Tufted Duck on the Santa Ana River: Riverdale Park in Anaheim

After many reports on ebird and Orange County birding, we decided to make the trip to Anaheim's Riverdale Park to see the tufted duck. After walking through the gate to the river, we immediately saw it sleeping on the Santa Ana River. We waited a few minutes, and it woke up and showed us its tuft.

Lakes Hodges Western Grebes: Dinner and Dancing

Here are some photos of western grebe courtship behavior: mate feeding and rushing

Robin Invasion

We had dozens of robins visiting today, flocking to the bird bath, bubbler, and dripper. Here's one on the drip near a rose.

At the hummingbird feeder

Costa's Hummingbird



Allen's Hummingbird



Anna's hummingbird (left) with Costa's Hummingbird (right)

Birding Back Bay in Newport Beach

We went to Back Bay in Newport Beach in hopes of finding a California Gnatcatcher. We settled for a Common yellowthroat, several Say's Phoebe, and many hummingbirds.

Back Home

We came back after 5 days of birding in Arizona not expecting to pick up the camera or binoculars today. However, the yard was particularly birdy with many migrants.

Northern flicker


Cassin's Kingbird


Dark-eyed junco


Cedar Waxwing





Cedar Waxwing and American Robin

Birding in Arizona

We went birding with friends in Arizona over the break. We saw a few new birds and got some better photos of the painted redstart that is more common in Arizona than California.



Pyrrhuloxia



Bridled Titmouse





Painted Redstart


Vermilion Flycatcher


Gila Woodpecker


Mexican Spotted Owl