This beautiful creature is still with us, staying in the same Cypress neighborhood. She has drawn attention worldwide, with many visitors from near and far. The lingering question is how long will she stay. My last visit witnessed her panting quite a bit. The weather warmed up and she seeks shade from rooftop vents. Wildlife experts say she looks healthy and is eating well (swallowed an American Coot the other day) and it's best to leave her be for now.

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Taken Dec 6, 2023 Bolsa Chica Wetlands, Huntington Beach, CA. Nikon Z9 70-200 w/2x TC.

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Thanks Mike. It's been a difficult year, loosing my wife and the challenges that come with such events. Getting back on track and hoping to get out more with camera in hand.

Thank you Ernest.

Thanks imagemeister, appreciate you viewing and commenting.

I'll point her in your direction...

Indeed, we are fortunate to have another avenue of escape, so to speak.

This beautiful female Arctic Snowy Owl has come from parts unknown and has settled on various rooftops in Cypress, CA. During the day, she stays within a 4 block area sharing her beauty with various home owners. She has been here about three weeks feeding at night from a nearby military base. In a couple of the photos she is coughing up regurgitated pellets. The pellets (probably rats) are made up of bones and fur the owl wont digest. Her brown coloring indicates she is a female. Males are mostly all white. Shot with a hand-held Nikon Z9 70-200 w/2x TC. Cropped quite a bit.

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So when I opened the front door the other day, this big fellow greeted me at the doorstep. Yes, of course he immediately ran inside the house. Ugh. Luckily he didn't go too far and I found him in the shadows of the entryway. I wasn't sure if he was a wolf spider (I'd be OK with that, but not in the house) or a brown recluse (definitely not OK). I managed to drop a plastic container over him and cautiously escorted him outside to play with his buddies. So what's the verdict on type of spider? From my untrained eye I'm guessing wolf spider, but both seem similar in structure. Closer view on download. Thanking everyone in advance.

Don

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Here's a Vermilion Flycatcher about to do his job. The bug is parallel with the bottom wire. Best viewed on download. Z9 70-200 w/2x tc hand held.

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Finally received my Z9 and decided to take it out for a test drive. Shots taken at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, CA. I used a Nikon 70-200 w/2x teleconverter hand held. Some cropping and sky replacement as it was a butt ugly grey day. Thanks for viewing.

Don

Brown Pelican


Brown Pelican


Brown Pelicans

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Cormorant


Reddish Egret


Reddish Egret


Reddish Egret


Willit


California Towhee (sorry, not a water bird)

I had bought a couple of praying mantis egg sacs a few months ago and never seen any hatchlings. I was surprise to see this guy the other day. He kept ducking into the foliage and I had to keep turning the potted plant to get some light on him. Photos taken with Nikon D500 w/ 80-400 lens. Thanks for viewing.

Don

Praying Mantis






Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Here are a few critters I see daily.

Carpenter Bee




Finches


Monarch






Warbling White-eye


Western Fence Lizart (Blue Belly)

Here are a few photos of a Carpenter Bee in flight and Western Fence Lizards (blue bellies), presumably male and female. Enjoy. Shot with Nikon D500 w/80-400.

Don

Here are a few pictures from Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, CA. I was about ready to hike back to my car when to my surprise a juvenile bald eagle flew over me. He is a rare sight to see around here. Sometimes one get lucky.

Don