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Lupine - Judith Sparhawk

A closer view of the lupine in bloom on my hike in San Timoteo Canyon recently. 3/23/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Lupine & Fiddlenecks - Judith Sparhawk

On my hike in San Timoteo Canyon the other day, this was a view up the hillside, showing the blue of lupine and yellow of the fiddlenecks. It was such a treat to see all that green and flowers. During drought years, sometimes the hills never did green up in the winter--such a contrast with this year. It is raining as I type this... 3/22/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

San Timoteo Canyon - Judith Sparhawk

More rain is forecast for Tuesday, so I went out birding, hiking in San Timoteo Canyon. We have so much more rain than usual, I've never seen it so green and with lush growth of wildflowers. It clouded over and looked threatening, but I only felt a couple of raindrops! This is a view of the trail with wild mustard and fiddlenecks growing on both sides of the trail. In some places they were g rowing waist high! Great day to be out--more rain coming soon! 3/21/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Northern Harrier - Judith Sparhawk

This female Northern Harrier was photographed while she was hunting, flying over the bluffs over the ocean at Montano de Oro State Park, Morro Bay, California. This type of hawk hunts by flying low over fields or marshes, using both their keen hearing as well a sight, looking for birds or other prey. I liked the intent look on the bird face as she flew over. 3/20/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Zebras?? Yes, Zebras - Judith Sparhawk

On my trip up the coast last December, I was driving up Highway 1 near the famous Hearst Castle, and thought I saw zebras grazing in the field not far off the road. I did a quick U-ie to go back and make sure that 's what I was seeing, yep, zebras! I had heard that there were a variety of exotic animals on the lands surrounding Hearst Castle, but I had never seen them before. Couldn't resist taking a couple of shots of them. 3/19/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Judith Sparhawk

This little 4-1/4 inch bird is flitty and cute, and you seldom see the red crown for which it is named. This one was photographed in December, well before mating and breeding time, when the red crown may show up more often, when he is excited or angry. I took a lot of shots of him, hoping to get flashed with red, but no, he wasn't biting! A distinctive field mark is the large white eye ring. 3/18/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Wrentit - Judith Sparhawk

I know this isn't the most gorgeous photo ever, but it is significant because you seldom get to see this bird out in the open, and here he was, hopping along the trail. This is a Wrentit, perhaps a new bird for a lot of my SM friends, as it has a limited range, mostly along coastal California and Oregon. It likes chaparral brush and coniferous forests, and is often heard but seldom seen. It has a distinctive song, and you may hear it really well, but he remains invisible. Imagine my surprise to see this one walking on the trail at Montano de Oro State Park, Morro Bay, California. When you do see him, you see he has a fairly large head, a tipped up tail, and a pale eye. Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! ☘ ☘ ☘ 3/17/23

Deep in the Forest - Judith Sparhawk

In my trip up the coast in December I drove a favorite back road from Nojoqui Park to the town of Solvang. It was raining lightly, and at one point I was driving through moss-covered trees. It gave a very atmospheric feeling that I liked a lot. I wasn't sure just I wanted to do with the pics, but today decided to add a ghostly white horse, and liked the effect. 3/16/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

The View at Shell Beach - Judith Sparhawk

Shell Beach, California is a small town on the central coast of the state, up on the cliffs above the ocean. When I stopped there last December, I looked out on the rocks just offshore, where many Brown Pelicans and Cormorants were hanging out. Looking north, I noticed the interesting cloud formation, causing a distinct division of gray and blue colors out there in the ocean. 3/15/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Free At Last! - Judith Sparhawk

I ran across this old shot of a milkweed pod out on my patio, as it opened up and let loose its seeds. Note the little milkweed bug down on the lower right. 3/14/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Tightrope Walker - Judith Sparhawk

This Sora was walking along in the marsh, seemingly unaware of me with my camera. The reason I say that is Soras tend to disappear instantly once they see you! I got to watch this one on an afternoon stroll! ;-) 3/13/23 www.sparhawk photography.com

Nuttall's Woodpecker - Judith Sparhawk

This little cutie is a Nuttall's Woodpecker, related to the much-wider ranging Ladder-backed Woodpecker, but living almost exclusively in California. This is a male, with its red head patch. 3/12/23 www.sprhawkphotography.com

