Clare's First BY

[Galana]

7 hours ago, campsafari2015 said:

you can laugh at me if you were teasing

[campsafari2015]

Another alibi, this time with an acceptable picture. 

 

199) Turkey Vulture - 2 January (Monterey, CA)

 

[shazdwn]

@campsafari2015what do you mean when you refer to a bird as an alibi? I've never heard this word used in association with bird watching before - unless of course you really are using these birds to defend yourself against a range of dastardly crimes 

[campsafari2015]

1 hour ago, shazdwn said:

@campsafari2015what do you mean when you refer to a bird as an alibi? I've never heard this word used in association with bird watching before - unless of course you really are using these birds to defend yourself against a range of dastardly crimes 

I’m presenting these photographs as evidence I’m not committing the grievous sin of lying about how many birds I’ve sighted this year (since I’ve been yammering on about eBird totals). But, that’s exactly what I’d tell you even if I were a criminal 🧐

[Galana]

But good evidence can be used to disprove even the strongest of alibis.

[campsafari2015]

Tricolored Blackbird again. I found a flock and this beautiful, fresh plumage male was making photos easy, so I figured I'd update the thread. 

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[campsafari2015]

200) Western Sandpiper - 1 October (Monterey, CA)

 

They're the two individuals in the center of the frame. A bit more grey and with black legs. 

 

[campsafari2015]

201) Green-winged Teal - 1 October (Monterey, CA) It's the one at the very right edge of the frame along the bank. I was taking a picture of the Pectoral Sandpiper and didn't realize he was there until later looking on my computer.

 

[campsafari2015]

202) Cinnamon Teal - 3 April (Monterey, CA)

 

[xelas]

200 reached this year is a great achievement. Congratulations!

[michael-ibk]

Well done on getting 200+ local birds, an impressive achievement. Bravo!

[Tdgraves]

Congrats on the double century 

[Zim Girl]

Great effort on getting to 200!!

[Galana]

Well done on the double.

[pedro maia]

Congrats on the double century!!

[Peter Connan]

Congratulations! 

[PeterHG]

Congratulations on reaching 200!

[campsafari2015]

Thank you, everybody! The last week has been exceptional! 

 

Today, I got one of my longtime "wish list" birds. Not particularly rare, they just take patience and luck to see out in the open. I've heard them several times over the last week.

 

203) Sora - 3 October (Monterey, CA)

 

 

Can you see it?! Plain as day!! 

 

Luckily for me, I would have a second to actually admire (for more than their stealth and stubbornness). 

 

[Kitsafari]

@campsafari2015 

 

Well done on the 200th! a feat considering this year's challenges. 

It's so nice to see different birds from the USA - not sure if I would have any chance to bird in that part of the world so seeing them for the first time is wonderful. that tri-coloured blackbird is very attractive. 

 

your scaly-breasted munia looks different from ours in Asia! are those in the photos juveniles? even then, one of them spot distinctive marks on its underparts while the juves we have here usually have no such markings. our scaly-breasted munia Lonchura punctulata is endemic to Asia. 

[campsafari2015]

24 minutes ago, Kitsafari said:

@campsafari2015 

 

Well done on the 200th! a feat considering this year's challenges. 

It's so nice to see different birds from the USA - not sure if I would have any chance to bird in that part of the world so seeing them for the first time is wonderful. that tri-coloured blackbird is very attractive. 

 

your scaly-breasted munia looks different from ours in Asia! are those in the photos juveniles? even then, one of them spot distinctive marks on its underparts while the juves we have here usually have no such markings. our scaly-breasted munia Lonchura punctulata is endemic to Asia. 

200 county birds means I have seen 40% of the bird species ever recorded to eBird for the county! Maybe, I'll get to 215, if I'm diligent in getting out there for the vagrants/migrants. 

 

Here is the photo of the male and his little harem. I'm not sure whether the one with only a few "scales" is a juvenile male or a female. 

 

[Kitsafari]

Interesting - They are native to Asia, but was introduced to many parts of the world, including the USA, where they are doing very well - and I didn't know that. The males and females have similar features although the male is darker on the scaly underparts and head. The juveniles are plain light brown without scales.  

[Galana]

I just KNEW your 'can you see it" photo would be a Rail.

9 hours ago, campsafari2015 said:

Can you see it?! Plain as day!! 

Nice capture.

[TonyQ]

Well done on reaching 200!

[campsafari2015]

3 hours ago, Galana said:

I just KNEW your 'can you see it" photo would be a Rail.

Nice capture.

I feel like Rails are the consistent features of can you see it and EBCs 😂

 

 

[campsafari2015]

Today's specialty was a real treat. A very rare visitor from the East decided to drop in to Monterey for a few days. Even better, it wasn't difficult to find! I managed to get out at nap time and nab a sweet moment with this beautiful individual. 

 

204) Mourning Warbler - 4 October