Weasel Wednesday / Mustelid Miércoles

It would be nice if this was a regular feature.
We'll see if the camera trap gods allow it !

taken last spring at the las gallinas dock -- our usual happy hour spot

Feathered Friday

A new feature as we have run dry of coyote images. !

I was stoked this spring to see the return of the Red-shouldered Hawks to their nest by my school.

Their adventures have been chronicled here over the years, with last year's duel with the owls a truly fascinating experience. It unfortunately resulted in disaster for both birds. The hawks did not nest successfully and I learned through Wildcare that the owlets that fledged did not survive very long.

Three young hawks fledged this week and have been gliding and screeching over the hill above campus, thrilling students and staff alike.

More to come from this crew next Friday...

The Battle for Las Gallinas

Las Gallinas used to be the type of creek where you could raise a family in peace.

photo by Joan Robbins

There was always plenty of food to go around for everyone.

photo by Joan Robbins

And it was safe for kids to play out on the branches until the sun came down.
 

Then a new crew came around. When you're off hunting, these yo-yos take over your place and are hooting about squatter's rights.

But at heart they're decent folk too -- just trying to raise a family!

Of course once someone starts to gripe, word spreads quick and folk get murder-crazy.

Photo by Joan Robbins

And when the kiddos want to stand up and stretch their wings...

BAD THINGS HAPPEN

 

The UN comes in, the fighting begins to quell and things return to normal.

 

A year passes and calm remains -- perhaps even harmony?
The Bubos are back at their squat, while the Buteos have built up a modest home. Even the crows tend to their own business. However...

Keeping the watch

 

"Where the offense is, let the great axe fall"

The Buteos struck back this morning, knocking three owlets to the ground. Wildcare is on the case again, with plans to return the owlets to the nest tonight.

Stay tuned for more from the front lines. 

away from their nest, an owl parent looks on

All photos by Christian Naventi unless otherwise noted

Big Ups to

Joan Robbins

William Shakespeare

Wildcare

Revisiting Las Gallinas

The past two weeks at work have been a joy and for several reasons.

Reasons relevant to Camera Trapping Campus readers would be the explosion of life alongside Las Gallinas Creek.

First came the discovery of a hummingbird nest on the lower branches of the Great Horned Owls nesting tree.

just above eye level next to the trail


feeding

Two chicks were barely staying inside the nest when I first observed them. The next day, when I came with my camera, they had fledged and I was lucky enough to still see one of them begging for food on a nearby branch.

The previous stars of the show are growing up fast, too.

c'mon look at these two


preen

Conversations with visiting birders revealed that another nest is in the next tree over - inhabited by a woodpecker family.

waiting for an appearance

Though I have seen them fly in and out, I have yet to get a good shot of either parent or young.

Oh, and there is a Western Bluebird nest in the Owl's tree, too!

It is incredible that so much life can happen alongside a parking lot.
To quote one of our classroom maxims: "Be aware of the world around you."
Slowing down one's pace and gaze for the owls revealed a rich world all within 15 feet.


****5/2 Update****
Over the weekend, crows knocked one of the owlets out of the nest and into the creek. Kind folk took the owlet to Wildcare and it is going to be ok. Mom and the remaining owlet are still in the area, so the injured owlet will be returned to its family soon.

Las Gallinas Creek

Across the parking lot from my school lies a creek and walking path. The path is lined with towering Eucalyptus, whose eerie creaking sounds continually bring surprise and confusion among the students during outdoor activities.

In one of the most magnificent trees, a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks have been nesting for several years. Last spring, myself and a few other resident bird nuts at school followed the raptor pair and their young until fledging with a great, simple joy.

Recently, we have been speculating on the return of this faithful pair and another round of young.

Tuesday I arrived at work and immediately spied a group of birders with monstrous lenses trained upon the nesting tree.

"Aha," I cried, "the hawks are back!"

I sprint-walked towards the group and expected the confirmation of my thoughts.

"A Great Horned is squattin'," replied one of the birders.

Great Horned Owls do not make their own nests and are one of the earliest nesting birds, beginning as early as January. This combination allows them to take advantage of the "abandoned" nests previously used by birds that have yet to migrate back for nesting season.

Two owlets have been seen in the nest, with one appearing stronger and fiestier than the other.

How did this development impact the hawks? Well, they have traveled 50 feet down the path and have been building a new nest.

The spring shall be an exciting one along Las Gallinas Creek.