Photo ABCs

Streak-backed Oriole

The Streak-backed Oriole is found in western Mexico and parts of Central America.

Here is one photographed from a boat along the Fuerte River near El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Violet-crowned Hummingbird

The Violet-crowned Hummingbird can be found in southeast Arizona, but is otherwise found throughout much of western Mexico. This bird was photographed in February of this year in El Fuerte, Sinaloa.

The unusual texture is caused by shooting through a small opening in the leaves and branches of a tree, with more leaves and branches in the background.

Rufous-bellied Chachalaca

Though its belly doesn't look too rufous in this picture, this is a Rufous-bellied Chachalaca, a bird found only in parts of northwest Mexico.

This one was photographed along the Fuerte River, near El Fuerte, Sinaloa, in February of this year.

Great Egret

A Great Egret in the morning mist, photographed along the Fuerte River near El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Photographed in February of this year.

Great Horned Owl

Last Friday I spent the late afternoon at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area, north of Hemet.

Driving through the preserve, there were quite a few birds, but most were very skittish and I was not having any luck photography-wise.

I decided to get out of the car and head down a trail which I had never taken before. I was just heading down the trail when I came nearly face-to-face with this Great Horned Owl. Though it was in the shade with an overcast sky as a background, it allowed a few photos before flying away a short distance. It made my day!

More Mexico photos (and Texas, and many others!) to come soon...

Rufous-backed Robin

The Rufous-backed Robin is only found in Mexico. It is quite similar to our American Robin, except for its rufous (red-orange) back!

This bird was displaying for another nearby bird by fanning its tail. The birds were high in a tree, but I was on a pedestrian walkway spanning a canyon, so I was level with the treetops.

Photographed in Guadalajara's Bosque Los Colomos in February of this year.

Russet-crowned Motmot

As I was about to leave Bosque Los Colomos in Guadalajara, out of the corner of my eye a bird flew past. Its shape was different from any others I had seen that day. Upon finding it in the trees above, I was pleased to discover a Russet-crowned Motmot, one of the most colorful birds of western Mexico!

Unfortunately the bird was nearly straight overhead, in deep shadow, in front of bright sky, so this was the best picture I was able to obtain. It was my only view of a motmot on this trip, however, so I was happy to see it!

Greater Pewee

Another Greater Pewee, this time photographed in Guadalajara's beautiful Bosque Los Colomos park, a great place to see birds in the middle of the sprawling city.

The bird was in deep shadow, so exposing for the bird created a bright background. I don't remember what was in the background that created the pleasing sherbet-like colors!

Photographed in February of this year.

Vermilion Flycatcher

The Vermilion Flycatcher is a very common bird throughout most of Mexico. I must have seen many dozens on my recent trip through Jalisco and Colima. Nevertheless, this colorful bird is always a joy to see.

This one was photographed at the Parque Ecológico Las Peñas, in Ciuadad Guzmán, Jalisco, in February of this year.

Greater Pewee

The Greater Pewee can be found in breeding season in southeast Arizona and a sliver of New Mexico, but is found year-round throughout much of Mexico and parts of Central America.

Here is one in the Parque Ecológico Las Peñas, in Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, photographed in February of this year.