Autumn is one of the best time to watch for birds here in Southern California. The Pacific Flyway brings migrants through to winter or on their way to more Southern climes and the colder weather in the Rockies and Sierras coax species down into warmer locations. That gets me outdoors frequently and as a result I get to see lots of interesting bird life. Here are a few of the photos I have captured in the past week...all using a Nikon D500 and Nikkor 200-500 telezoom, handheld, on fairly sunny days.

The Black and White Warbler is not real common in Orange County, but I have been lucky to see it several times already this Fall. This is an immature male based on the heavy black striping. I've seen more this year than any other year in the past...not that there are more, just that I've seen them.

Nuttall's Woodpeckers are year-round residents, frequently flashing from tree to tree in search of insects.

The attached series of Osprey photos show the same bird hunting over Talbert Lake at Huntington Central Park. Unfortunately, my photos of the bird diving with talons extended then splashing into the lake didn't turn out, but I have before and after as it kited above the water, dove, and on a second dive lifted with a fish in its talons.

One of my favorite birds to photograph, this American Kestrel was perched in a tree on the edge of Talbert Lake just before I spotted the Osprey. It then flew from tree to tree, allowing me to capture some shots in flight. The blue-gray wings of this bird mark it as a male.

Hutton's Vireos return to the coastal lowlands in Winter, lurking in heavy foliage of trees and shrubs. The two white stripes around a black bar distinguish this small bird from the smaller, very active Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Since both species may be seen in the same place and time, it takes a keen eye and perhaps some luck to see them well enough to make a definite ID.

Finally, I felt I captured the energy and liveliness of this Song Sparrow. Some people think of Song Sparrows as just another LBB (Little Brown Bird), but they have an active personality, beautiful songs, and nice markings in their plumage. The variety of LBBs justifies a careful look and appreciation of this and other sparrows.