My wife (the REAL birder, haha) and I went about 100 miles north of home to visit the Merced National Wildlife Refuge today, instead of eating a bird for "Thanksgiving." I took some pictures along the way and there. The day was very hazy and dull, but there were some nice birds who hung around for viewing, instead of taking the day off; hahaha.
This Blue Heron was standing at the edge of an irrigation canal, but as I approached, he got spooked and took the wing... glad that I followed him in flight.
IMG_2491_DxO_DxO.jpg by Phil in CA, on Flickr
An Egret did likewise...
IMG_2499_DxO_DxO.jpg by Phil in CA, on Flickr
The Egret at "touchdown"
IMG_2514_DxO_DxO.jpg by Phil in CA, on Flickr
A White Crown Sparrow caught my eye, even though we see these in our backyard!
IMG_2613_DxO_DxO.jpg by Phil in CA, on Flickr
A Coot cruising around
IMG_2653_DxO_DxO.jpg by Phil in CA, on Flickr
The reason we started this trip, hundreds of Sandhill Cranes almost out of reach
IMG_2728_DxO_DxO.jpg by Phil in CA, on Flickr
An Ibis strolling for a tidbit of veggie
IMG_2758_DxO_DxO.jpg by Phil in CA, on Flickr
And finally a regal Egret standing on a snag next to the road...
IMG_2782_DxO_DxO.jpg by Phil in CA, on Flickr
Is that a Glossy or White-faced Ibis? Also, do you know what those birds are, on the ground, in front of the crane? They look like skimmers.
I'm going to the states in february (not the best time of year, I know) staying in the Baltimore countryside... it will, however, be exciting to see some American birds.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Hi Brandon,
I am no expert... but, I think the ibis are white-faced and the group of black and white birds in the foreground of the Sandhill Crane picture is black-necked stilts. I got no picture of the stilts that was worth posting. The day was lousy with haze and I am thankful (thinking of Thanksgiving?) that I got any images that were worth looking at.
Thanks for your reply!
Phil
Great stuff Phil, love seeing birds from different countries and seeing how some are so different and others identical to different countries.
I was in states back in 2011 and my avatar is Owl from Muirhead Redwood forest in California.
It was only about 10 metres from trail and I was fortunate a couple of sharp eye college kids spotted it otherwise I would have walked past
Dont take life too seriously, it never ends well
These are fantastic as usual Phil! Particularly love the sheen on the Ibis, beautiful. What are those on the ground in the Sandhill Crane shot, in front of the closest Crane? Are they chicks, or another type of bird?
West Coast Tasmania