Black Cormorant

Red-Tail Hawk

Hawks do plenty of different things while they're hovering and flying.  They're curious about their surroundings, and spend time using their remarkable vision to examine animals that aren't possible prey: like the photographer.

Anna's Hummingbird Hovering in Motion

These 8 images of a hummingbird were made over a period of about 7 seconds.  The exposures were about 1/1000 second each, so those wings were flapping a few hundred times per second.  They were humming, all right!  

Double Crested Cormorant

Western double-crested cormorants show the white feathers above the brow.  The green eyes of cormorants are astonishing.  Why are they green? 

Hawk at Refugio

The campgrounds at Refugio are closed this time of year. Gophers are as plentiful as ever, though. On the day before Christmas, this hawk moved in to partake of the feast.  The swings in the deserted campground make a great perch to survey the meadow for hawk treats. I believe that this is a red-shouldered hawk.

Japanese Cormorant

This cormorant was one of a flock, sitting on power lines over a narrow creek.  It looks much like California cormorants, although with a different facial color and a more industrial setting.

Prairie Falcon

This prairie falcon was sitting on a power pole just outside Carrizo Plain National Monument when a couple of humans drove up and began photographing him. 

Brown Pelicans on a Sandspit

Brown pelicans start the day from the sandspit at Santa Barbara Harbor.  This is a favorite roosting spot, ever since work on the breakwater blocked public access.  Pelicans don't have many places to rest, along the coast; the islands are friendlier.

Eye Contact with a Pelican

Pelican Trio

Three Brown Pelicans cruise along the beach.  These birds are very particular about their nesting sites, and no longer nest on the mainland.  But, they seem to enjoy traveling across the channel for a meal or maybe just for an outing, with friends.

Pelicans in Echelon

Pelicans like to fly in formation, usually either in a "V" or in a line diagonal to their direction.  The formation probably does reduce the effort they require to keep aloft, by suppressing the vortices trailing from their wingtips.  It might also help them to watch out for pelicans in front, and to scan a wide swath of ocean for fish.