Photo ABCs

Western Bluebird

A Western Bluebird, on a photogenic perch in Huntington Central Park, photographed in December of last year:

I returned a month later to the same spot, and what I assume was the same flock of Western Bluebirds was still feeding at the same spot!

 

 

Canada Goose

A Canada Goose, photographed at Huntington Central Park in December of last year:

Woodpeckers

Huntington Central Park has become one of my favorite birding spots in Orange County.

While I had visited the west side of the park a few years ago, I discovered that the east side of the park has an abundance of birds, and they are quite accustomed to people, making them somewhat more approachable.

Here is what is probably a Downy Woodpecker, despite its apparent lack of barring of the outer tail feathers. Photographed in December of last year:

I returned to the park a month later, hoping to see the bird again. The second bird I saw upon arrival was this one, a Nuttall's Woodpecker. I didn't find the Downy, maybe next time!

 

American Robin

An American Robin, photographed at El Monte Park, Lakeside, California, in November of last year:

Western Bluebird

A Western Bluebird, photographed in Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, California, in November of last year:

Northern Mockingbird

A Northern Mockingbird, photographed at the Fullerton Arboretum in November of last year:

Allen's Hummingbird

An Allen's Hummingbird, photographed at the Fullerton Arboretum in November of last year:

American White Pelican

An American White Pelican, photographed earlier this month at Huntington Central Park in Huntington Beach, California.

Costa's Hummingbird

Probably a female Costa's Hummingbird, photographed in Borrego Springs earlier this month.

I saw the backlit flower with a dark background, and waited for the hummingbird to return to it. It took more than a few minutes, but my patience paid off.

 

Borrego Birds

More birds from Anza Borrego State Park and Borrego Springs, photographed last month:

Greater Roadrunner:

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher:

White-crowned Sparrow (immature):

I have told the story before, of a non-birder asking me, at the Anza-Borrego Visitor Center, "What is that beautiful bird with the red head and chest?"

He was referring to, of course, the House Finch, a bird that few birders give a second glance to.

Though an introduced species some places, it is native to the desert southwest, and is, indeed, a beautiful bird.

Its color goes well with the ocotillo flower!