pointreyesbirder

You all are great - really appreciate the knowledge, help... and patience!

These two hawks were seen today in the east side of the SF Bay near the water. I am guessing the first one on the power tower might be a dark Ferruginous? The first of those pictures is taken from greater distance, but it's the same bird. A follow-on guess for the second bird on the rock is a juvenile red-tailed hawk? Thanks for the help, as always.

Seen Saturday late morning in a park in east SF Bay near Mt Diablo. Believe this is a Merlin, correct? It was small, so much so that I thought it was a kestrel from far away on first sight. And it was overcast, but it seems more brown than gray so wanted to check. Thanks for the insights.

We were out this morning in a marsh on the shores of the East SF Bay and saw these two perched in the marsh grass. The second is a Lincoln's, correct? I don't recognize the first. Any ideas? I'm sure it's straightforward, but I have other pictures if needed. Thanks for the help.

Saw these in Monterey CA on Sunday morning over the ocean. Most gulls there at this time are Western or California, but there are others, incl Heermann's. In trying to learn what we're seeing with gulls, we thought these 8 are Heermann's, with the last one being a first winter. Other thoughts? Thanks for the education.

These 5 loons were seen this morning at Pt Pinos in Monterey. It's possible that 2 and 3 are the same bird, seen in similar location 20 min apart. Looking at mostly the bill size, I would guess the first three are Common, the fourth is Pacific and the fifth is not able to be determined? But the bill is being held horizontally, not tilted up, for those first three and also the back of the first one is dark, so perhaps those first three are Pacific, as well. Thoughts? Appreciate the help.

These two birds come from this morning seawatching at Pt Pinos in Monterey, CA. Needless to say, there are 3 photos of the first and 1 of the second. They are not the same bird, taken maybe 45 min apart at same location. Both heading outbound around 1030-1130am. This is likely straightforward, but any ideas? (Will post another question from this morning on loons separately.) Thanks for the help, as always.

Saw these this morning 10 min and 400 yds apart in Martinez, CA, which is in NE SF Bay. Could readily be the same bird. I would think this is a female Common Goldeneye. A few others were around. But the head shape (not triangular), neck and perhaps the slope of the bill seem different in this one. Not sure what to make of it. Thanks as usual for the help.

Seen today in overcast SF East Bay SE of Mt Diablo. Is this a Prairie or Peregrine? I've read up but hate to hazard a guess. Thanks for the help.

Seen from several hundred yds away in an overcast SF Bay today. Photos are poor. Is this a female white-winged scoter? Seen with a few scattered surf scoters and scaup widely spread. Thanks for the help.

@AlexHenry - Very helpful, Alex and all. Thanks. Enjoy the holiday.

Seen this morning in NE SF Bay. Is this a hybrid Eur / Am Wigeon? The small green patch on the head is confusing. Seen floating by shore of a small marsh with flock of American Wigeon. Thanks for the help.

Seen this morning in the SF East Bay suburbs. Is this an Anna's? Assume so but the coloring is a bit off of typical. I have a few other photos but none better of the tail feathers. Photos are untouched, other than cropped. Thanks for the help.

Yes, taken two weeks ago today (my original post misstated the day by one). Unfortunately I do not have any other pictures.

Apologies Alex - just returning to this site today after Avery had answered the original question. It was at Hayward Reg Shoreline. Oro Loma Marsh, south of Bockman Channel. Swimming a few hundred yds east of the only north-south path and well in the marsh at high tide. I'd say it was right around the only bridge on that path at the marsh, so a few hundred yds south of Bockman Ch., then was looking 200-300 yds east. Had a 600mm and it still came out poorly, as you can tell. So it was far. Hope that helps....