It Gets Harder The Older You Get

I owe you four again.  Don't worry, TPAD will be good again during its last gasp for air over the next 3 weeks.

Anna's in Adam's Uncles Irises.  Say that shit 5 times fast.

This kinda looks like the ocean, except that those are all Wilson's Phalaropes.  Yep, it's just an ocean of human waste in Lancaster. (Actually there might be a single Red-necked, but who's to say...)

Elegant Tern, Bolsa Chica.  Surprisingly, this is the first TPAD ELTE.

Don't know.  I just needed a fourth.  Perhaps Cory will hook a brother up again?

Fledgling Throat Stab

No great birds today.  No great words either.  If you're reading this, I miss you.  I hope to see you again soon.

First ever American Goldfinch for TPAD?  I think so.

I'm pretty sure Anna's Hummingbird is the most posted bird on TPAD.  I'll try to stop shooting them. Anyhow, here's an adult female trying to stab a fledgling's throat out.

Banished From Heaven

I have relocated to the town of Diamond Bar.  It's okay, but it's no Palmdale.  God I miss that thriving metropolis of culture and diversity.  The bathtub in this hotel is at least three feet deep and has jets built in.  I am the king of everything.  I went birding over in good old Chino Hills for about an hour or so and saw some super common birds.

A SY? male Anna's Hummingbird at some golf course in Chino.

I performed my most successful pishing to date on this handsome Bullock's Oriole.  I was proud.

HondaToyotaKiaAcuraLexusHyundai

Buying a car is gnarly business.  I prefer birding.  It's much more fun.  I'm really glad that my job is birding and not buying cars.  If you can't tell, I did not succeed in making a purchase today.  I looked at a million cars and test drove a hundred.  Now I have no idea how much money I want to spend, what kind of car I want, or even who I am anymore.  Please wish me well on this horrible quest I have embarked upon.  The good news is that I went birding around Brushwood this morning before Car Hell and saw a few neat things.  Best birds were Phainopepla and Hermit Thrush.  Great success.

Anna's Hummingbird showing nicely.

The Brushwood Hermit Thrush jumped up on the fence for a nice photo shoot.  Thank you for cooperating, Hermit Thrush.

Drained

Of energy and cash.  I am only getting this TPAD in for fear that you all would lynch me if I didn't.  I spent all day at the races.  I rarely won a bet.  It looks as though I need to quit the gambling for a while.  I'm on a really bad streak these days.  At least I got to drink about ten dollar beers.  So economical.  Here was yesterday:

Nuttall's Woodpecker at Brushwood, with a nice stick running through his head.

Yet another Anna's Hummingbird.  This one was Near Forest Meadows.

Weak Week

We had about three arrivals yesterday.  Anna's Hummingbird, Pectoral type Sandpiper, and Elegant type Tern.  The last two were not seen well enough to identify.  We were not pro enough.  I think all the fame is getting to our heads.  I took very few photos.  I'm about to dig through and see what I can find.  Here goes.

Our Anna's Hummingbird.  BOTD.

This Sabine's Gull has been hanging out in the kitchen for a long time.  It's here pretty much every day.  Good kitchen bird. 

I Make My Coffee One Cup At A Time

Still snoozing out here.  Hopefully Fall Migration doesn't end before we get some good weather.  I'm still spending my days looking at painfully common birds.  Also, the Giants lost to LA last night, bringing my misery to an even deeper level.  Pray for me.  Silver lining: common birds are still beautiful, and generally much easier to photograph.

A young male Anna's Hummingbird in the Coast Guard Yard.

One of many recent Burrowing Owl arrivals on the Island.  These guys spend a great part of the year out here gorging on the abundant Norwegian House Mice.  SEFI is probably Burrowing Owl Heaven.