Photo ABCs

Bell's Sparrow

Bell's Sparrow (previously a sub-species of Sage Sparrow, now its own species) is found in coastal California and Baja California.

Here is one photographed on Meling Ranch (Rancho Meling), at the base of Sierra San Pedro Martir, Baja California.

Coyote, San Pedro Martir

In August I drove to Sierra de San Pedro Martir, a national park about four hours south of the border in Baja California. At its highest point the park reaches over 10,000 feet, and its pine forests are not what many people associate with Baja California.

It is, however, home to 38 California Condors, and I traveled there hoping to see and photograph some.

While there I saw this coyote strolling across a meadow in the morning light, a bobcat in the far distance (too far for a decent photo), and many expected mountain birds as well as a few unexpected ones. Did I see condors? Stay tuned.

Willet

A Willet, showing remnants of its breeding plumage, wrestles with a crab in the lagoon at Estero Beach.

Photographed in August of this year.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, photographed in August of this year in the lagoon at Estero Beach, in Ensenada, Baja California.

Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are very unusual in California, but are found in Baja California and both of Mexico's coasts, as well as in the southeastern United States. An overcast morning provided a nearly colorless and featureless reflection of the sky surrounding the bird.

Hacienda Tenexac

I have had two visits to Hacienda Tenexac, a lovely hacienda near Tlaxcala, Mexico.

Here is one of the many working horses there, grazing in a garden surrounded by walls hundreds of years old.

Hacienda Tenexac, Tlaxcala, Mexico

La Antigua, Veracruz

I love the colors of Mexico.

Cascada de la Monja

There is a spectacular series of waterfalls near Xico, Veracruz, called the Cascadas de Texolo.

A short hike leads to Cascada de la Monja (Nun's waterfall).

Huamantla, Tlaxcala

Chickens roasting at a restaurant in Huamantla, Tlaxcala, Mexico.

White-eared Hummingbird

The White-eared Hummingbird is found throughout much of Mexico and Central America.

Here is one photographed in July of this year, at the Hacienda Tenexac, in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico.