Photo ABCs

Wrentit, California Towhee

A Wrentit, photographed on the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail in May of this year:

A California Towhee, photographed two days later in El Monte Park, in Lakeside, California:

Brandt's Cormorant

Do baby Brandt's Cormorants have a face only a mother could love?

Here is one (almost as big as its parent) hoping for a regurgitated meal.

Photographed at La Jolla Cove in May of this year.

Black Skimmer

A small fish attempts to evade a Black Skimmer.

Photographed at the San Diego River Estuary by Robb Field in May of this year.

Long-billed Curlew

A Long-billed Curlew, photographed at the San Diego River Estuary by Robb Field in May of this year.

Snowy Egrets

More Snowy Egrets, photographed the morning after those in yesterday's post.

Snowy Egret

This Snowy Egret was acting more like a Reddish Egret, dancing about while fishing.

It was quickly successful.

Photographed at the San Diego River Estuary next to Robb Field in May of this year.

After a few minutes, it ventured to another fishing spot:

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is another bird that is uncommon in Southern California, but there are at least two that are frequently seen at the San Diego River Estuary next to Robb Field.

These birds are accustomed to people, and like yesterday's bird, may be so intent on their hunting that they will sometimes walk right past you if you sit quietly by the water's edge.

Did you know? (I didn't!)

The Black-crowned Night-Heron is an opportunistic feeder, whose diet can consist of fish, crustaceans, insects, small mammals, and even birds, whereas the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron specializes in crustaceans.

This became apparent to me this year as I have spent hours watching Yellow-crowned Night-Herons hunt. What is even more astounding is their accuracy. They almost never miss their prey! I would say when they strike at a small crab, their success rate tops 90%.

What do they do with the indigestible shells?

Well, like owls coughing up a pellet, the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron will regurgitate a small mass of shells. I have an excellent picture of this, but for the time-being, anyway, I'm not posting it, since it is not the most pleasant picture!

Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Herons are not common in Southern California, however, they can be frequently found in the San Diego River Estuary next to Robb Field.

Sometimes if you sit quietly at the edge of the water, one may walk right past you, like this one did.

Photographed in May of this year.

Killdeer

A Killdeer, photographed at Lake Murray, in La Mesa, California, one evening in May of this year:

Allen's Hummingbird

An Allen's Hummingbird, photographed at Peñasquitos Lagoon (south of Del Mar) in May of this year: