April's sunshine did not alleviate all my stress as much as I hoped it would. With concern for my family, my friends, my community, the world, and myself, I tried to counterbalance it with moments of peace and redirected focus. My friends and family have all had varying reactions to the shutdown. Some seem to think that COVID19 is no big deal, and some even believe they already had it. Others are worried and fear getting it. I think I would best describe it as another day, another mood.

Every day is about the same as I described last month: bird, work on photos, binge-watch something, pat the cats, weekly grocery run, repeat. I did, however,  participate in a Zoom party, and also presented on "Garden Birds and Insects" to a class using Zoom. At the end of the month I participated in the annual City Nature Challenge by posting my photos, including insects, reptiles, mammals, and flowers, to iNaturalist and helped identify birds and insects that others posted.

I am thankful that I can go outside every day for exercise with my camera in hand. With more parks and birding spots closed or less accessible, I am birding in more and more 'interesting' places. Streets next to golf courses have been very birdy. My own yard had some 'good' birds migrating through including a Black-headed Grosbeak and an Ash-throated Flycatcher. I even found a California Lady Beetle in my yard. An open field on CSULB is now accessible with school closed. I have met up with friends and we bird with masks and social distancing. Sometimes I have shown up at a park and run into a friend who happened to have the same idea. It is amazing what you can find within a few miles of the house.

Migration is fully underway. Warblers and flycatchers were in abundance. I discovered Tipu trees. These are a big draw for the warblers. They seem to have lots of insects on the leaves. During migration season you have to go often or you'll miss them; waves of birds come through. First it was Western Kingbirds and Orioles, then Nashville Warblers and Black-headed Grosbeaks, then Ash-throated Flycatchers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Vaux's Swifts, and Western Tanagers, and then Olive-sided Flycatchers and Western Wood Peewees. The birds pass through so very quickly. The last few days have become much quieter. The Yellow-rumped Warblers and White-crowned Sparrows that were here all winter have now moved out. Our local birds are singing for mates (perhaps you have heard the Northern Mockingbirds). Some birds have already had young. I've seen Song Sparrows and Black Phoebes carrying food and feeding begging fledgelings.

With Spring in full swing, I didn't get much art done. I decided to use my Macro Lens to photograph small sections of my watercolor mixing palette. It made for colorful abstracts and was a lot of fun. While technically it is photography, I suppose, I classify it as art. 

I am missing visiting and having a meal with family and friends. But separation is buying time for those dealing with the sick, and those searching for cures and vaccines. I look forward to knowing my family is safe. I hope this finds you and your family well. I think we are in this for the long haul. Even if you haven't gotten out for a walk yourself, I hope this window on the world brings you joy.

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimMooreNaturalist/

Watch the slideshows or click on the links to look through at your own pace. Links open in a new tab.

Enjoy the show! I always appreciate corrections to ID's.

Local stuff:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_apr_2020

Macro Palette Abrtracts:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/macro_palette