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Turkey Vultures on the Carquinez Strait
Soaring the skies
Turkey Vultures 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
Amazing Birds...Turkey Vultures on the Carquinez Strait
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BIRDS OF THE CALIFORNIA DELTA; SONGBIRDS
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Scientific Name: Regulus calendula
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a tiny, energetic songbird, one of the smallest in North America.
Western Meadowlark
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Sturnella neglecta
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia atricapilla
Brewer's Blackbird
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Euphagus cyanocephalus
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.