Maureen Sullivan's photostream  

This White-tailed Kite, along with many other raptors, has taken up winter residence in a construction zone. Many acres of newly vacant land, once a Boeing plant, are now full of small mammals and birds. Unfortunately, all the chain link fences, that surround the construction sites, are covered with bright blue tarps.

In the book, The Big Year, there was an entire section about the unsavory places birders go, to find birds. Living in an urban area, I'll take the birds where I can find them.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, showing a bit of the color for which it's named. This is the first time I've been able to capture the crown, so posted this image, even if it isn't as sharp as I would have liked. There's something about a first time image......

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Having seen the earlier picture of herself, this Black-tailed Prairie Dog decided that yoga was a must do for the new year. After a few weeks, she is looking much more svelte :-)

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A Least Sandpiper, high stepping on the rocks. Rumor has it, that birders, good birders that is, can identify every sandpiper with a quick glance. My glance is more like a solid, 30 second look through binoculars. Three peeps are easy: Western, Least and Spotted.....every other species requires my Sibley's :-D

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Member of the Flickr Bird Brigade
Activists for birds and wildlife

January 22, 2012

Gyrfalcon, San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Riverside County, CA