Photo ABCs

Sandhill Cranes

I will never tire of the sight or the sound of Sandhill Cranes flying over the Imperial Valley.

Here is a group returning to its evening roost near the Salton Sea.

Photographed in October, 2019.

Spotted Sandpiper

A Spotted Sandpiper, photographed next to the Salton Sea in September, 2019.

The barring on the wing may indicate a juvenile bird.

White-faced Ibis, Cattle Egret

White-faced Ibises and Cattle Egrets are often found feeding together in the same agricultural field in the Imperial Valley.

Here are two photographed a few minutes and a few feet apart near the Salton Sea, in August, 2019:

White-faced Ibis:

Cattle Egret:

Least Sandpiper

A Least Sandpiper, photographed at the Salton Sea in August, 2019.

Burrowing Owl

A Burrowing Owl, photographed near the Salton Sea in August, 2019.

Northern Pintails

A two-headed duck?

No, just a pair of Northern Pintails flying in tight formation.

Photographed at the San Diego River Mouth in January, 2018.

Brown Pelicans

Brown Pelicans in the mist.

Photographed in Ventura, California, in June of this year.

Great-tailed Grackles

When leaving the parking lot to look for birds along the beach in Ventura, I heard a bird call I did not recognize.

Investigating, I discovered a fledgling Great-tailed Grackle begging to be fed.

Soon, its mother returned with a tasty morsel.

The baby is bigger than its mother!

Photographed in June of this year.

Great Blue Heron

A Great Blue Heron, photographed in the mist in Ventura, California, in June of this year.

Rock Wren

A Rock Wren poses, appropriately enough, on a rock.

Photographed near Big Bear, California, in September 2019.