Vermillion Flycatcher - Judith Sparhawk

I know I posted a shot of this species recently, but when I was birding at Morongo the other day, this Vermillion Flycatcher flew and perched right in front of where I had parked my car. I figured my lunch could wait a few minutes while I got a few shots of him on this cut tree branch. Their color is almost neon-bright. 3/11/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

The Acrobat - Judith Sparhawk

Despite various devices installed at the feeders at Morongo in an attempt to keep the squirrels out, this enterprising and acrobatic squirrel managed to snag the suet holder. He was fun to watch, although the birds didn't much care for his antics and trespassing! 3/10/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Cassin's Finch - Judith Sparhawk

Usually I have to go up into the mountains to see this high elevation bird, but this year there have been a few of them overwintering at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, which is a desert environment. (Maybe because of the excessive snow?) When I was there the other day I saw about 6 or 7 of them, including both males and females. This clearly is a male, and a very pretty one indeed! 3/9/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Cedar Waxwing - Judith Sparhawk

I went out to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve on Monday. After hiking some of the trails, I sat down by the feeders at the Education Center. The birds coming to the feeders were mostly sparrows, doves and jays. Suddenly this Cedar Waxwing surprised me by flying in only a few feet from me, to the big bowl of water. He took a drink or two, hopped around, and then flew off, not to be seen again! 3/8/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Common Gallinule - Judith Sparhawk

This Common Gallinule was photographed at San Jacinto Wildlife Area recently. Although related to the American Coots that are so common here, this species is much less likely occur, and tends to be much more reclusive. When this one saw me coming down the path, it high-tailed into the undergrowth. 3/7/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

The Mermaid - Judith Sparhawk

This was one of two similar sculptures on the edge of the water at Ventura Harbor, Ventura, California. I don't know the origins of the flower crown and the streamers--the yellow and blue may have been in support of Ukraine. At any rate, it was a very tall, eye catching sculpture. 3/6/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Great -tailed Grackle - Judith Sparhawk

This male Great-tailed Grackle was photographed in the San Diego area quite some time ago. When I could only hear him, he was making all manner of loud squawks, doing some kind of display. When I finally got to a place where I could see him, he quieted down and sat there innocently, as if to say, "What???" At least he found a pretty spot of pose for me. 3/5/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Steller's Jay - Judith Sparhawk

This beautiful jay is one that lives in our mountains. This one was photographed some time ago in Big Bear Lake, CA. I wouldn't be able to visit Big Bear right now, due to the very heavy snows recently in our mountains. Visitors are not allowed into the area, and the National Guard is airlifting food, water and medical supplies into the mountain communities. Snow removal is going 24 hours a day, but still many roads are still closed, with 8 to 10 feet of snow, with people trapped in their homes. I'm hoping that the birds are making it through the multiple storms OK. 3/4/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

California Thrasher - Judith Sparhawk

This is our local thrasher--not as colorful as some thrasher species in other parts of the country, but he does have an impressive bill! This one was photographed at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, Morongo Valley, CA.

Mission Inn Lights - Judith Sparhawk

Last night I met up with my daughter-in-law who was in town for a couple of days. She was staying at The Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. One of the outside corridors was lit by hundreds of lights. I couldn't resist taking a couple of shots with my phone as I walked through. The Mission Inn is a huge historic luxury hotel that hosted its first guests in 1876. Several presidents and many celebrities have stayed there over the years. 3/2/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Egyptian Vulture - Judith Sparhawk

I ran across this fun shot of an Egyptian Vulture from San Diego Safari Park, taken some time ago. I hadn't seen it for awhile, but when I saw it, I knew I had to share this fella, having a bad-hair day! 3/1/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Blues and Gold - Judith Sparhawk

This abstract image began as a close up shot of some very old, weather-corroded windshield glass in an old car out in the desert. The corrosion created such interesting patterns in the glass, which I then enhanced with some colors. 2/28/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Fungus Galore - Judith Sparhawk

I saw this mass of fungi while out walking, and took a couple of quick shots of it. I have no idea of an ID for it, but thought it had an interesting look. 2/27/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Black Oystercatcher - Judith Sparhawk

