Peregrines Just Wanna Have Dove

Dove for lunch

Get ready

Stop wiggling.

Whatcha lookin' at?

. . . and I don't share.

Bah! Motherhood.

Where the Peregrines Play

Mommy, is it dinner?

So many feathers to pluck.

A mother's work is never done.

More Harriette

Harriette gets nourishment as a Lesser Goldfinch watches.

Harriette the Hummingbird's Second Nest

Crows snatched Harriette's first hatchlings as soon as they pipped from the shells.

A month later, Harriette built another nest and has two eggs on a branch within reach of people and crows.

Wish her better luck this time.

Let's hope she's just learning her job and won't lose her babies to the crows.

Either Harriette spends too much time sipping the nectar or has more eggs?  


Look at that tummy.

A Pelican's Life

Busy day at the office.

One more email to send, one more phone call and I'm going home.

See you guys tomorrow.

Fish caught for dinner,  check.

One more lap and humming. . . Me and my shadow.

Honey, I'm home!

Notice Noses in Roses

What noses do you notice?

Do you see the dolphins?

Fooled by a feather?

Find the elephant.

Swan and snail nose?

Feathered Fluency

Hooded Oriole Parenting

A cricket for me.

I'm hungry . . .  right now.

OK OK, I'm bringing the brat some food.

 A mother never rests.  Feed him Dad.

Flights in Flowers

Tickled by Bees

Least Terns in Twists and Turns

The California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni) nests in colonies by the San Diego river. They used to flourish from Moss Landing, Monterey County, California to San Jose del Cabo, southern Baja California, Mexico. 

In the 19th and early 20th century terns were affected by the millinary trade which collected feathers for women's hats. Colonies on the east coast suffered the most.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1916 ended the threat, but the least tern plummeted again decades later.  


Coastal development and recreational pressures destroyed habitat, disturbed birds, and increased predation by introduced and native species. The construction of the Pacific Coast Highway brought these threats to much of California's coast. 


In recent years the bird has appeared on the endangered species list.  Now in San Diego County, the population has increased to nearly 200 nests per acre.  

A challenge to photograph, they fly in twists and wild turns on their way to snag a fish.  

While sharp focus defies my camera, their antics entertain with feathery illusions.