White Ibis Santa Barbara County

This afternoon the report came out that a White Ibis had been seen in Carpinteria, a first for Santa Barbara County.  I went down and joined some avid birders enjoying the view.  Unfortunately in my haste to leave, I did not bring my high magnification eyepiece, and the bird was quite far away, so the images are not as crisp as I would like.



Reddish Egret at Goleta Beach

Recently there has been a Reddish Egret hanging around at Goleta Beach County Park.  This is a fairly unusual visitor to the area.  Their home territory tends to be further south, and also the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern US.  They are fun to watch.  Most egrets and herons hunt by remaining fairly or quietly stalking their prey.  Not the Reddish Egret - they run and hop around, chasing the fish down.  I also noticed another little trick, the egret would remain still but quickly stamp a foot on the bottom, perhaps hoping to stir up or attract a little snack.

Not Just Birds!

Sometimes one can manage to get other animals in front of the scope as well!  Here are some that were spotted in Utah this summer.

 Whiptail Lizard

Pronghorn Antelope

Pronghorn Antelope

  

Collared Lizard 

Desert Cottontail

Desert Cottontail

Collared Lizard

Summer In Utah

Spent a few week in Utah this summer.  Here are some of the things we saw.

Ash-throated Flycatcher. 

 Western Kingbird.  They had a nest in the gutter, and were quite vocal about our presence.  Once the little ones were out the nest, they were gone.

Western Kingbird. 

 Black-billed Magpie.

 Say's Phoebe - juvenile.

 Western Kingbird.

Black-billed Magpies - juvenile. 

 Rufous Hummingbird.  Late summer arrivals, on their way south.

Rufous Hummingbird