Stinson's Gulch with Keith Hansen

Stinson's Gulch is the name for a valley in Marin County, California, that is associated with a stream that travels down Bolinas ridge and is located just north of Stinson Beach.  

Lovely, shrubby habitat with lots of berries and insect attracting spring flowers.  Above, a Western Scrub-Jay . Jays are among my favorite birds because of their assertive and inquisitive natures.  The jay above appears to be acting as a look out, though Western Scrub-Jays don't display sentinel behavior as systematically as the Florida Scrub Jay. 

As soon as we entered the habitat from the small parking area, warbler activity became apparent in the shrubby plants around us.  The first species was a species that I enjoy during the winter months in my yard, a Yellow-rumped Warbler, above.  

Mixed in with the yellow-rumps were Townsend's Warblers, a new species for me!  In fact, I enjoyed seeing a number of new species on our walk through this area!  One of the field marks that sets this warbler apart is that dark cheek patch you see above, that looks a bit like a black mask against the male's yellow face.

The males have a black throat, while the female's throat is yellow (above and below).  Females also have the distinguishing dark cheek patch, though its a faded version of the male's.        

If you have ever spent time straining your neck to see warblers as specks in the tip-tops of trees, you will agree that it is a real treat anytime you can view these birds at near eye-level.

Bushtits, above and below.  Though this little bird is described as "plain" and "drab-gray" in the field guides, there is nothing drab about their personalities nor was their any drabness in my reaction to seeing this bird for the first time.

Bushtits are smaller than chickadees, only 4" compared to a chickadee's 4 1/2 to 5", and their foraging habits are much like that of chickadees, including the habit of hanging upside down as they search for tiny insects. What is also delightful, they often travel and forage in flocks.  So if you miss your photo opportunity the first time, chances are you'll get a second chance!  

The females have the yellow eye, while the males have a brown eye, and look at that long tail!  Fun little birds!

Above, Keith Hansen, center, and my companions, Talissa and Wendy.

Next:  More firsts and an enchanted forest!

Visit all my posts on Stinson Beach, California
Stinson Gulch
Keith Hansen

Birds of the Sierra Nevada by Beedy and Pandolfing--Illustrated by Keith Hansen
Great book! Full of detailed life histories. As you might guess, I brought home an autographed copy!