Wordless Wednesday – Birding @ Las Gallinas Ponds, Marin County

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Wordless Wednesday – Birding @ Las Gallinas Ponds, Marin County

13 August, 2008 by Adam R. Paul

Photos from19 July 2008:

Swallow young'un by you.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow juv? not sure…

Dowitcher sp. by you.

Dowitcher sp.

Northern Pintail by you.

Northern Pintail

Swallow by you.

Another NRWS juvvie?

Birds by you.

Ring-billed Gulls, Canada Geese, and ducks

Peeps by you.

Peeps!

Sparrow by you.

Lincoln Sparrow, I think

American White Pelican by you.

American White Pelicans

Sorry it’s been so quiet here lately – I’ve been busy with wedding planning stuff, and life in general. The pace should pick up soon, I promise!

Birds seen:

- Northern Rough-winged Swallow(?)
- Barn Swallow
- Canada Goose
- American White Pelican
- Turkey Vulture
- Mallard
- Snowy Egret
- Great Egret
- Black-necked Stilt
- American Avocet
- Black Phoebe
- Dowitcher sp.
- Mourning Dove
- Osprey
- Peregrine Falcon(?)
- Western(?) Sandpiper
- Lincoln’s(?) Sparrow
- American Crow

Posted in Birding, Nature, Photography, Wordless Wednesday | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on 14 August, 2008 at 05:15 | Reply Klaus

Glad you’re back with great shots!
Cheers, Klaus
on 14 August, 2008 at 06:24 | Reply scienceguy288

Nice to see you again. Glad to see your photography again.
on 15 August, 2008 at 13:49 | Reply scienceguy288

Ok, so I know that this is probably not the correct post to ask you about this, but oh well. I want to purchase a set of Merrells. Now, I personally wanted some ankle support, but the mid height ones seem to go really high and limit your movement. Any suggestions?
on 16 August, 2008 at 11:18 | Reply Mary Carlson

I was wondering what happened to you, Adam. Great shots you posted here. Glad to know it’s just that you’ve been busy.
on 23 August, 2008 at 18:55 | Reply Bernie Kasper

Great shots Adam, I know the busy feeling you are talking about !!
on 27 August, 2008 at 08:03 | Reply Adam R. Paul

Klaus: thanks!

Scienceguy: thank you. Are you set on Merrells? Vasque, Lowa, and Montrail also make very nice outdoor shoes. I currently wear Merrell “Radius” shoes, but they have no ankle support, so probably wouldn’t suit your needs. If you have a REI near you, I would suggest going there and trying various shoes on – their return policy cannot be beat (return them any time, after any amount of use, for a full credit!)

Mary: thanks – busy, and also just not inspired to write much. And I haven’t had a lot to write about, nature-wise.

Bernie: Thanks!
on 30 August, 2008 at 18:37 | Reply Tom Goodier

Great photographs Adam.

I disagree with some of your species identification. I think the “Another NRWS juvvie?” is a Violet-green Swallow. The white around the eye makes me think this.

I think the “Northern Pintail” is a male mallard. This is because of the yellow bill.

The “Peeps!” are Least Sandpipers.

Thanks for the closeups that allow me to work on my identification skills.

Tom Goodier
on 30 August, 2008 at 21:10 | Reply Adam R. Paul

Tom: First, welcome, and thanks for visiting! I appreciate your corrections. Darned “eclipse” ducks…. Do you think the first NRWS is actually a NRWS? I’m not good with juvenile swallows, and dodgy with adults, for that matter.
on 2 September, 2008 at 14:56 | Reply Tom Goodier

The first swallow looks like it has a big gap, so I agree that it is a juvenal. I’m not sure, but I’m leaning toward Tree Swallow. I think a Rough-winged Swallow has a more squared off tail than this one. Also, a juvenal NRWS has buffy edging on the wings which I don’t see here.

Could your Lincoln Sparrow be a Savannah Sparrow? I think I see yellow above the eyes. Do Lincoln Sparrows breed in Marin County? I don’t see them in San Mateo or Santa Clara Counties in July.

Tom