
Stellar Jays live in the pine forests in Southern California’s mountains.

Oregon Dark Eyed Juncos are local birds and are related to sparrows.

Burrowing Owls are “a species of special concern,” in Southern California, where much of their natural habitat has been destroyed by development. Petitions are being submitted to the state to change their status to endangered.

This handsome jay was hanging out on a picnic table, waiting for a handout.

So, of course, I gave him one!

Juncos are quite tiny, and rather shy, so they are hard for me to photograph. This guy was unusually cooperative!

Burrowing owls nest underground to hide from raptors and raise their young. People and organizations all over California are setting up underground Burrowing Owl boxes to help shelter and protect these adorable owls. It is a rare thrill to see them out of the boxes curious about the human who is photographing them! These guys were being sheltered by The Big Bear Zoo & Rehabilitation Center.

Cheers to you from a few of our local feathers~
Gorgeous!
Thank you Bette & Happy Monday!
Beautiful š
Thank you! Birdies make life beautiful.
True š
š¦ <3
So handsome. I love the owls. Great info as well š
Burrowing owls are so little and so adorable. Very happy you like them! š¦š¦
Great close-up photos of these beautiful feathered friends. Well done Cindy!
Grazie! Hope your skin cancer clears up soon Gary. You are motivating me to get my annual skin check. <3
Wow so pretty!!!
Thanks Michele, that’s why women have historically worn their feathers, men too actually!
Thatās so interesting! Thanks!!
<3
These photos are so great, especially the ones of the juncos and the little owls. š
So happy you enjoyed them & thank you! š¦
The owls are beautiful! Those photos melted my heart <3
Awww, so glad! š¦š¦ are special <3
We have juncos too!!
They are so pretty!
They are! And so shy and beguiling at The Holler.
These are cute pictures of the birds. I am glad to hear people help those owls and also surprised they live underground.
They usually nest in gopher burrows, but people are making artificial burrows to help them. š¦
Your bird photos are wonderful Cindy, especially the owls. I love them.
Awww, so happy you do & thank you!
Stellar jays are so beautiful! The owls are cute. I love the sweet juncos tho š
Hard to pick a favorite for me too! I <3 people who love š¤š¤!
How sweet all of these birds are. Thank you, Cindy! May they all survive mankind!
Amen to that! <3 š¤
So beautiful creatures. And thank you Cindy for posting these pictures with their name.
Thank you much more for appreciating the š¤š¤!
love the jays… the colour is so striking
I love them so much too! I think they are both gorgeous & smart! š¤
Wonderful photos, Cindy. Your Stellar Jay shots really celebrate how striking they are. And the owls…so amazing and adorable. And those little juncos are pretty birds. Great post.
Ahhhh, so kind and so appreciated! Thank you Jane <3
Superb! Even if it is for the birds!! š š
Laughing…. It also turns out ‘bird brained’ means really smart! š¤
You birds are definitely different than mine here. Always enjoyable to see.
Thanks Frank, I love seeing the amazing variety of birds all over our little world, too!
What a beautiful jay! And your juncos out West have beautiful coloring!
You are visually perceptive! Just as jays colors and patterns change by region, so do Juncos. Mother Nature rocks diversity! <3
The detail on these is incredible! I can see every feather.
Awww, thank you for looking & caring <3
I’ve seen many Stellar’s Jays before, but I never noticed the two, blue streaks they have on their crest. Very pretty!
Not all of them have this. It varies regionally. As a biologist you will appreciate this. Check it out: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Jay/id
Magnificent bird photos!
The light blue feathers on the forehead of the Steller’s jay are intriguing. I saw some Steller’s jays on a trip west many years ago (and have often seen pix), but those feathers were completely new to me. Thanks for the link. Maybe “your” jay’s decorations are a special response to holler hospitality? š
You can find the jay you saw on your trip among these handsome guys: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Jay/id
I wondered if that coloration might be a regional variation. I should clarify, however, that I’m not a biologist: all my degrees are in the social sciences. Everything I know about wildlife is self-taught.
