Wildlife

Hawk & Rainbow

A juvenile red-tailed hawk perches on a trail sign to dry out after a passing storm. San Francisco Bay Area, California 16-FEB-2019

Skimming at Sunset

A black skimmer searches along the top of the water for fish at sunset. San Francisco Bay Area, California 02-AUG-2017

Great Blue Heron: Young Adult

A great blue heron wades in the water in search of dinner. San Francisco Bay Area, California 01-JUN-2018

Forster's Tern

A Forster's tern perches to take a break from diving & fishing. San Francisco Bay Area, California 30-MAY-2016

Brown Pelican Dive: Surface Contact

A brown pelican dives & prepares to plunge into the water to catch fish. Brown pelicans turn their heads to the left before impact because the esophagus and trachea are on the right side of the neck. San Francisco Bay Area, California 20-NOV-2015

Moon Jelly

Moon jelly on special exhibit: "Jellies Experience." Monterey Bay Aquarium Monterey, California 06-SEP-2015

Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 23-FEB-2013

Grooming Break A southern sea otter takes a rest from vigorously grooming its head after breakfast. Monterey Bay Moss Landing, California 27-NOV-2011

Great Blue Heron: Fresh Catch A great blue heron plucks a yellowfin goby out of the water. Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 30-OCT-2012

Clark's Grebe Yawn A Clark's grebe wakes up from an afternoon nap on the still lake. Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 02-MAR-2012

Feeding on Fall Flowers A female Anna's hummingbird hovers to harvest some fall nectar. Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 24-OCT-2011

Behind the Mound A burrowing owl peeks out from a dirt mound to scan the surroundings. The owl is waiting for sunset before coming out of its in-ground home. Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 13-AUG-2011

Brown Pelican Over Water A brown pelican shows its 7-foot wingspan as it flies out to sea. Moss Landing, California 27-NOV-2011

Great Blue Heron Glide A great blue heron glides over tall grasses and sleeping ducks. Charleston Slough, Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 17-NOV-2011

Surf Scoter with Clam A surf scoter finds a clam and swallows it whole (shell and all). (I saw it eat about 6 of them!) Shoreline Lake Mountain View, California 04-MAR-2011

Competitive Fishing A large flock of Forster's terns hover above the water looking for small fish. They occasionally lunge at each other to defend their favorite fishing spots. Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 30-JUN-2011

Group Sunbathing Elephant seal mothers and their weaning pups group together to conserve heat while sunbathing on the beach. Ano Nuevo State Reserve Pescadero, California 03-APR-2011

Great Egret in Tall Grasses A great egret hunts in the grasses. The egret's green lores are a sign of the breeding season. Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge Fremont, California 16-APR-2011

Hummingbird Silhouette An Anna's hummingbird perches against sunset-light falling on spring fields. Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 04-APR-2011

Dive Displacement A Forster's tern plunges into the water to catch a fish in its beak. (The tern is a shallow diver, but still creates quite a splash.) Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 16-JUN-2011

Pheasant in the Fields A male ring-necked pheasant pops up from hiding to listen to the call of another pheasant. Palo Alto Baylands Preserve, California 25-APR-2010

Red-Tailed Fly-By A red-tailed hawk hunts along the water and swoops down for a very low fly-by. Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 15-MAY-2010

Great (Egret) Escape A great egret leaves its hunting spot to avoid the crashing ocean waves. Pt. Lobos State Reserve Carmel, California 15-JAN-2011

Anna's Hummingbird at Sunset An Anna's hummingbird zips around and feeds on a string of flowers. The the last light from the setting sun filters through the surrounding bushes. Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 22-OCT-2011

Gliding Pelican American white pelican coasting in flight Baylands Preserve Palo Alto, California 03-OCT-2010

More Grooming A sea otter floats along, grooming its head to keep warm. (The little bit of red is its tongue.) Sea otters are ocean mammals that spend most of time hunting, eating, sleeping, and grooming. Moss Landing State Beach, California 18-APR-2010

Great Egret on Plank Shoreline Park Mountain View, California 16-MAR-2011

Juvenile Night Heron Portrait Juvenile black-crowned night heron (a few months old) in the morning Baylands Park & Nature Preserve Palo Alto, California 15-AUG-2010