bpresby

All taken yesterday at Catalina Island, Southern California yesterday and in the waters in that area. I believe this is a Black-vented Shearwater While I was hoping for a Pelagic Cormorant, I'm pretty sure these are Brandt's Cormorants. The only one I thought might be a Pelagic is the top right one, but I don't think so. As always, I appreciate all of you help.

Yes, Great Egret. My error.

Out this weekend in Southern California. I've not seen a Red-Tailed Hawk perched before, but I think that is what this one is as it is the most common in the area: The bill looked to think for a hawk, but I'm no expert. I believe this this is a Western-Wood Pewee or some other flycatcher Injured leg Great Heron Dueling House Finches

Gor back out to the river this past weekend. Bullhead city on the Colorado River. Forgot the good camera and between fishing and entertaining not much success with birding. I did wee this one that I cannot identify and the poor quality pictures may help either. I'm trying anyway. Thank you for any help. I cropped where I could but started to lose quality. As always I appreciate the help and lessons. B

Thank you Connor. Bob

Thank you for the information. Yes the cormorant was in Newport Harbor, Back Bay. I usually do not try to photograph cormorants I think are double crested but now I will take more time. I still do not have a Pelagic confirmed so I will spend a little more time with this species. Terns are also hard for me to identify, I'll see if anyone else weighs in on the last tern pictures. I just went with the Royal based on the ID book I have. B

Thank you Benjamin. The Foster's Tern is new for me! In reading more about the Neotropic I'm not sure it range goes to the West Coast of California. However, I'm mad at myself for not taking better cormorant pictures in Belize last January thinking they were double crested.

Was out around Newport Beach, CA yesterday and wanted to confirm a few: 1) I believe this is a Spotted Sandpiper 2) I believe the Terns on the right are Caspian based on the think bill. Black Skimmers in the middle, a Double-crested Cormorant, unknown smaller unknown while bird, black on side of the head (far left) 3) Now the unknown site bird is on the far right (boat was moving :) and what I think is a Willet in the foreground. Unknown, might not be abled to identified int he background but guessing Marbled Godwit. 3) I think this is a Royal Tern. based on the larger, but more slender orange bill. Thanks for your help. I've tried to work on my shore birds and terns still confuse me. B

Great shot. I had a nesting pair in my front yard years ago (Orange County, CA). I had a hard time with that identification until the experts here helped me out. B

thanks for the help and the link Tony. I appreciate the help and enjoy getting better at my identification skills. Bob

Thanks everyone and sorry for the confusing post and out of order photos. So here is the Willow Or Grey: I've added 3 photos that show the environment. Yes, riparian and lush area right over the water and when these were taken the river was up (the release more water as the day goes on) so the branches were almost always right over the water. White-faced Ibis just to show environment Branches over the water with about a foot or foot and 1/2 of more water to flow later int he day Morning shot (I think that is the Brewer's Sparrow) And the Hammonds to Confirm: Here is an out-of-focus shot, right after a splash-down moth attack. Unsure which one this was Thank you for the help.

Maybe three more and a duck. I group them by what I believe are the same species. 1) Not sure on this one 2) I do not think this is the same species as the one above, but I am stumped here as well. 3) I think this is a Yellow Warbler 4) and the Duck. I think it is a Mallard, but looked different. I only was Mallards, as I do this time of year there. Thanks for the help!

All taken on the Colorado River in Bullhead city. You can see the birds lot hot since it was over 115 degrees on the water. 1) Sparrow Not sure I'm guessing Brewer's (location), Vesper, or Savannah. 2) Merlin. There were American Kestrels as well (easier to ID with the orange and blue). This one looked different 3) Solitary Sandpiper? 4) Unknown 5) I believe this is a female Great tailed Grackle, but it had no tail like an American Dipper. When I zoomed in I'm going grackle. 6) Difficult Swallow Shots. I think it might be a Bank Swallow. I've had Northern Rough Wings in this area, but this one looked different. Maybe cannot be ID'd form poser photos. All help much appreciated. Part 2 will be smaller birds. B

Thanks Connor, I hope you do better than I did!

