Photo ABCs

Colima, Mexico

A year ago this month I took a short trip to the state of Colima, Mexico.

The birding highlight was probably a hill outside of the city of Colima, called La Cumbre (The Peak).

La Cumbre has a large religious shrine on top, as well as various radio transmitters and a hang glider port. One morning I drove up the steep, cobblestone road, passing various joggers and walkers on the way. Here are some highlights.

For a change, I'll put the captions below the photos, which seems more natural.

A female Black-chinned Hummingbird. This bird breeds in the Western United States and winters mostly in western Mexico.

 

An Ash-throated Flycatcher. This bird breeds in the southwest United States and central Mexico, and winters along both coasts of Mexico.

 

Black-chested Sparrow. This handsome sparrow is found only in inland southwest Mexico.

 

The Orange-breasted Bunting may be the most spectacular bird I've seen in Mexico. It is endemic to southwest Mexico. Do you think this bird has any idea how outrageously gorgeous it is???

 

A Birdy Weekend

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.

 

Royal Tern

Another Royal Tern, photographed recently in La Jolla, California.

Brown Pelican

A Brown Pelican spends time preening.

Photographed last week near La Jolla Cove.

Royal Tern

A Royal Tern comes in for landing to join others.

Photographed last week near La Jolla Cove.

Spotted Sandpiper

A Spotted Sandpiper (always one of my favorite birds!) probes a puddle looking for edibles. The Spotted Sandpiper only has spots during breeding season.

Photographed last week in La Jolla, California.

Brown Pelican

Another backlit Brown Pelican, showing its impressive wingspan.

Photographed last week next to La Jolla Cove.

Anna's Hummingbird

An Anna's Hummingbird returns to its perch.

Photographed a few days ago near La Jolla Cove.

Brandt's Cormorant

A Brandt's Cormorant performs a courtship/breeding display on its nest overlooking La Jolla Cove.

I photographed this bird a few days ago. At that time there were already some nests with eggs in them, but no hatchlings yet.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

A Yellow-rumped Warbler perches atop a flower. Photographed earlier this week in La Jolla, California.