Open Back Sore

I bit the dust hard today whilst lugging an ice chest down to Candyrock.  How embarrassing.  I scored myself a nice raspberry for my trouble.  Oh, and I also birded Brushwood in the morning.  Tomorrow, I will be leaving on a jet plane.  Sultry and I are going to Lake James, North Carolina for ten days.  This will be my last hoorah before leaving for the Farallones on the 18th (which is also the date of the World's Last TPAD).

Me and Lola, nursing wound. 

This is one of a few Cooper's Hawk fledges that is currently hanging out at Brushwood.  

I Feel Sick From Pizza And Beer

I'm home in Angels Camp.  Another field season behind me.  With a belly full of pizza.  I was on the road for 9 hours.  It was not sick.

I will be seeing a lot less of this in the days to come.

This Long-billed? Dowitcher was a nice treat during my last visit to the poop ponds of Lancaster.  I'll miss that place.  Photo by Sultrysam.

This Western Sandpiper gave me momentary pause.  Thought it was sumthin better.

My body is full of this crap.  I'm gonna go to bed now.

Stackers

Pizza was a great success.  Many slices consumed.  Many guzzlings of Budweiser also occurred.  At Mike's Pizza, there is this game.  It's called Stackers.  Over the years, my sister has probably spent about 50 dollars in quarters trying to win the grand prize, which is something ridiculous like a generic MP3 player or a DVD that you'd never watch.  Still, she believes.  She will try to win that Grand Prize every Wednesday for the rest of her life.  We even asked someone who works there if it is even possible.  He said no.  He told us that he has never seen a single person win in over 2 years.  In any case, I didn't do much birding yesterday.  Too tired.  And hungry.  Still, here you are:

This is how I feel after ten slices of pizza and 2 games of Stackers. Muy Loco.

Yellow-billed Magpie.  The Central Valley version of Magpie.  I sometimes see these in Calaveras County, a little ways up out of the valley (1000 ft elevation).  It was sweet to look at the Black-billed Magpies on Wednesday, and then these guys yesterday.

Flee Before You're Broke And Dead

Well, I got out of Tahoe barely intact.  Most of my money gone.  Little sleep under my belt.  Running on fumes. I crash landed back here at home, the lovely Brushwood Estates of my childhood.  I did manage to go out birding yesterday, just before all the boozing and unsuccessful gambling started.  Saw some ducks and crud.  A few pairs of Redhead, Canvasback, Ring-necked Ducks, and the like.  I need to make sure I go out and take some pictures today before I Pass The Fuck Out.  Of course, Wednesday is All-U-Can Eat night at Mike's Pizza here in Angels Camp.  This is basically the ultimate weekly social event around these parts, so I mayhaps will stay awake long enough for that.  Anyhoo, love you guys.  See you tomorrow.

Mountain Chickadee.  Staredown.

Canvasback.  Tahoe Keys. 

The Next Day Is Always Tough

I spent most of yesterday saying things like: 


"Wow. How is it 1:30 already?"


"Oh my God.  My fucking head hurts so bad right now.  Get me some pills."


or my favorite:


"My hands are still shaking.  Let's go to the kegmobile and pour some beers."


Then I went to walk the dogs with my mom and I looked at a few birds.

Lark Sparrow.  Having a morning snack.

This is Lola.  She was thirsty.

If anyone is in the greater Angels Camp area and would like to participate in Packed Full Of Fun Day, part 3, IT IS TODAY.  Also, as a simultaneous activity, we will be conducting Operation Drink The Rest Of The Keg.  Call me.

You Remind Me Of Home

It's my birthday so I'll put up shitty photos if I want.  Yesterday was mostly spent battling the Deathsickness (with whiskey).  It was a success.  I feel pretty good today.  Now it's time to go get ready for the massive rage.  Free Coors Light at Horse and Barrel!  Hope to see all of you there.  Ima drink till I'm sick again!  Here are two birds that remind me of being here at home:

White-breasted Nuthatch.  Getting all inverted.

Oak Titmouse.  Hanging from an acorn.

Home For The Holiday

Hi all.  Yesterday I returned to the place of my birth.  Tomorrow is the 29th anniversary of me being born, so I thought it proper.  Here are a few nice ones from around my parents' estate in the foothills, Brushwood.  The Deathsickness still has a bit of a grip on me, but the end is in sight.  Hopefully by this time tomorrow, I'll be healthy and ready to Birthdayrage to the full extent of my capabilities.

In the US, cats kill 10 million billion birds every year.  And so to my horror, I return home to find that my mother has obtained three bird killing machines.  They are sisters.  From left to right: Inky, Pinky, and Stinky.

A Bewick's Wren at Brushwood.  Hopefully this little guy is safe from the merciless claws of Inky, Pinky, and Stinky.