Painted redstart in southern Arizona desert area. Photo by Mike Williams, Lafayette, CA Hi all: My friend Mike Williams sent me this photo he took of a painted redstart (Myioborus pictus) in the backyard of his home in the Southern Arizona desert. Wow! Beautiful. This little bird feeds on insects and spiders and prefers mountain […]

Belted kingfisher with crayfish. Photo by Dave Harper, Oakley, CA   The belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) likes to sit on power lines next to creeks and dive down and catch fish when it spots them swimming near the surface of the water. Sometimes they get lucky and catch a tasty crayfish. /Gary

Mom and Dad mourning dove with baby dove peeking out from in-between them. Photo by Abby Fateman, Lafayette, CA Gary: I saw a letter about doves on someone’s porch.  It reminded me of our May doves.  Here are 2 photos of the chick. One at about a week old (in the middle between mom and […]

Three ospreys in nest on light pole by Carquinez Bridge in Vallejo, CA. Photo by Marina Chainey, Richmond, CA Gary: I saw this osprey nest empty last year when I walked across the Zampa (Carquinez) bridge in Vallejo.  When I walked the bridge again a few days ago, 3 ospreys were waiting for food as […]

Two immature red-tailed hawks. Photo by Jennifer Dayrell, Livermore, CA Gary: We saw these birds at Sycamore Grove Park south of Livermore last weekend. Are they eagles? Jenni Dayrell, Livermore, California Jenni: These are immature red-tailed hawks. They are about 19 inches tall and weigh around 2-3 pounds. Golden eagles are about 30+ inches tall […]

Adoptable adult cat available at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. (ARF photo) This Saturday and Sunday, July 21-22, are the last days you can adopt an adult cat from ARF with NO adoption fees! http://www.arf.net/animal-programs/adoption/cat-independence-2012.php Hi Gary, We are coming up on our last weekend of our Cat Independence Days event where all adult […]

Mockingbird parent feeding a baby. Photo by Joannah Henrichs, El Cerrito, CA Gary: My neighbor cut back a tree close to our front window in which mockingbirds were nesting. On going to the front window the next day, I saw this babe (above) in our junipers and was lucky enough to get this shot just […]

Peter Peacock (right) with wild turkeys on Antioch rooftop. Photo by Valerie Gillan, Antioch, CA Gary: Just had to respond to your inquiry on June 29 regarding the occurrence of peacocks and turkeys together in the Bay Area. We live in a suburban area of Antioch, but have the good fortune of having a large […]

Great blue heron photo by Dave Harper, Oakley, CA. Ever wondered what happened to the goldfish in your backyard pond? Maybe a great blue heron stopped by for a visit one day when you weren’t looking. As far as a heron is concerned … a pond is a pond is a pond … whether it […]

Turkey vulture getting ready to feed on a dead squirrel in the middle of the road. Photo by Judy Edlund, Concord, CA Gary: I’ve had 4 interesting encounters with these wonderful and awesome birds (turkey vultures). First at the intersection of Leland & Railroad in Pittsburg, CA. On the NE corner is a mortuary and […]