Fall Trip Report (Continued) - Page 3
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This section is mostly comprised of more inland species, at least those not usually associated with the shoreline (with the possible exception of some of the ducks on this page). Again, mainly concentrated from a variety of parks, lakes, and wild areas throughout San Diego county.
This common House Finch was trying to get a few sips of water on a dry day in October.
Another well know and common bird is the ubiquitous House Sparrow, here seen perching from a branch at the Tijuana Estuary visitors center.
I have enough of these guys in my back yard at the Thistle Feeders to choke a horse yet I find ways to get pictures of them in the field as well. Here (above) is a female Lesser Goldfinch.
And here is a male Lesser Goldfinch obviously stuffing himself with seeds. Taken at Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego.
Fall is the time to go Warbler hunting in San Diego and this year was no exception. Although I missed out on a few of the migrant rarities that visit us on an annual basis I was able to get a few good shots of both resident and migratory Warblers at a variety of locations. Below are some highlights.
This American Redstart proved to be quite a photographic adversary! I spotted this bird on several occasions over several weeks at the Bird and Butterfly Gardens in Hollister near the US/Mexico border yet all I have for these encounters are a couple of pictures. These guys just don't sit still and this one in particular was very shy!
American Redstart, from October 1, 2006, Bird and Butterfly Garden, Tijuana River Valley.
One of the highlights of the year for me in terms of birding was to add this guy to my life list. This is a Black-throated Blue Warbler.
Completely a story of being in the right place at the right time. I was checking out the Point Loma National Cemetery (a hot spot for migrant birds in the fall for those not familiar with San Diego birding locations) when this guy went flying past my head and into a Myoporum tree. He fed on Myoporum berries for about fifteen minutes before disappearing from view. Another nervous and constant flittering Warbler and poor lighting conditions limited the quality of pictures but this was still an exciting moment for me. He stayed in the general area for several days before presumably heading further south for the winter.
A common sight at Santee Lakes this fall were these Black-throated Gray Warblers.
Pictured here feeding on a Eucalyptus seeds.
Another nemesis for me this fall was this Black-and-White Warbler... And I do me THIS one! He hung out at the Bird and Butterfly gardens for a couple of months (and may still be there for all I know!) I took at least 100 photos of this little guy who I am certain has a personal vendetta against me, seeking me out and tantalizing me with a quick view before disappearing before my eyes! Seriously, another very flighty warbler that has the unusual habit of working a tree for insects in a manner similar to a Nuthatch.
This Canada Warbler was at the Bird and Butterfly garden for a week or so this fall, again, not a lot of good shots with the camera, just some quickly glimpses before flitting into the brush and shadows. I was amazed at how yellow this bird is! Quite a beautiful species if one gets time to see it!
On the other hand, Common Yellowthroats tended to more or less fly in front of my camera often pausing long enough for a good shot or two. Pretty much everywhere one cared to look in particular in riparian environments were there seemed to be one every 10-20 feet!
Orange-crowned Warblers were not quite as common as Common Yellowthroats but still pretty easy to find. The one above is from the Hollister Bird and Butterfly Garden in the Tijuana River Valley.
This Orange-crowned Warbler is from Point Loma National Cemetery.
Yellow Warblers were also relatively common. This one is from Point Loma.
Another Yellow Warbler, from Santee Lakes, Santee California.
This Wilson's Warbler stayed put for several seconds before disappearing. Shot at the Bird and Butterfly Garden as well.
Same Wilson's Warbler from another location several minutes later...
Yellow-rumped Warblers are by far the most numerous Warblers around these parts, still they show a wide array of color patterns and at least they are more prone to allow closer approach and more shots when you are trying to get a picture of them. This one was taken at Mission Trails Regional Park.
Another Yellow-rumped Warbler, from Santee Lakes.
I love Wood Ducks, they are pretty spectacular. A very commonly encountered resident at Santee Lakes and also Lindo Lake in Lakeside.
This Wood Duck was getting some early morning sun at Lindo Lake.
A Santee Lake Wood Duck, they regularly breed here.
Northern Pintail from Imperial Beach, CA
American Widgeon, in the process of changing colors...
I spotted several small white birds in the middle of the San Diego River drainage system one afternoon. They didn't look quite right from far away so I diverted to a place I knew I could go to get a closer look... Sure enough, I was greeted by several Bufflehead...
Northern Shovelers are pretty much everywhere as well at this time of year. This one was taking a cruise at Santee Lakes.
This Ruddy Duck was photographed at Elkhorn Slough in Monterey County however they are a common occurrence around San Diego as well.
I was pleasantly surprised by this Red-breasted Merganser that was swimming with a small group of Western Grebe at 7th Street in Imperial Beach in November...
Western Grebe's were fairly common in the estuaries along the coast, this one was photographed in Chula Vista.
Pied-billed Grebe like the one pictured here are very common throughout the county, regularly seen at Santee Lakes, Lindo Lake, San Diego River, Tijuana Slough, etc.
Another highlight of the fall for me was this beautify male Vermilion Fly Catcher who apparently winters over at Lindo Lake in Lakeside. This was my first time to see him and I was able to follow him around for over an hour. Unlike the camera shy Warblers mentioned earlier, this boy was not the least bit shy!
Just a spectacular bird, the photos don't do him justice, day-glow red to red-orange.
Another view from another perch of the Vermilion Fly Catcher from Lindo Lake, Lakeside, Ca.
This little Ruby-crowned Kinglet was certainly excited about something! The first and only time I have actually seen their ruby crown!
Another Ruby-crowned Kinglet in more of a usual pose...
This Hutton's Vireo was photographed at the Bird and Butterfly Garden in early October.
Warbling Vireo from Santee Lakes
Western Wood Pewee from Santee Lakes on October 14th.
Pacific Slope Flycatcher also from Santee Lakes in mid-October.
Say's Phoebe's were making a strong showing along the coast as fall progressed including this one from Lindo Lakes in Lakeside, California.
A Tropical Kingbird set up temporary residence in the Lindo Lake area as well, in fact, on the same tree I was able to see a Cassin's, Tropical and Western Kingbird.
Cassin's Kingbird from near Border Fields State Park.
Western Kingbird from Lindo Lake.
Northern Mockingbirds are another species easily found everywhere in San Diego.
This Western Meadowlark was cruising the banks of the San Diego River flood control channel in late November. Commonly seen in other areas such as the sod farms, he seemed a bit out of place by the beach, at least to me.
Lark Sparrow from El Monte Country Park near El Capitan reservoir.
Lincoln's sparrow from Sweetwater river drainage system.
I admit it! I am horrible at Sparrow identification so please forgive me if this is not a Savannah Sparrow... it's some sort of Sparrow anyway...:o)
Song Sparrow from Bird and Butterfly Gardens. This one I am pretty sure of in terms if ID...
And White Crowned Sparrow. I have a dozen or so as regular visitors to my back yard where they are happy to pick on the scraps from the bird feeders. This one was taken at Elkhorn Slough in Monterey county on my short trip up there.
Oregon Junco's were very common in the foothill areas by late October.
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