Category: Uncategorized

Hooded Orioles: Pairs & Females~

On By cindy knokeIn Uncategorized40 Comments

Quite a curious Hooded Oriole mated pair (click/tap to enlarge).

They are avid people watchers,

and grape jelly eaters!

Orioles are migrating birds, and because it is cold in the winter at The Holler, our orioles head to warmer winter climes.

They spend spring and summer nesting at The Holler.

Female orioles are supremely talented weaver birds, and design intricate and beautiful hanging nests from palm strings. This female is loading up on string to weave her nests.

Cheers to you from the beautifully curious Holler Hooded Orioles~

Flight~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Uncategorized, Wild Life264 Comments

Harris Hawks lift off from my glove,

soar straight up in the sky to fly,

and land precisely back with Jim.

Flying hawks is incredible.

Lethal precision hunters,

they are woe to birdies in the sky,

and critters fleeing on the ground.

They are savage beauties,

and magnificent creatures.

Cheers to you from the Harris Hawks~

People Watcher~

On By cindy knokeIn Uncategorized250 Comments

This learned looking, Spectacled Owl (click/tap to enlarge),

looks like he’s none too impressed with us humans.

Wise old owl!

Spectacled Owls are native to Mexico, Central and South America, and the species is doing well.

I met him at his home, where he flies free, at Avian Behavior International in rural Southern California.

Cheers to you from the learned, and wisely unimpressed owl~

Free~

On By cindy knokeIn Uncategorized270 Comments

I have only seen Macaws flying free in Central and South America.

These Macaws fly free regularly over rural Southern California which is an incredible sight.

They often spend hours away, carry no trackers,

like to hang out on this dead tree,

and chose when they want to come home.

They are free as a bird!

They love people and are very curious about new ones,

as you can easily see in these photos.

Please forgive me for posting so many photos,

and breaking my 8 photo maximum rule,

but I can’t resist these guys,

and hope you can’t either.

Cheers to you from the happy Macaws at Avian Behavior International~

For more information see: https://avian-behavior.org/about-us/

Bird Portraits: Raptors~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS, Uncategorized, Wild Life185 Comments

“Where the wild things are,” (tap/click to enlarge)

is where I like to be.

Bald Eagles,

imperious stare.

Haughty Harris Hawks,

with laser eyes.

Owls see light,

in the darkest night.

Falcon’s fly faster,

than wind.

Canada’s wild spaces.

Cheers to you from our finely feathered friends~

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).

Chasing Rainbows~

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Sunsets, Uncategorized195 Comments

Off again,

chasing rainbows.

This one arced over The Holler,

the valley,

the bank.

The Pot of gold was on our garage!!!

I ran to catch it, but it danced away.

The storm was followed by a frosty moon.

and pastel sunset.

We’ve left again. Chasing rainbows.

Cheers to you from The Holler~

Feathered Pairs~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, TRAVEL REVIEWS, Uncategorized, Wild Life249 Comments

Big Gulp Gull,

swallows his catch, Coeur d’Alene Idaho.

Bald Eagle,

and juvenile, catch grizzly salmon scraps, British Columbia Canada.

Saddle Bill Stork catches a cat,

Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Red Tailed Hawk,

loves rare water, Southern California.

A pair of Yellow Legs multiply in reflection, Salton Sea, California.

Greater Flamingos tango, Tagus Estuary Portugal.

Mated White Storks greet on their nest, Alsace France.

Cheers to you from your feathered friends~

What a Load Of Bull~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS, Uncategorized, Wild Life200 Comments

Is it just me? Or does he look irritable to you?

Would you cross his pasture?

The timid California Quail,

seemed to like hanging around him.

Maybe she thinks no one will mess with her, when he’s around.

But the roadrunner stayed clearly on the other side of the fence.

He’d rather deal with a confusing human like me,

than a bunch of bull like him!

Cheers to you from California’s clever critters~

Bloomin’ Holler~

On By cindy knokeIn Uncategorized255 Comments

Rain is in the forecast,

for tomorrow.

It will be the first winter storm,

for the parched Holler,

and won’t be nearly enough,

but we’ll take what we can get,

to keep The Holler bloomin’.

Happy Holidays to you from The Holler~

Note: These photos were taken near The Holler, at The Vista Botanical Garden, Ganter Nursery, and The San Diego Safari Park.