Photo ABCs

Pied-billed Grebe

A Pied-billed Grebe, photographed last month at the Los Angeles County Arboretum:

Another, photographed on New Year's Day at Santee Lakes:

Hooded Merganser

I rarely see Hooded Mergansers, as they are uncommon in San Diego County. When I do, it's usually at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, where they are often found in the winter.

These were photographed last month:

With a crayfish, keeping it away from the others!

As with most ducks photographed in parks, I try to find interesting reflections in the water and hope that the duck will swim into them.

Let's show off that crown:

The less flamboyant female:

Black Phoebe, Yellow-rumped Warbler

More photos from the Los Angeles County Arboretum, on a rainy December morning:

A Black Phoebe doesn't let the rain keep it from searching for flying insects:

Yellow-rumped Warbler:

Anna's Hummingbird

An Anna's Hummingbird, photographed at the Los Angeles Arboretum last month:

 

Allen's Hummingbird

An Allen's Hummingbird, photographed on a rainy morning last month at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.

 

Los Angeles Arboretum

A misty trail at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.

Los Angeles Arboretum

The Los Angeles County Arboretum is located in Arcadia, California. It is one of my favorite birding spots in Southern California.

I visited one rainy morning last month.

I was actually hoping for rain, as there are relatively few opportunities to photograph birds in the rain in Southern California!

A Northern Mockingbird doesn't mind a little rain.

Or maybe it does, here it sheds water like a dog!

This male Ruby-crowned Kinglet was not showing its ruby crown because it was upset, rather, it was simply soaking wet!

A Fox Sparrow:

A female Bushtit searching the wet bottle-brush for insects:

Little Blue Heron, Bay Pipefish

Little Blue Herons are not common in Southern California, but they are often seen at the San Diego River Mouth at Robb Field.

Little Blue Herons give their hunting their utmost attention. They tend to walk along the shore while hunting, and if you sit quietly they will take no notice of you.

Here is a bird I observed for about half an hour at close range, in early December. (the same day as the photos in the previous posts)

Looking for a meal:

Paydirt!

This bird was catching Bay Pipefish, one after the other. These eel-like fish look just like eel-grass, but this heron was not fooled! It rarely missed its prey.

Oops, this one's getting away!

But not for long...

 

Down the gullet!

 

San Diego River Mouth Birds, IV

I have birded countless times at the San Diego River Mouth at Robb Field over the past decade.

Never, though, have I seen Snow Geese there!

I was quite surprised when a pair of Snow Geese visited the sandbar east of the river mouth, on a late afternoon last month.

In for the landing:

Checking it out:

They stayed just over ten minutes, decided it was not to their liking, and flew south!

San Diego River Mouth Birds III

More birds from a late afternoon at the San Diego River Mouth last month:

Eared Grebe:

Greater Yellowlegs:

Marbled Godwit:

A Semipalmated Plover is dwarfed by a Long-billed Dowitcher:

Snowy Egret:

Great Blue Heron: