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california
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White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata)
This moth is identified by the long pale stripe on its forewing combined with its stout furry body and pink band on its hind-wing. Also notice the six white bands on its abdomen. They are sometimes called "Hummingbird Moths" because of their hummingbird-like behavior and size. Members of the...- jmorlan
- Media item
- california usa white-lined sphinx moth (hyles lineata)
- Comments: 2
- Category: Butterflies & Moths
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Common Loon
This is an adult in breeding (definitive alternate) plumage showing the dizzying black-and-white checkerboard pattern to its back. This iconic species is primarily a migrant and winter visitor to California from breeding grounds in boreal lakes of Alaska and Canada. They feed by diving, often...- jmorlan
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- california common loon gavia immer usa
- Comments: 3
- Category: North America
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Hooded Merganser
Following up on a tip, I checked out this urban park hoping to get better pictures of Hooded Mergansers. I was not disappointed. This adult male has its crest fully raised giving it a rather outrageous foppish profile. Fully raised crest is often part of a highly ritualized courtship display.- jmorlan
- Media item
- california hooded merganser lophodytes cucullatus usa
- Comments: 3
- Category: North America
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Eared Grebe
This species is common in the western United States, but rare in the East. Most of the grebes are still in winter (basic) plumage, but this Eared Grebe has almost completed its molt into breeding (alternate) plumage showing golden fan-shaped head plumes. The peaked crown, mostly black neck and...- jmorlan
- Media item
- california eared grebe podiceps nigricollis usa
- Comments: 4
- Category: North America
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If looks could kill...
This male Hooded Oriole does not look happy about the camera. Many of these orioles are staying near the nectar and jelly feeders. I may see six or eight males and a few females at a time. And they sure can fuss with one another. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hooded_Oriole/overview- Jamulbob
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- california hooded oriole icterus cucullatus san diego
- Comments: 3
- Category: North America
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Harlequin Duck
I've been hoping to get closer photos of this long-staying Harlequin Duck and this afternoon I finally succeeded. Notice the loose feathery tips to the white scapulars. Formerly more common, this species is now a rare visitor to California but this individual has been resident here since 27...- jmorlan
- Media item
- california harlequin duck histrionicus histrionicus usa
- Comments: 2
- Category: North America
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A lovely couple
Yellow-rumped Warbler — https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler/overview There are several sub-groups of the Yellow-rumped Warbler and I’m uncertain which I’m seeing between one bird and another. This male is of the more brilliant colors while others are more gray with subdued...- Jamulbob
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- california san diego setophaga coronata yellow-rumped warbler
- Comments: 4
- Category: North America
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Allen's Hummingbird
This is an adult male of the nominate race, S. s. sasin which breeds along the immediate coast of California and winters in Mexico. The narrow, pointed tail-feathers help distinguish it from the more widespread Rufous Hummingbird (S. rufus). The two hybridize in a coastal area of northwestern...- jmorlan
- Media item
- allen's hummingbird california selasphorus sasin usa
- Comments: 2
- Category: North America
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California Towhee
Sitting in the evening sun on the edge of the bath. I usually see this bird near low bushes foraging for seeds. This is a very west coast bird.- Jamulbob
- Media item
- california california towhee melozone crissalis san diego
- Comments: 2
- Category: North America
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Western Grebe
This short video clip shows "dance with weed" along with the "bob-preening" ceremony.- jmorlan
- Media item
- aechmophorus occidentalis california usa video western grebe
- Comments: 1
- Category: North America
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Western Grebe
This short video clip shows the main courtship ritual culminating in a spectacular "race" across the water.- jmorlan
- Media item
- aechmophorus occidentalis california usa video western grebe
- Comments: 0
- Category: North America
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Western Grebes
This photo is a screen grab of a video I took this afternoon. Famous for their elaborate courtship rituals, this photo shows the "race" where two grebes run across the surface of the water upright on their feet, their necks bent forward and head angled up. I have seen plenty of video footage of...- jmorlan
- Media item
- aechmophorus occidentalis california usa western grebe
- Comments: 3
- Category: North America
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Southwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys pallida)