Thanks for the link!
Just like me and the birdies and photography. Our passions make us happy!
Life without passion is meaningless!
<3
Beautiful captures, Cindy. Stellar jays are so striking – love that blue and its fancy crest!
Sweet junco and the burrowing owls are downright adorable!
They are amazing creatures aren’t they. I cannot wait to meet you Eliza, Monday amidst the ranunculus! <3
Yes! š
Lovely shots, as good as these beautiful birds. Thanks for sharing Cindy.
Ahhhh, than you more my friend for appreciating them & cheers to you! <3
Those owls are amazing. About how tall are they? Thanks.
Neil
Good question! They do look rather squat, don’t they?
They are sooo small, but they are a bit bulky, with kinda spindly, longish legs. These are stocky little guys, with big heads like all owls, to hold their massive night vision eyes. Here are their specs. Height includes legs:
Length: 7.5-9.8 in (19-25 cm)
Weight: 5.3 oz (150 g)
Thanks very much.
š¦
It’s Gorgeous ššš
Yes they are gorgeous! Thank you for appreciating them!
ššš
<3
The birds seem to like you, Cindy!
Birds are very smart. They seem to like a besotted, silent, watching, rather odd, human! š
Beautiful photos.
Thank you very much!
Oh, Cindy, I love all of them so much. Absolutely beautiful, each and every one. I’m going to reblog this, so more people can have the thrill of seeing your photographs. If that’s not okay, just let me know and I’ll take it off my blog. So beautiful. <3
You basically never need to ask me about anything you do, because I basically love you, all you do, AND each and all your kitty-kats! Keep on rockin sweet friend <3
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<3 <3
Stunning shots Cindy ā£ļø
Hugs to you sweet friend š¦
We have Steller’s jays here in British Columbia. Last winter there were lots of them spending the winter in Victoria; some came to my feeders. None this winter, though. Juncos are regulars here until May, when they all go elsewhere for the summer. Not burrowing owls, although they do live in Saskatchewan. They were endangered there already back in the ’80s. Pesticides used against grasshoppers were the problem, I think. Not sure how they’re doing now. It’s good to hear people are helping them out where you live. Thanks so much for the photos!
This is why I love BC <3 And Vancouver Island is, well nirvana. I am heading up near there soon to see the orcas again. The Department of Fish & Game is fighting the petition to declare California's burrowing owls endangered because they say they can't get a good count. Which is very true. They can't get a good count because there are hardly any left to count. The Department of Fish and Game represents people who love to fish, and people who refer to wild animals and wild birds as "game." Res Ipsa Loquitur.
Aargh! The southern resident orcas are also in danger of disappearing, so I hope you manage to see them. More and more people are becoming aware of their plight. Folks like you sharing photos of birds and animals help create awareness.
I have been twice before to see them. The first trip there were many, the second none, we shall see on the third. Orca behavior is changing due to the absence of prey. It is depressing what we are doing to our beautiful wild world.
The first picture, the Stellar Jay photograph, in particular is wonderful!
Thank you for noticing & cheers to you Bruce!
Stunning photographs.
Grazie mille <3
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
More fantastic birds photographed by Cindy Knoke in Southern California.
You are a lovely friend <3
Your birds know what is good and where to get things…. hanging around you! š Great pictures!
Laughing. So sweet of you! Thank you.
The jays are handsome chaps. So interesting to see the North American variations on sparrow, corvid and owls. Loss of habitat is a massive problem to world over, humans need to make big changes.
We do indeed and it is not looking currently hopeful.
Super pictures of the birdies, Cindy. Our jays look very different from this one. This one has a beautiful color. šŗ Pawkisses for a Happy Week aheadš¾š½š
Thank you very much! You can find your type of jay here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Jay/id
You must derive huge amounts of satisfaction from your surroundings, the nature you see and the pictures you take.
