Goosed

Ross's Goose was one of the first rare birds I found as an awkward teen birder; for that, I am forever grateful. Photographed at Lake Merced, San Francisco, CA.

As always, I have a huge backlog of photos that are actually fit for exhibition on the interwebs, and so I decided to dive into my digital goose reservoir for today...it is winter, after all, and much of the country is being grazed by geese of all of kinds. I also figure that some of you probably need to take a break from your gull-inspired migraines...geese are a bit easier to handle.

I've always admired geese; their long-distance migrations, their penchant for vagrancy, their mixed species flocks, their good looks and (usually) mild demeanor, their fantastic noises, their huge flocks, their monogamy (not that I'm fixated on monogamy, I just think geese are way better at it than people are), their family migrations and their social hierarchy in flocks. They are also delicious, although I can't say I've had the opportunity to eat a wild one yet.

Which is not why we are here at all. Sorry I don't have a good Nene shot, or else they would be included...and as far as Taiga Bean-Goose, Tundra Bean-Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose...those are the geese that dreams are made of.

Compared to Snow Geese, Ross' are off the cute scale, probably due to a combination of the round head, wee bill and comparatively large eye. There has actually been a study on how people perceive cuteness (which I am too lazy to find at the moment); one thing I do remember is that head shape goes a long way.

Snow Goose. A novice birder might say "God, that looks like the same damn bird as the Ross's". To that I would reply, "If two twins were standing in front of you, and one was wearing black lipstick, do you really think you wouldn't notice the difference?". Said novice birder would then be incredibly ashamed for overlooking something so obvious and I would have to offer them strong drink to make them feel better. Photographed at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA.

Blue Snow Goose, a bird of much snazziness. Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.

Brant! A goose of the sea, and one who prefers a guttural yodel to a pleasant honk. Photographed in San Diego, CA. 

Brant are not impressed by lawns and agricultural fields; they stick to bays and estuaries. Being completely addicted to eelgrass for much of the year, they typically don't stray very far from where their beloved aquatic grass grows.

Cackling Geese are easy to identify; they are mini Canada Geese. If you want to get into the fun stuff, you can identify them to subspecies if you get close enough. This bird's triangular bill, white throat, dark subterminal band on the greater coverts, and lack of white neck ring make this bird a Ridgway's Cackling Goose. Photographed at Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA. 

Another good thing about geese is that they tend to take up residency at city parks from time to time, where they can be crushed with even the smallest camera lens without dire effects.

Cackle cackle.

Greater White-fronted Goose. Most of my best goose shots are of this species, we have a good relationship. Photographed at Lake Merced.

Emperor Goose (middle) is the vagrant goose that we on the west coast look for every winter; the vast majority of them on our continent stay within the confines of Alaska throughout the year. This one is a bit dingy looking, apparently not a full adult yet, but they can be completely crippling birds. Canada (of the Dusky variety, I believe...I had to include Canadas somewhere in this post right?) and Greater White-fronted Geese stand to either side. Photographed at Ocean Shores, WA.

Backstroking Through Knob Creek

I have forgotten that work really gets in the way of blogging. And that's on top of birding, which ironically also gets in the way of blogging. I don't think bourbon consumption really helps or impedes the blog though, it's just necessary for my well-being. Should I take a dip in good old Knob Creek* tonight?

Oh. I also should be writing my Mother's Day card. So much to do!

Birding in San Diego has, of course, been good lately. Where else can you see Black Storm-Petrel and Prothonotary Warbler in the same day? I only have a couple scattered days off in the next couple of weeks, but then its time for my first pelagic trip of the year. I fiend for seabirds, so am looking forward to it. All these bright, flashy birds leave me yearning a certain Economy of Style.

Speaking of which, BB&B offers some more subdued birds today.

* = Knob Creek is a tasty bourbon, not an obscure birding spot where bad things happen in the bushes.

Watching avocets feeding is unusually pleasing, especially when they are sync'd up. Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, CA.

Surface scum-dwellers recoil in horror at the thought of their finely upturned bills.

The spring migration shorebird medley continues to pass through the area on it's way north. This has resulted in me seeing a lot more Red Knots (whom some have variously/nerdily described as a "glut" or a "slug"), although I am still an abject failure when it comes to photographing them. Instead, I have to make do with species like Western Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit and Dunlin. Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge.

Here the medley is further medlied by the addition of something that resembles a Short-billed Dowitcher. So meddlesome.

Although they don't turn any redder, blacker or whiter in spring like many shorebirds, Whimbrels are at least noticeably more common this time of year. We applaud their presence, simply because sharply-decurved bills are laudable facial features. Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA.

A few Brant still linger and yodel and bark down south with us. Many of them have made it to their Alaskan breeding areas by now. J Street Mudflats, Chula Vista, CA.

This Gadwall is particularly well-marked for a species infamous for dwelling in comparitive mediocrity. Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge.

This Northern Rough-winged Swallow looks very strong. Look at those bulging breast muscles...it can probably migrate around the whole world without stopping. Tijuana Bird and Butterfly Garden, CA.

A Song Sparrow belts it out at the San Diego Zoo. You gotta sing your heart out there if you want to drown out the peacocks.

