Category: HOLLER HAPPENINGS

All things holler related such as animal interactions: with cattle updates, raptor stories, all interactions with birds especially roadrunners and quail, rattlesnake updates and coyote pack issues. Some time there might be human interactions as well, but there aren’t many humans near the holler!

Hollerites~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life211 Comments

We’ve gotten lots of rain and more is coming this weekend! The lakes and creeks are filling up, making the critters (and me) happy.

I am going to be disappointed in myself if I get these identifications wrong,

but I think this handsome guy is a Ring Necked Duck.

Duck identification is difficult. (You can actually see the ring around his neck in this photo which is unusual).

We have thirty or so duck species in California, and that doesn’t include all the ones that aren’t supposed to be here! (Birds don’t read the manuals).

I think this similar,

but the not the same beauty,

is a lesser scaup male,

and here is the female.

Here they are together. Of course, I could be wrong. But irregardless of ID, a duck by any other name would quack the same!

Cheers to you from The Happy Holler Quackers~

One Can~

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

make friends,

easily,

with onecan.

But toucans?

Toucan’t!

Cheers to you from one friendly can~

Note: This is a Toco Toucan. They are highly intelligent birds and are the largest and longest living toucans. They can live up to thirty years. Many types of toucans are endangered in the wild due to habitat destruction and hunting, but Toco populations are currently stable.

Angel Face~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life253 Comments

Holler Hooters,

are the very best neighbors!

This little guy,

flies with his friend Katie Pnewski,

at Avian Behavior International in Southern California.

We have nesting barn owls in our owl boxes at The Holler.

Check out this frumpy little chick on his first day out of his nest, napping, and making a new friend!

Baby Valentine~

Cheers to you from The Happy Holler Hooters~

Saker Falcon~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Tech Marvels257 Comments

Incoming,

at 88 mph!

I duck,

he nails his prize,

and promptly mantles so I won’t steal it.

Saker Falcons have been falconry birds for 1000’s of years.

They are an endangered species, native across Central Europe to China.

This is Katie Pnewski, a brilliant and comitted bird trainer,

and bird lover, who works at Avian Behavior International,

a conservation and bird advocacy organization near The Holler in rural Southern California.

I spent an incredible day here today, and will be introducing you to more of their amazing birds and conservation efforts in my next posts. For more on this worthwhile organization see:

https://avian-behavior.org/about-us/conservation/

Cheers to you from the phenomenal Saker Falcon and his devoted human~

Acrobats~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, Uncategorized, Wild Life115 Comments

Looks aren’t everything.

Acrobatic skills,

are more important.

The ability to debate is a also necessary ability.

It isn’t fair, but unfortunately is true,

looks often get you, more grape jelly!

Cheers to you from the handsome, skillful, and well fed Holler Orioles~

(Note- We are traveling now and will be out of the range of wifi for while. Stay safe & take good care).

Newbies~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life117 Comments

Meet the new neighbors at The Holler!

The Brown Headed Cowbird is a parasitic brooder.

Females of this species produce up to 36 eggs per season, and lay the eggs in other bird’s nests to be raised.

They have the most unusual vocalizations, sounding something like underwater bells. No one knows how they know how to sing since they don’t learn it from their parents. Listen to samples of their song:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/sounds

This Lark Sparrow is also a new neighbor.

They look similar to female grosbeaks,

except for their distinctive harlequin hats!

Cheers to you from The Holler newbies~

Neighbors~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life122 Comments

The Holler has the best neighbors. (click/tap to enlarge)

Check out the marvelous modeling mama,

grosbeak!

She is photogenic from every angle,

and loves having her picture taken.

She is a very friendly neighbor.

The orioles,

and acorn woodpeckers add a splash of color to the scene.

Cheers to you from our Holler neighbors~

Romneya~

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, Flowers, GARDENING AT THE HOLLER, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES239 Comments

These gorgeous huge poppies are bloomin’ up The Holler!

Also known as the Matilija Poppy, these are the largest flowers in the poppy family,

and they are the largest native California flower.

The blooms are 8 inches in diameter,

and the bushes grow to about 10 feet in height,

They are a challenge to grow, but so worth the effort!

Cheers to you & Happy Mother’s Day from The Holler’s Romneya~