First, I am so bummed I forgot my good camera on yesterday's fishing trip. I should have had 5 or 6 new species, but couldn't ID. So all I have these iPhone shots. When I tried to crop it was too tiled so I left as is since when I zoom I can see enough to attempt an ID. Here are my identifications, As always corrections, confirmations, and education always greatly appreciated. Shorebird? Petrel? Not a great show. Was sitting on a Kelp Paddy 45 miles off the coast and 35 miles south of Catalina Island. Black-vented Shearwater There were several species of Shearwaters, terns, gulls, etc. on a large school of bait fish. About 4 or 5 miles off the coast of Newport. These are the only shots I got of this species. Sorry for the poor shots. I will not forget the good camera next time (especially since fishing was poor) B

Thanks. I thought so. I appreciate your help B

Good Morning, I recently moved and haven't been out much, but saw this one yesterday in Southern California. I'm pretty sure it is an Anna's (the red/dark spot not he throat) , but was much larger than the others. In fact, probably the largest local hummingbird I've ever seen. But alas, size doesn't matter as the territorial Allan's (or Rufus) continually chased the big one away. Conformation or corrections much appreciated.

Thanks. I thought so with the thin streaking. Thank you for the other identifiers. B

Sent to me by a friend in So. Cal this week. I love the 3 on the fence and seeing a new birder. I believe they are Coopers. Looking for confirmation or correction as it they might be sharp-shin.

Thank's for the help. I was between the purple and cassin's. I appreciate the guidance. B

After a 18 mile round trip hike with almost 5,000 feet vertical gain (and decent) I managed to get a few bird pics in. On the longer hikes I stopped bringing my good camera due to its weight. Both taken yesterday on the San Bernardino Peak trail at 9,000 feet for the first and 10,500 (right at the peak) for the second. 1) Clark's Nutcracker. Not great pictures but matches with the guide book and the call was unique 2 Purple Finch I think. Here is a video of the call of the Clark's Nutcracker (If I'm right) one flies in at the end that also helped me with the ID). It's my first uploaded video so I hope it works. Thanks for the help. B IMG_2970.MOV 2 Not sure: IMG_2970.MOV

Thanks for the help and your feedback is interesting. I thought Tree for the first 2. I took them on the walk out. Then the last two of the Violet-green were from an elevated deck where I could get their top-side. That makes sense, even if it crushes my 3 sparrow day .

Here is the final post, all from Big Bear Lake this weekend. This trip was special to me since it is where I started bird watching in 6th grade at North Shore Elementary school thanks to an elective class (in the Swallow post the schools is on the other side of the lake). 1) House Finch (pretty sure) but always hopping for a Purple or Cassin's 2) Probably House Sparrow, but acted very different. Not mellow and looking for fries. 3) Unknown Sparrow 4) Not sure, terrible shots. House Sparrow 5) and finally... Good Luck :) Not looking for an answer. Thank you for your help, reading, and looking. It was great to be back where I grew up in the 80's. Many changes, somethings the same. Also, at the base of the Castle Rocks I proposed to my girlfriend and she said yes. Even with all of the stopping to take bird pics :) B

All taken in Big Bear Lake, Ca area this weekend. 1) I thought Junco, but not sure with the streaks. 2) Unknown Sparrow 3) Pewee? Fly-catcher? 4) 1 is a Western Blue Bird. The second one might be, not the same bird 5 Mountain Chickadee? One more post and I'll have them all! B

3rd post from this past weekend in Big Bear Lake, CA. 1) Pretty Sure Red-winged Blackbird, but more orange than red. 2) Same area, also red-winged? No red and didn't look like a female. 3) Possibly the same as #2 in flight 4) Brewers Black Bird? 5) Female Red-wing? With an unknown Sparrow in the foreground, probably a House Sparrow. Thanks for the help!