Above Store

(233 views)
by Bryan Costales

Toys were in a window over a clothing store on Upper Grant Avenue.

Avocet non-breeding plumage

(218 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo was taken late March of this year and many birds were still in just black and white. For courting and breeding the necks and chest acquire a rusty or tan color. They really seem to enjoy their mud-flats.

Black-crowned Night Heron (nycticorax nicticorax)

(217 views)
by Terry Costales

At the sanctuary, there is a group of palm trees next to the large pond that provides prime nesting spots. It is fenced off to ensure the breeding birds are not disturbed. In late March, this was one of many night herons nesting amongst the snowy and great egrets. Its usually yellow legs are pink because it's breeding season.

Zebra (Equus burchelli boehmi)

(213 views)
by Terry Costales

A beautiful Zebra with gorgeous long lashes. I would love to see Zebras in California fields alongside the horses, sheep and cows. We have Ostriches and Llamas, why not Zebras?

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

(211 views)
by Terry Costales

Taken late March, this bird is probably a year or two old and has the yellow legs you see on both juveniles and non breeding adults. They get their full adult plumage in the third year. If you look at this shot and the thumbnail below it, you can see they are roughly the same size and shape. Nice of them to pose for their comparison shots.

Great Egret (Ardea Alba)

(211 views)
by Terry Costales

These large egrets are graceful and breathtaking in flight. I watched this bird flying back and forth several times bringing nesting material back to it's mate. There was only one pair that I saw amongst dozens of the smaller Snowy Egrets.

Avocet in breeding plumage (Recurvirostra americana)

(210 views)
by Terry Costales

This view shows the extent of the buff coloring avocets acquire on neck and chest in the breeding season. They stand about 15 to 20 inches tall and Wikipedia has more info on these birds if you're interested.

Black-crowned Night Heron

(210 views)
by Terry Costales

The bird on the left is a young adult who won't achieve the look of the mature bird on its right for another year.

Great Egret

(210 views)
by Terry Costales

I was fascinated to watch this egret hunt . He moved very patiently and slowly, then his head would dart into the shallow water and he would come up with a little fish. It must take a lot of little fish to fill such a large bird.

White Pelicans

(209 views)
by Terry Costales

Taking photos from a boat was a new experience. I was able to get much closer to this flock of Pelicans before they took flight. These appear to be Australian Pelicans because of the pink bills. Or do American White Pelicans have pink bills in the winter? Further research needed.

Reindeer

(209 views)
by Terry Costales

The quintessential Christmas animal.

Jackdaw

(209 views)
by Terry Costales

The Jackdaw is another type of crow common to Europe. Smaller than the Hooded crow from yesterday's posting and much less shy.

Great Egret (ardea alba)

(209 views)
by Terry Costales

This shows all the markings you would look for in identifying this bird in the breeding season. The lacy plumes on the back and the green/blue "mask" that extends from the base of the bill to the eye are only present during this time. The Audubon Society came into existence to stop the extermination of great Egrets by plume hunters and has this bird as it's logo. Great Egrets are found world-wide, even in Australia .

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

(209 views)
by Terry Costales

Seeing a bright red eye on a bird, to me, is quite startling. Although the heron appears to be standing one-legged, the other leg is actually stretched out in front, grasping another branch.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)

(209 views)
by Terry Costales

This snowy owl at the Dublin Zoo was very quiet but, if it had spoken, it would have had an unusual voice.

Great Egret

(209 views)
by Terry Costales

I think I am addicted to taking shots of flying egrets.

Fledgling Night Heron

(209 views)
by Terry Costales

This picture was taken early May. The nest was in a very shady area and it was overcast, but luckily there was a brief break in the clouds which provided enough light for me to get a decent shot. This fledgling night heron managed to stay in the nest despite what looked like a precarious perch.

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

(208 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo caught a sleepy juvenile unaware of the camera. Like yesterday's photo, I love the narrow field of focus.

Breeding pair of Avocets

(208 views)
by Terry Costales

Taken Early May, they are guarding a nest and looking lovely. Maybe next trip out there I can get a shot of some Avocet chicks.

Red-shouldered Hawk

(208 views)
by Terry Costales

There are many hawks living in the Delta, doing their part to keep the circle of life rolling.

Caged Tiger

(208 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo was taken August 13th, 2006, which was my first day with my new camera. The tiger rapidly paced her cage, back and forth, revealing an occasional silent snarl. I waited in front of the enclosure for a good shot but in all my photos the tiger was out of focus or out of frame. Except for this one. This photo isn't the greatest I've ever taken, but I love it anyway. I caught that exact second our eyes met and for that breath-catching moment I was potential prey.

Double-crested Cormorant

(208 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is a cormorant in its classic drying off pose. The name "double-crested" is insired by the tufts of white feathers over the eyes that only appear in breeding season.

Savannah Sparrow

(208 views)
by Terry Costales

Fall colors provide a wonderful background for this little sparrow.

Great Egret flying

(208 views)
by Terry Costales

To get a shot of a graceful bird flying is always a coup.