Bourbon, Bastards and Birds

This is a Xantus' Murrelet family. Ain't they cute? They were born in the Coronado Islands in Mexico, and immigrated to U.S. waters to forage. No one on board the boat expressed an urge to deport them, despite them depleting our precious resources.I went on a well-attended pelagic trip over the week

What House Wrens lack in color they make up for in enthusiasm...not that you can really see that here, but you know what I'm saying. I dig the fine barring on the wings and tail, that's a nice touch. Mission Trails Regional Park, San Diego, CA.I still wonder why, after a few years of using SLRs, it

Among the ranks of the "specialty" birds found in California is the Elegant Tern. They don't get as much attention as that other "elegant" bird over in Arizona...you know what I'm talking about here, nerds...but they are loveable nonetheless.Elegant Terns come in relative abundance for most of the y

Olive-sided Flycatchers win universal praise and admiration from all of the continent's birders. A high-elevation alcoholic, I have always considered their beer-craving cry to be synonomous with thin air and the smell of Ponderosa and Jeffrey Pines. Stonewall Mine, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, CA.Ind

I have forgotten that work really gets in the way of blogging. And that's on top of birding, which ironically also gets in the way of blogging. I don't think bourbon consumption really helps or impedes the blog though, it's just necessary for my well-being. Should I take a dip in good old Knob Creek

I was lucky enough to blunder into a skulking Prothonotary Warbler at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery today while birding with Frank Meyer; please excuse the horrible photos but PROWAR is a damn rare bird here in California, particularly in spring.While superficially similar to Yellow Warbler in th

Light-footed Clapper Rail vs. American Avocet. The avocet won handily. No wonder rails spend so much time lurking in the grass, they are easily vanquished. Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, CA.I think I'll start posting a weekly photo every Saturday or Sunday, for your viewing pleasure. Who w