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| My final lifer - the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher |
My last day birding in North America was in California just before our few days at Disneyland [which we loved] – there was a report of a Scissor tailed flycatcher at a particular park well within striking distance. Now the STF looked to me to be a bit of a hottie as far as flycatchers go and one that I would be silly to pass on. To sweeten the deal there were other spp listed for the site on Ebird that would be lifers for your truly.
We arrived mid morning to meet a birder leaving; frowning. I flagged him down and he shared his Flycatcher-less tale of woe. Over the next three hours I strolled ‘calmly’ around enjoying the birds – ticking Nuttal’s Woodpecker and Cassin’s Kingbird – and slowly building a sizeable site list.
No STF! I met others too who were searching in the Californian winter heat. Still no STF! Finally I gave up and we were driving the RV out and I was explaining my slight feelings of melancholy to a strangely understanding Megan when the bird flew across my bow.
Sweet Jesus – what sweet relief! And what a bird! It hung about and flew about allowing great views of its BC salmon undersides before flying off, its long tail waving, into the distance, never to be seen again by me or any else. It was a memorable final lifer for sure.
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| Nuttal's Woodpecker |
We arrived mid morning to meet a birder leaving; frowning. I flagged him down and he shared his Flycatcher-less tale of woe. Over the next three hours I strolled ‘calmly’ around enjoying the birds – ticking Nuttal’s Woodpecker and Cassin’s Kingbird – and slowly building a sizeable site list.
No STF! I met others too who were searching in the Californian winter heat. Still no STF! Finally I gave up and we were driving the RV out and I was explaining my slight feelings of melancholy to a strangely understanding Megan when the bird flew across my bow.
Sweet Jesus – what sweet relief! And what a bird! It hung about and flew about allowing great views of its BC salmon undersides before flying off, its long tail waving, into the distance, never to be seen again by me or any else. It was a memorable final lifer for sure.
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| Cassin's Kingbird showing grey breast - on eof the key Id features. |
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| Another Nuttals. |
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| Shamu? at Sea World San Diego. |
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| It's easy to have mixed feelings about these sort of shows... |
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| but certainly the kids and the crowds enjoyed seeing these animals this close. |
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| Flamingos in their natural habitat - in front of a high speed roller coaster. |
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| fish! |
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| Megan and Millie riding with Elmo |
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| Polar Bear |
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| Polar Bear possibly praying to escape |
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| Walrus in close up |
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| Kenneth and Flamingo/s |
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| Matthew playing fetch with bottle-nosed dlophins |
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| the ball being returned |
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| still in San Diego - a pair of vRuddy Ducks |
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| Blue-winged Teal |
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| Cinnamon Teal - note - not a breakfast cereal |
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| Long-billed Curlew |
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