How perceptive of you. I do. Nature and wildlife make me happy <3
Your usual good set
Thank you Derrick & take good care <3
I’m trying, Cindy. Thanks very much
SIMPLY MAGIC CINDY, CHINA
china.alexandria@livingthedream.blog
So happy you enjoyed & cheers to you!
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness!
ich hoffe, du bist gut in die Woche gestartet?
Vielen Dank! Ich hoffe du hast eine wundervolle Woche!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
Something to brighten you day, glorious feathers, adorning the creatures they were intended for, and captured by the lens of fabulous photographer Cindy Knoke… enjoy.
Have a wonderful week sweet Sally & thank you my friend <3
Lovely images as always Cindy…hugs ā„
Those owls warm my innards. Your portraits show how deeply you feel about these birds, truly lovely.
Awww, such a perceptive comment. Thank you Sally.
Great shots! Not sure how you got the Juncos to pose, but it was worth it. I hope they are put on the endangered list. And the Jay…sporting a punk feather look. lol
He was punk, before punk was cool!
š
What a marvelous array of pride and beauty! I am convinced California birds know how stately they are and it shows in your captivating photos.
Birds that especially stand out due to coloration and beauty seem more shy and reclusive, as if they know they stand out and are nervous about it. Scientists are actually studying birds for this sense of self in the world.
Beautiful. And those owls. I just can’t get enough of owls. š
I <3 people who <3 š¦š¦
I’d gladly take care of those tiny owls, Cindy! Such stunning creatures, with wisdom pouring from their eyes. We have Jays, but they don’t look like yours. Ours have more white and light blue coloring, without the black crest. Splendid photos — thank you!
You can probably find your type of Jay here:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Jay/id
Indeed! Ours is a basic blue jay. Noisy critters, but fun to watch!
They are all amazing in terms of coloration and personality šļø
Gorgeous birds and photos Cindy. They make me wish I had a real camera to get close-ups and details like yours. Thanks for sharing your gifts and find feathered friends. š
Thank you more for appreciating them Brad & cheers to you!
My pleasure!
<3
You got some outstanding photos there, Cindy.
Leslie
Ah, so kind & so appreciated!
š xoxo
Thank you for the wonderful insights, Cindy! You are really living in the paradise. š Best wishes, Michael
Thank you for your kindness & cheers to you my friend!
:-)) You too, Cindy! Wonderful, also very motivating images. š
<3 <3
All feathers amazing images, Cindy!
The burrowing owls are totally new to me so I loved them – seems like they would almost like a hug!!
They provoke the same feeling in me! š¦š¦
Wonderful photos!
Very pleased you enjoyed & thank you!
Ganz herzlichen Dank für die schƶnen Fotos. āæāāæ
Vielen Dank für Ihre freundliche Anerkennung!
Looks like the kind of juncos that visited here a number of years ago. š
We have Juncos in our yard. They love the seeds from the cherry tree š Beautiful photos, Cindy!
OH MY!!!!!!!! Owls, the eyes of one is watching you closely. The are amazing creatures. I find myself saying that about almost all animals. Not roaches, snakes, spiders, fire ants. I could live without. š
I really like burrowing owls, Cindy. Fun photos. They used to nest along a bank next to Cal Expo and the American River. Fluffy delights. As for Juncos and Stellars, there are hundreds of the former and dozens of the latter hanging out at our house now. āCurt
WOW, stunning captures, Cindy! So beautiful!!
Have you ever noticed that that birds have penetrating eyes? That was the first thought that came to me when I was viewing your phots. Birds recognize our presence and seem to anticipate our next move, judging the distance that is required to keep them out of our reach. Sometimes (well, quite often) I wonder if we are the most intelligent creature that walks, flies, swims this earth. Hugs!
