[GarySL]

Not my yard (daughters in-laws yard in Todos Santos), nesting Osprey

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by GarySL

Cool STG, the birds in your game cam pics are Tree Swallows

I set up the camera to try to identify the type of bird. I'm not a birder by any means. Thanks for the identification. I was a bit confused because the eggs look pale blue but maybe its just the lighting when I took the photo. Here's a zoom in of the eggs. Sorry it's out of focus. I'd take more photos but I don't want to disturb.

[Josh-PA]

Originally Posted by GarySL

Cool STG, the birds in your game cam pics are Tree Swallows

They're eastern bluebirds. I thought they were tree swallows for a sec too based on the first pic, but when you zoom in. You'll notice that's the bird's rear not the underside of its chin like I originally thought.

[Topcarbon]

this guy jumoed in our little pool in front where our turtles are

[JJ 911SC]

FT4U

[GarySL]

Originally Posted by Josh-PA

They're eastern bluebirds. I thought they were tree swallows for a sec too based on the first pic, but when you zoom in. You'll notice that's the bird's rear not the underside of its chin like I originally thought.

SYG lives in Marin County, there are no Eastern Bluebirds in CA. Tree Swallows are common cavity nesters in NorCal.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Topcarbon

this guy jumoed in our little pool in front where our turtles are

Hunting for turtle eggs?

[3798j]

It's egg laying season for the snapping turtles that live in the pond that's next door to us. The females make their way to dig themselves into the ground, laying their eggs. With that happening, more than a few decide to cross our rural road...so my duties include "assisting" their safe passage (the internet warns against picking them up or trying to change their direction).

[Topcarbon]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Hunting for turtle eggs?

my turtle was definitely scared

[Josh-PA]

Originally Posted by GarySL

SYG lives in Marin County, there are no Eastern Bluebirds in CA. Tree Swallows are common cavity nesters in NorCal.

Western bluebird.... Zoom in on the pics, it's not a tree swallow ( I have both nesting in my yard)

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Josh-PA

Western bluebird.... Zoom in on the pics, it's not a tree swallow ( I have both nesting in my yard)

Josh-PA and Gary, thank you both for chiming in on identifying this bird. We live in a great spot for bird watching on a hill adjacent to open space and a golf course. Since living in this house and just getting older I suppose, my interest in birds has gone way up. The trouble for me, my ability to remember what I saw is decreasing. Then I learned that male birds look different than females, young birds look different than old birds. So, I'm reduced to simply enjoying what I am seeing. I have to say it is fascinating to sit and watch them. Hummingbirds at the feeders, birds of all kinds at the bird fountain. Hawks and other bigger birds in the sky, all viewable from my la-z-boy.

I'll put my wildlife camera back up and see if I can get better photos of the bird bluebird or tree swallow. Thanks again to both of you for sharing your knowledge.

[Josh-PA]

The key is to just enjoy what you see in the moment. For me, there are few things more relaxing than a walk in the woods and meadows just listening, looking and enjoying everything around. Regardless if it is a tree swallow or bluebird, it's still fun to watch them raise their babies.

[3798j]

^In agreement.
Hummingbird feeders are out but only a few birds have been visiting so far.
Took this (66sec.) video some years ago...the feeders use test tubes and are called "tweeter totters"...the hummingbirds really like using them.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Josh-PA

The key is to just enjoy what you see in the moment. For me, there are few things more relaxing than a walk in the woods and meadows just listening, looking and enjoying everything around. Regardless if it is a tree swallow or bluebird, it's still fun to watch them raise their babies.

Exactly!


Unfortunately, my hearing sucks so I can't hear them very well. I hike with a friend who is a birder. He travels to Texas for migration, to Iceland to see rare birds, etc. He knows many of the birds calls and he tells me what he's listening to when we hike. It's very interesting. I've got great eyesight, but I wish I could hear better. One time were hiking and I heard a sound way off in the distance. I asked my friend if he knew what it was and he replied, "That's a chainsaw!"

[sygazelle]

From my chair, I just captured a Cooper's Hawk sitting on my fence admiring the bird fountain. No surprise that there are no little birds visiting at the moment.

I got up and got this marginally-better photo of this beautiful bird from the window.

[GarySL]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Exactly!
Unfortunately, my hearing sucks so I can't hear them very well. I hike with a friend who is a birder. He travels to Texas for migration, to Iceland to see rare birds, etc. He knows many of the birds calls and he tells me what he's listening to when we hike. It's very interesting. I've got great eyesight, but I wish I could hear better. One time were hiking and I heard a sound way off in the distance. I asked my friend if he knew what it was and he replied, "That's a chainsaw!"

Understood SYG, share your nest box photos with your friend. I believe he will tell you that the image taken 10:37 is a male Tree Swallow leaving the box. It appears that the same box is being used/visited by a Western Bluebird as well, looking at the image taken 11:07. The eggs in the nest do appear to be Western Bluebird eggs. Either way, you're blessed to have birds nesting in your yard.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by GarySL

Understood SYG, share your nest box photos with your friend. I believe he will tell you that the image taken 10:37 is a male Tree Swallow leaving the box. It appears that the same box is being used/visited by a Western Bluebird as well, looking at the image taken 11:07. The eggs in the nest do appear to be Western Bluebird eggs. Either way, your blessed to have birds nesting in your yard.

Will do. Thanks.

[neoklisv]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

From my chair, I just captured a Cooper's Hawk sitting on my fence admiring the bird fountain. No surprise that there are no little birds visiting at the moment.

I got up and got this marginally-better photo of this beautiful bird from the window.

beautiful

[JJ 911SC]

A few years ago and different season...

[GarySL]

Acorn Woodpeckers are common residents in inland oak habitat, but we had one here at the house:

[Pauly Wauly]

Yesterday morning when I was leaving for work.

[chris_1001]

The Coyote had some Pups