Category: Birds

Unleash the Beast~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, Tech Marvels, Uncategorized, Wild Life244 Comments

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Meep Meep’s secret speed source revealed!

(Let’s keep his secret just between us.)

Cheers to you from The Holler’s Monster Energy drinking always running Roadrunner~

Mocked~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life229 Comments

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It’s good,

to be mocked,

by a mockingbird.

They are valiant creatures who keep poisonous snakes from the garden.

Here are just a few examples of their mimicry. They even imitate weed whackers at The Holler!

Cheers to you from The Holler Mockers~

Bird Watchers~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life290 Comments

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You just need,

to be alone,

silent,

and still.

If you do this,

you will find,

that birds are avid people watchers!

Cheers to you from the always observant birdies~

Note: Featured birds are a Stellar Jay and American Robin.

Sea Creatures~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life222 Comments

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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.

Goldies~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES243 Comments

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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~

Greedy Gawpers~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life185 Comments

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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~

Nervous Napper~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES213 Comments

(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~

Sanderlings~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life218 Comments

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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~

Snow Geese~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS, Wild Life246 Comments

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~

One Man’s Drain is Another Owl’s Castle~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life271 Comments

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.

See: https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/western-burrowing-owl-southern-california-disappearing-threatened

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~