This is my first birding adventure since I retired. I was very nervous about getting out as I didn't know anyone, wasn't sure where I was going, and had to get up earlier (it's cold in the early morning!) than has been my habit since retiring. I was on my own. My thoughtful husband woke me at 6 am to ask me if I was going. I had talked myself out of it, but decided it was fate if he was waking me. . So, I packed up my supplies: healthy food, warm clothing, and viewing equipment, and headed out the door. As it turned out, I arrived at the meeting place with 5 minutes to spare after missing the spot only once and making the loop around to Sweeney's in Napa. After figuring out logistics, I was the designated driver of 4 other birders. One fellow came from as far as Berkeley. There were around 20 people in the group as we arrived at Lake Hennessey. Off we ventured to see what we could spot. Four or five in the group had scopes and everyone had binoculars. So, without further ado, these are the birds I was able to spot, snap a picture, and remember the name.
The Bald Eagle has been the national emblem of the
United States since 1782 and a spiritual symbol for native people for
far longer than that. These regal birds aren’t really bald, but their
white-feathered heads gleam in contrast to their chocolate-brown body
and wings. Look for them soaring in solitude, chasing other birds for
their food, or gathering by the hundreds in winter. Once endangered by
hunting and pesticides, Bald Eagles have flourished under protection.
This is a great egret.The elegant Great Egret is a dazzling sight in many a North American
wetland. Slightly smaller and more svelte than a Great Blue Heron, these
are still large birds with impressive wingspans. They hunt in classic
heron fashion, standing immobile or wading through wetlands to capture
fish with a deadly jab of their yellow bill. Great Egrets were hunted
nearly to extinction for their plumes in the late nineteenth century,
sparking conservation movements and some of the first laws to protect
birds.
The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a denizen of the coniferous forests of the
northern Pacific Coast, usually found at middle or lower elevations.
We were lucky to see this one today.
Also I spotted a kinglet (I didn't get a picture) which I noted looked like a hummingbird without the long skinny beak and when I mentioned it to the person standing next to me was told it was a kinglet. I surprisingly identified the same bird again while visiting my brother in Napa. I felt so proud of myself. I did learn from my Lake Hennessey adventure - well worth my initial jitters !Now I have to get better at picture taking. Oh, and the bonus was I walked over 10,000 steps that day!
