Photo ABCs

Western Bluebird

A Western Bluebird, backlit by the setting sun.

Photographed recently in Chino, California.

Oak Titmouse

An Oak Titmouse, photographed in Joshua Tree National Park two weeks ago.

Bendire's Thrasher

Among the thrashers found in the Southwest United States is Bendire's Thrasher. Though found more in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, it can be found in Joshua Tree National Park. It was one of the birds I most wanted to see during my day-long visit two weeks ago.

On my third stop of the day, at the southern entrance to the park, I heard the song of a thrasher. I quickly realized it was a Northern Mockingbird. I then heard a different thrasher song, and through my binoculars I spotted a Bendire's Thrasher! The bird was establishing its territory, going from the top of bush to bush, singing its long, drawn-out song (like a scratchy mockingbird's).

Bendire was a 19th Century ornithologist whose collection of bird eggs still resides in the Natural History Museum in Washington D.C. He did not describe this bird, but another ornithologist named it after him.

Sage Thrasher

A Sage Thrasher poses atop a Joshua Tree blossom, in Joshua Tree National Park.

Prairie Falcon

A Prairie Falcon takes flight from a raptor platform just south of the Salton Sea.

Pinyon Jay

Another Pinyon Jay, photographed two weeks ago at Joshua Tree National Park.

Pinyon Jay

The Pinyon Jay is not found in San Diego, and I have only seen them once before in my travels through their range, but only from far away. During my day trip to Joshua Tree last week, the Pinyon Jay was one of three or four birds I most wanted to see and photograph.

I spent the late afternoon at Black Rock campground, which was full of birds busy eating insects attracted to the flowering Joshua Trees and yucca plants. I noticed a flock of blue birds making its way through the campground. I quickly realized that they were Pinyon Jays!

I spent the next ten minutes walking quickly uphill, trying to get to where the sun was at my back for better lighting. As they were moving up the hill in a wave-like motion, it was a bit of a challenge, but finally I found myself in a decent position to take a few photos.

Here is one taking flight from a Joshua Tree.

Merlin

A Merlin looks for a last meal, just before sunset. Photographed a few days ago at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area.

Red-tailed Hawk

Another juvenile Red-tailed Hawk takes flight. Photographed last week at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

A Ladder-backed Woodpecker takes flight from a Joshua Tree blossom.

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is found in the southwest United States and throughout most of Mexico.

Photographed a week ago in Joshua Tree National Park.