A sweet Oak Titmouse pauses for a portrait. Just a picture of an ordinary little bird, rated Common. Common, that is, if you live in California. Seen almost anywhere else, this bird would be a rare vagrant, an exciting sighting! Everything is relative. #birds_matter #birds
November 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A sweet Oak Titmouse pauses for a portrait. Just a picture of an ordinary little bird, rated Common. Common, that is, if you live in California. Seen almost anywhere else, this bird would be a rare vagrant, an exciting sighting! Everything is relative. #birds_matter #birds
A young White-crowned Sparrow isn’t yet showing its crown - that will appear during its winter molt - but it is already skilled at snatching a bug. #birds_matter #birds
November 11, 2025 at 3:07 PM
A young White-crowned Sparrow isn’t yet showing its crown - that will appear during its winter molt - but it is already skilled at snatching a bug. #birds_matter #birds
The very aptly named Greater Yellowlegs migrates between Canada and South America, but can be seen along the west coast of the US all year. Despite its broad range it is rated Near Threatened due to loss of habitat. One day we humans will get a clue. #birds_matter #birds
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The very aptly named Greater Yellowlegs migrates between Canada and South America, but can be seen along the west coast of the US all year. Despite its broad range it is rated Near Threatened due to loss of habitat. One day we humans will get a clue. #birds_matter #birds
The Great Blue Heron is a handsome and dignified bird. But when there’s an itch, well it’s only normal to break character for a moment. Every itch deserves a scratch. #birds_matter #birds
November 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The Great Blue Heron is a handsome and dignified bird. But when there’s an itch, well it’s only normal to break character for a moment. Every itch deserves a scratch. #birds_matter #birds
The Black-necked Stilt is among the most visually charming and photogenic of birds. But all charm is lost when one hears its annoying screech. This is a bird best appreciated via a nice quiet photo. #birds_matter #birds
November 8, 2025 at 1:18 PM
The Black-necked Stilt is among the most visually charming and photogenic of birds. But all charm is lost when one hears its annoying screech. This is a bird best appreciated via a nice quiet photo. #birds_matter #birds
A Common Merganser flies in. The female is well-known for her wild red “hairdo” but in the nonbreeding season the male fades into an eclipse plumage that looks much the same. So it’s hard to say if this is Mr or Mrs. #birds_matter #birds
November 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
A Common Merganser flies in. The female is well-known for her wild red “hairdo” but in the nonbreeding season the male fades into an eclipse plumage that looks much the same. So it’s hard to say if this is Mr or Mrs. #birds_matter #birds
Portrait of a Sandhill Crane, looking thoughtfully reflective, but actually just scanning the ground in search of a snack. #birds_matter #birds
November 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Portrait of a Sandhill Crane, looking thoughtfully reflective, but actually just scanning the ground in search of a snack. #birds_matter #birds
Eventually the sun rose above the mists and created the iconic golden glow that lasts all too briefly. A silhouetted Sandhill Crane adds context to the scene. #birds_matter #birds
November 5, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Eventually the sun rose above the mists and created the iconic golden glow that lasts all too briefly. A silhouetted Sandhill Crane adds context to the scene. #birds_matter #birds
Sandhill Cranes in predawn mist. And yes, this is a full color image. #birds_matter #birds
November 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Sandhill Cranes in predawn mist. And yes, this is a full color image. #birds_matter #birds
Birdscape: Sandhill Cranes at dawn. #birds_matter #birds
November 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Birdscape: Sandhill Cranes at dawn. #birds_matter #birds
It was a chilly, misty, gray morning. But as the sun rose the mist turned golden. Was this something to celebrate? The Sandhill Cranes felt it merited a dance. #birds_matter #birds
November 2, 2025 at 2:07 PM
It was a chilly, misty, gray morning. But as the sun rose the mist turned golden. Was this something to celebrate? The Sandhill Cranes felt it merited a dance. #birds_matter #birds
A Sandhill Crane flies across the rising sun. #birds_matter #birds
November 1, 2025 at 1:05 PM
A Sandhill Crane flies across the rising sun. #birds_matter #birds
The Golden-crowned Sparrow, which has a fairly narrow range up and down the US west coast, is now back in my region for the winter. There are about 25 sparrow species in California and on this morning’s walk I saw six! #birds_matter #birds
October 31, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The Golden-crowned Sparrow, which has a fairly narrow range up and down the US west coast, is now back in my region for the winter. There are about 25 sparrow species in California and on this morning’s walk I saw six! #birds_matter #birds
