More Stinson Gulch Birds with Keith Hansen

On our visit to Stinson's Gulch, (February 18th), we encountered a flock of Purple Finches. This is a familiar wintering bird in Tennessee, as well, though I usually see them either at feeders or high in the trees. These finches were conveniently foraging in shrubby foliage closer to the ground.

Above, Keith Hansen spotting a Bewick's Wren, below.

--a Bewick's Wren that was very cooperative, giving us great looks as he sang.      

Above and below, Hairy Woodpeckers.

Keith referred to this portion of the trail as the "enchanted forest".  Firs and snarling live oaks cloaked in moss provided a tangle of foliage that fit the description and provided dense habitat for birds that like to hide.

There he is hiding, one of the species I had hoped to see--a Varied Thrush!  This thrush is generally found in western coastal areas in the winter and breeds in the damp evergreen forests of the northwest.

Though, we moved around to look at other birds in the area, our Varied Thrush moved very little, remaining in one spot holding an "invisible" pose. Below, I moved just enough that you can finally see all of his bill! Take the time to listen to this thrush's song at Cornell's All About Birds.

In a clearing, on top of a wire, an Allen's Hummingbird guarded his territory.  You can see the distinctive green plumage on his back that helps to distinguish the Allen's from the Rufous species.

Above and below his bright orange gorget flashes in the light.  The small patch of white feathers behind his eye gives him an intense expression.    

 Below, a Black Phoebe, showing his recognizable flycatcher shape.    

In all, we saw more than 90 species in a morning of birding.  Since I don't keep a list, the numbers don't matter as much to me as the excitement of enjoying new birds--the Varied Thrush, Black Phoebe, Bewicks Wren and Allen's Hummingbird in this post were all new bird acquaintances!

Next:  Life birds on the deck!  

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!

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!

Stinson Beach, CA--Birding with Keith Hansen

An ideal vacation includes birding with a local expert!  I was fortunate and excited to find Keith Hansen, both an extraordinary artist and birder.  

We started on the bluff overlooking Stinson Beach and progressed down to beach level to look at gulls, grebes, shorebirds, an oyster catcher, double-crested comorant, and a few ducks.   

Keith Hansen                                                       Photo credit:  Wendy Pitts Reeves

We saw four grebe species--horned, eared, red-necked and western.  The grebes are not difficult, but when you see them all together in winter plumage, remembering the field marks can be a challenge.    

Horned Grebe

That makes a field guide handy! 

Photo credit:  Wendy Pitts Reeves

Eared Grebe

The view was spectacular even with the early morning overcast.  Grays can be beautiful in all their subtlety.

Photo credit:  Wendy Pitts Reeves

And in the midst of all the neutrals, a few colorful blossums attracted an Anna's Hummingbird. What a treat to be so close when he arrived!

Next stop:  Stinson Gulch

Visit all my posts on Stinson Beach, California
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!