Friday Out

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I stopped at Corona Heights, Stow Lake, snuck through GGP, down the coast, and wound up at Lake Merced.

Posted: July 25, 2008

Even though I tracked this Lake Merced bird for nearly 2 minutes, my efforts only produced one opportunity for a photo.

Stow Lake produced a bold little baby Pied-billed Grebe.

Oh, I also saw an enormous Cooper's Hawk perched beautifully in a tree outside the De Young Museum. By the time I parked the car and lifted my head... it was gone. In the spirit of obeying the new hands-free phone law imposed in CA, I have tried to refrain from photographing birds while driving - but if I miss another chance like that I may have to revert to the habit of steering with my knees when accipiters appear.

A Redtail at Ocean Beach disregards the throngs of Brown-headed Cowbirds peppering the skies above.

It soon became clear why the hawk was so disinterested in the flocks.

Unfortunately this was a missed chance. The bird eventually headed off toward Golden Gate Park.

At Merced this young Red-shouldered Hawk appeared as I was leaving - saving the day. It was a nice highlight to watch this bird for a few minutes as it explored the area near the concrete bridge.

Gaining altitude before returning to the eastern side of the lake.

This view shows the distinctive wing windows from both the top and bottom of the wing.

Addendum:

Earlier in the week I went to Kent Lake, near Lagunitas, to look for Osprey and got skunked. It didn't matter though, the lake was beautiful and wonderfully quiet.

It was when I drove past Bolinas Lagoon that I spotted SIX Osprey hunting simultaneously.

Though I didn't have a close encounter quite like THIS ONE from early April.

I kept an eye on the rocks as I traversed the edge of the lagoon.

Kent Lake was quiet with the exception of this guy, who came out to sun himself on the log where I sat.

Over Bolinas Lagoon, a Tern makes its mind up early.

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External Links

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Guide
John W. Wall's Blog
Bill Walker's Flickr Page
Lineatus on Great Horned Owls