-tail only made brief appearances, I spent time with a few high-flying, dueling Anna's hummingbirds. This male landed near me and seemed quite relaxed... as relaxed as a hummingbird can be I guess. I'm always amazed by their remarkable iridescence. (Please click on the images to see the beautiful little details)

Worm Patrol

2007-12-20T21:19:00.000-08:00

Some interesting moments from two morning hours spent with the young Red-tail. Rain keeps the gophers underground but brings out the worms. We'll see if drier weather helps him secure a proper meal.

Click on images for a closer look.

Stalking worms on the sidewalk. (View larger - click image)

Landing in the pines.

Putting on the brakes.

Watching traffic.

Going for a stroll.

Lift-off.

On location.

Images of the new hawk

2007-12-19T00:34:00.000-08:00

Click on images for a closer look.

Scanning for earthworms.

Diving for dinner.

An enthusiastic but unsuccessful attempt at a gopher.

In full flight.

Eating worms.

Flying close by - undisturbed by my presence.

New Hawk at Alta Plaza Park

2007-12-18T23:52:00.000-08:00

A new Red-tailed Hawk appeared in Alta Plaza this week. I was alerted by the SFBird list and made my way to the park today to see if it was still around.

After photographing the hummingbirds for awhile, I saw a hawk-like shape dropping to the ground across the park and ran over to investigate. I found this young unbanded RTH searching for food.

He seemed hungry and made many trips to the ground, and took his time while there. I suspect that his gopher hunting skills aren't up to par and he is supplementing his diet with worms and caterpillars. On five separate occasions he swooped down only to pick up a worm and then return to a higher vantage point.

He does have a curious penchant for landing on power lines and the thinnest branches of trees and should soon learn to save energy by finding more stable perches - the wind made staying balanced a tricky proposition.

One of his searching flights into the pines scared out a diminutive falcon. It was the first time I'd ever seen a Merlin in Alta Plaza. Quite a moment.

Later on a Sharp-shinned Hawk came in low across the tennis courts seeking songbirds. It was actively hunting and set out after some finches after a five minute rest.

A great afternoon in the park. I'll check back regularly and hopefully we can watch another young Red-tail grow-up in our midst.

For images of the last hawk to grow up in Alta plaza CLICK HERE

Looking Up

2007-12-18T11:09:00.000-08:00

This photo seems serene but the Great Egret was being chased down by a Great Blue Heron. Shooting at Crissy Field for a few sunlit hours, the clouds rolled in and I called it a morning. Heading inside I heard the harsh "craaack" of the GBH and spun around in time to see this Egret heading my way. The clouds parted as it approached and this was the resulting image. Just a nice moment.

Intention

2007-12-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

Allen's Hummingbird coming in for a landing.

This is a record of interesting moments from the field. As a bird photographer I'm often witness to strange or unusual bird behaviours, and otherwise interesting moments: strange light, curious behaviour, territorial encounters, predatory challenges etc... The photos might not all be spectacular, but I hope they can help convey the wonderful variability of our natural world. Studying birds in the field often reveals activity that isn't accounted for in field guides - like Red-shouldered Hawks hunting American Coots. I'll post the interesting moments here. Stay tuned.