Photos / Sounds
What
California Newt (Taricha torosa)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
A decent-sized adult; the first we’ve encountered this Spring.
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What
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Very insistent tern — sound ID by Merlin.
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Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
A bit further along, with some rear appendages showing. The cool, wet weather has been good for amphibians this Spring.
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Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Huge raptor, some golden colors, but legs wrong for Golden Eagle, our first guess.
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Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Noisy group, vigorously turning.
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Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Scattered groups chilling.
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Common Snakeflies (Genus Agulla)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Carnivore, hunting for the plant-eating culprits ?
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Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
First I heard it sing, then it landed right next to me, posed all its feathers, and then sped off. A bit of red around throat.
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Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
And on a sunny Birthday walk around the E Bay, what a huge nest I should run into …
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Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer ssp. catenifer)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Basking on a warm afternoon, but rain is near. Snake was roughly 1/3 the width of the trail. Cyclists — take care.
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Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Fair number, short dives, preen.
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American Wigeon (Mareca americana)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Head shield coloring slightly bluish to me.
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Non-biting Midges (Family Chironomidae)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Truly tiny. Those ridges are fingerprint-sized.
Photos / Sounds
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Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Well, based on these two in amplexus, and similar ephemeral waters filled with egg masses and juveniles, it should be a toad-filled Spring/Summer in the Park.
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Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
“This brick ain’t big enough for the both of us”. Newt to the right was eventually scared away by W Fence lizard (left) doing this weird jaw-shuddering aggression. Both animals warming-up, presumably.
Photos / Sounds
What
Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Now, that is a niche I’d not considered — small flying insects armored by Echinocactus barbs. Host plant in second photo.
Photos / Sounds
What
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Low tide, and time to saddle up to the invert bar.
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Grey Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
One of several that morning.
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Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Unusual beak for regular local Gulls.
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Muskrats (Tribe Ondatrini)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Tail moved in plane of torso, as in the manner of a snake. I have some “live” frames showing movement.
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Common Murre (Uria aalge)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Second most common seabird this AM.
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Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Tons of these guys zipping about.
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Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Tons of these guys zipping about.
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Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Not yet ready for Ballet, but soon.
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Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Systematically searching for inverts.
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Chanterelles (Genus Cantharellus)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Not the new State Mushroom, but a fine specimen. Smell was standard “fresh mushroom” smell. Bay and oak nearby.
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Shooting Stars (Section Dodecatheon)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Have not encountered these before. Is the species “dentatum”?
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California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Tons of these around Almaden — ‘mad as a Hatter’, puddling, chasing and Thermoregulating. Second photo shows band and eyespots on ventral surface.
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Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Give me my Mint, and nobody gets hurt.
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Vinegar Ant (Formica integroides)Observer
ted_k_raabDescription
Size polymorphism — larger workers bringing woody debris to nest.
