![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvhrwYLpkp5xzJf7_ky9F8yIjCKdC_KImuyYMpJZDGsN-Hl49weQrdyxc0baw1RIlpIMEPGeyqnFZf8I9vM24lxyBNidhRRAH5f9-ydTWq7tHTRwN5sLhbZp04U05_ahSuwDuxqZ3jKI/s400/yellow+flower+2+multi+blossoms.jpg)
We were thrilled to see Mrs Great-horned owl on her nest again--she has not used it for a couple of years. It's in a limb crotch of a huge old live oak and not too far off the ground. They put an owl box up for her in the next tree, but she never used it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIl3lC8jbt0CTA5dsERYw_PtyXiHwNle9vU0XPsb_xLA9Q0ccmjPfpHg5je40_zl-QADCYNPs8Iifexp1TH7kc4FZtH8bo2qEYMfi9J7jTh-EXeA8PAtUdSQooYbDGRzY6jjeSApyq04/s400/owl+in+nest%2B.jpg)
You'll have to take my word that this is a blue-winged teal. There's a better view of him at the bottom--the pics came up in a different order than I put them.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EO-Fa8WUAWUWaAn13tb8bw8sqa5nACQmTuV3M1_-ZtSwPqbl9pgA5XSwDeDlJAix25EMfPeU8sk5DbBd3TyQO6P3O4v_kH6Eq4X7tAmQ718OPdPH4mc8gml1x2XKxHGEIFuikggcJec/s400/blue-winged+teal+male+tipped+up+cropped.jpg)
The duck of the day was northen shoveler--they were everywhere.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80nWSrIKh1pdlQf4xTOs5CbEfnBK_cMn54v86zPitbI1o-AkPpZQ7Xv52tXDBVMNwuvo_kxcPpshj2Vm9IN7ttEPhP7fHbWoOHai8uVYgxmXl_PyZuDdb1rhmDqTKBnKrj91F8VTF9jU/s400/shoverler+male.jpg)
Here's a better view of the male blue-winged teal, but his wife was a bit shy........LOL
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fwDkPaLk1nTOs40FozNsCx5w61uDCSDT2I9qzpc5mc7aes67l6RMwcJ9aF-TI617RXZ5DLzvcFdx1c9_t3V5FhgvN_6BcfGIQN_FFDgwrnopDiLZB1UxivV9m89rz_yY9GFRbcFaeiU/s400/blue-winged+teal+male+pair.jpg)
A honking pair of Canada geese at twilight brought my GBBC count to 27 species. But the only one that had any decent numbers was chipping sparrows with just over 60. I think I had much bigger numbers last year with over 300 gold finches alone. Not the best weather for birds this time I guess. I was pleased that the hooded mergansers came by once more--I thought they had headed north already. My usual snowy egret didn't show, but the three brown pelicans did. All the rest were just the usual suspects of feeder birds.
How'd you do?
beautiful photos! I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteblessings...
More fantastic shots Horned Owl excellent ! Sorry about the flower carn't help you there !!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful shrub, but I don't know what it is either. Will check further.
ReplyDeleteI love Great horned Owls, but haven't heard any around here is 3-4 years. Wonder where they all went?
B.
I'm really enjoying your photos. That owl is great with it's bunny rabbit ears. :-)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to get an owl shot like that! I do wish I knew where to find some owls. The flower is pretty whatever it is. Great ducks, too!
ReplyDeletepossibly the plant is Jasminum mesnyi http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=jasminum%20mesnyi
ReplyDelete:)
I think you're right, Brigitte. Thanks for doing the research on something from way back in 2009! That plant has great variety in its blossoms, doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteWe went to SNWR a few months ago and were very disappointed--saw practically nothing. They were rearranging where the wet places were and weren't. I hope it's back to normal for thie winter.