Turkey Vultures on the Carquinez Strait
Soaring the skies
Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) are a frequent sight at Radke-Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. Lately, there have been about 14 of them soaring through the skies, sitting on logs, hanging out on tree branches and resting on light poles. They are incredibly efficient at keeping the shoreline area free from dead fish and from a variety of small animals that have met their unfortunate demise.
Despite their unusual looks, they are actually quite beautiful and pose no real threat to humans.
As a photographer, I find them to be uniquely photogenic and amazing in flight. I have grown to become quite fond of and respectful of these birds. I have also come to learn, that there are a great number of people who love Turkey Vultures as well.
Turkey Vulture trying to scare-off an Osprey to steal his catch. Ospreys, however don't scare easily
Turkey Vultures
Turkey Vultures love this tree! There were over 30 of them along the Carquinez Shoreline in Martinez the other day. Although they may look a little scary up close, they are truly amazing birds.
Amazing Birds...Turkey Vultures on the Carquinez Strait
A committee of Turkey Vultures perched on a tree just off the Carquinez Strait shoreline
Turkey Vultures are actually very photogenic and will strike quite a few poses before flying away
Turkey Vulture soaring on the Carquinez Strait
Turkey Vultures taking in the morning sun on the Carquinez shoreline
Early morning meeting of the minds
Turkey Vultures resting in the grass, just off the Carquinez shoreline. The adult, sporting beautiful red colors is being protective of the juvenile in the background
This week's featured birds
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
Northern Mockingbird checking out its territory on the Pickleweed Trail at Radke Park. These songbirds (passerines) love to mimic the songs of other birds. They love open areas with shrubs and trees, but can also be spotted in forests, urban areas and backyards. They are also territorial and can be aggressive towards birds and other intru
Northern Mockingbird checking out its territory on the Pickleweed Trail at Radke Park. These songbirds (passerines) love to mimic the songs of other birds. They love open areas with shrubs and trees, but can also be spotted in forests, urban areas and backyards. They are also territorial and can be aggressive towards birds and other intruders during mating season, including fearlessly fending off hawks.
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
Common Yellowthroat on the hunt for insects on the Pickleweed Trail at Radke Park. These yellow and olive colored warblers love the dense vegetation in areas of the Carquinez marshlands.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
American kestrel scanning the marshland on the Pickleweed Trail at Radke Park. This colorful bird is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. They are amazing hunters, with a diet consisting of insects, small mammals and other small creatures.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
This Great Blue Heron is a familiar sight at Big Break Regional Shoreline Park in Oakley. This adult loves to hunt for fish in shallow waters and wetland habitats, but can also hunt for small prey on land. They are patient and lightning fast when they strike. On hot days, they will cool off by rapidly vibrating their throat muscles to coo
This Great Blue Heron is a familiar sight at Big Break Regional Shoreline Park in Oakley. This adult loves to hunt for fish in shallow waters and wetland habitats, but can also hunt for small prey on land. They are patient and lightning fast when they strike. On hot days, they will cool off by rapidly vibrating their throat muscles to cool down. It is known as gular fluttering, which can be seen in the picture to the right.
Greater White-fronted Geese Spotted at Radke Park
A rare sight in this neck of the woods... so cool :)
There was a break in the clouds yesterday in Martinez, so I decided to grab my camera and take a walk at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. There were a variety of birds taking advantage of the afternoon sun as well, including Canada Geese, Snowy Egrets, a Great Blue Heron, a Red-tailed Hawk and a White-tailed Kite, to name a few.
As I crossed over the newly-renovated walking bridge, I couldn't believe my eyes. Right there in front of me was a gaggle of eight Greater White-fronted Geese paddling in the pond.
These beautiful birds are a common sight in the Central Valley during the winter months, where they are often seen in areas such as Lodi and Galt. This is the first time, however in the 14 years that I have lived near Radke Park, that I have seen them here in this area. It was a very nice surprise indeed :)
Fun Facts about Greater White-fronted Geese:
"Laughing" Call: Their call is a distinctive, high-pitched, two- or three-syllable laugh, quite different from other geese. It's a beautiful sound.
"Specklebelly" Nickname: Their belly feathers have distinctive black bars or blotches, earning them the "specklebelly" nickname.
This week's featured birds
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
House Sparrow finding a perch in a tree at Granger's Wharf, part of Radke Park in Martinez. This was one in a flock of about 15, foraging for seeds and insects along the trail.
Many people regard House Sparrows as undesirables in their yards, since they aren't native and can be a menace to native species. House Sparrows are so closely entw
House Sparrow finding a perch in a tree at Granger's Wharf, part of Radke Park in Martinez. This was one in a flock of about 15, foraging for seeds and insects along the trail.
Many people regard House Sparrows as undesirables in their yards, since they aren't native and can be a menace to native species. House Sparrows are so closely entwined with people's lives that you probably will find them around your home even without feeding them. (Allaboutbirds.org.)
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
American kestrel scanning the marshland on the Pickleweed Trail at Radke Park. This colorful bird is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. They are amazing hunters, with a diet consisting of insects, small mammals and other small creatures.
American kestrel's aren't a common sight in the Martinez area, but I always enjoy se
American kestrel scanning the marshland on the Pickleweed Trail at Radke Park. This colorful bird is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. They are amazing hunters, with a diet consisting of insects, small mammals and other small creatures.
American kestrel's aren't a common sight in the Martinez area, but I always enjoy seeing them sitting on pole lines in the Lodi area, as well as on the Marsh Creek Trail in Oakley.
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
Northern Mockingbird checking out its territory on the Pickleweed Trail at Radke Park. These songbirds (passerines) love to mimic the songs of other birds. They love open areas with shrubs and trees, but can also be spotted in forests, urban areas and backyards. They are also territorial and can be aggressive towards birds and other intru
Northern Mockingbird checking out its territory on the Pickleweed Trail at Radke Park. These songbirds (passerines) love to mimic the songs of other birds. They love open areas with shrubs and trees, but can also be spotted in forests, urban areas and backyards. They are also territorial and can be aggressive towards birds and other intruders during mating season, including fearlessly fending off hawks.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
This Great Blue Heron is a familiar sight at Big Break Regional Shoreline Park in Oakley. This adult loves to hunt for fish in shallow waters and wetland habitats, but can also hunt for small prey on land. They are patient and lightning fast when they strike. On hot days, they will cool off by rapidly vibrating their throat muscles to coo
This Great Blue Heron is a familiar sight at Big Break Regional Shoreline Park in Oakley. This adult loves to hunt for fish in shallow waters and wetland habitats, but can also hunt for small prey on land. They are patient and lightning fast when they strike. On hot days, they will cool off by rapidly vibrating their throat muscles to cool down. It is known as gular fluttering, which can be seen in the picture to the right.