Summer here in SoCal is considered the slow season for seeing birds. Wading and water birds have migrated North and many song birds, etc. have flown to higher, cooler climes. We do still have some nice species, however, and over the last 2 weeks I have captured some shots I like with my Nikon D500 using a Nikkor 200-500mm superzoom. Most were taken between 7:00 AM and Noon as afternoon heat and bright sun make birding less successful.

I was compelled to include the whole branch with the Allen's Hummingbird in the first photo. I find the early morning light and greens in foreground, background and subject to be compelling.

American Kestrels largely disappeared starting in May, so I was happily surprised when I saw what appeared to be a family group of 4 hovering and soaring over the plateau at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa this month. I captured this one on the wing in what I think is an attractive pose.

Blue Grosbeaks are seasonal visitors to Southern California. On this particular day, I saw five in the tall grasses at Fairview Park, including both males and the more secretive female.

While the Song Sparrow is considered one of those very common LBBs (Little Brown Birds), it is often found in bushes and tall grasses singing a variety of beautiful songs. Unfortunately I did not catch this one in song. Still, the field marks and colors of its plumage draw the eye. (I suspect this bird was molting, making it look a little ragged.)

Some of the undeveloped land at University of California, Irvine, has been preserved for wildlife. While walking one of those preserves, we came upon a patch of cactus with two Cactus Wrens perched on top. Within minutes there were 6 of them in and around the same cactus. This was almost certainly a family group. I was lucky to snap a number of photos including this one.

It's not unusual seeing several species of Oriole during Southern California summers. Many homes have fruit trees and the neighborhood palm trees make ideal nesting spots. Most common are Hooded and Bullock's Orioles, though we sometimes get to see Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles. In Fairview Park, a large yucca recently bloomed, attracting many species including these Hooded Orioles, which frequently chased away other species from what they considered a very fine feast. Maybe I'm just becoming more aware of them, but it seems the Oriole population is growing here in SoCal...beautiful birds.

Hope you enjoy these.

Summer here in SoCal is considered the slow season for seeing birds. Wading and water birds have migrated North and many song birds, etc. have flown to higher, cooler climes. We do still have some nice species, however, and over the last 2 weeks I have captured some shots I like with my Nikon D500 using a Nikkor 200-500mm superzoom. Most were taken between 7:00 AM and Noon as afternoon heat and bright sun make birding less successful.

I was compelled to include the whole branch with the Allen's Hummingbird in the first photo. I find the early morning light and greens in foreground, background and subject to be compelling.

American Kestrels largely disappeared starting in May, so I was happily surprised when I saw what appeared to be a family group of 4 hovering and soaring over the plateau at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa this month. I captured this one on the wing in what I think is an attractive pose.

Blue Grosbeaks are seasonal visitors to Southern California. On this particular day, I saw five in the tall grasses at Fairview Park, including both males and the more secretive female.

While the Song Sparrow is considered one of those very common LBBs (Little Brown Birds), it is often found in bushes and tall grasses singing a variety of beautiful songs. Unfortunately I did not catch this one in song. Still, the field marks and colors of its plumage draw the eye. (I suspect this bird was molting, making it look a little ragged.)

Some of the undeveloped land at University of California, Irvine, has been preserved for wildlife. While walking one of those preserves, we came upon a patch of cactus with two Cactus Wrens perched on top. Within minutes there were 6 of them in and around the same cactus. This was almost certainly a family group. I was lucky to snap a number of photos including this one.

It's not unusual seeing several species of Oriole during Southern California summers. Many homes have fruit trees and the neighborhood palm trees make ideal nesting spots. Most common are Hooded and Bullock's Orioles, though we sometimes get to see Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles. In Fairview Park, a large yucca recently bloomed, attracting many species including these Hooded Orioles, which frequently chased away other species from what they considered a very fine feast. Maybe I'm just becoming more aware of them, but it seems the Oriole population is growing here in SoCal...beautiful birds.

Hope you enjoy these.

Summer here in SoCal is considered the slow season for seeing birds. Wading and water birds have migrated North and many song birds, etc. have flown to higher, cooler climes. We do still have some nice species, however, and over the last 2 weeks I have captured some shots I like with my Nikon D500 using a Nikkor 200-500mm superzoom. Most were taken between 7:00 AM and Noon as afternoon heat and bright sun make birding less successful.

I was compelled to include the whole branch with the Allen's Hummingbird in the first photo. I find the early morning light and greens in foreground, background and subject to be compelling.

American Kestrels largely disappeared starting in May, so I was happily surprised when I saw what appeared to be a family group of 4 hovering and soaring over the plateau at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa this month. I captured this one on the wing in what I think is an attractive pose.

Blue Grosbeaks are seasonal visitors to Southern California. On this particular day, I saw five in the tall grasses at Fairview Park, including both males and the more secretive female.

While the Song Sparrow is considered one of those very common LBBs (Little Brown Birds), it is often found in bushes and tall grasses singing a variety of beautiful songs. Unfortunately I did not catch this one in song. Still, the field marks and colors of its plumage draw the eye. (I suspect this bird was molting, making it look a little ragged.)

Some of the undeveloped land at University of California, Irvine, has been preserved for wildlife. While walking one of those preserves, we came upon a patch of cactus with two Cactus Wrens perched on top. Within minutes there were 6 of them in and around the same cactus. This was almost certainly a family group. I was lucky to snap a number of photos including this one.

It's not unusual seeing several species of Oriole during Southern California summers. Many homes have fruit trees and the neighborhood palm trees make ideal nesting spots. Most common are Hooded and Bullock's Orioles, though we sometimes get to see Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles. In Fairview Park, a large yucca recently bloomed, attracting many species including these Hooded Orioles, which frequently chased away other species from what they considered a very fine feast. Maybe I'm just becoming more aware of them, but it seems the Oriole population is growing here in SoCal...beautiful birds.

Hope you enjoy these.