One of the birds I added to my year list recently was this Black Oystercatcher, perched on the rocks at the edge of Ventura Harbor in Ventura, California. Two of them flew into the harbor, making their distinctive flight call, a series of rapid whistled queeps, then came in and stopped about 12 feet away from where I was standing. What a treat! 2/26/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Lupine in Bloom - Judith Sparhawk

I recently made a short run up the coast to the Ventura area, looking for birds for my out of state company. The two main wildflowers we saw blooming along the roadsides were California Poppies and these lupine. None of the wildflower displays were large yet, but it was nice to see a bit of blue and yellows in the very green hillsides. Our extra rain this winter made the central California hillsides an amazing shade of green. I can't believe I didn't come home with some shots of them! 225/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Tree Swallows at the Nest - Judith Sparhawk

This pair of Tree Swallows appear to be setting up housekeeping at this nest hole, photographed recently at San Jacinto Wildlife Area. This male seemed to be bringing insects to the female at the nest. I don't know if they have eggs yet and she is incubating them, or if bringing food was a mating behavior. Either way, it was fun to see them flying around--there were about 5 or 6 nest holes in the nearby trees, with lots of flying swallows. 2/24/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Mountain Bluebird - Judith Sparhawk

This is a Mountain Bluebird, chowing down on a large creepy-crawly of some kind. I watched and photographed him wrestling with this centipede or ?--this shot shows only about a quarter of its length. I watched it until it got the final bit down, all of which took about 10 minutes. This year we have had many more Mountain Bluebirds overwintering in the area--I've seen as many as 25 or 30 a day in the right places. They are such a pretty almost turquoise blue color. 2/23/23 www.sparhawkphotograpahy.com

Vermillion Flycatcher - Judith Sparhawk

This little beauty was photographed at San Jacinto Wildlife Area recently. The male of this species practically glows, the red is so bright! When my out of state company left, I found myself immersed in assisting in mounting a new show at the gallery where I work. I was happy to have had all three of my entries accepted into the show, with an Excellence award for one of them. The show opens tomorrow, with the opening reception on Friday...then maybe I can relax...;-) 2/22/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright - Judith Sparhawk

Right before the end of last year I visited San Diego Safari Park, as my membership ended on 12/31. One of the areas that I visited was Tiger Trail, a great environment for the tigers. This was my favorite of the shots I took that day. I will take a break from posting and commenting for a week or so. I have out- of-state company, and will be busy. I will have to catch up later. 2/6/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Winter Visitor - Judith Sparhawk

This little rather nondescript duck is a wintering female Long-tailed Duck. This species is mostly in the far north, nesting in northern Canada and the arctic, in tundra ponds. It is rare south of Washington on the west coast, so I was excited to see her in San Diego recently. She is far less dramatic than her long-tailed hubby, but to see any of this rare species is a treat this far south. 2/5/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Domestic Squabble - Judith Sparhawk

When I was birding at La Jolla Cove recently I had fun watching the antics of the local Sea Lions. These two in particular spent a long time barking loudly and fighting with each other. I couldn't tell if it was play fighting or the real thing, but despite nipping at each other, they never seemed to draw blood. 2/4/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Common Goldeneye - Judith Sparhawk

This pretty little duck is a female Common Goldeneye, photographed in San Diego recently. They are fairly rare in this area, but can be seen occasionally in the winter. She looks very different from the male, but is pretty in her own way. 2/3/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Acorn Woodpecker Hard at Work - Judith Sparhawk

This shows a male Acorn Woodpecker tending his acorn tree, his food storage system. It was a very large tree that has clearly been used for some time, likely by several woodpeckers. This tree was at the Oak Glen Old Schoolhouse park in Oak Glen, CA. 2/2/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Little Blue Heron - Judith Spahawk

I spent a few days down in San Diego, visiting with my son and, briefly, with my daughter and family, down from Canada. So of course I did some birding along the way, and among other birds, got this Little Blue Heron, stalking his lunch in the San Diego River channel. 2/1/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Sunlight Over the Sea

