(click/tap to enlarge)
Have ocean eyes,
good for seeing,
in the murky depths.
Catching critters,
as they swim away.
Except for Squirrely,
who doesn’t even let his feet get wet.
Cheers to you from La Jolla’s sea creatures.
Critters in order are: Brandt’s Cormorant, Black Oystercatcher, Heerman’s Gull and California Ground Squirrel.
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Flying,
sunbursts,
in the garden.
This handsome boy,
is a Hooded Oriole,
and this is a male Bullocks Oriole.
The males are clearly striking.
But the females,
have their own more subtle beauty.
Male Hooded and Bullocks sharing the jelly!
Cheers to you from The Holler flying sunbursts~
(click/tap to enlarge to details)
Gulp grape jelly,
gobbling a gallon in a week.
They love to guzzle,
and gape,
at the odd creature,
who gives them grape.
They don’t grumble and nicely share,
as long as there’s generous gobs of grape.
Cheers to you from the glorious, glutinous, Holler Acorn Woodpeckers~
(click/tap to enlarge or you won’t see the details of this tiniest-flying-wonder)
Holler Hummers,
are avid human watchers.
Especially when they need a safe siesta spot.
They know the nearby human keeps attacking hummers at bay,
allowing the tired hummer to nap-away.
Cheers to you from the nervously napping Holler hummer~
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In La Jolla California,
are busy-bee birds,
always searching,
for the finest seafood.
But, like all true foodies,
after a good meal,
they need a good siesta!
Cheers to you,
from the tiny, mighty Sanderlings~
A massive flock of Snow Geese spooked by a Harrier Hawk (tap to enlarge to see the hawk in the upper right corner),
take to the air at The Salton Sea in Southern California.
Wile E. Coyote hiding, patiently watching and waiting,
finally makes his move,
causing the settling geese,
to panic once again,
and take to flight en masse.
The din is overwhelming as they fly directly around you,
and feathers float like snow.
When Wile E. gives up, the weary geese settle once again.
Soon they will begin their long migration north.
It is not easy being a Snow Goose,
but at least they have a lot of friends! (click to enlarge)
Cheers to you from the vacationing geese at The Salton Sea~
Burrowing Owls are a species of special concern and are disappearing in Southern California.
The species is listed as threatened in Mexico,
and endangered in Canada.
It is rare to see them in Southern California as their ecosystems have been goobled up by development.
These burrowing owls are protected at The Salton Sea Nature Preserve in Southern California.
The preserve sets up multiple drain pipes for the owls to shelter in from predators and marks them with signage to keep humans from bothering them.
It is always a major thrill when these tiny owls (they are only 9 inches high) decide to come out of hiding and people watch!
Cheers to you from the wonderful Burrowing Owls at The Salton Sea~
Why go it alone on a seaside holiday,
when vacations are more fun shared.
Sandhills eschew solitude,
preferring to gambol about in groups.
Cheers to you from the vacationing Sandhills at The Salton Sea~
With all their birdie buddies!
The heavy rains have filled the seas making happy and healthy birdies (click to enlarge).
The Sandhill Cranes have flown here en masse,
to take advantage of the bounty.
This is the first time they have allowed me close enough to get decent photos.
Sandhills are big birdies,
standing up to 4 1/2′ tall when fully extended,
They winter in the Salton Sea,
and head north soon,
to breed.
I have seen them doing their mating dances,
in the far Arctic.
Sorry to be out of touch. We are traveling, and wifi is unreliable.
Cheers to you for the wintering Sandhill Cranes~
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Take a bad photo.
Every Peli day is portrait day,
even when they shy away.
Two Pelis,
are twice,
as much fun,
in the sun,
but five pelis, well they stun!
Cheers to you from The La Jolla pelis who can~
