Nest Building Underway

Posted on March 4, 2019 by MaryALivingston

As Spring is approaching, our local birds are busy building nests. This house sparrow and his mate are readying a natural cavity in this blue oak. Something else is in this image that you can’t unsee. Let me know in the comments without giving it away.

Oldest and Boldest

Posted on June 22, 2013 by MaryALivingston

This is the eldest of the two fledgling age vultures in our backyard.

This is the oldest of the two fledgling age vultures in our backyard. I think it is pretty cool that we can see clean through its nose.

This vulture fledgling let me get pretty close yesterday. It has been spending most of the day out of the hole, up in the tree, while its younger sibling still retreats to the nest cavity.

It is the oldest and the boldest of the two. I don’t know for certain, but it is about a day or two older than its sibling. I believe it has embraced being the oldest with a certain measure of bliss.

Down the Vulture Hole

Posted on June 1, 2013 by MaryALivingston

The turkey vulture chicks are about 6.5 weeks old. Most large birds fledge around 10 to 11 weeks. Their chick down is giving way to juvenile feathers. The nest is becoming crowded. Their plumage will gradually shift to dark brown. It will be two years before the skin on their bald heads becomes red.
Previously, the chicks just observed and hissed at the GoPro. This time, they lunged at it so it will be the last visit by the GoPro. Soon they will climb out of the deep cavern they call home and begin living in the upper world.