Sonoma County
Bird Photographs
Photos & Text by Joan Langfeld
 |
|
This is a Peregrine
Falcon (female) photographed near the
rail ponds at Bodega Bay. The falcon flew into the Eucalyptus
while our Madrone Audubon group was there to observe. The falcon
was very close and stayed for at least 10 minutes, knowing we
were all observing her actions. The photo was taken with a digital
camera through a spotting scope (called digiscoping). |
|
 |
|
This White-tailed
Kite was hovering above a field, hunting
for rodents in Rohnert Park behind Costco. Kites typically are
seen in this position as they are eyeing their prey. Note the
dark grey primaries and the black patch on underwings and if
it is perched you will see the black shoulder patch, hence the
old name, the Black-shouldered Kite. |
|
 |
|
This is an Eared
Grebe with the beginning of its summer
breeding plumage photographed in Schollenberger Park in April.
We generally see the winter plumage since they do not breed in
Sonoma County. Notice the red eye and the whisps of buffy gold
at the eares. In their full breeding plumage their necks are
also black. |
|
 |
|
Brandts
are a wintering small goose seen and photographed in Bodega Bay.
Usually you will see them in numbers. I photographed these few
out of a large group of brandts and you will notice one coot
in the picture. The black head and neck, dark back and white
neck and side markings are good field marks to pay attention
to. Brandts are much smaller than Canadian Geese. |
|
|
|
|
This Ruddy
Duck (male) in breeding plumage was photographed
in Schollenberger Park in Petaluma. The black cap, white cheeks
and upward pointed tail are typical field marks. Notice the blue
bill, and the ruddy brown body which distinguishes it from it's
winter plumage. |
|
 |
|
The female Killdeer with newly hatched chicks was trying to get her young
to go up the curb and into a more protected area. The Killdeer
chicks can walk immediately after hatching. During the day she
finally got them up the curb and after a few days, she came back
without her chicks. While I am writing this, she is back in the
same nesting area in the parking lot with three more eggs and
will continue the same process over again. |
|
|
|
|
The Black-necked
Stilt is a common visitor and nests annually
at Schollenberger Park in Petaluma. This picture was taken in
early April through a spotting scope (digiscoped). Notice the
coral-pink legs and black and white body pattern. |
|
 |
|
Green Heron |
|
 |
|
Rufous Hummingbird |
|
|
|
|
The male Allen's
Hummingbird is distinguished from the
male Rufous Hummingbird by it's green back. This hummingbird
was visiting a garden situated in a rural setting in north Sebastopol. |
|
