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| The Daily Animal World As Seen By Terry Costales |
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Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna ) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/28 (1 of 154) A female Anna's Hummingbird sat quite still on a dried twig. For a moment.... view more |
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Stellar's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/27 (2 of 154) Pretty butterflies are often the food for pretty... view more |
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Stellar's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri ) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/26 (3 of 154) This Stellar's Jay held down a butterfly and pulled off it's wing's. Naughty... view more |
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Stellar's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri ) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/23 (4 of 154) Is the Stellar's Jay a blue bird with a charcoal top or a charcoal bird with a blue... view more |
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Yucca by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/22 (5 of 154) This dramatically spiny yucca plant was found just inside the gate.... view more |
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Stellar's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri ) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/21 (6 of 154) Imagine a charcoal colored bird that landed in a birdbath filled with indigo-blue Easter Egg dye. That's the Stellar's Jay. But in bright sunlight, the normally charcoal top of the Stellar's Jay... view more |
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Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/19 (7 of 154) The same type of lizard I saw on Sherman Island was found in Tilden Park.... view more |
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Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/18 (8 of 154) A Scrub Jay in a tree with a very large... view more |
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Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/17 (9 of 154) A Scrub Jay on a barbecue searched for food.... view more |
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Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/16 (10 of 154) I saw many lizards that day. This one was recharging his "solar batteries". When I was a kid we called this type of lizard a blue-belly.... view more |
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Junco (Junco oreganus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/15 (11 of 154) As we headed to the car I captured this last glimpse of an Oregon Junco just before he disappeared over the rooftop.... view more |
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Crayfish by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/13 (12 of 154) A crayfish was unexpectedly sighted in the Botanical Gardens. When I was a kid we called it a crawdad.... view more |
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Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/12 (13 of 154) Usually, a spotted towhee is seen in the underbrush. In the spring however, the male spends a great deal of time in the trees singing to attract a mate.... view more |
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American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/12 (14 of 154) A male American Goldfinch coming into breeding... view more |
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Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/11 (15 of 154) This Pacific-slope Flycatcher sat on its thorny branch and let me approach to within a few feet. It was perched in the trees surrounding the now closed Pony Rides at Tilden Park.... view more |
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American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/11 (16 of 154) This male goldfinch was in transitional plumage, moving from non-breeding into breeding colors. He also appeared to be molting a bit, as goldfinches do twice a year.... view more |
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Oregon Junco (Junco hyemalis var. Oregonus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/09 (17 of 154) The white markings on the tail of a female Oregon Junco are only visible in flight. Or, in this case, just before take-off.... view more |
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Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/09 (18 of 154) A Black Phoebe about to deliver lunch to it's... view more |
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Western Pond Turtles & Red Slider by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/08 (19 of 154) Western Pond Turtles sunned themselves on a log in Jewel Lake. The leading turtle on the log however was a Red Slider. Perhaps a pet released after the owners became bored with it or the turtle... view more |
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Western Pond Turtles (Actinemys marmorata) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/08 (20 of 154) A solitary pond turtle suns itself on a... view more |
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Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla ) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/07 (21 of 154) The Wilson's Warbler from yesterdays posting, viewed from a different angle, showed that it had been banded. The silver band was numbered and was issued by US Fish & Wildlife, the colored bands had... view more |
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Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla ) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/06 (22 of 154) Wilson's Warblers are numerous in California, yet this was the first one I had ever seen. Of course, since seeing my first, I now suddenly seem to find them on every outing.... view more |
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Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/06 (23 of 154) Two Phoebes were very active near Jewel Lake's shore. This nesting pair would each catch insects, pose on the spillway and then fly to feed their nesting young.... view more |
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Stellar's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/05 (24 of 154) After "evicting" us from its part of the park, the jay watched and made sure we were actually... view more |
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Stellar's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/05 (25 of 154) As we left Jewel Lake we were escorted out by a loud scolding Stellar's Jay. He was quite insistent that we had overstayed our welcome.... view more |
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Western Pond Turtles (Actinemys marmorata) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/04 (26 of 154) Four turtles sunned themselves just across the pond in the weak afternoon sunshine.... view more |
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Banana Slug (Ariolimax californicus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/04 (27 of 154) I almost didn't see this well camouflaged and slow moving slug. He and I are both happy I didn't step on him. The Banana Slug is also famous for its role in sports. It is the official mascot of... view more |
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Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/02 (28 of 154) A song sparrow found a place to drink.... view more |
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California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/07/02 (29 of 154) The typical Towhee is very shy and will scuttle away as soon as anyone approaches. This Towhee however, allowed me to get quite close and seemed unpreturbed by me or other visitors to the park.... view more |
