Harbor Seal

(61 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo of a Harbor Seal was taken very near the Lucy Evans Interpretive Center at the bird sanctuary. I was very surprised to see it but the ranger verified that they have been known to occasionally appear.

White Pelicans

(58 views)
by Terry Costales

Taking photos from a boat was a new experience. I was able to get much closer to this flock of Pelicans before they took flight. These appear to be Australian Pelicans because of the pink bills. Or do American White Pelicans have pink bills in the winter? Further research needed.

Avocet non-breeding plumage

(57 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo was taken late March of this year and many birds were still in just black and white. For courting and breeding the necks and chest acquire a rusty or tan color. They really seem to enjoy their mud-flats.

Male Lion Sleeping

(57 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is a photo of a lion doing what a lion does best.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

(57 views)
by Terry Costales

Yesterday I thought these birds might be Australian Pelicans but with further research I found they are American White Pelicans in non-breeding plumage. I'm glad that's settled.

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

The Harbor Seal was very curious about us as we motored past, but not curious enough to actually move.

Great Egret

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

I was fascinated to watch this egret hunt . He moved very patiently and slowly, then his head would dart into the shallow water and he would come up with a little fish. It must take a lot of little fish to fill such a large bird.

Great Egret

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

The Great Egret has just caught a small fish.

Great Egret and Pheasant

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

I didn't see a pheasant when I looked at this tree, only the Egret. As the boat drew nearer to the tree the pheasant burst out, startling the egret and me. I tried to get a shot of them as they flew past, but I was much too slow. It wasn't until I looked at the photos at home that I had the pleasure to see I had gotten a shot of the pheasant after all.

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

This group shot of harbor seals illustrates their cuteness and wide variations in colors.

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

Seeing a bright red eye on a bird, to me, is quite startling. Although the heron appears to be standing one-legged, the other leg is actually stretched out in front, grasping another branch.

Great Egret (ardea alba)

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

This shows all the markings you would look for in identifying this bird in the breeding season. The lacy plumes on the back and the green/blue "mask" that extends from the base of the bill to the eye are only present during this time. The Audubon Society came into existence to stop the extermination of great Egrets by plume hunters and has this bird as it's logo. Great Egrets are found world-wide, even in Australia .

Great Egret

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

I think I am addicted to taking shots of flying egrets.

Black-crowned Night Heron (nycticorax nicticorax)

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

At the sanctuary, there is a group of palm trees next to the large pond that provides prime nesting spots. It is fenced off to ensure the breeding birds are not disturbed. In late March, this was one of many night herons nesting amongst the snowy and great egrets. Its usually yellow legs are pink because it's breeding season.

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

Taken late March, this bird is probably a year or two old and has the yellow legs you see on both juveniles and non breeding adults. They get their full adult plumage in the third year. If you look at this shot and the thumbnail below it, you can see they are roughly the same size and shape. Nice of them to pose for their comparison shots.

Great Egret

(55 views)
by Terry Costales

I got this shot just as the egret was landing. Look closely and you can see the feet haven't quite come to rest on the pipe.

Canada Geese in a California Sky

(54 views)
by Terry Costales

When Canada Geese trumpet their arrival while flying directly overhead, no-one could possibly pass up the opportunity to photograph them.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(54 views)
by Terry Costales

A large group of pelicans were perched on the fish processing equipment.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(54 views)
by Terry Costales

It was beautiful day in Santa Cruz and I had been photographing the sea lions when this pelican landed a few feet away on the pier railing. If there was ever a compelling visual argument for birds being the modern descendants of dinosaurs, it's the pelican. I could easily imagine them flying just out of reach above the snapping jaws of some aquatic sea monster.

Black-crowned Night Heron

(54 views)
by Terry Costales

The bird on the left is a young adult who won't achieve the look of the mature bird on its right for another year.

Great Egret flying

(54 views)
by Terry Costales

To get a shot of a graceful bird flying is always a coup.

Great Egret (Ardea Alba)

(54 views)
by Terry Costales

These large egrets are graceful and breathtaking in flight. I watched this bird flying back and forth several times bringing nesting material back to it's mate. There was only one pair that I saw amongst dozens of the smaller Snowy Egrets.

Anna's Hummingbird

(54 views)
by Terry Costales

A female hummingbird on a stick.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )

(54 views)
by Terry Costales

It surprises me that a big bird like a Pelican can fly so effortlessly.

Zebra (Equus burchelli boehmi)

(54 views)
by Terry Costales

A beautiful Zebra with gorgeous long lashes. I would love to see Zebras in California fields alongside the horses, sheep and cows. We have Ostriches and Llamas, why not Zebras?