A warm sunny evening led to a short post-work stroll around Inglewood Bird Sanctuary on Thursday and I found a couple of rarities along with good views of some of the "usual suspects". I'll let the photos tell the story...
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| Over the clatter of three Belted Kingfishers, I hear a House Finch, (Carpodacus mexicanus), I wonder if I can get a better photo from the other side.... |
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| ....looks like no! |
Ducks in love...
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| American Wigeon pair, Anas americana |
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| Common Merganser pair, Mergus merganser |
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| Mallard pair, Anas platyrhynchos |
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| Redhead pair, Aythya americana |
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| Wood Duck, Aix sponsa, two males - waiting for love? |
Walking along the trail a robin-sized bird with a flash of tan on its wing flies across the trail. I wonder if I'm going to get my first decent look at....
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| ...yep! The enigmatically named Townsend's Solitaire, Myadestes townsendi |
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| and again from behind. |
Arriving at the river a quick scan reveals not very much of interest, except one of those Goldeneyes on the far side looks a little out of place. Crescent shaped white in front of the eye, steeper sloped forehead, bill a little shorter, must be a...
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| ....Barrow's Goldeneye, Bucephala islandica |
Better views on take-off and in flight seem to support this conclusion. Sorry about the lousy photos - digiscoping equipment is in the budget for the next couple of months - all photos can be clicked to enlarge for marginally better views!
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| I made out 1 male and 3 female Barrow's Goldeneyes, with the larger white area on the wings of the male Common Goldeneye in the upper right of this image clearly highlighting the differences. |
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