Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus
We just had another week of smoke-filled days. The air quality was so poor (in the 400's) that I couldn't get out and wander like I usually do. The Tahoe National Forest was also closed to hiking, camping, driving, and all recreational activities for another week!!! I did manage to go out several early mornings and was happy to see wildlife still thriving in our neighborhood! Luckily for us, the smoke cleared out on Thursday evening and it's been sunny, clear, and beautiful since then! We are SO lucky! Fires are still burning in California, but most have diminished in size. We still have a few more months of fire season to go. There isn't any rain predicted for the near future. Let's hope some arrives soon! We really, really need it!
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus
On two different mornings I saw this beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk perched in the same dead tree! It was probably scanning the area for food, such as Chickarees, mice, voles, frogs, toads, snakes, crayfish, insects, and birds. Their feathering is so striking and beautifully patterned! Here on the western side of the US, these hawks are usually found in the coast, valley, and foothills of California year round. Currently they have increased their range to include our area! Such beauty!
Lesser Goldfinch (female- male) - Spinus psaltria
Now that most of our wildflowers have gone to seed, the Lesser Goldfinches have shown up! Their diet is mainly seeds, but they will also eat berries, tree buds, and small insects. They always travel in small to largish flocks. They will spend the winter down in the lower elevations of California.
Lesser Goldfinch (possible juveniles) - Spinus psaltria
I think this is a small group of juveniles, because I saw one of them flapping its wings in the "feed me" style! The young birds look like the adult females, so I could be wrong. So fun to see them all together in a yellow flurry!
Lesser Goldfinch (male - juvenile) - Spinus psaltria
They were mainly feeding on the seeds of Star Thistle, an invasive weed!
Nice to know that it produces seeds that birds like! I think the bird on the right is a juvenile because it still l has some fluffy feathers!
White-crowned Sparrow (juvenile - adult) - Zonotrichia leucophrys
Recently arrived in our neighborhood are the White-crowned Sparrows. These have probably come down from the Lakes Basin where they raised their young. Or perhaps they've flow down from their breeding grounds in Alaska or Canada. They always show up in our neighborhood at this time of year. They won't stay here for the winter. They may migrate down to California's Central Valley for the winter, or travel down into Mexico! I love seeing them return here, year after year.
Yellow Warbler (female) - Anna's Hummingbird (male)
Setophaga petechia - Calypte anna
I was thrilled to see this Yellow Warbler in our river canyon today! Such beauty! It is probably on its winter migration route to Central America or the northern end of South America. Their diet consists of insects, mainly midges! It was such a tiny beauty, with a length of 5" including its tail!
Anna's Hummingbirds are passing through, feeding on whatever is in bloom. They will spend the winter in lower elevations in California, or the northern end of Mexico. Their bright magenta coloring, is caused by prism-like feather cells! The certainly brighten up the dry landscape!
Common Merganser (juvenile/adult) - Mergus merganser
On the River
Things are seemingly "back to normal" on the North Yuba River! After an absence of several weeks, I've seen groups of Common Mergansers and Canada Geese on the river this week. The Common Mergansers won't stay here for the winter, but will migrate down lower elevations in California or perhaps to Arizona!
Canada Geese (adult) - Great Blue Heron (adult)
Branta canadensis - Ardea herodius
The Canada Geese usually leave for a month or more during the winter. The Great Blue Heron will probably stay here all winter, unless it gets too snowy. Both the heron and the geese will migrate down to lower elevations in California if the winter isn't mild.
Merlin (adult) - Belted Kingfisher (female)
Falco columbarius - Megaceryle alcyon
To my delight the little Merlin was back on its perch one morning this week! The following day a Belted Kingfisher was on the same perch and there was no sign of the Merlin! I'll have to keep checking back to see what happens next!
Rubber Rabbitbrush - Hedge Nettle(?)
Ericameria nauseousus - Stachy's albens (?)
What's Blooming?
There are a few flowers still blooming! Some are along the river, some are in dry areas away from the river. Here are a few of the ones I saw. The Scarlet Monkeyflowers and the Blazing Stars are still in bloom!
Chicory - Bull Thistle (?)
Chicorium intybus - Circium vulgare (?)
Both of these plants are non-natives, but bees will feed on them.
Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans
Fall Color
Fall color is just starting! Right now the Poison Oak is a gorgeous red, and the Bigleaf Maples are starting to turn yellow. Lots of plants have dried into hues of gold and rust. Hopefully if rain comes, the Black Oaks will be golden! I'll keep you posted!
Bigleaf Maple - Sulfur Flower
Acer macrophyllum - Eriogonum umbellatum
Black Oaks and sunlit Rain
More Damp Earth Art!
Once again I am sending out a "Call for Art" in celebration of rain. My intention is to focus on the need for rain, and through collective positive energy invoke rain to fall. It is just a wish, a thought, and a hope. If you would like to submit some art, or writing, or a photo please check out my blog at dampearthart.blogspot.com.
You can view what was submitted last year at dampearth.blogspot.com.
I will be posting new art weekly. Check it out and pray for rain!
What's Happening in the Lakes Basin?
Are the bears still around?
Check back next week for the answers to these questions and more!
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Something changed at Blogspot.com. Oh well... However, my blog looks better if you just go to northyubanaturalist.blogspot.com, rather than get the emailed version. I suggest that you just bookmark my blog and visit it every Sunday afternoon!
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