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It was chilly and blustery, albeit sunny, in northern New Mexico this weekend. On Saturday afternoon we visited the Randall Davey Audubon Center just outside of Santa Fe. There were several Townsend’s Solitaires flying around the parking lot as we pulled up. Many of the other regular stuff, such as Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon and Pink-sided), etc.

On Sunday we decided to make the 2.5 hour trek northward to Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge which was only 25 or so miles from the Colorado border. Within a few moments I immediately found a Northern Shrike. Lots of other winter raptor specialties included Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle along with 2 adult Bald Eagles and 1 juvenile. And I must say, at least 200+ Mountain Bluebirds!! I guess this is *THE* place and time to go if you want to see them.

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Since I was visiting the in-laws out in Beaumont over the holidays, I decided to take a quick peek at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area to see what raptors the cold winter air had brought in. It was pretty dismal with just a few Kestrel’s here and there but after about 30 min I saw a raptor way off in the distance perched on a post in the middle of a field. I first noticed the nice black tail-band so the first thing that popped in my head was Rough-legged Hawk. I snapped a few pictures slowly working my way closer to it. I was so concentrated on trying to get the best pictures possible I didn’t really stop and take the time to actually ID the bird… After looking at the photos later I now realize it was simply a juvenile Ferruginous Hawk (and quite obvious too).

Ferruginous Hawk (juv)

On the way out from SJWA I had a flock of about 50 Mountain Bluebirds, a very cooperative Cassin’s Kingbird and lots of Savannah Sparrows perched along the fenceline.

Mountain Bluebird

Cassin’s Kingbird

Savannah Sparrow

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I’ve been dying to get out and actually photograph something and fortunately this past weekend took us to Mammoth Lakes for their annual Jazz Jubilee. And…being in the Sierras meant I had to take advantage of some of the great birding areas!

On the way up, we took a quick detour to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains. Got some dynamite photos of Mountain Bluebird. I wasn’t so fortunate with my Clark’s Nutcracker photos though and along the way we found a Violet-green Swallow nest. On the way out of the park I managed to spot a male and female American Kestrel perching next to each other.

Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird

Violet-green Swallow

Clark’s Nutcracker

American Kestrel

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

The following morning I birded nearby Sherwin Creek of Mammoth Lakes, CA. Highlight of the day was definitely a Western Tanager family. I first found the female that was clearly not happy with my presence and continually made an alarm call as I photographed her. The male flew in from time to time and after I photographed them for 10-15 minutes I finally found the young Western Tanager that had just fledged. You can still see some down feathers and the tail feather had not grown in yet.

Western Tanager (m)

Western Tanager (f)

Western Tanager (i)

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

The rest of Saturday was speant enjoying the jazz and piano music at the Mammoth Jazz Jubilee. We woke up early Sunday morning and headed to South Mono Lake where I photographed Violet-green Swallows and California Gulls. I had hoped for Wilson’s Phalarope but no such luck this time.

Violet-green Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

California Gull

California Ground Squirrel

Mono Lake Tufas

Mono Lake Tufas

Mono Lake Tufas

After our quick little jaunt out to Mono Lake we sprinted up to the Bodie Ghost Town north of Lee Vining to look for Sage Grouse and ended up being quite fortunate to find a group of 7.

Greater Sage-grouse

Greater Sage-grouse

Greater Sage-grouse

Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie Ghost Town

After Bodie we headed into Yosemite Natl Park via Tioga Pass in hopes of Great Gray Owl and Black-backed Woodpecker. Although we didn’t find either I did manage to get better shots of Lincoln’s Sparrow.

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Belding’s Ground Squirrel

Yosemite Natl Park

Yosemite Natl Park

Yosemite Natl Park

Yosemite Natl Park

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