Hi,Cindy, thank you for posting the feather friends, I love those stellar jays. They are gorgeous. š
Your local feathers are so beautiful, dear Cindy!
I love these photographs. Juncos are just so sweet.
They are so sweet, and so shy, at least around me.
Those owls are so adorable!!
I am so glad you see them as I do <3
Beautifful !
Greetings
Thank you and visa versa 2U! <3
Thank you very much & all the best to you <3
These photographs bring a smile and a prayer (“i thank you god for most this amazing”) to my everyday day.
You just brought a smile to my <3 with such a truly kind comment. I share your prayers šļø
Amazing shots, thanks gal.
Very kind. Thank you back <3
Cindy, thank you for these beautiful photographs!
Thank you much more for your very kind support. It means a lot to me šļø
Cindy, you are very welcome!
Be well my friend š¦
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here are more beautiful photographs from Cindy Knoke!
The Stellar Jay’s are certainly…, stellar…and they have blue eyebrows! Our juncos are quite drab by comparison, Cindy, only double shaded gray, but still beautiful in their own birdish way. Is Spring ever going to get here? I’m still sitting here looking at a frozen lake with snow and freezing rain in the forecast for the rest of the week…yuck!!!!!. šs from the hinterlands
And I want to be there right now and see/photograph the snowy hinterlands, but, I hear you, it would be hard month after month. I just flew up to see my new twin baby 5 month old grandsons in Northern Cali. I couldn’t believe the snowpack flying back on SoCali mountain ranges. The years long drought just got slammed by precipitation, and there is more due on Saturday. Stay warm cuz. Spring is almost here <3
I’ll post some pics of the hinterlands for you. OK? ā
Wonderful! Looking forward to them.
The birds look AMAZING…..š
So beautiful. š¼
Awww, so happy you like the šļøšļø!
Very lovely photographs! šššš
Very kind, thank you š¦
Great photos! š
Happy you enjoyed them & cheers!
Beautiful photos!!!
Grazie mille <3
These are amazing photos! Loved the post š
I was just enjoying your wonderful photos! <3
Wonderful photos š
Thank you! I was admiring your photos and I think we are neighbors. I recognized many of the places in your photos, including your cover photo of Torrey Pines towards La Jolla. Beautiful!
Oh thatās awesome. That spot in Torrey Pines is so beautiful ā¤ļø Do you have the green parrots flying around in your area right now too then? I just canāt get enough of them. Theyāre loud but so pretty.
I have been trying to find them. I’ve been driving all over and always seem to miss them. Where and when are you seeing them????? I know they are in Pt Loma, OB, La Jolla (where I grew up) sometimes. Where and when are you seeing them????? I will go immediately. I am in love with wild parrots. Lucky you!
Aw Iām sorry. Iām totally in love with them too! Theyāre so beautiful. Iād say best time is in the morning between 8 and 10. Itās kind of hard to say where but if you park and listen you might be able to locate them. Point Loma and Coronado. Theyāre not by the beach ( seagull territory). Iāve seen them quite a few times on Orange ave by Chase bank in coronado. I hear them right now as Iām writing this. And itās 7:45am. I hope that helps and that youāll get to see them soon. Last year I got photos of them eating these flowers and apples. Maybe I should make a blog post on that šš
Thank you so much for the tips! Please do the blog post! And alert me that you did. I want to see them!
I know they forage during the day, and I am usually looking either, early or late. I love parrots so much.
They are wise and beautiful birds. I am envious that you have them wild around you in San Diego.
omg, I love. Such beautiful eyes. š
I love seeing bird eyes closely, because they are so keen, and they see us so clearly.
Interesting. Our Oregon juncos are bigger, and not as orange. The jays are similar, but w/o the forehead stripes. Amazing what 1000 miles or so will do.
Bird variation is nothing short of amazing isn’t it, different, yet similar.
OMGoodness! Gorgeous & adorable. I so love birdies…from the Hummingbirds to the birds of prey.