Recently split from the Western Pond Turtle (A. marmorata), the Southwestern Pond Turtle ranges along the West Coast from San Francisco Bay south to Baja Mexico. Sometimes called Southern Pacific Pond Turtle (A. m. pallida). Often placed in the genus "Clemmys," these are California's only native...- jmorlan
- Media item
- california southwestern pond turtle (actinemys pallida) usa
- Comments: 1
- Category: Reptiles
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Bewick's Wren
More often heard than seen, these active little wrens with bold white eyebrows move furtively in dense brush. This individual shows gray flanks and a very long thin bill representative of the race "T. b. spilurus" which ranges along the central California coast from San Francisco to Monterey...- jmorlan
- Media item
- bewick's wren california thryomanes bewickii usa
- Comments: 3
- Category: North America
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Black-headed Grosbeak
This is March 26 and today this handsome boy returned from his winter migration to Mexico. There is a pretty lady with him and I’ll post a picture of her soon.- Jamulbob
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- black-headed grosbeak california pheucticus melanocephalus san diego
- Comments: 3
- Category: North America
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Common Raven
Distinguished from similar American Crow by larger bulk, longer tail, shaggy throat feathering and heavier bill. Sometimes called Northern Raven, they are claimed to be the world's largest passerine based on body size. They compete for this title with the Thick-billed Raven (Corvus...- jmorlan
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- california common raven corvus corax usa
- Comments: 2
- Category: North America
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Common Raven
Two ravens tearing up erosion control netting on a seaside cliff.- jmorlan
- Media item
- california common raven corvus corax usa video
- Comments: 1
- Category: North America
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Acorn Woodpecker
Emerging from a cavity in a telephone pole, this is an adult male showing more extensive red on the crown and a pale eye. These clownish-looking woodpeckers are famous for their communal breeding strategy in which multiple females and multiple co-breeding males care for the young. The females...- jmorlan
- Media item
- acorn woodpecker california melanerpes formicivorus usa
- Comments: 5
- Category: North America
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Black-legged Kittiwake
This is a rare visitor to our coast but exceptional numbers have been seen on local seawatches in recent weeks. They breed in the Arctic but usually disperse out to sea in the winter. This is an adult in winter plumage showing the "dipped in ink" wing-tips and black feet. Note the dark...- jmorlan
- Media item
- black-legged kittiwake california rissa tridactyla usa
- Comments: 2
- Category: North America
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Rufous Hummingbird
I try to post pictures in a more natural setting but this closeup has nice color and feather detail, so I go ahead and do it. A handful of Rufous and Anna’s hummingbirds stayed through the mild winter.- Jamulbob
- Media item
- california rufous hummingbird san diego selasphorus rufus
- Comments: 3
- Category: North America
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Black Skimmer
A video of the three skimmers and Denniston Creek. These are in breeding plumage. In winter they have a white hind-collar California's first Black Skimmer was found 8 September 1962 at the mouth of the Santa Ana River in Orange County but they soon colonized Southern California and have since...- jmorlan
- Media item
- black skimmer california rynchops niger usa video
- Comments: 2
- Category: North America
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Black Skimmer
These are in breeding plumage. In winter they have a white hind-collar California's first Black Skimmer was found 8 September 1962 at the mouth of the Santa Ana River in Orange County but they soon colonized Southern California and have since spread north to the San Francisco Bay Area where...- jmorlan
- Media item
- black skimmer california rynchops niger usa
- Comments: 1
- Category: North America
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Western Sandpiper
Clustered tightly together at a high tide roost, these Western Sandpipers are starting to show first signs of breeding plumage. These small unassuming shorebirds are still mostly in winter (basic) garb, rather nondescript gray above and white below. But if you look carefully you may see a few...- jmorlan
- Media item
- calidris mauri california usa western sandpiper
- Comments: 4
- Category: North America
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Milkmaids (Cardamine californica)
This is one of the first wildflowers to bloom in the San Francisco Bay area, starting in January and blooming through May with a peak in March. It is a perennial member of the Mustard family (Brassicaceae) native to the West Coast of North America. Flowers vary from white to pink. Also...- jmorlan
- Media item
- california milkmaids (cardamine californica) usa
- Comments: 2
- Category: Wild Flowers, Trees, Shrubs, Fungi
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Tufted Duck
Thanks to Pat Boor for locating this bird on 28 January. This adult female was first noted here four years ago 25 January 2018 and it has returned every winter since. She can be difficult to pick out when her head is tucked and sleeping. Notice the faint purple gloss to her head which is...- jmorlan
- Media item
- aythya fuligula california tufted duck usa
- Comments: 4
- Category: North America