This Anna’s Hummingbird, who we’ve nicknamed Buzz, can be found like clockwork atop his favorite tree along the Alameda Creek trail chirping away. I still have gotten a picture in the correct light to reveal his pink irridesence, but these are a couple of my favorites so far.
Anna's Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird
Over the weekend we spotted this young Cooper’s Hawk along the Alameda Creek trail again, confirming he’s sticking around the area and that our discovery that he only has one talon in the first picture wasn’t some illusion based on how he was positioned in the earlier photo. It’s clear in the newer photo as well. We decided to name him Lefty. (Our naming scheme is known for its subtlety.)
One-taloned Cooper's Hawk
One-taloned Cooper's Hawk
On a recent trip to Sunol, we spotted this cool little salamander resting on a piece of driftwood, and a herd of twenty-plus wild turkeys.
Salamander
Salamander
Wild Turkey
The winter tour comes to a close with a trip to Sunol. The red-tailed hawks kept their distance, and the acorn woodpeckers wouldn’t sit still for long so the photos are limited to a few songbirds.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Savannah Sparrow
Daytime Moon
Rock Wren, maybe?
The winter tour of local hiking spots hits Coyote Hills. All the wacky ducks continue to pass through, with this year including first ever sightings of wood ducks and (unpictured) canvasbacks. And a first ever sighting of white-faced ibis which seem to have strayed a bit from their typical wintering range.
White-faced Ibis
Wood Duck
A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks
White-tailed Kite
Northern Shovelers
Red-shouldered Hawk
Great Blue Heron with breeding plumage
Hooded Merganser with FULL HOOD ACTION(!)
Ruddy Ducks
Bird season strikes Lake Elizabeth…
Snowy Egret close-up
Western Grebe
Black-crowned Night Heron close-up
Ruddy Duck
The birds were out in force at Mission Peak even considering the season. We usually just see the hawks so the Kites and Kestrels were a nice surprise, and the Nuttall’s Woodpecker was a first ever sighting of one for us compared to the Acorn Woodpecker which is pretty common throughout the area. Also spotted a group of Spotted Towhees but they weren’t easy to get a good picture of.
Nuttall's Woodpecker
White-tailed Kite in flight
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