I <3 my friends who <3 š¦š¦š¦
You have show the majesty of these birds. Superb photos – I wonder whether you will make a book
Yes, we must have a book!
<3 <3
So kind of you Diana. <3 I would love to make a book but I know nothing about it.
Cindy, oh wow! Spectacular photos! Stunning and amazing! I love birds and these are so breath taking to see in this manner.
I <3 people who <3 š¦š¦š¦
Cindy, for about 10 years, my husband Dave and I had what turned out to be like a bird sanctuary. We had feeders, fountains for drinking, and bathing for the birds (all kinds) as well as humming bird feeders, We also had little bird homes strategically placed for safety for the birds from predators. We had a large backyard with a small forest of different types of trees and vegetation…for the birds. We has a gazebo for them as well. Our property was a cacophony of wonderful conversations between birds, baby birds, and any danger about. Everybody do it and to hide in the little bird houses. My husband and I would set on our covered porch and watch all the goings on in “bird land”, it was wonderful. So, I love you pictures of all animals, but birds I love the best. Thank you again, for sharing these wonderful photos.
Your bird sanctuary sounds lovely! I enjoyed just reading about and imagining myself there.
Liz, yes…it was lovely and amazing. Birds are especially fun to watch and their behavior is extraordinary to observe. If they trust you, overtime they become very friendly, they almost become part of your family. So adorable. Karen š
Bird sanctuaries are sanctuaries for people too.
Oh my gosh, this moved me, so much!
You were running a birdie spa!
I know exactly how much of a wonderful thing this is to live around.
Bird always seem to me to be waiting for us to watch learn, about them certainly, but maybe more so, about ourselves.
Good for you for seeing.
Cindy, I know…the more I watched them, the more I realized they were a lot like humans in some extraordinary ways. We moved to a different location and I really miss my birds and all the other little animals the came to stay (bunnies, chipmunks, squirrels, humming birds, and two owls.) I planted apple trees too. They loved it. Karen š
It sounds like The Holler. It is wonderful to be among the wild ones <3
Cindy, yes! It is so wonderful to be with animals, birds, creatures of all kinds in the wild kingdom, and our beautiful earth. I grew up in Connecticut and our back yard was literally a forest. My cousins and siblings spent all our time exploring it. It was an animal preserve with bears, lots of deer, and everything you can imagine. Also, it was a farming community. I loved it and miss it still. Karen š
All great shots Cindy, my pick is the Owls š
They are so endearing aren’t they! š¦
Lovely birds Cindy. My current avatar (or whatever oneās little ident pics are called) is a burrowing owl.
What an awesome avatar for a nature lover like yourself! <3 š¦
Wow – what handsome Jays – so different from our local ones (who are the “enforcers” in the neighborhood for all the other birds) Not sure if yours are like the Rocky MT Jays which we enjoy seeing when there – will have to look that up.
It does seem like CA is getting all the rain/snow that has been missing for year. Hope the plants can hold the land and soil hold ht moisture for summer.
Great pictures! (Owls! we need all the ones we can get)
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Here is the info on Jay variance:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Stellers_Jay/id
We have western scrub jays at The Holler and they are very shy because they have the oak forests to meet all their needs. The stellar jays are in our local mountains. All of our jays are shy, but I have seen far more assertive jays when I travel so I know what you are talking about. We have more rain coming Saturday and I hope the soil keeps absorbing as it is seeming to do here.
Our jays are pushy fellows as well!
They certainly can be such, which we be wonderful for me since it makes them easier to photograph!
Beautiful series, as always! I especially love the handsome Jay, and the Burrowing owls are so cute. ššš§
I was just looking at your awesome photos of your train ride to Machu Picchu. Gorgeous & amazing. We will be in Peru in about 10 days. Are you still there? We could meet up.
