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| Clark's Nutcracker at El Polin Spring Click on images to see larger versions Over lunch I went to seek out the Clark's Nutcracker and he quickly appeared and descended to the spring. I tracked the active bird as it fed for about 20 minutes in the pines before I had to get back to work. He certainly keeps his distance - I'll try again tomorrow. | Posted: June 17, 2008 | |
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After announcing his arrival, the bird took off from the crest of the pines flaring his distinctive wings. |
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This bird prefers high altitudes, but even in the rarefied air he wasn't alone. |
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After surveying the scene below and waiting out the dogs, he dropped like a stone to the spring. |
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A quick drink. |
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I wasn't prepared for his visit to the spring and was at some distance when I took these highly cropped shots. |
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After the drink, the Nutcracker dries off a bit in the branches above. He took off and buzzed me and the other birders, flying a cool 5 feet directly over our heads. |
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Scampering through the pines, he settled at this pine cone for awhile. |
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Nice bird. |
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External Links
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Guide | |||
Copyright Notice - Images, graphic design, and text ©2007 Walter Kitundu, San Francisco, California.
It is unlawful to reproduce or distribute these images via any medium, digital or physical, without the express consent of the artist/photographer.