Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Tony
Trad climber
Pt. Richmond, CA
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 12:14am PT
|
Yesterday, prompted by a report of 2500 Black-vented Shearwaters seen from the Newport Beach pier a few days ago, we made a run to see what was around. I had never thought that would be a good spot for sea-watch. We did some shearwaters, but not that many. At least one came near enough to ID as a Black-vented.
There were other birds, as well.
The real headliners were cetaceans, though (OT, I know). First a group of three slow-moving Pilot Whales approached the pier. I was completely unprepared, both mentally, and photographically, since my camera was stashed in the pack. As they moved away into the sun, I snapped this shot.
For the whole time we were there, a group of hundreds of Botttle-nosed Dolphins were feeding by apparently herding and encircling fish. There were all sizes, including "babies" in the group.
|
|
Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 12:22am PT
|
No critter is off topic. Love the photos Tony. Thanks!
|
|
Willoughby
Social climber
Truckee, CA
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 12:23am PT
|
Re: Tony's ID questions on Slater's slideshow (congrats, by the way, and a great bird to round out 100!!),
I definitely agree that the plover does look rather sleek and golden-plover like in structure, but it's running, and I suspect it may be sticking its neck out. The bill looks good for Black-bellied, which in my mind should be more substantial than Pacific Golden-Plover (and much more so than American), but I'm not sure how well that holds. I think I'll hold my peace on this photo; I just can't see too much to recommend it either way.
The loon is a tough angle. I agree that the bill looks slight, and I also think the head shape looks better for Pacific. But I think the white slash extending back onto the neck makes it a Common. I see no chinstrap. OOOps - two loons. The second one is definitely a Pacific.
Field Sparrow is definitely a young White-crowned.
Others:
I'll take your word on the California Towhee. Strikes me as a female Brown-headed Cowbird, but who knows?
Your Green-winged Teal taking off have a few female Northern Pintails in front of them.
House Sparrow_0084 is a female Red-winged Blackbird.
NorthernMockingbird_0124 is a Western Scrub-Jay.
RedTailHawk1 is a Ferruginous Hawk.
A few slips on the IDs (or captions), but lots of great stuff here. The rails sure were cooperative for you!!
|
|
Slater
Trad climber
Central Coast
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 12:42am PT
|
OK thanks!
so I'm
+1 if that is a Pacific Loon (didn't have) SWEET!
ALTHOUGH Loon #2 has white around the eye so... and it was sizeable ???
+1 on Ferruginous Hawk (didn't have) SWEET! It was on the tele pole on my acre!!! I'm such a rookie.
-1 on the Field Sparrow (DARN SPARROWS!)
A draw on Mockingbird because I've seen them but yes that's a mis-ID on pic.
A draw on the House Sparrow because I've seen them too a lot.
so I'm 101!
WOOT WOOT! (NOW don't anyone else burst my bubble!) ;)
Tony, that Bonaparte's shot is dreamy! the reflection is radical!!
|
|
Tony
Trad climber
Pt. Richmond, CA
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 01:12am PT
|
Slater,
I agree that that is a Ferrug. The last photo is even more conclusive. It also does look like two different loons. I would have kept my mouth shut, but I realized any changes would probably have ADDED to your total. It's true that the running posture of the plover may have made it look sleeker. On the other hand, it has a distinct post-ocular spot and a pretty dark cap contrasting with the supercillium. Probably not enough to make a call. Black-bellied are much more abundant. There is one with the Heerman's Gull.
In any case, congrats and it looks like you are providing a lot of enjoyment to the whole family.
|
|
Slater
Trad climber
Central Coast
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 11:44am PT
|
Vireo = Cassin's Kingbird :) ??
Those ain't doggy prints. Did you get any pics of the Brown Bears?
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 12:55pm PT
|
Cuz, That's the easiest challenge yet!
But I like the 'climber's shot' next - a butt shot!
Was it an Elegant or Eared? I'll say Elegant at Cave Creek?
edit - I just noticed the 'ear' patch so it isn't a guess any longer.
|
|
cyndiebransford
climber
31 years in Joshua Tree, now Alaska
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 07:09pm PT
|
Happy New Year's Eve fellow birders.
I have some more photos of raptors from the other day in Washington Fields, southwestern Utah. I have a terrible time with hawks so any help on the ID would be much appreciated.
|
|
FRUMY
Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 07:35pm PT
|
|
|
reddirt
climber
PNW
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 07:53pm PT
|
Condolences to Crimpster for the loss of one of hers today : (
|
|
Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 07:55pm PT
|
A heartbroken house here today. That's Ferne (5/18/1994 to 12/31/2011).
He is my oldest baby. I have the egg shell he hatched out of still. Raising him was the single coolest thing I've ever done in my life. No question about it.
|
|
nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 08:41pm PT
|
Crimpie, so sorry to hear your birdie died..)-;
I know how much you loved him... At midnight.... I will give a toast to Ferne, along with Nellie, Scout, Wilma, Bunkster and Skadi ..
|
|
john hansen
climber
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 10:47pm PT
|
Saw this guy today ,, a Hawaiian Hawk or Io. He let me get pretty close.
|
|
Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 11:01pm PT
|
I just came across this parrot rescue association today.
Lots of great photos to help identify the different species plus they give
the bios of each bird. Evidently parrots are real characters
with individual personalities - each and every one.
http://garudaaviary.org/?page_id=206
|
|
Slater
Trad climber
Central Coast
|
|
|
Dec 31, 2011 - 11:21pm PT
|
Speaking of our friends in green feathers... (RIP :(
I'm heading to Pasadena Tuesday... what am I looking for?
My in-laws live near 4th street but my sister's neighborhood is in South Pas and I remember when I was younger seeing parrots?!?!
|
|
reddirt
climber
PNW
|
|
Slater, that is quite a cute bird in your profile pix... ha ha.
|
|
Tony
Trad climber
Pt. Richmond, CA
|
|
Crimpergirl,
I'm sorry to hear about your parrot. He was Lilac-crowned? There is a big flock of Red-crowned Parrots that roams around Orange County, CA. I think different cities try to claim them. They were making a big ruckus when we visited Santiago Oaks RP in Orange. One of them was investigating a tree cavity.
|
|
Tony
Trad climber
Pt. Richmond, CA
|
|
Regarding raptors on the previous page:
Riley,
Is that a White-tailed Hawk? We saw one near Corpus Christi.
Cyndie,
It looks like another Northern Harrier with a full crop.
John,
Which island of Hawaii? We haven't seen one in three trips to Kauai. I wonder how closely they are related to the Galapagos Hawk.
|
|
Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
|
|
Thanks everyone.
Yes, Ferne and his family are Lilac Crowned Amazons. They are amazing gentle and lovely parrots. I hatched and raised Ferne (and ten of his siblings). Way back then I published an article called "Thank God my Amazons Can't Read" because at the time, most literature said they didn't breed in captivity. It also said they did talk. Neither of those tidbits are correct though.
His dad, Henri who is 32 yo is still with me though his mom Lilac died ten years ago. Here also is Clover (who Ferne was bonded with), Grace and Gabbie. All siblings though Ferne was the only bird in his clutch.
They are all very confused. Gabbie is very angry. Clover is lost right now wondering where Ferne is. 24 hours later it's not any easier for any of us. Pretty shitty start to a new year and equally shitty end to an old one.
|
|
john hansen
climber
|
|
Tony, its from the Big Island of Hawaii, the I'o only occurs here and for some reason has never moved to the other islands, though they are fairly common here.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!