Our trip was in Nov. Itād lovely to meet you there, Cindy! š I bet weather is nice in March. We were lucky, it didnāt rain and temperature was very comfortable. š
<3 <3
Great photos again! I love the blue bird! I’m shure, you can speak their language š
I wish! Be well kind friend <3
I’ve never seen a stellar jay before, and the juncos here in Massachusetts are very difficult. Great post! Hurry for owls!
I <3 people who <3 š¦š¦š¦!
Just wonderful, Cindy! Thank you,
Thank you more for your kind appreciation Jennie.
You are welcome, Cindy.
<3
Those owl eyes! So intense! š
I know. Owl eyes are beyond amazing. Their visual center takes up most of their brains, and man, these birdies can SEE!
That stellar jay is a handsome guy! Our junco in Wisconsin are just white and gray. And who doesn’t like owls! I love hearing them hoot on a cold winter night – echoing through the trees š
I know! So awesome. The great horned owl on our chimney sings me to sleep.
You have gorgeous local feathers, my friend! I love the Burrowing Owls…the only difference between those in California and those in Florida is that our tiny owls make their own burrows…the soil is soft enough for that here.
That’s a huge difference, because here they truly are endangered.
Really beautiful!
Grazie mille <3
šŗšŗšŗ
Amazing pics as always, Cindy! I especially loved that shade of blue on the Jays !
Thanks much. Isn’t he gorgeous! I love the blue too <3
These shots are glorious. All those incredible eyes. And feathers. And colors. Fine job.
Honored and very pleased you enjoyed! Thank you.
love the owl close-up. š
They are pretty irresistible aren’t they, and really already endangered in California.
Your photos are all beautiful, Cindy, but that third one is striking. It’s a keeper!
You are very kind & most appreciated Cynthia <3
Beautiful captures, Cindy!
Thank you so much & cheers to you!
My pleasure (& thank you for stopping by!)!
That ridge with the blue color, draws attention. The photos are to frame them.
You see with the eyes of a poet. I have been reading and admiring your poetry.
I remember the jays and junco’s from when I lived in California but never saw a burrowing owl. Probably wouldn’t find many in the middle of Burbank. ;( Even seeing them fly around, I never saw what you have shown me here with these photos. I remember how tiny the juncos were. The owls are my favorite though. Just adorable. I hope they find a way to save them from us.
“I hope they find a way to save them from us.”
Amen Marlene <3 Cheers to you & hope all is well.
These are real beauties, Cindy.
Such lovely images.
Muchas gracias!
I love all your birds, Cindy, but I’m particularly fond of the Stellar Jays! We been fortunate to see them on our mountain hikes in Colorado. They are little beggars though! š
They are gorgeous aren’t they, and so much personality to match! Cheers to you from Peru <3
From the swept up spiked, mohawk do to the sleek, smooth coiffed softer look they all have a distinctive style of their own, and none of them need all the things we do (curling irons, hair dryers, barrettes, combs and brushes, styling gel, etc. etc.) š
I think this is why women have always added feathers to their fashions, we want to emulate the birds!
Haha how true. Have a great weekend. Take care.
I can’t leave out the owls too. They have a studious, bookish look like they study hard into the night and those penetrating eyes that can see right through you. š
Maybe that is why they are referred to as ‘wise old owls,’ and often featured wearing spectacles!
šš
What amazing jays. Still can’t get over why American birds can be so colourful. You are blessed with a great variety.
But, then there is Australia, with has to be the colorful bird capitol of the world, which is why I am going back there!
Sounds great. A very special island.
Just critters, and occasional daily human visitors, ie., nearly perfect! š
Great photos! I’m trying to entice more birds onto my balcony by putting out food, but a family of squirrels in the tree next to it seem intent to foil my efforts lol.
Squirrels are ingenious little creatures. They particularly enjoy squirrel proof bird feeders! š
Primi piani di pennuti, straordinariamente belli e simpatici.
Un caro saluto,silvia
Grazie mille Silvia į