BajaNomad

Birds We See

BigOly - 9-24-2014 at 04:19 PM

Hurricane John massacred the birds in Los Barriles in 2006. We had insects galore for 3 years after that event. Birds help control bugs. Now Odile, a hurricane even more devastating over a larger area. I wonder how these little birds, already endangered, will fare for the future. A few pics---
The very endangered Beldings Yellowthroat
Also endemic(only lives naturally in Baja Sur.) San Lucan Robin
The Xantus's Hummingbird was always there to welcome the day as we drink our cup of coffee in the morning

Hope this beautiful Varied Bunting hadn't arrived after migration

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Meany - 9-24-2014 at 04:30 PM

great shots, BigOly. we need the birds.

BigOly - 9-24-2014 at 04:39 PM

A birder friend counted 17 dead birds in his yard the day after.

güéribo - 10-25-2014 at 12:47 PM

Xantus' hummingbird . . . just beautiful. Thank you for posting.

Pompano - 10-25-2014 at 01:13 PM

I'm guessing this was a Stellar's Jay that joined our picnic last week. Am I correct?

[Edited on 10-25-2014 by Pompano]

Elk River 011... - Copy.jpg - 49kB

güéribo - 10-25-2014 at 01:23 PM

Yes, that's a Stellar's Jay. The blue jay of the West. Mean, but lovely!

Santiago - 10-25-2014 at 02:42 PM

We had a Magnificent Frigate sit on top of the mast of a nearby sailboat for 4 or 5 hours last week. Could not figure it out, just sat there for most of the day.
Pomp: Yes Stellar and they can scare the crap out of most cats.

vandenberg - 10-25-2014 at 02:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
We had a Magnificent Frigate sit on top of the mast of a nearby sailboat for 4 or 5 hours last week. Could not figure it out, just sat there for most of the day.
Pomp: Yes Stellar and they can scare the crap out of most cats.


and...try to steal a sandwich right out of your hand.
Brazen and fun to watch.

danaeb - 10-25-2014 at 03:05 PM

On the morning after Odile, one of the saddest things on the hill above Centenario (excluding the structural damage) was the absence of birdsong. My neighbors found two dead hummers in a downed tree in their garden. The survivors seemed to be the cactus wrens and white-winged doves.

BigOly - 10-25-2014 at 03:08 PM

I think the Frigatebird was named so because they rest on frigates (ships). They don't normally land on water, I've read they can't take-off if they do.

We're back in LB now and the birds look like they faired well with Odile. After blogging about our adventures in the western U.S. I'm looking forward to writing about our Baja bird things. If you want to follow just click
http://birdswesee.com/

güéribo - 10-25-2014 at 03:49 PM

BigOly . . . Great website! Xantus would be proud.

Frigate bird above the Mulege lighthouse.

Pompano - 10-25-2014 at 04:17 PM

Here's some frigates on an island in Conception Bay. These birds make great dorado finders on the open ocean. Watch for them circling over dorado feeding on flying fish....great action.

Pompano - 10-25-2014 at 04:38 PM

How about this for a coincidence? Just watching an old classic, The Birds on TCM here at my Duk Shak in ND. Tippi Hendrum is getting tore up by gulls at the moment.

Yesterday I took this long range photo (sorry about the quality) of a snowy owl during it's color changing time. Soon it will be almost all white.

It appears a little peeved at the intrusion...even telescopically.

Great creatures.

Frigates

tripledigitken - 10-25-2014 at 05:10 PM

captured at the south end of Bahia de Concepcion


Ateo - 10-25-2014 at 06:22 PM

Beautiful creatures. Thanks for the photos.