Conference of the Birds

John Burgess / PD

Attn. Bird Mavens!

After a few years of buzz about the (potential and then final) acquisition of the Jenner Headlands by the Sonoma Land Trust, few reports have emerged -- even among the devoted folk that frequent birder lists.

This weekend we have a wonderful reminder from the Press Democrat. A Hawk Hill Jr. welcoming migrants such as the Ferruginous Hawk? Yes, please.

Public access is limited, so check out the preserve site for info.

h/t: my pops

A Cackler and a Cooper's

A Cackler Goose from Antonelli Pond in Santa Cruz, CA.  A fairly rare migrant in this area.  Notice the much smaller size and shorter bill in comparison to the Canada geese in the photo.

A first year Cooper's Hawk also from Antonelli Pond in Santa Cruz, CA.  It only perched in the tree for 20 seconds or so before flying off to hunt coots.
 
Obviously not camera trap photos. Taken with a Canon DSLR and a Tamron 18-250mm walking lens which is not the sharpest lens in the world, but is very versatile.

From The Morning

Hello and thanks to Jake for the warm welcome.

As mentioned on here in previous posts, I am working on a project in Marin. In tandem with the Camera Trap Codger, some chums, my 6th grade class and little bit on my own, the search has been for smaller mammals at springs and middens. At the other end of the spectrum, Puma concolor is also on our wishlist.

In coming months I will post the adventures and misadventures of this project and with the possibility of non-trap topics such as street art and urban exploration.

I'll start off with a sweet profile shot of a Western Gray Squirrel taken from a small spring set in the shadows of late morning light.

Nearby, a tree that perhaps our friend has been stripping for nest materials:

Black Bear in West Marin

There have been several reported sightings of a Black Bear in West Marin County.  While black bears are seen from time to time in West Marin and Southern Sonoma Counties it is a rare sighting.

Point Reyes National Seashore staff has received a half-dozen reports in recent weeks from visitors and local residents about an unusual visitor roaming the area -- a black bear.

"Although none of these reports have been confirmed by staff, it seems likely that at least one black bear is visiting the seashore and surrounding lands," said John Dell'Osso, chief of interpretation at the seashore.

The bear was last spotted a week ago about 1.5 miles from the aptly named Bear Valley Trail trailhead near seashore headquarters. It also has been spotted at Tomales Bay State Park, Tomales Point and there has been evidence -- a torn-up trash can -- that it has been at Heart's Desire Beach.

Dell'Osso said there shouldn't be any cause for alarm.

Maybe we need to think about bear proofing our Marin County cameras!

Introducing Christian

I am happy to announce that my good friend and fellow camera trapper, Christian, AKA ecov ottos, has joined Camera Trapping Campus and will hopefully be posting from his projects in Marin County with the Codger as well as other topics. Beyond wildlife photography, Christian has a great eye for urban photography and fun Holga shots. He was into Holgas before it became the thing all the cool kids wanted to do and continues with it even after the fad has ended and everyone uses their hipstamatic app instead.  The above picture is a Christian Holga from the Camera Trap Codger's Camera Trap Workshop in the Northern Sierra's that we both attended last year.