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Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/30 (30 of 154) A male mallard posed on a large tree limb that extended out over the water. The sunlight made his iridescent colors show... view more |
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Oregon Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/29 (31 of 154) A bird with young to feed has a full time job and in this case a very full beak.... view more |
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Junco (Junco hyemalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/28 (32 of 154) I grew up to know this bird as the Oregon Junco with it's rufous flanks and black hood. Then I later learned it is really a Dark-eyed Junco and the Oregon Junco is a subspecies. This species of... view more |
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Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/27 (33 of 154) Here is a mallard hen with her one chick.... view more |
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Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/27 (34 of 154) A mallard duckling observes Mom's dabbling... view more |
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Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/26 (35 of 154) A cormorant was about to remove a leaf that had fallen onto its... view more |
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Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/26 (36 of 154) This cormorant appeared to swim in green water but the green was actually a reflection of trees.... view more |
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Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/25 (37 of 154) I believe we San Franciscans should campaign for better dental care for Our squirrels. Maybe we can get it on the next... view more |
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Swan River Daisy (Brachycome Iberidifolia) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/25 (38 of 154) The arboretum gardeners really knew what they were doing. These Swan River Daisies were bloomed in wild profusion.... view more |
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Fern by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/25 (39 of 154) This was neither a talon nor a mutated squid tentacle. It was the just the frond of a fern about to unroll. The actual plant was at least seven feet tall.... view more |
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Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/24 (40 of 154) A tiny charmer with a beakful of lunch.... view more |
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Frogless Lilly Pad by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/24 (41 of 154) As we left that day we passed a nice pond with water lilies. A gorgeous flower but without the iconic frog.... view more |
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Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/23 (42 of 154) A Western Squirrel scavenging on the ground, glimpsed through the foliage. A nice sun-dappled look.... view more |
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Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/23 (43 of 154) Gray Squirrels seem to be thriving in the Arboretum. We saw about a dozen that... view more |
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Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/22 (44 of 154) Pretty, noisy and never stays still for long. That's the chickadee.... view more |
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House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/22 (45 of 154) A very common bird but one I've rarely photographed. The red color of this house finch indicated he was male. The female, by contrast, is quite plain with no coloration.... view more |
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Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/21 (46 of 154) A handsome male blackbird perched on a branch.... view more |
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Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/21 (47 of 154) A male Brewer's blackbird was showing off its glorious purple... view more |
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American Coot (Fulica americana) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/20 (48 of 154) The coot is a common bird found just about everywhere there is fresh water. The coot is not a duck but a rail. It doesn't have the typical flat bill of a duck and its feet are quite different,... view more |
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American Coot (Fulica americana) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/20 (49 of 154) A close-up of the lovely... view more |
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Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/19 (50 of 154) This silhouette clearly shows the double crests that gave this cormorant its name.... view more |
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Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/19 (51 of 154) This cormorant scooped up a beakful of water plants to build its nest and then flew... view more |
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White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/18 (52 of 154) I just love it when a bird comes close enough and holds still enough to get a good shot like this!... view more |
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Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/18 (53 of 154) Phoebes are one of my favorite birds because they seem so positive about life. I know I embue them with that attitude, but it's what I see. Shown here is a Phoebe perched on a gate.... view more |
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Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/17 (54 of 154) A Red-shouldered Hawk showed off his very red shoulders while atop a high voltage power pole.... view more |
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Blue Damselfly by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/17 (55 of 154) These conjoined damselflies are a mated pair and stay connected like this until the eggs are laid. Both damselflies seen here are bright blue so this may be a "gay" pairing as documented in National... view more |
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Snowy Egret and Great Egret by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/16 (56 of 154) The larger Great Egret was stalked by the smaller Snowy... view more |
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Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/16 (57 of 154) A snowy egret mid landing appeared to... view more |
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Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/15 (58 of 154) A snowy egret in flight is the poetry of nature.... view more |
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Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/15 (59 of 154) This killdeer tried to lure me away from her nest and eggs fluttering her wings as if injured. Ironically, the only reason I knew her nest was nearby was because of the mother killdeer's behavior.... view more |
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Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) with Sandpipers by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/14 (60 of 154) The sandpipers illustrate the adage that "birds of a feather flock together" and the whimbrel shows that, yes, we all can just get... view more |
