This next section is all species I found while out birding in Nevada and California. I had a great time and found so many beautiful new species to my list. One of my favorites I found was the California Quail. These little beauties were everywhere, but still proved to be a challenge to get close to. I really love what I captured. It wouldn’t be a good list update without a new woodpecker, and of course I managed to find the striking Acorn Woodpecker.
California Quail, Acorn Woodpecker
Red Crossbills were pretty frequent visitors ay my dad’s place, and they seemed fairly comfortable with human presence, so I got some really cool close ups of a few. Adding a new duck species was a great surprise, and this Northern Pintail was really beautiful and striking a pose.
Red Crossbill, Northern Pintail
Black Phoebe were pretty much everywhere I went, and they were really great for posing for photos, and I really enjoyed watching them. Much like the Phoebe, the Brewers’ Blackbird was also everywhere. They kind of look like a cute little miniature Grackle.
Black Phoebe, Brewer’s Blackbird
I never really noticed Magpies being around when I was younger, and these guys were everywhere in both California, and Nevada. They were actually two different species between the two states, but I only managed to get the Yellow-Billed in the orchards in California. Next time I’m in Nevada, I‘ll make it a point to get the Black-billed. A real challenge for my dad and I to find, was the California Scrub Jay. Normally they are pretty common to see, but as I was seeking one out, they suddenly became elusive, lol. I missed the Stellar Jay, but like the magpie I’ll get one next time.
Yellow-billed Magpie, California Scrub Jay
I saved the best for last. The most unexpected, and most delightful new species I got to add to my list in the Great Horned Owl. While driving through a wildlife area, my dad said “ Hey look, there goes a hawk. Or maybe it was an owl” I kind of shrugged off it being an owl, but as soon as I took a look, it was indeed an owl !! I was so incredibly excited, and got some really nice photos.
Great Horned Owl
