Merlin

Coming back to work at lunch, a merlin flew overhead in hot pursuit of a house finch. They fly like small peregrines, strong and booking, rather than the more effete kestrels who are only just a little smaller. I don’t think the merlin got the finch — I may have disturbed its concentration. A true thrill, though. I tried to replicate the shape when I got back to my desk.

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…

Black-throated Gray Warbler

A group of us has started birding at lunch on Thursdays on campus. Today we found a sprinkler that was attracting a lot of activity: a large flock of bushtits, orange-crowned and black-throated gray warblers, and a Hutton’s vireo.

It’s still warm during the day and the birds looked to be having a good time in the water.

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..

House Wren, Once Again

This bird has definitely developed a close relationship with the downed branch…

Western Wood-peewee

Another denizen of the walnut tree. It has very short wings and a pinkish bill, buffy wing bars…