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LM's 6th BY, 2021 - in search of consistency, with better photography

lmSA84

By lmSA84
in Big Year 2022

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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200. Californian Brown Pelican, Abbott Lagoon - Point Reyes, August

 

For number 200 I thought I would share something a bit different.

 

The bird in question is the Brown Pelican, Californicus sub species.

 

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My wife's company is based out of San Francisco, so we decided to spend 3 weeks of the Summer there with our young family. With my wife working long hours, I was left to do most of the childcare which most days resulting in me taking the kids to Point Reyes NP, which has an excellent combination of beaches (for the kids), walking trials and birdwatching (for me :D).

 

On one such trip, we visited Abbotts Lagoon which is located in the North East of the park.

 

When we arrived we spotted a small family of Northern American River Otters in the far distance, sadly too far to show the kids. A pity.

 

We wound up spending about an hour by the estuary, the kids playing and me photographing a group of gulls, terns, cormorants, pelicans and egrets. 

 

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Amongst all the sea birds were also a fair few turkey vultures, after scraps of what appeared to be gulls or pelicans. This should have been a clue. 

 

Just as we got ready to leave I saw a bit of a commotion in the water and funny shaped brown mass.

 

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What had happened is that the otter family from earlier had just made a kill of a Brown Pelican. At the time, I didn't know that this is not uncommon. These otters and a few other groups in California have become quite adept at grabbing the Pelicans from below.

 

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In all they must have fed on it for about 30mins. Once they were done they made their way back out the estuary and into the main lagoon which afforded me a chance to hassle my kids back along the path to a bridge to catch a close up view of the otters passing by

 

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We were then treated to a sight of them cleaning off for the day! 

 

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I think this will definitely count as my best wildlife sight of the year!

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lmSA84
lmSA84

Beside the birds there was plenty of other wildlife around            

lmSA84
lmSA84

@Dave Williamsand @michael-ibk- you're too kind - these Bittern shots look like smudge shots on the lens ! I'm hoping to get to Otmoor later in the year for something better.    Either way o

lmSA84
lmSA84

70. Horned Lark, Isle of Sheppey, January   A chance to see these guys and the Hen Harriers is what drew me down to the Isle of Sheppey          

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Galana

Galana

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Good to see the 200 up on the board BUT, for my money, I would give it back for that Otter experience. Truly amazing.

I know the European Otter will take waterfowl, Moorhen, Mallard etc., but a whole Brown Pelican. Americans!:lol:

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PeterHG

PeterHG

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Congrats on #200 and what an amazing sighting and experience!

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michael-ibk

michael-ibk

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Wow, what a fascinating sighting, awesome. Great photos too! Congrats on #200, well done! You are pretty clever with your parenting, sneaking in birding like that. :)

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TonyQ

TonyQ

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Congratulations on 200, and a great sighting of the otters

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Treepol

Treepol

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Brilliant otter sighting, and interesting to learn about the pelican predation.

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Kitsafari

Kitsafari

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congrats on the 200th, and wow I really didn't know that otters take waterfowl at all. what a sighting.

 

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Towlersonsafari

Towlersonsafari

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what a splendid sighting- as @Galanasaid  European otters can take sea birds and I have seen a half-hearted attempt by an aotter on a shag, but a brown pelican! and the phptp of the otter peering up at you is lovely

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Peter Connan

Peter Connan

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Congratulations on the 200 and a wonderful sighting to go with it!

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pedro maia

pedro maia

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Congrats on #200 and what a great sighting, I think it´s the first time the bird featured in a BY milestone is killed :D.

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Dave Williams

Dave Williams

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You learns something everyday. Very interesting to read the account of your otters and the comments that followed.

Congrats on the 200.

PS our grandchildren all beyond needing it but childminding doesn't seem so bad after all!!

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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Thank you all for the comments. @pedro maia- you make a good point! :D

 

These next set of birds were all taken in and around the town of Fairfax where we were staying. 

 

201. Oak Titmouse, Marin County, August

 

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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202. Dark-eyed Junco, Marin County, August

 

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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203. House Finch, Marin Country, August

 

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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204. Hairy Woodpecker, Marin County, August

 

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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205. Anna's Hummingbird, Marin County, August

 

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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206. California Towhee, Marin County, August

 

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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207. Bushtit, Marin County, August

 

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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208. Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Marin County, August

 

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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209. American Robin, Marin County, August

 

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Zim Girl

Zim Girl

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Congratulations on the 200.

What a fantastic sighting of the otters!

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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@Zim Girl- thanks for following along

 

210. Western Bluebird, Point Reyes NP, August

 

This next set of photos are from Point Reyes NP

 

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lmSA84

lmSA84

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211. Brewer's Blackbird, Point Reyes NP, August

 

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