Gray Day at Gray Lodge Part 4

Here are some of the waterfowl and grebes we saw during our visit to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area:

I hope we get to see an Eared Grebe in the summertime when they get their awesome plumage.

This Ruddy Duck's bill is already starting to turn blue and it's still wintertime!

Look how small he is compared to the Mallard...

Gray Day at Gray Lodge Part 3

While we were on the walking trail at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, we came across this spunky little Bewick's Wren who had a lively song to sing...

Gray Day at Gray Lodge Part 2

It's supposed to rain all week and we won't get to do any birding, so I decided to break up the photos from our visit to the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area into several different parts.

I love it when the birds pose for us!

Kingfishers are one of the coolest birds I've ever seen. And the sounds they make are even cooler!

This egret struck an elegant pose for us as we were leaving...

"Come again soon," he seems to be saying!

Gray Day at Gray Lodge Part 1

Last week we went back to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area and saw six new species to add to our Big Year 2017 list. It was a gray, cloudy day, but that didn't keep us away! And it didn't keep us from taking some great photos!

These adorable quail hurried across the paved trail right in front of us, the little plumes on their heads bee-bopping the whole way!

 This downy woodpecker followed us along as we walked...

There were lots of warblers in the trees and they are nearly impossible to get a shot of because they never stop moving!

 

 

More photos from our trip will be posted tomorrow!

Busy Little Bird

Here's some video of the little woodpecker we saw when we were at Lema Ranch the other day:

Acorn Hoarders

The first time I ever saw an Acorn Woodpecker was in the summer of last year. We were at Lema Ranch in Redding and when we first heard a whacka-whacka sound, we knew there must be an incredible bird behind that unique sound. Sure enough, we soon spotted the noisy woodpecker and I've been in love ever since.

On Tuesday, when we went back to Lema Ranch, we saw our noisy little friends in the same tree.

Somehow it's comforting knowing that they live in that same spot and I can visit them whenever I want to see their cute little faces.

I took some video so I can look back at it & listen to that wonderful sound if I ever need cheering up!

Lema Ranch

We finally made it back to Lema Ranch! When we went last summer, I knew it was a special place that I'd like to revisit in every season.

This time we saw dozens of bird and duck species! There were coots, ruddy ducks, ring-necked ducks, redheads, grebes, wigeons and mallards on the pond. And along the path we saw (and heard) starlings, robins, mourning doves, spotted towhees, and several different woodpeckers.

Here are some of the best pics of the day:

Our first Spotted Towhee EVER!

These Redheads were the reason for our visit!

I'd seen in a birding forum online that someone had spotted redheads on the pond

and I've never seen one.

One more species for our Big Year 2017!

Tomorrow, the Acorn Woodpeckers we saw are getting their very own post!