Big Birds for the Headbangers

Big Bird

So you want to see a funny big bird? You have to check out this traffic cam.

 

Now for my own big birds. I have seen them from Alaska to Arizona, in the wild and in captivity, in parks and wildlife reserves and rest areas. Some bigger than others.

 

Take a look.

 

Egret--Lake Merritt--Oakland, California

American White Pelicans--Lake Merritt--Oakland

 White Pelicans visit our valley seasonally. These probably find the lake in Oakland a good place to stay year round. Their wingspan is a good six feet.

Sandhill Cranes outside Othello, Washington

 Sandhill Cranes can stand nearly six feet tall, so you can imagine their wingspan. Thousands of them descend on the Mid-Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and nearby farmlands each spring as they rest on their migration north to breeding grounds in Alaska.

Bald Eagle near Juneau, Alaska

 We saw this eagle as we returned from a very successful whale watching tour during an Alaska cruise.

"Lady Baltimore"--Bald Eagle--Juneau, Alaska

 Lady Baltimore looks out at us with her one eye. She was injured by hunters, and now lives at the Mt. Roberts Visitor Center at the top of the tram.

San Francisco Zoo

 Don't know what this guy is, but he sure looks steady on his FOOT.

Eagle Totem--Ketchikan, Alaska

 Now here in Southeast Alaska is where totem poles and totems belong. This eagle is one of many totems in Ketchikan--and one of many eagles.

Flamingos--San Francisco Zoo

 Did you know that baby flamingos are gray and fluffy?

Penguins--San Francisco Zoo

 Penguins have attitude.

Great Blue Heron--Veterans' Oasis Park--Chandler, Arizona

 You might not expect to see water birds in Arizona, but this park and its wonderful trail system features several lakes.

Crane--Veterans' Oasis Park



Cormorants --Veterans' Oasis Park

It can be quite warm in Arizona, even in November. I think these cormorants are cooling off.

Sandhill Cranes--near Othello, Washington

 More cranes. I hope to get better pictures of them this year.

Seagull--Sun Lakes State Park, Washington

 Not so very big, but they made up for it in individual loudness.

Wild turkey--Sun Lakes State Park

 If Ben Franklin had had his way, this would be our national bird.

Canada Geese family--Sun Lakes State Park

Big birds need big nests. Near Lake Shasta, California

Not sure, but these guys might be Sandhill Cranes or a related species. Near Grass Valley Rest Stop, Northern California.

Mute Swans--near Grass Valley Rest Area

We had seen Mute Swans at the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge, so we recognized them when we saw them in California.

 

 

The headbangers are birdwatching this week.

You can see their finds if you click their links near the top of my sidebar.