10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

We were woefully under-prepared in terms of planning – which almost kept us from meeting our friends – but we were also surprised and thrilled to learn that not only were Gray Whales migrating past the lighthouse, but Elephant Seals were lounging on a nearby beach! Migrating Gray Whales. Point Reyes is a magical place.

Seals 200

Seals Elephants Whales Whaling 200

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

Last month, I wrote about hypothesized relationships between passerines, parrots, falcons, and seriemas , noting a need for further research on the subject. The post stimulated some great discussions but not really any additional commentary on the science behind these proposed relationships. Ringer Suh et al.

Parrots 198

Parrots Falcons Indonesia Rodents 198

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2013

Peregrine Falcons breed on the sheer cliff faces of Santa Cruz; you may meet one at eye level on the bluff trail north of Scorpion Ranch, where this photo was taken (I highly recommend this trail, by the way, if only for the views). I can’t finish this post without mentioning marine mammals.

California 174

California Birds Sea Lions Whales 174

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

Such activity hardly goes unnoticed by piratical and falcon-like Parasitic Jaegers and the larger, more thickset and not as common Pomarine Jaegers , readily on the lookout for a kleptoparasitic feeding opportunity along the outermost reefs.

Albatross 193

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whales 193

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

At sea there are also New Zealand Sea Lions and Southern Right Whales. North of Dunedin is Orokonui , a wildlife Sanctuary modeled on Karori with a fence to keep introduced mammals out. In actuality, you’ve lucked out, you’re near The Catlins , a dramatic area of well preserved temperate rainforest.

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Penguins Sanctuary Birds 157