Today we have a panoply of bird photos from Susan Harrison, professor and chair of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of California at Davis. (We’ve seen some of her photos before.) Susan’s notes and IDs are indented, and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.
These birds were seen at oases in Anza-Borrego State Park earlier this week. Most of them are desert specialists, including the phainopepla, verdin, gnatcatcher*, sparrow, and dove.
*Note about the gnatcatcher: In its non-breeding plumage it resembles the more widespread Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. eBird listed only the Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher as being found at this location, the Merlin sound ID app identified it as a Black-Tailed, and the birds responded to a playback of the Black-Tailed’s call.
Loggerhead shrike, Lanius ludovicianus:
Phainopepla female, Phainopepla nitens:
Phainopepla male, Phainopepla nitens:
Verdin, Auriparus flaviceps:
Black throated sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata:
Black tailed gnatcatcher, Polioptila melanura:
California thrasher, Toxostoma redivivum:
White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica:
Bewick’s wren, Thryomanes bewickii:
Rock wren, Salpinctes obsoletus:
Mountain Palm Springs:
Lovely photos. Thank you!
Beautiful, crisp images, thank you! What equipment are you using?
Thank you! It’s a Sony RX10iv that is vastly smarter than me.
Thanks! 🙂
nice photos—image captioned White-winged dove appears to be a Mourning dove Zenaida macroura
Beautiful beautiful photos of beautiful birds.
(I couldn’t help, after seeing the Loggerhead shrike, thinking that the Loggerhead TURTLE should be the symbol of the US Congress…except it’s actually a magnificent turtle and deserves better.)
nice photos–now I have to correct myself / on closer inspection, photo of White-winged dove , is a White-winged dove (bad call on my part)
No worries! I sent a new one that showed the white wing patch better. Best, Susan
Beautiful pictures!
Gorgeous photos and birds!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful location!
I know these guys. Most are backyard birds here in the southern Mojave. Great pics!
Lovely photos and, I must say, inspirational to me, an inveterate birdwatcher. Thanks much, Susan!
Very nice captures, and I won’t credit the equipment.