California: birds in Steinbeck country

Smokestacks in Monterrey Bay, CA. Check the top of the tallest smokestack - there is something there!


Here's a closer shot - it's a peregrine falcon, breakfasting on a pigeon:


Moonglow Diary near Salinas CA is the most reliable spot to see tricolored blackbirds (note to whoever names them - how can blackbirds be tricolored?). As a matter of fact, you cannot not see them - it's hard to miss such a swarm:






Western Grebes in LA:






Marbled Godwit near Salinas, CA:


Black Phoebe:


California Towhee:


Rufous-crowned Sparrow in LA:


Common Yellowthroat:




Western Gull:


Western Bluebird:


Blue-gray Gnatcatcher:


White-breasted Nuthatch in the mountains above LA:


Clark's Grebe with its family:


Mating dragonflies in an LA park: