I had an enjoyable weekend photographing birds, and I'll share the highlights.
Late Saturday I drove to Lindo Lake (Lakeside, California) for an hour of birding before sunset.
A Black-crowned Night-Heron begins its evening hunt.
A handsome Northern Pintail (all Northern Pintails are handsome!) at Lindo Lake. Pink clouds are reflected in the water.
A Black-crowned Night-Heron perched a few feet away.
The plume is found on all adults, but the pink legs are only found during breeding season.
The photo was taken at sunset, and the background was in deep shadow.
Snowy Egrets squabble over positioning in their evening roost. They ALWAYS squabble at roosting time. You'd think eventually they'd figure out how to get along... or maybe not.
Sunday morning I birded with friends in Big Canyon (which isn't very big...) next to Newport Back Bay in Newport Beach.
A Northern Mockingbird was one of our first birds, and one of the most plentiful.
The first of at least a dozen Allen's Hummingbirds.
One of only very few Anna's Hummingbirds. (you'll want to tap or click to enlarge this one!)
A Red-tailed Hawk flies past, one of many raptors seen. Others included two American Kestrels and at least two Red-shouldered Hawks.
A Downy Woodpecker, busy looking for insects.
Another Allen's Hummingbird, posing. Thanks to Tjie for spotting this one!
On the way home to San Diego I stopped at San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Gardens).
The highlight was seeing a Hermit Thrush. We saw one earlier during our morning walk, but this one was much closer. The photo has a soft outline because the bird was visible only through a small opening in a bush.