Visitors 9
Modified 21-Dec-23
Created 6-Feb-23
28 photos
Absent for three months (as far as I have seen), a White-tailed Kite returns to center stage. Perched on the "Phainopepla Tree", an ancient snag Valley Oak, at the top of a ridge: a favorite perch and foraging site for a variety of birds. Then, kiting! Out over the grasslands. Facing the photographer, a good distance for nice photos. Beating its wings, keeping station over a single spot. After a while, moving to another station, repeating. It is so good to see this old friend again, and to capture the magical arial suspension anew.
Our monthly birding expedition from Escobar Gate saw other birds too. Here are a wandering cormorant, a Turkey Vulture, and a Common Raven passing overhead (at different times); and an unknown (to me) bird hunting the serpentine grasslands. A male Acorn Woodpecker looked for something (insects?) beneath the bark of the Lone Valley Oak on Road F. Spring approaches: Warriors' Plume appears!
As always, please leave your IDs and comments on the photo. We all appreciate this.
