Jericho sunrise

The sun rises over the low tide near Jericho beach, subtly changed with the approach of autumn. As the seasons fade into one another, the living world begins to change as well. Here’s a selection of photos from a recent visit.

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

The rattling, irritated calls of crows sounded out around the almost entirely dried ponds. A blur of a bird flew past, with two crows in pursuit. My first impression was a Sharp-shinned Hawk, but when I got a better view I could see the bird was a Merlin. Though smaller than the crows, it is a faster and more far more agile bird. The sounds of their skirmishing lasted a good part of the morning.

Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)

Tucked away in a shadowy bush, this Bewick’s Wren focused on its complex, burbling song.

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

Savannah Sparrows are beautiful, shy sparrows that are often found in open habitats. Late summer to early fall sees many of the more northern breeding birds passing through on their way to the southern US and Mexico.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Song Sparrows are one of the most common and widespread sparrows in North America. They often (and unfairly) get over-looked by birders. They are an incredibly successful species, with at least 24 subspecies.

This article at Cornell Labs’ All About Birds goes into detail about their genetic diversity: The Secret to Song Sparrows’ Extraordinary Success Lies in Their Genome.

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)

Resting on the beach with at least forty others, this Ring-billed Gull took a moment to stretch out before returning to loafing on the sand.

Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii)

A smaller cousin of the Canada Goose, this Cackling Goose was one of a pair sticking close to the Greater White-fronted Goose photographed below.

Next time you find a large group of Canada Geese, spend a little time looking at each one – there may be a Cackling Goose or two hidden in the flock. You’ll quickly notice them with a little attention: they’re significantly smaller, have a tiny bill, and are cute.

Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

A Greater White-fronted Goose regarding me with a certain amount of skepticism. Like Cackling Goose, these birds generally show up in small numbers, often associated with flocks of Canada Geese.

At a distance they vanish into the flock, but with a close look their bright orange legs set them apart. This individual is a juvenile and so lacks the distinctive white face-patch they’re named for.

California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)

A lepidopteran of the west coast, California Tortoiseshells are sometimes mistaken for Monarch butterflies. This individual has seen better days.

Pacific Chorus Frog (Pseudacris regilla)

Quite a few of the Pacific tree frogs were out… easier to hear than to spot. But some careful examination of blackberry leaves will often reveal a few.

The California Herps website has an in-depth page about their calls.

Until next time…

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