San Diego is infamous for it's exotic species...for good or ill, this kind is still confined to aviaries. This uneconomically-styled hornbill (anyone know what kind?) resides at the San Diego Zoo. Such dainty eyelashes! 

I Still Hate The Padres

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. The San Diego area is one of the best places to see this species west of Texas, and is regular enough to be considered a local specialty. Thank god. I want to ruffle its rare golden head and tell it that it's doing a good job. Imperial Beach State Park.

Wow...my last 2 proper posts did not feature wild birds. Who does that???? How embarrassing.

Right...we must move on. As you may know, I have moved to San Diego, or as some of you think of it, "Whale's Vagina". This marks the first time since 2009 that I have worked in California...I have gone with the tradeoff of new and strange birds to something a little more familiar/convenient. As you all know, I am a cutting edge plover expert, and that is what has brought me here (Least Terns too).

That said, San Diego County is without a doubt one of the best birding areas in the state, due to its proximity to Mexico, numerous wetlands and parks, mountains and deserts, and a healthy birding scene. I've already been swimming in birds since I arrived last Sunday, banking year birds left and right, including the almost-endemic California Gnatcatcher, which I haven't seen in years.

From my time working in the Salton Sea, Gull-billed Tern has ascended to one of my favorite birds. Small numbers of them breed in the area. 7th Street, Imperial Beach, CA.


Although I have started my new job with the San Diego Zoo, I can't exactly say I've been slaving away so far. On day one I got to pet Victor The Echidna, who is over 60 years old and enjoys blowing snot bubbles. Petting an echidna is not something I'd ever thought I'd do, considering they are native to Australia, lay eggs, and resemble enormous hedgehogs. My one day in the field featured many Snowy Plovers, Horned Larks, Belding's Savannah Sparrows, and numerous tanks driving next to our study plot. The plovers are quite used to them, apparently.

Despite my clear affinity for the area's birdlife, I feel it necessary to declare my hatred for both the San Diego Padres and, especially, the San Diego Chargers. That is all.

Royal Terns are pretty common around these parts, which makes it sad that this photo is so piss poor. It's nice to see them with their fancy black caps though, rather than with the large bald spot that I am accustomed to. 7th Street, Imperial Beach, CA.

Awwwwwwww yeah, its a mediocre Belted Kingfisher shot! But since its a Belted Kingfisher, its amazing that I was even able to point a camera at it. You should know better, kingfisher. J Street Mudflats, Chula Vista, CA.

J Street is the one and only place I have found where Brant do not bark and yodel at you in fear. Apparently the aquatic plantlife here is so good and tasty that it is worth having to see the hideous humans at close range.

Brant, shorebirds, and shopping carts. What more could you ask for? J Street Mudflats.

Have you noticed that pretty much all the pictures I've posted today are backlit, too dark, or in harsh light? What's up with that? Am I losing my touch? Anyways...the feather ruffling here was too good to not post. Great Blue Herons are considered "freeloaders" at various exhibits at the San Diego Zoo, aka are wild birds but decide to spend their time amongst their exotic cousins.

"And now for my Long-billed Dowitcher impression..."

The sun being at the wrong angle worked in my favor here...I didn't just photoshop those waterdroplets, people.

Death To The Perpetual Weekend

An immaculate looking Ring-billed Gull. Look at that orbital ring! Lake Merritt, CA.

Well, this it...Bourbon, Bastards and Birds' final transmission from the beloved bay area. I've been here since September, living The Perpetual Weekend...but as a seasonally-employed biologist, my departure has been pre-ordained. In fact, I have not stayed ever stayed here this late into spring...so although it pains me to do so, I must go.

Here's a smattering of shots taken from the last several weeks. Have a positive weekend!

It's been a good year for Black-legged Kittiwakes in California. A lot of them have been spending time in Humboldt Bay, like this one, where they can conveniently be watched and photographed from shore. King Salmon,CA.

Tidal slough at sunset. Arcata Marsh, CA.

Hordes of Aleutian Cackling Geese are staging on the northwest coast this time of year. Strange to think that this subspecies used to be listed as endangered! Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, CA.

A Bewick's Wren assumes classic Bewick's Wren posture. Albany Bulb, CA.

Just what the blogosphere needed, another picture of an American Robin. I really like this picture for some reason, I think the catkins add a lot of depth. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Shorebirds wheel, lurk and generally amass on some east bay mudflats. Albany Bulb.

Although there are many signs of spring in the air, many wintering species like this Lesser Scaup are still holding down the bay area. Lake Merritt.

Unlike the scaup, the local Canvasback population has plummeted recently...they have begun to wing their way back to the prairies for the summer. Lake Merritt.

I'm not sure if I've ever put one of these on BB&B before...it's a California Towhee. Heinously common for some readers, strange and exotic for others. Albany Bulb.

Horned Grebes in different stages of molt. Last time I went out a lot of Eared and Horned Grebes were coming into breeding plumage or, in the case of Clark's and Westerns, already doing courtship displays. Lake Merritt.

Another first for BB&B..behold the Brant. Humboldt Bay is one of their most important staging and wintering sites in California. King Salmon.