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Killdeer eggs by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/14 (61 of 154) This was the second killdeer nest I'd found. The first one was on gravel and this one on flowerbed mulch. Both times the nests were easily overlooked and the eggs hard to spot.... view more |
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Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/13 (62 of 154) This photo of whimbrels shows their head markings quite well.... view more |
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Pygmy Nuthatch (Siffa pygmaea) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/13 (63 of 154) This tiny bird was poking around the holes in a dead tree. It was far away but I did manage to get a couple of shots.... view more |
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Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/12 (64 of 154) Natural Bridges Park was sunny and bright that day, which brought out the colors of the birds and water. In contrast, he following day was overcast with afternoon rain.... view more |
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis ) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/12 (65 of 154) It surprises me that a big bird like a Pelican can fly so... view more |
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California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/11 (66 of 154) Towhees are not often seen in trees, because they love to forage in leaf litter under bushes and at the edges of... view more |
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Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/11 (67 of 154) Bewick is pronounced Buick, like the car. This wren is thriving in the nation's parklands and adds its voice to nature's concert.... view more |
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis ) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/10 (68 of 154) The fisherman hadn't noticed that a pelican had just landed next to him on the pier.... view more |
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Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/09 (69 of 154) This photo shows a chickadee that had gathered some fuzzy material for its nest. Chickadees are quite active birds who don't usually pose as nicely as this one did for me. It actually held still for... view more |
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California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/09 (70 of 154) Towhees are the robin-sized birds that scoot away under shrubbery before you can get a close look at them. Unless you are a bird stalker (I mean photographer) with much patience.... view more |
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Common Loon (Gavia immer) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/08 (71 of 154) The loons that day seemed to stay well away from our boat. I was only able to get close enough for this one photo. This is a Common Loon in winter plumage.... view more |
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Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/08 (72 of 154) A tiny bronze hummingbird stopped to pose on the tip of a branch and I thanked him.... view more |
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Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/07 (73 of 154) Here is a Western Grebe ready to dive for fish.... view more |
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Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/07 (74 of 154) A Western Grebe after its dive for... view more |
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Forster Tern (Sterna forsteri) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/06 (75 of 154) Skeletal ship ribs now supported a row of windswept... view more |
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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/04 (76 of 154) A very young sea lion was sleepily curious about his... view more |
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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/04 (77 of 154) A female sea lion tried to appear very... view more |
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Forster Tern by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/03 (78 of 154) It was satisfying to get a close-up of this wonderful diving bird.... view more |
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Brown Pelican and Snowy Egret by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/03 (79 of 154) A Pelican and Snowy Egret perched on the edge of an old vessel. The frayed ropes added a colorful... view more |
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/02 (80 of 154) Pelican posed aboard an old fishing... view more |
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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/01 (81 of 154) King of the mountain and he knows... view more |
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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/06/01 (82 of 154) More of the endless variation of facial expressions you can always find in sea... view more |
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/31 (83 of 154) I was able to get nice close-ups of the harbor seals because I used a telephoto lens. If the boat had come this close they would have been disturbed and swum... view more |
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/30 (84 of 154) I know they are wild animals with big teeth and claws but jeez, don't they look... view more |
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Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/27 (85 of 154) A Great Blue Heron waded in shallow water in search of... view more |
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Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/26 (86 of 154) A shell was almost the size of the otter's head, but was no match for its appetite. ... view more |
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Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/26 (87 of 154) The otter balanced his "plate" on his stomach while enjoying that last little... view more |
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Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/25 (88 of 154) This photo of a Whimbrel flying illustrates the unique shape of its bill. ... view more |
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Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/25 (89 of 154) A Marbled Godwit stood on the shore of the slough and displayed its classy black legs. ... view more |
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/24 (90 of 154) A very pregnant Harbor Seal looking quite pleased with... view more |
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/24 (91 of 154) I love the pattern of this seal's fur, but I would never entertain the idea of taking it away from her to use for myself.... view more |
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Forster Tern by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/23 (92 of 154) A row of Forster Terns perched on the partial remains of a sunken ship.... view more |
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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/23 (93 of 154) Portrait of a large male sea lion sleepily surveying his... view more |
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/22 (94 of 154) A large group of pelicans were perched on the fish processing... view more |
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/22 (95 of 154) These two pelicans were one pair of dozens loitering around the marina, all waiting for a fishy opportunity. The one on the left was an immature bird which had not grown into its adult plumage.... view more |
