Archive for the ‘meadowlark’ Category

New year, new sightings

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Two new sightings to start the new year off. A white-tailed kite with prey (top) and a white-tailed hawk (bottom). Both seen at or near Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge. I saw the kite flapping it’s wings and staying in place and then swoop down to the ground. Later saw it had a rodent in it’s claws.

There were a dozen or more reddish egrets along the beach at the refuge. This bird is listed as threatened.

A meadowlark and a roadrunner, both seen at the refuge.

Walking near my rv, saw a couple of kingbirds chasing a juvenile mockingbird. When I stopped to take a picture of the mockingbird, it flew closer to me, which is very unusual. Think it knew the kingbirds would not come near him with me standing there. I stood there with him for about five minutes. The next day he was back, but there was also an adult mockingbird nearby.

Went to put some trash in a large bin at the campground one day and screamed when I saw two eyes looking at me from the container. Felt silly then, as it was a pair of raccoons. There was a cold wind blowing and they looked warm and cozy in the container.

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Drove from Sutherlin to Tulelake, California, to visit the Wildlife Refuge there. Have been here a number of times. Along with great bird viewing, the fairground rv park gives a Passport America discount and it’s located just a few miles from the refuge. Just one other rv is here now. Last time I was here it was full of duck hunters.

Saw the eagle above at the same spot where I have seen eagles during other visits.

A breeding pair of American avocet’s defend their territory from a stilt.

Breeding eared grebe.

White faced ibis

Meadowlark with a worm. Saw a small flock of them. They are supposed to be a common bird, but this is the first picture I’ve gotten of one.

Below, a tern.