Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Autumn is well upon us which means fall colors, spiders, and migrating birds. This month, and for the next several months, I am trying to improve my birding skills. I started taking a birding class and am learning so much. I always enjoy developing new skills and learning something new. My photos reflect this focus. I visited Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim as well as hitting some birding hot spots including Huntington Central Park, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, El Dorado Park and Nature Center.

I didn't spend as much time with insects and spiders but did not pass up the opportunity if it presented itself. I guess you can't do it all - at least not all at once.  I thought A 'Spider Quilt' would be fitting for the season. The patterns and colors of spiders are quite beautiful.

Fall ColorsSpiders

I can't neglect practicing art.  Autumn oak leaves captured in colored pencil.

California black oak - Quercus kelloggiiPrismacolor Colored Pencil on Canson Bristol 11" x 14" 96 lb.
From life

I tried a little black and white photography. It makes one focus on composition and tonality. Some are new photos and a few are old ones converted to B&W. Trying something outside one's comfort zone and stretching a little is always good!

So many birds, so little time!

Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichasOrder: PASSERIFORMES - Perching birds
Family: PARULIDAE - Wood-Warblers

Some residents, some migratory April-May and August-October.


El Dorado Park, Area III 10/05/2014 Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatusOrder: PASSERIFORMES - Perching birds
Family: TURDIDAE - Thrushes

A winter visitor


Central Park 10/26/2014 Cactus Wren - Campylorhynchus brunneicapillusOrder: PASSERIFORMES - Perching birds
Family: TROGLODYTIDAE - Wrens


Oak Canyon Nature Center, Anaheim 10/15/2014 Nuttall's Woodpecker - Dryobates nuttalliiOrder: PICIFORMES - Woodpeckers and Allies
Family: PICIDAE


Oak Canyon nature Center, Anaheim 10/15/2014 Wood Duck - Aix sponsaOrder: ANSERIFORMES - Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Family: ANATIDAE

Oak Canyon Nature Center, Anaheim 10/15/2014 White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihiOrder: CICONIIFORMES - Herons and Allies
Family: THRESKIORNITHIDAE - Ibises and Spoonbills


Bolsa Chica, 10/22/2014 Great Egret - Ardea albaOrder: CICONIIFORMES - Herons and Allies
Family: ARDEIDAE - Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Bolsa Chica 10/30/2014 Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis (immature and adult)Order: PELECANIFORMES - Pellicans and Allies
Family: PELECANIDAE - Pelicans


Bolsa Chica 10/30/2014 Parasitic Jaeger - Stercorarius parasiticusBolsa Chica, 10/22/2014

My husband and I got away for a night of camping at Joshua Tree National Park. A lone coyote wandered into camp and kept me awake calling for it's pack. Fortunately they didn't join him and he eventually wandered off to leave us in quiet. No, I didn't get his photo. I was cowering in my tent in case the pack showed up. We watched the stars though the top of tent all night long. I took the opportunity to photograph the Milky Way.

Here is the full set of local wildlife:

Direct links

• Local Shots October 2014: http://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_oct_2014
• Joshua Tree including night shots October 2014: http://kimssight.zenfolio.com/jtnp_oct_2014