My move to the Reno Nevada area has been a big change but one of the things that was a little unexpected was seeing birds in there breeding plumage. In Santa Cruz the Horned Grebes are winter birds and we only see them in their basic plumage.
There has been a battle between my Sharp-shinned Hawk and the Steller's Jays for many years at my Santa Cruz home. The Steller's bully the Sharpie but if a Cooper's Hawk arrives there is complete silence.
There are eight pelican species in the world and in Santa Cruz we have two: the American White and Brown Pelican. There's something about the pelican. Large bird that is kind of homely and goofy but one of the most graceful birds in flight and when diving for food.
There are people that like cities and the rush of the humanity but I like the places that gets me close to nature. Baldwin Creek and 4mi Beach is such a place for me. This is where Baldwin Creek meets the ocean and it's about 4 miles north of Santa Cruz, CA. This area is know for being a gull roosting spot with at time 5000 or more on the beach.
The times I hear of a rare bird in my area I get excited especially when it is a lifer. So when I heard a report of a Painted Bunting in San Benito County just over the Santa Cruz County line I went for it.