The aptly named Hermit Thrush, a shy, Uncommon bird, emerges from its bushy hiding place just long enough for me to make a portrait. #birds_matter #birds
October 30, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The aptly named Hermit Thrush, a shy, Uncommon bird, emerges from its bushy hiding place just long enough for me to make a portrait. #birds_matter #birds
A Great Egret and Turkey Vultures are not typical dining companions. Soon they were joined at the salmon buffet by various other species. One often wonders what it takes to bring different cultures together in harmony. If only a dead fish could always make it happen! #birds_matter #birds
October 29, 2025 at 1:40 PM
A Great Egret and Turkey Vultures are not typical dining companions. Soon they were joined at the salmon buffet by various other species. One often wonders what it takes to bring different cultures together in harmony. If only a dead fish could always make it happen! #birds_matter #birds
A Spotted Sandpiper forages along the river’s edge. Its distinctive teeter totter locomotion makes it easy to identify, even from a distance. #birds_matter #birds
October 28, 2025 at 12:58 PM
A Spotted Sandpiper forages along the river’s edge. Its distinctive teeter totter locomotion makes it easy to identify, even from a distance. #birds_matter #birds
A Savannah Sparrow confuses - no yellow eyebrow. Fortunately a clear view of the forked tail makes the ID clear. #birds_matter #birds
October 27, 2025 at 1:45 PM
A Savannah Sparrow confuses - no yellow eyebrow. Fortunately a clear view of the forked tail makes the ID clear. #birds_matter #birds
It’s picturesque and energy efficient. A Snowy Egret sails along on a cushion of air that is created when it stays just a wing’s length above the water. #birds_matter #birds
October 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
It’s picturesque and energy efficient. A Snowy Egret sails along on a cushion of air that is created when it stays just a wing’s length above the water. #birds_matter #birds
The Loggerhead Shrike is a Near-Threatened species known for impaling its prey on thorns or barbed wire. Given its status it’s always a relief to see one despite that bit of unpleasantness. #birds_matter #birds
October 25, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The Loggerhead Shrike is a Near-Threatened species known for impaling its prey on thorns or barbed wire. Given its status it’s always a relief to see one despite that bit of unpleasantness. #birds_matter #birds
A Sandhill Crane flies in, showing off its impressive wingspan which may exceed seven feet. #birds_matter #birds
October 24, 2025 at 12:56 PM
A Sandhill Crane flies in, showing off its impressive wingspan which may exceed seven feet. #birds_matter #birds
There is no such bird as a “seagull”, but among the gull species who winter in the Sacramento Valley is this American Herring Gull, easily identified by its pale iris and pink legs. #birds_matter #birds
October 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
There is no such bird as a “seagull”, but among the gull species who winter in the Sacramento Valley is this American Herring Gull, easily identified by its pale iris and pink legs. #birds_matter #birds
This photo has some technical issues - the light did not cooperate - but I love the story it tells. Sandhill Crane families are very tight knit indeed! #birds_matter #birds
October 22, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This photo has some technical issues - the light did not cooperate - but I love the story it tells. Sandhill Crane families are very tight knit indeed! #birds_matter #birds
Portrait of a handsome Swainson’s Hawk. These birds will soon be migrating to South America, some traveling up to 7,000 miles. They make the journey en masse, forming long columns of thousands of birds that can be miles long. I was privileged to see such a column once - amazing. #birds_matter #birds
October 21, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Portrait of a handsome Swainson’s Hawk. These birds will soon be migrating to South America, some traveling up to 7,000 miles. They make the journey en masse, forming long columns of thousands of birds that can be miles long. I was privileged to see such a column once - amazing. #birds_matter #birds
A Long-billed Curlew was well-camouflaged as it foraged in a field. That bill is very well-suited for digging for shrimps or small crabs in mudflats or earthworms in fields. The perfect tool for the job! #birds_matter #birds
October 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
A Long-billed Curlew was well-camouflaged as it foraged in a field. That bill is very well-suited for digging for shrimps or small crabs in mudflats or earthworms in fields. The perfect tool for the job! #birds_matter #birds
Our White-crowned Sparrows have returned! So ubiquitous all winter, it’s easy to forget they’ve been gone all summer. Of course, if they didn’t leave we wouldn’t have the fun of welcoming them back. #birds_matter #birds
October 19, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Our White-crowned Sparrows have returned! So ubiquitous all winter, it’s easy to forget they’ve been gone all summer. Of course, if they didn’t leave we wouldn’t have the fun of welcoming them back. #birds_matter #birds