Coming home from a birding trip down at Salton Sea, I stopped for a look at North Shore. The late afternoon sun over the mountains in the distance was interesting as it came through the clouds. Salton Sea is California's largest lake, an inland highly saline body of water formed in 1905 with flooding from an irrigation canal. It was 35 miles long and 15 miles wide, and has been an important bird migration and nesting site. Although over time and drought, the water levels have decreased significantly, and the water is less and less habitable, I usually visit there a few times a year. 1/31/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Sora and Friend - Judith Sparhawk

I was thrilled to have this little Sora walk out on a log in the water and give me a clear view. This little rail is known for being very secretive and elusive, seldom giving more than a quick glance before disappearing into the marsh. Not only did this one give me a good view, but a reflection as well--two for the price of one! This Sora was photographed at San Jacinto Wildlife Area. BTW, I will be away from my computer for a few days, so will not be posting or commenting for the time being. I will catch up as soon as I can. 1/21/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Spotted Towhee - Judith Sparhawk

While traipsing through snow at Oak Glen Schoolhouse Museum Park, I saw 6 or 7 of these Spotted Towhees, all scratching around in the fallen leaves, as is their custom. My first one for the year, so very happy to find him! 1/20/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Wood Duck - Judith Sparhawk

I went birding up at Yucaipa Regional Park in Yucaipa, CA. I saw 43 species of birds ( only 3 were new for my year list), with this one male Wood Duck as one of them. These are such beautiful ducks, they are always a treat to see. 1/19/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Cackling Geese --Judith Sparhawk

When I last birded at Prado Regional Park, I saw 17 of these little cuties, Cackling Geese. Although they look a lot like the more common (at least here) Canada Geese, they are much smaller, with shorter necks and stubbier bills. These with the white "necklace" are of the Aleutian subspecies. These are barely larger than a good sized duck, like a shoveler or mallard. They breed in Canada, but sometimes winter farther south. Before this time, I'd never seen more than 2 at a time--17 was amazing!

On the Stairs - Judith Sparhawk

I've liked the original of this staircase view, shot in Edmonton, Alberta. I was not happy with a few elements, so decided to eliminate the window, add the cat, and keep all but the cat painterly. I like it much better now--I don't seem to be able to stop creating cat pics! ;-) 1/17/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

The Take Off - Judith Sparhawk

This was one of the American White Pelicans at the lake at Prado Regional Park in Chino, CA. In this shot he was taking off from shore, heading into the center of the lake. He is getting ready for breeding, as shown by the growth on the top of his bill, which will likely grow considerably larger in time to attract a lady pelican! ;-) 1/16/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

American Kestrel - Judith Sparhawk

This female kestrel was one of the three falcons I saw the other day at San Jacinto Wildlife Area. (Sorry, no pics of the third one!) She later flew off and performed her hovering in the sky, looking down for any likely prey. I didn't manage to get a picture of that! 1/15/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Peregrine Falcon - Judith Sparhawk

While birding down at San Jacinto Wildlife Area the other day, I saw this Peregrine Falcon a little way off the road. He stayed perched there for some time, allowing photos. It was a 3 falcon day--Peregrine, Prairie, and American Kestrel. This was the better of the photos I got of the three. 1/14/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Surf Scoter - Judith Sparhawk

This clown of the duck world is a Surf Scoter, which got its name for its preference for diving into the surf to feed. They dive over and over again, even into rough waves. His large, brightly colored bill, his white eye, and white patches on its black head are distinctive field marks, making for an easy ID. This one was photographed at Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve, Huntington Beach, CA. 1/13/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Green Velvet - Judith Sparhawk

We had a break in the rain, so I went hiking and birding in San Timoteo Canyon. I hadn't been there for a while, and was so happy to see the green hillsides. We have been in drought conditions for so long, some winters we never got green grass in wild places. (For those of you who live in places that get lots of green grass, this may not look like much, but it was a happy day to see all this green velvet!) 1/12/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Peaceful Lotus - Judith Sparhawk

Rainy day play on the computer with various photos in the archives. I've shown nothing but birds for awhile, so time for a brief change. I've tried a few different versions, and not sure what the "final" one will be. I liked the peaceful feel of this. 1/11/23 www.sparhawkphotography.com