california

Rare for California, it actually was a state bird for me.

The very local subspecies of White-crowned Sparrow breeding along the fog patch of the California Coast.

One of the only birds around here with blue eyes. Finally was able to get a photo of one in alternate plumage.

Uncommon and declining, this grassland specialist is a locally distributed winter visitor to the valleys, foothills and deserts of California. This largest of our hawks in the genus "Buteo" breeds in the Great Plains and Great Basin of Western North America. This individual is a light morph...

These tiny but feisty hummingbirds are common in our area throughout the year. This is an adult male spreading wings and tail captured just before takeoff. The bright iridescent colors vary with light angle often appear black; but when the light hits just right they shine brightly rose-pink as...

An American Kestrel mating pair in early spring on the Mojave River

A female Kestrel in search of....

A little wind blown, but IMHO the most beautiful raptor in Northern California

On the lookout for it's mate during the beginning of an early dry spring here in Southern California.

Native to the arid Tumbesian zone of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru, this species is near threatened in its natural range. However it is introduced to southern Peru, Puerto Rico, Florida, and California. California populations appear to be limited with scattered with breeding...

This is a female. Both sexes are similar to Greater Scaup but distinguished with care by Lesser Scaup's smaller head with slightly more peaked crown showing a small step or tuft in the feathering of the back of the head as seen here in profile. Note the back of the head is also straighter...

After landing right next to my head and posing this awesome 'butcherbird' spotted a lizard just a few feet away and went in for the kill. I missed the kill/carnage shots (focus) but got some amazing closeups beforehand. This is one of many. An amazing experience! :)

The file upload a little small unfortunately.

Nice bird for California, good addition to the state list. (Eventually found another one later that week which was pretty cool)

This species has increased markedly in the San Francisco Bay region at the expense of the formerly more common Lesser Scaup. Greater Scaup is the only circumpolar member of the Aythyini tribe. This is an adult male showing greenish face and rounded head. Two subspecies are usually recognized...

These are one tough little birds! aka the "Butcherbird"

Looking like a bit of detached bark spiraling up the tree trunk using its stiff tail for support, this cryptic species searches for spiders and other insects using its curved bill like tweezers. Formerly lumped with the similar Eurasian Treecreeper, genetic and vocal studies have shown that it...

Formerly merged with Water Pipit. Note the reduced ventral streaking and buff underparts suggesting that this individual is starting to molt into breeding plumage. This species goes under the name Buff-bellied Pipit in European literature but in winter they lack the buff-colored underparts...

Perched and ready Vermilion Flycatcher

Previously posted as a Say's Phoebe but after research she's a Vermilion Flycatcher.

Prey spotted!

This light morph adult was unexpected as this species is very scarce in California at this time of year. The earliest migrants are not expected in the Central Valley until March from wintering grounds in western Mexico. Most of the population winters in Argentina where they were decimated by...

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk

Stunning male bluebird.