On the edge of Rodeo Lagoon I spent some time with the Red-winged Blackbirds trying to get a decent flight shot. I was frustrated by their pace and by the constantly shifting winds. Looking at the images later I was surprised to find this shot.

At the Palace of Fine Arts lagoon, this egret was not shy about stepping right around my feet as it searched for small fish.

This Cormorant emerged from under the water only to lose the fish in a splash. It immediately submerged and I focused my camera on the fading ripples. It surfaced and swallowed the fish in seconds - luckily I got this picture just in time.

Three Phalaropes are skittering along in the PFA lagoon, dwarfed by the gulls and geese. On occasion they venture close enough to shore to get a good picture.

The gulls sometimes lunge at the little phalaropes - this one flew towards me.

A male and female Bluebird hunt for insects in the grass near the Rodeo Lagoon.

Luigi and I took a 20 mile bike trip to the Headlands and found this Great Horned Owl's nest. We thought it empty until we braved the poison oak and found two pairs of eyes trained on us.

We sat still and tried to out-stare them but...
they are very, very, very good at staring contests.

Back in Alta Plaza Park, a drive by produced the young Red-tail male on a rooftop. By the time I parked and returned to the scene, the female was in his place with a large gopher.

Given the time it took her to finish up, I'd say it was a very large gopher.

After eating it's time to clean your bill and pick any leftovers from in between your talons.

Then take care of other necessary business.

Departing the scene with a distended crop.

A big, beautiful bird, and an accomplished hunter.

Looking for a place to rest and digest.