Nov. 29, 2015 - Yosemite Trip - More Birds

Here are some more bird photos from our trip to Yosemite National Park. However, these are not wild birds. We had nice, close looks at this Red-tailed Hawk during a presentation about raptors. This photo provides a great view of the lethal, hooked bill of this bird.

HawkRedtailedcloseECCOCenterOakhurst20151027

This Western Screech-Owl was also part of the raptor presentation. It’s a really small owl, only 8½ inches tall. Screech-Owls are active at night so they are more often heard than seen. Large insects make up a major portion of their diet.

OwlWesternScreechECCOCenterOakhurst20151027

These Mallards might be wild birds but they’ve stayed in the pond by the conference center because they are fed each morning. Mallards never pass up a free meal! Some of the trees around the pond were showing off their fall colors so I was able to get a nice yellow reflection on the water.

MallardmaleandfemalefallcolorsECCOCenterOakhurst20151028

One of the trees near the pond was a Maple and its red leaves provided a beautiful background for this male Mallard.

MallardmalefallcolorsECCOCenterOakhurst20151028

Two Mute Swans were kept in the pond and they were not wild birds. I’ve read that Mute Swans are aggressive and these two were no exception. They made sure the rest of the ducks and geese knew who was in charge of the pond.

SwanMuteECCOCenterOakhurst20151027

Here’s the classic swan pose. It’s a bit deceptive, because it makes them look so shy and gentle, quite the opposite of their true nature.

SwanMuteECCOCenterOakhurst20151028