While hiking in San Timoteo Canyon the other day, one of the birds I saw was this Western Kingbird. It was perched on a branch way up on the top of the canyon hillside. With my binoculars I thought it was a Western Kingbird, but it is early in the season for this bird, and was a surprise. In winter I would expect to see the very similar Cassin's Kingbird, instead--indeed I did see 4 of them that day. I took the photo on a hunch, and sure enough, seeing it enlarged on my computer, confirmed its identity. Yay, another one for my year list! (Later in spring I will see SO many of them, but the first of the season is always special). 3/11/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
This is a photograph of the side of a box of Orange Wheat Beer from Hangar 24 Craft Brewery. This is a brewery in Redlands, over by the Redlands Airport. It is a popular place in town for beer lovers. The reason I'm showing this is that the photograph of the mountains and orange groves on the box is one of mine. I had licensed its use to Hangar 24 some time ago, but I'd never seen the box until now. I'm not a beer drinker, but this almost makes me want to taste the beer! ;-) I will be away from my computer for awhile, so won't be posting or commenting for the time being. I will miss seeing all your great photos daily, seeing what you are all up to! ;-) 4/2/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
Most western birders are familiar with Bushtits, those tiny flitty birds that fly in flocks, feeding on insects in trees and bushes. They have a soft twittering call (at least the Coastal variety) and fly from tree to tree. Out on a bird hike yesterday, I spotted a lone Bushtit in the process of building its nest. The length of this bird is only 4-1/2 inches, including the long tail, and yet they build these very long hanging nests as seen in this image. The bird was very busy flying out and coming back with bits of this and that, carefully adding it to the nest. At times it would fly into the hole, where it is perched here, and work on the inside, about half-way down the nest. I watched for quite awhile, trying to get a shot of the bird at work--it was very speedy and not easy to catch in the act! The nest hangs, and extends a little bit below where this shot ends--I had some shots that included the whole nest, but didn't catch the bird in those! If you've never seen a Bushtit nest, here's your chance to marvel at nature's variety. ;-) 3/9/22 www.sparhawkphotography.com
