Red-tailed Hawk

Still very windy. The red-tails soar up and back down over the trees.

Western Scrub-jay

It’s acorn burying time again! Traces of the rain from the other day have disappeared and the ground’s as hard as rock again, making it tough for these birds to bury the acorns that will keep them a) busy and b) fat all winter…

White-tailed Kite

I might as well call Monday “Raptor Day.” Only today I didn’t go to the Raptor Center; I rode my bike out along the levee west of here to see if I could find any warblers.

There were a few yellowrumps I could hear off in the distance but I did come across this kite, a female northern harrier, and a kestrel. I have yet to post a sketch of a kestrel on Bird by Bird and will try to remedy this soon.

Say's Phoebe

The storm we had on Friday seems to have blown a lot of birds in. (We got a call today about a chestnut-sided warbler but we were not able to go after it, having been working a bike event in Sacramento.) Many yellowrumps, and this Say’s phoebe…

Nuttall's Woodpecker

A female Nuttall’s has been exploring the phone pole, alternating with the house wren…

Great-horned Owl

Raptor Center, again, today. This young female has been at the Raptor Center for several months but just recently joined the other great-horned owls in their enclosure… Apparently she just acquired her ear-tufts not too long ago.

Northern Mockingbird

Lots of mockingbird young this year. This bird has been feeding very close to the house, seeming to be picking out spiders?

Anna's Hummingbird

A young male Anna’s hummingbird perched right over my head this afternoon, then zoomed off into the California fuchsia. It has been very hot today; not much bird action at that time of day…

White-throated Swifts

Two pairs of swifts, flying and twittering overhead, waiting like so many at this time of year for the new moon…

Swainson's Hawk: Late Afternoon Light

As I was biking home last night, I saw a Swainson’s perched in the walnut tree just outside the drive. It had its wings cocked, making it look like it was about to take off. I had a piece of Canson paper in the bike basket and a derwent inktense pencil and just drew it, then and there, assuming it wouldn’t still be there if I ran inside and came back out. (I was right.)

These are gorgeous hawks and even more so in the late afternoon glow that turns their feathers a rich chocolate brown..