Random Rambles and Pictures

I just thought that, since I have't posted in a while, that I would post a few random updates.

I saw Pepper the duck a couple of weeks ago at Lake Murray. He'll be 7 this year.

Several ring-necked ducks are also at Lake Murray right now.

Remember Snowie and Snowy's duckling, Uno? Well, he's back with his girlfriend. He's less red now, but still looks a lot like his mom and dad.

This new gray duck was dropped off the lake a few months ago. She's doing well so far. I think we also had a new female Pekin, but something happened to her.

Fat little spotted sandpiper is spending the winter at the lake.

Here's a sunset photo from Lake Murray in November.

I went to the Southeast Arizona bird festival last August. I got some OK pictures. Here's what I think is a Laconte's Thrasher at the Payton Center for Hummingbirds.

Lots of White-winged doves there, too.

And, of course, hummingbirds. I saw several species there. Here are two different kinds right here.

I was also at the Salton Sea last weekend. Not much going on there, though. No ducks or pelicans.

Ring-billed gulls flying by:

Stilts, too, and a couple killdeer, but not much else.

Killdeers and friends at Salton Sea

Yesterday, I went to the Salton Sea State Recreational Area on the northeast shore of the Salton Sea. There was a $5 charge to park and it was good at all the beach areas. But, the main section near the headquarters was the best place to see shorebirds, especially killdeer.

I am in the process of putting a video-slideshow package together and will post it later.

This young male killdeer was very curious about me and kept an eye on me during my whole time in that area. The killdeer love the abundant small flies and fish in the area. Most of them were doing the "hot foot" dance.


Here is a stilt and a killdeer. There were a lot of black-necked stilts all over the SRA.



And, here's an American avocet and a killdeer (and a juvenile ring-billed gull).



Two female avocets (one may be a juvenile):



Here are some horned grebes in their winter feathers:



Juvenile green heron:



Golden plover and that male killdeer:



Snowy egret (and juvenile ring-billed gull):



Great egret:



Pelicans (they can be seen from anywhere around the sea):



Seven western sandpipers:



I saw some phoebes and heard at least one Gambel's quail. Lots of grackles, too, but not an overwhelming amount.

No ducks to be seen, but it may be because the water is too salty for them now. When the rains start in the winter, the ducks may start to arrive.