Bewick’s Wren

by | Feb 15, 2012 | Birding

LIFE BIRD!!! If you come across a noisy, hyperactive little bird with bold white eyebrows, flicking its long tail as it hops from branch to branch, you may have spotted a Bewick’s Wren. These master vocalists belt out a string of short whistles, warbles, burrs, and...

Western Scrub Jay

by | Feb 14, 2012 | Birding

For several weeks, we have seen a flash of grey and blue as a larger bird (slightly larger than a mockingbird) disappears into the bushes.  Tina caught good views and identified it as a Western Scrub Jay.  I was on the hunt for one with my camera. Yesterday...

Lesser Scaup

by | Feb 12, 2012 | Birding

Two scaup species live in North America: the Greater Scaup prefers salt water and is found in America and Eurasia, while the Lesser Scaup prefers freshwater and is found only in North America. The Lesser Scaup is one of the most abundant and widespread of the diving...

Spotted Towhee

by | Feb 12, 2012 | Birding

“The Spotted Towhee is a large, striking sparrow of sun-baked thickets of the West. When you catch sight of one, they’re gleaming black above (females are grayish), spotted and striped with brilliant white. Their warm rufous flanks match the dry leaves they spend...

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

by | Feb 5, 2012 | Birding

For the past week, we’ve seen or heard two different woodpeckers on the property – the  Ladder-backed and the Golden-fronted.  Today, I was able to find and photograph both the male and female Ladder-backed Woodpeckers.  Hopefully, we can catch the...