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Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/21 (96 of 154) After the boat trip on Elkhorn Slough, we stopped by nearby Moss Landing State Beach and saw this marvelous Great Blue Heron. It may have been a member of the breeding colony we saw from the... view more |
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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/21 (97 of 154) Close up of a male sea lion. According to Wiki, "Zalophus californianus" means "Californian big-head" because a male grows a crest of bone on top of his head that causes a bulging forehead.... view more |
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Bumblebee by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/20 (98 of 154) I have always wanted to photograph a bumblebee with flowers and this was my lucky day. My camera and lens together weighed about five pounds and I had been out for a couple of hours before I came... view more |
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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/19 (99 of 154) A very large male sea lion with a much smaller female.... view more |
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Great Blue Heron by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/18 (100 of 154) Across the slough and in the tops of a grove of distant trees was a colony of nesting Great Blue Herons. Four adult herons and many more nests were visible.... view more |
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Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/17 (101 of 154) Here is another otter grooming or maybe he is thinking "oh, not another boatload of... view more |
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Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/16 (102 of 154) We saw many of these Marbled Godwits that day on the slough. This one is just about to take flight. ... view more |
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/15 (103 of 154) The Harbor Seal was very curious about us as we motored past, but not curious enough to actually... view more |
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Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/14 (104 of 154) Here is the lesser flamingo which hung out near the cormorants in the Elkhorn Slough. I hope the flamingo is still there and... view more |
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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/13 (105 of 154) To our left as we exited the harbor and entered the slough, we saw an old pier covered with sea lions. We slowly motored past them. It was quite satisfying to be at their level and so close to them.... view more |
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Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/12 (106 of 154) Here is the escaped flamingo of Elkhorn Slough. I realize it's the look of this species of flamingo, but doesn't this guy appear as if he's totally fed up with his job and can't take it anymore? ... view more |
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Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/11 (107 of 154) Sea Otters appeared to spend a great deal of their time grooming themselves. They use their bodies as tables, so have to keep food scraps washed off. While they clean, they also push and sometimes... view more |
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Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/10 (108 of 154) The Eared Grebe is a very small bird compared to the Western and Clark's Grebes. Only 13 inches long compared to the other bird's 25 inches. I hope to photograph one in breeding plumage someday... view more |
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/09 (109 of 154) Two Harbor Seal were of quite different fur colors but all the whiskers were... view more |
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Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/08 (110 of 154) This photo of a Brandt's Cormorant preening shows the decorative white plumes they acquire during the breeding season.... view more |
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Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) by Terry Costales posted 2010/05/03 (111 of 154) Having escaped from a collection somewhere this Flamingo showed up in Elkhorn Slough in January. It was tagged but no-one has claimed it yet. I had previously seen this type of Flamingo in zoos... view more |
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Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/04/27 (112 of 154) Sea Lions swam in and out of sunlight and shade beneath the wharf in Santa Cruz. ... view more |
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by Terry Costales posted 2010/04/26 (113 of 154) This group shot of harbor seals illustrates their cuteness and wide variations in colors.... view more |
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Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) by Terry Costales posted 2010/04/13 (114 of 154) This is one otter trying to persuade another otter to share its meal. It wasn't very successful.... view more |
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Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/04/05 (115 of 154) In this photo you can easily see the differences between the adult and the juvenile cormorant. The glossy black bird with prominent "eyebrows" is an adult in breeding... view more |
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Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/04/04 (116 of 154) The white plumes that appear during the breeding season are easily seen in this photo of the Brandt's... view more |
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Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/04/02 (117 of 154) This photo shows a sea lion swimming in the late afternoon sunlight beneath the wharf in Santa Cruz. Lovely light on a lovely animal.... view more |
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Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/31 (118 of 154) After a dive this Pelagic Cormorant surfaced much too close to the boat and immediately swam away. This photo captured its startled look.... view more |
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Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/29 (119 of 154) A handsome Double-crested Cormorant posed on a mossy rock for the photographer.... view more |
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/27 (120 of 154) Here is a view of a pelican you don't usually see. A head on view of its enormous bill.... view more |
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Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/26 (121 of 154) A lone individual popped up out of the water after a dive for food. We suspected he has a clam grasped in his paws. Otters love shellfish.... view more |
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/25 (122 of 154) Bette Davis eyes? Bedroom eyes? Puppy dog eyes? They've got nothing on harbor seal eyes! The little slit behind the eye is the ear which is an easy way to distinguish it from a sea lion with its... view more |
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Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/24 (123 of 154) Brandt's cormorants were the most numerous of the three species of cormorants seen that day. The slender white plumes on its face and the blue patch on its throat only appear during breeding season.... view more |
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Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/23 (124 of 154) Harbor seals are close to the top of the cute list, right up there next to sea otters. We saw close to eighty harbor seals that day, most of them lying on shore watching us watching... view more |
