It’s a wrap

I just put the finishing touches on my Miniatures entry and will deliver it tomorrow. For those who know me, this is several days before the deadline (it can be done)!

I am quite pleased with the entry.

If you want to know which picture I chose, come to Monterey and check out the exhibit. It runs from November 17 to December 31 at the Monterey Museum of Art’s Pacific Street Gallery. It is in an impressive collection of miniature art from 300 local artists.

If you let me know beforehand, we can schedule a birding excursion to Point Lobos or head down the Big Sur coast to look for Condors.

And then there were three

With all due apologies to Genesis, I have narrowed down my selection for the 2011 Miniatures Exhibit to one of three photos:

Western Scrub-Jay

Western Scrub-Jay – Monterey, 2008

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon – Point Lobos, 2011

Osprey

Osprey – Point Lobos, 2011

I have got to admit, that I am leaning towards the Osprey. It took me over a year of looking before I even saw it. And to catch it with lunch in hand (talon) was special.

Please feel free to express your views in the comments.

Termite Hatch

Bewick's Wren
Bewick’s Wren – 2011

It is usually pretty hard to predict what you will see on a birding outing, unless you are going to the local pond looking for mallards.

But sometimes the world works like clockwork and past performance does guarantee future results. Such is the case with the annual termite hatch.

Every year, the first rain gets termites stirring in their underground chambers. After the rain passes and the ground warms, legions of termites with newly grown wings march up and take flight.

Only to be eaten by the birds who have also been waiting for the day.

This is a day to see wrens and warblers. Those little flits, you hear but never quite see, throw caution to the wind as they gobble up the termite hordes.

Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler – 2011

Bewick’s Wrens were out in force, grabbing termites off the ground and occasionally in the air. The Townsend’s Warblers were big on picking them out of the air. And while I tried, I was unable to catch a mid air grab.

There was also an “new” warbler for me, the Yellow Warbler. I think it fits into the category of birds that I have seen, but never noticed.

Chickadees, juncos, and quail were also filling their gullets with termites. It was an easy day to be a bird.

And as a result, an easy day to be a birder.