NORTHERN FLICKER TAKING A BATH

My sketchy fingers are getting ready. 

PEACOCK AT OAK GLEN

FINALLY - A CLEAR PIC -

 The sun has to be just perfect on their face to get any kind of sharp detail.  Finally - after a year - it happened. 


Cormorant at Lake Gregory.

HERON AT BIG BEAR LAKE

BIG BEAR LAKE

This is at the utmost end of Big Bear Lake which is a really big lake.  The water always recedes in the summer and there is a shore line where we like to go because there is a big bridge along the water for a good walk.  We took the grandkids here the other day. 

While they were playing I was taking photos of the white pelicans.

I'll start with these. 

I kept trying to post more than 3 and couldn't this time.  I'll try to post more later.

MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE

LAST NIGHT'S SUNSET AND MOON RISE PHOTOS

Went down Crest Forest Drive until we found a spot that I had scoped out earlier in the day for photos of the clouds from Hurricane Norbert coming in.  I wanted to get a sunset last night - We had some downpours yesterday, it cleared slightly for awhile and then it's been raining most of the morning today and still is.  Light rain today that won't run off but will soak in.  So thankful for the rain.

I got out of the jeep looking towards the west for the sunset and when I turned back to face the car the moon in all it's glory was there  - plus a bird just really appearing to be having fun with the wind currents. 

There were clouds below the moon that were glowing somewhat pink from the sun's light on them.

We went farther up and found where the hang  gliders launch off from - I think it is actually called Glider's Launch point.

AT THE LAKE YESTERDAY

Sandpiper  - (more pics later) He was eating and I was struck by how clean his white feathers are in such dirty water

A GREAT EGRET NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH

I had to research a bit on this -  some immature blue  herons and the snowy white egret along with this white  egret is confused by people a lot of the time - according to what I've read.

Anyway - this is a Great Egret - because of the orange beak but the legs are black and so are the feet.

The immature blue  heron has kind of green legs and dark tipped bill but they can be white - and in the distance may look like a great egret.

But..then you have cattle egrets - well that's a different bird and as far as I know I haen't seen one.

Sometimes a white egret will be called a white heron -

oh enough of that...it gets confusing.

Here are pictures of this white egret or white heron seen at the lake yesterday.  Hardly any people and several herons - both great blue and white.

 I'm curious - do the egrets like to hang with the ducks and coots or do they like to hang with the egret.

 it's a big lake but here they are hanging together.

A LITTLE GLIMPSE INTO THE JANITORIAL DUTIES THROUGHOUT MY YARD

First off - the "Brown Creeper"  - this guy only travels up the tree, very quickly, picking out the bugs on and behind the bark .  It goes very quickly and I can sit in the chair on the front deck and enjoy watching him and also his equally quick footed friend, the White Breasted NutHatch.

It's quite a scene to watch when they are both on the same tree.  The Nuthatch usually travels in a downward route while the Brown Creeper travels up.  Sometimes they pass each other and the rascal in me hopes a fight will break out so I can get some good photographs -  but

It never happens - ...they don't pay any attention to each other and go about their business of keeping
my trees clean which lucky me - means less bugs get in the house. 

 They are extremely hard to photograph as they are quick quick quick.  I would say in less than 2 minutes they can clean that entire tree.   I've never seen it land to get water like so many of the other birds around here.  I actually never knew how much birds drink - but having put many receptacles of different sizes and shapes in the yard - I watch how often they stop in for a drink - which is a lot.

I know this post is probably getting way over the time anyone wants to spend reading it but I
have to finish - this is the white breasted nuthatch - relative of the red breasted which I prefer more - but less opportunity happens for me to photograph her.

  this is the bird that travels down the tree as the creeper travels up and is responsible for also keeping that tree clean.  It does drink quite a bit.

And visits the feeders also - never saw the creeper do that yet.

This fellow below is also quite the scavenger who along with the pesky pigeons helps keep the ground clean from any dropped seed.  He also tries to climb trees which is hilarious to watch as it is a ground squirrel - not a tree squirrel.

I have a love/hate relationship with this squirrel - when I chase it off or spray it with the hose I think - ...hmmm....what if it is true and I meet every animal I ever interacted with in Heaven.  I clean up my act quickly and offer him peanuts and actually don't try to pull a fast one on him by throwing them out on the ground ( the peanuts)   - watching him go towards them and then grabbing them up again laughing (no  - i really don't do that but yes, I want to at times).

This is my very very clean tree.

 And this is where I relax while the birds are busy doing their chores.  I can sit for hours watching them labor.

PRETTY PAINTED LADY

Recently I found out that Painted Ladies also refer to pretty painted row houses - such as in San Francisco.

 Found a few painted ladies I like - the one house below  would be beautiful all dolled up.