SueO
Well-known member
Four more birds to add to the April 16-30 list:
Crested Caracara
Lesser Goldfinch
Common Moorhen
Northern Jacana
I also saw a Crocodile, Coati Mundi and some other good stuff--but the best was a possible group of Shearwaters on a rocky out-cropping on the Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula. I was putting the camera down after getting a photo of the Crested Caracara, when I saw a bird perched on the top of a tall rocky outcrop (island?). It was way too far away, but I clicked off a few photos, then put my bins up. Really couldn't make out what it was. I was borrowing Peregrine's caretaker's car and had been out for a couple of hours and thought I should take it back. I returned the keys and went aboard to download my photos. I was surprised to see that the bird on the rock looked like a Shearwater of some kind and that there were birds, not bird. I ran back to my friend and asked if I could use the car again. He said yes, and I thanked him profusely saying if I got a Townsend's, he will have made my year! A few minutes later, I was headed back. There are some steep stairs cut into the headland and I thought if I climbed them, I could get close enough to get some views and possibly some identifiable photos. While aboard, I did some looking to see what Shearwaters might be here. I came up with Pink-footed, Wedge-tailed, Black-vented, Townsend's and Audubon's. I was really excited that I might be able to see this bird better and be able to ID it. Went through the two guard stations again, but having just seen me, they waved me on. I parked, hurried over to the hill, put up my bins--no birds. I was only gone an hour and a half! I was really kicking myself for not trying to get closer the first time. It was just difficult because the tide was high and the surf was big, so walking out on the beach to see closer was out of the question and the steps looked formidable. I did go up the steps I could get to from the beach, but they ended suddenly and didn't connect to the long stretch of stairs (I am posting photos so this will be clearer). I had on my flip flops and I was afraid of banging my bins and camera against the granite rocks, so I didn't attempt to crawl/climb to see if I could connect to the stairs that go to the top. It didn't look possible. I drove back and turned the keys in again. He said I could take the car again tomorrow, that he would be here about seven. Love this guy! After looking at the photos again, I have ruled out Wedge-tailed and Sooty. They seem too dark. This bird appears to be black on the back and white underneath. The "Audubon's" is apparently a Galapagos on the west coast. So, I try again tomorrow. Don't know how I can get closer. I'm thinking I could put my gear in a wet bag in my backpack and maybe do some crawling to get to the steps. I did check it out today, and I just don't think I can do it. I have a feeling that even if the birds are there, I won't be able to get closer. This can really be an aggravating hobby at times.
Photos: I couldn't see around the point, but I think the rocky place the birds were on is an islet. I know these are impossible ID photos, but if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I have heavily cropped and did a little sharpening. I could be wrong about them being Shearwaters at all!
Crested Caracara
Lesser Goldfinch
Common Moorhen
Northern Jacana
I also saw a Crocodile, Coati Mundi and some other good stuff--but the best was a possible group of Shearwaters on a rocky out-cropping on the Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula. I was putting the camera down after getting a photo of the Crested Caracara, when I saw a bird perched on the top of a tall rocky outcrop (island?). It was way too far away, but I clicked off a few photos, then put my bins up. Really couldn't make out what it was. I was borrowing Peregrine's caretaker's car and had been out for a couple of hours and thought I should take it back. I returned the keys and went aboard to download my photos. I was surprised to see that the bird on the rock looked like a Shearwater of some kind and that there were birds, not bird. I ran back to my friend and asked if I could use the car again. He said yes, and I thanked him profusely saying if I got a Townsend's, he will have made my year! A few minutes later, I was headed back. There are some steep stairs cut into the headland and I thought if I climbed them, I could get close enough to get some views and possibly some identifiable photos. While aboard, I did some looking to see what Shearwaters might be here. I came up with Pink-footed, Wedge-tailed, Black-vented, Townsend's and Audubon's. I was really excited that I might be able to see this bird better and be able to ID it. Went through the two guard stations again, but having just seen me, they waved me on. I parked, hurried over to the hill, put up my bins--no birds. I was only gone an hour and a half! I was really kicking myself for not trying to get closer the first time. It was just difficult because the tide was high and the surf was big, so walking out on the beach to see closer was out of the question and the steps looked formidable. I did go up the steps I could get to from the beach, but they ended suddenly and didn't connect to the long stretch of stairs (I am posting photos so this will be clearer). I had on my flip flops and I was afraid of banging my bins and camera against the granite rocks, so I didn't attempt to crawl/climb to see if I could connect to the stairs that go to the top. It didn't look possible. I drove back and turned the keys in again. He said I could take the car again tomorrow, that he would be here about seven. Love this guy! After looking at the photos again, I have ruled out Wedge-tailed and Sooty. They seem too dark. This bird appears to be black on the back and white underneath. The "Audubon's" is apparently a Galapagos on the west coast. So, I try again tomorrow. Don't know how I can get closer. I'm thinking I could put my gear in a wet bag in my backpack and maybe do some crawling to get to the steps. I did check it out today, and I just don't think I can do it. I have a feeling that even if the birds are there, I won't be able to get closer. This can really be an aggravating hobby at times.
Photos: I couldn't see around the point, but I think the rocky place the birds were on is an islet. I know these are impossible ID photos, but if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I have heavily cropped and did a little sharpening. I could be wrong about them being Shearwaters at all!
