The weather's been in the 80's and sunny which makes for good walking weather. The birds are out as well and the ducks are still here for Winter, which makes for some good bird watching. Here are pictures of a few of the birds and critters that were out and about at the Tijuana River Estuary Research Reserve.
Black-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus californicus. These guys are bigger than a small dog and admittedly looked pretty fierce. Although I don't suppose the hawks care one way or the other.
Brush rabbit, Sylvilagus bachmani. These are true rabbits, as opposed to the afore-mentioned jack rabbits, and are as cute as can be. This one was keeping a keen eye out for hawks.
Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola. These little diving ducks live on small crustaceans that the root for in the mud and sand.
Caspian Tern, Sterna caspia, showing its Winter colors.
A female American Kestrel, Falco sparverius.
Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus. There were several of these large hawks cruising low and slow over the brush, looking for rabbits, squirrels and lizards.
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus. Normally you'll find these in the marsh. However, there was a pair of them stalking the low ground cover for bugs.
Willet with Winter Colors
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