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis ) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/22 (125 of 154) This is a close-up of the same Pelican I posted yesterday, ... view more |
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/21 (126 of 154) 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... view more |
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Raft of Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/20 (127 of 154) This photo shows just part of a very large raft of otters we saw in the Elkhorn Slough. The older individuals had light faces, and such cute faces they... view more |
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Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/19 (128 of 154) Here is an older otter, recognized by the light colored fur on its face. It is grooming itself after eating. Otters must have one of the cutest faces in the animal kingdom... view more |
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Raft of Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) by Terry Costales posted 2010/03/18 (129 of 154) For an unforgettable wildlife experience, I highly recommend the Elkhorn Slough Safari in Moss Landing. We saw over one hundred sea otters, almost eighty harbor seals and dozens of sea lions very... view more |
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Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) by Terry Costales posted 2010/02/01 (130 of 154) Looking at this crow's feet you can really see the dinosaur common ancestor. I'm grateful most birds are small as I wouldn't want to try to photograph a crow the size of a T-rex.... view more |
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Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/31 (131 of 154) Lemurs are one of my favorite mammals. Every house in heaven should have one.... view more |
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Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/30 (132 of 154) The Spectacled Bear is the only bear that comes from South America. I hope this unique and beautiful endangered bear survives.... view more |
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Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/29 (133 of 154) An adult night heron in full breeding plumage showing off its pink legs which are yellow the rest of the year.... view more |
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Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/28 (134 of 154) A cliff swallow sits in the opening of its mud nest. Observing me observing him.... view more |
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American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/27 (135 of 154) A female avocet sits on her eggs. When the tide comes in this nest will barely be above the water.... view more |
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Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/26 (136 of 154) This black phoebe is dark brown and was perched near the Palo Alto duck pond. Phoebes are almost always found near water.... view more |
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Riley by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/25 (137 of 154) Riley is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. A huge name for a wonderful little dog. The King Charles Spaniel (non-Cavalier) is smaller and has a much flatter or more pug-like face. In the '20s the... view more |
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Kite by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/24 (138 of 154) The human animal attached to this kite is on his board offscreen and hanging on for dear... view more |
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Swimmer in the Waves by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/22 (139 of 154) A cold November day didn't keep this foolish man out of the water, but it made a nice... view more |
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Great Egret (Ardea alba) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/21 (140 of 154) A great egret at the edge of the bay looking for food. It is a very graceful bird whether walking or flying. ... view more |
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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/20 (141 of 154) Prehistoric looking pelicans sun and preen in the winter sun.... view more |
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Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/19 (142 of 154) A vulture sits atop the ribcage of a rotting animal carcass on the beach. Offering disgust and fascination in equal measure.... view more |
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Sparrow by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/18 (143 of 154) A sparrow on a bare November... view more |
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Western Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/17 (144 of 154) A scrub jay in a tree on a cold overcast day in November.... view more |
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Song Sparrow by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/16 (145 of 154) A song sparrow foraging in the wetlands. A tiny, delicate, feathered, everyday miracle.... view more |
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Anna's Hummingbird by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/15 (146 of 154) A close-up of the hummingbird I posted yesterday.... view more |
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Anna's Hummingbird by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/14 (147 of 154) A male Anna's hummingbird perches on Neptunes' trident. I was surprised to see a hummingbird stay still for so long.... view more |
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Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/07 (148 of 154) This is a juvenile Yellow-headed Caracara. Like most juvenile birds it has lots of streaking to give it more camouflage than the adult.... view more |
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Yellow-hooded Blackbird (Chrysomus icterocephalus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/06 (149 of 154) This is a female yellow-hooded blackbird. Her body is brown, whereas the male would be glossy black.... view more |
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Yellow-hooded Blackbird (Chrysomus icterocephalus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/05 (150 of 154) A flock of yellow-hooded blackbirds took off as our skiff came too near. The birds in the photo that are deep black were the males and the brown ones were the... view more |
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David Graves by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/04 (151 of 154) My dashing brother manned the wheel of the Tourmalina. However, he is a man of many talents and helped out in other ways as well.... view more |
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Capped Heron by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/03 (152 of 154) A typical view of the jungle's edge as seen from the boat as we motored... view more |
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Monarch (Danaus plexippus) by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/02 (153 of 154) This is a photo of what appears to be a male Monarch butterfly. Male because it has two extra dots on its back wings that produce pheromones. Another obscure fact I learned from Wikipedia.... view more |
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Macaws by Terry Costales posted 2010/01/01 (154 of 154) Two Macaws preening one another. A very intimate, gentle moment in a birds'... view more |
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