Posts Tagged ‘bird watching’

BES_bullocks_oriole_1_S

 My bright yellow bird has yet again appeared upon the scene.  This time,however, I noticed a deep patch of orange under the neck and across the upper part of his breast.  Still unidentified, I had a couple of possibilities in mind, but I have never seen him well enough to be sure. However, from his size and color, I now think that he may be a Bulloclk’s Oriole. In the places where I last saw him I’ve been playing a recording of his call, but to no avail. They’re supposed to be rare and secretive, and I’ve never seen one around here. Then again I may actually have a blurry photo of him. His image may have been captured in a bizarre photographic incident, to be described in a later post. Stay tuned.

The photo above comes from allaboutbirds.com

I’m pulling off on a road through the Pacific coast foothills. I need a cup of coffee, so I find a place to stop. As I’m pouring my coffee, I spot some interesting activity on a tree just ahead. I can’t tell what it is; at first I think that it is a gray squirrel. Then I notice something bright red! It’s some kind of woodpecker. I want to get a photograph of it.
Now it’s on the opposite side of the tree, so I wait for it to move around. However, as usual, I rapidly grow impatient. So now, with  camera in hand, I get out of the vehicle and walk closer to the tree in order to get a better view. Surprise! surprise! I do get a better view– as he flies away!
Interestingly enough, when I return to this spot at a later date there he is on the same tree. But alas, secretive little devil that he is, I miss a second photo opportunity. Down the road though, I do get a photo of a woodpecker on a utility pole. I think this one is an acorn woodpecker. It may be the same kind, but I’m not convinced. I’ll come back to that tree another time.