A Year of Birds

October Sunset at Mono Lake, CA

I have a project to create a calendar to share with friends and family every year. Recently I was introduced to bird watching and used birds as a subject on walks.

In this post I want to share a few stories about the birds in my year of birds.

Redtail Hawk, Oakland, CA

This plump redtail hawk landed in my yard and watched for prey for several minutes. With a glance she's taking in the forest floor below her. Of course they don't roost for long and she soon continued on her hunt. Get a mouse mighty

one!

Night Heron, Las Gallinas ponds, Marin County, CA

The night heron is the official bird of Oakland, CA and the Oakland Zoo rescues many chicks in the spring. This heron was at the wetlands in Marin County. A peaceful moment.

Ruffled Feathers, Marin County, CA

I caught this handsome Snowy Egret defending territory (birds never share). The feathery plumes do look like snow, but are better on the bird not on a hat! According to Wikipedia: "In the early twentieth century, the snowy egret was hunted extensively for their long breeding plumes that fashionable ladies wore on their hats." This led to the start of the Audobon Society. Luckily, the vanity of humans did not push these beauties to extinction.

California Condor, Oakland Zoo

The California Condor is the largest bird in North America and has a wingspan of almost 10 feet. Their fame is the success of a conservation effort that started in the late 1980's, when the remaining population was captured, bred in captivity, and released in the wild. Condors are still endangered and often suffer from lead poisoning from bullets in the carrion they consume. Lead bullets have been outlawed in California.

Sandhill Cranes, Staten Island, CA

The sandhill cranes arrive in November and stay through the river. Areas in the Central Valley of California are preserved as wetlands to support the migrating cranes and a slew of other waterfowl. Staten Island is in the Sacramento River Delta area. The wetland represents a partnership between farmers and the Nature Conservancy. The farmers leave gleanings on their corn and rice fields in the fall. The fields are flooded to support the cranes. They fly out at sunrise to feeding grounds and return at sunset. They really do return in flocks to the pond at sunset. I like how the smallest cooperation with farmers is a win-win to all!