Exploring the back yard
This morning I went out with a large group of people from the San Diego Beginning Birders and the San Diego Audubon Society. My goal was to see the two nesting bald eagles in the Ramona Grasslands Preserve. Mission accomplished. Unfortunately, I don’t yet have a good birding lens so I have no useful pictures of the bald eagles. We did get to see them on their nest and flying above their nest. Coolest thing.
There is a short road in the grasslands where raptor watching is at its finest. In just three hours we saw the two bald eagles and several other raptor species: American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon, Merlin (a falcon), White-Tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, and Turkey Vulture. We also saw lots of Meadowlarks, Phoebes, and Geese, and even a Roadrunner sitting in a treetop.
Funny thing is, when I got home and turned into the driveway, look what was sitting in one of the pine trees:
I’m not 100% sure but I believe it is a Red-shouldered hawk. Sometimes it’s useful to explore one’s own back yard!
I’ll have more about the Ramona Grasslands Preserve in a post this coming week.
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Posted on February 3, 2013, in Birds, Fauna, Mother & Father Nature, Out & About, Photos and tagged raptor pictures, red-shouldered hawk pictures. Bookmark the permalink. 32 Comments.
So cool!
Sounds like you had a productive day!
It’s nice to know your bird species. Isn’t it great they are making a comeback?
Yep. I didn’t know the golden eagles were having so many problems here in San Diego county. The last bird count apparently showed just 87 of them here.
how do bloggers get stuck with the super annoying time consuming “just one more step” things when I push “like”/ I wish I cold push “hate” to those time-wasters…beebeesworld
lol………..I’m with you.
it seems like this annoying little extra just appears-sometimes, I just dont push like because it takes time from reading blogs -and I do like to read them…if i dont have a “like: or comment, it doesnt necessarily mean I didnt read it- beebee
If I read a blog post and either like it or have no opinion, I’ll push the like button. If a post resonates with me in a deeper way, I’ll comment. If I don’t like a post, I won’t like or comment.
A hawk in your backyard! Nice!
Thank you for stopping by my blog and following! I am always appreciative when someone comes along and finds something of interest in what I write. Thank you very much. I will be back to check yours out also.
Hi Russel Ray, I notice you camped out, and left me a lot of likes, but not words, so I thought I’d come over and leave you a few. I’m taking a break from writing, so I can spend more time reading and commenting. I’m burning the candle at too many ends right now. Hope things are going well for you and Jim. I’ve missed seeing you recently! So off I go to inspect your new stuff…
ML
Hey, Marsha. I got way behind in my blogging duties I had got it down to 9 days between visits to each individual’s blog. Prior to the Super Bowl I was up to 23 days between visits. That’s too long, so I decided to do nothing but reads and likes while the Super Bowl was on. The blackout also gave me an extra 34 minutes……..lol……Now I’m down to 17 days between visits. I can handle that but I’d really like it to be no more than 14 days. Fortunately, March Madness is coming up and I’ll probably get caught up then.
I had to slow down my writing. I can’t keep up with all the other things going on in my “retired” life right now!!! Big hi & and hug to Jim!
Do you think it is one from the Preserve that followed you home because it wanted to get a closer view of you?
Hey, maybe it is! With all the traffic lights and such, and the fact that he could get here “as the bird flies,” he definitely could have beat me home!
Good pic of the hawk.
Hi,
The bald eagle is my favorite bird. I’m looking forward to the pictures you took.
Ciao,
Patricia
Cool!
Sometimes we just have to experience the beauty and keep it tucked away in our memories. I’ve taken photographs of bald eagles, but it’s the magic of these creatures that stays with me. I have a resident red-shouldered hawk, which is what you captured–gorgeous birds.
Not a birder, so can’t say for sure what kind of hawk it is. They’re beautiful to watch as they soar.
What a wonderful welcome home gift! What we think about, we bring about!
Perhaps, but I was thinking how neat it would be to have two bald eagles nesting in my backyard and soaring above my house, and all I got was one red-shouldered hawk…………..lol
Lucky you! Seeing all those birds and especially the one in your own yard.
I see the red hawks over golf courses a lot… I love watching them circle the canyons looking for prey, nature is so elegant
Love your photo of the red-shouldered hawk, Russell. Right in your back yard too.
Thoroughly beautiful Ruuss! Enjoy your writing and great photography! Thank you for taking me on your trips because I’m homebound ~ Thank you sincerely ~Debbie
Isn’t the Internet wonderful? It lets anyone and everyone enjoy the world from the comfort of home. Best wishes.
You are so lucky!! How gorgeous!! They say always look in your own backyard. Gives new inspiration for the phrase
I have yet to do an actual birding. I know you have been an expert on it. My problem with anxiety seems not fitting for it.
But of course, eagles and exotic birds are one of my dreams to take pictures of. I just need more practice on being quick in snapping. 
Wow… love that hawk…. thank you for sharing xox
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