Couchburning2012

By my count, I owe six photos right now.  I really just had to check out for a few days there.  Blogging and Couch Burning don't go well together.  TPAD will return to its normal schedule tomorrow.  Now, for some completely un-birdy photos.

This is what most of the day consists of  at Couch Burning.  Golfing, and trying to intimidate other golfers.

This is Matt Duffy.  Accepting the Coveted Green Jacket for winning the golf tournament.  He pretty much wins every single year.  I have never won a CB tournament.  I took second this time, which is fairly typical.

Love at the Couch Burning.  Tyler and Ashley.

This is how the Burn gets its name.

Sultry by the fireside.  Living up to her namesake.

This person is British.  It is very surprising to see a British acting in this fashion.  

Irish Days

Well, I just missed my deadline.  I'm officially ten minutes late.  Well, Irish Days happened.  Barely.  We braved the worst storm in one hundred years to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Murphys.  I don't know what happened, but by noon it was snowing profusely.  Scary stuff.  So, I'm pretty tired.  Ima go to bed now.  Fun day.  I wish you all the best.  Adios.

Sultry, Starin Darren, and Lando Getting hella snowed on.

This was the final parking spot for Murphys Irish Days.  Nice car, right?

Hella Andy Feet

The Internets went down in the storm last night.  I was devastated.  It was a pretty craycray storm.  There was a good amount of lightning and thunder.  I had to go to bed at midnight, with my head hung low in defeat.  But, I woke up extra early to bring you this late issue of TPAD, so I hope you all appreciate it.  Plus, you'll get a second edition this evening at the normal time, so what are you complaining about?  Today it looks as though the storm clouds may be parting.  I can actually see some blue sky.  This is a good thing, because the St. Patrick's Day festivities up in Murphys will be twice as fun if it doesn't rain.  More on that later.

Bel you I've HELLA Andy Feet!

Nuttall's Woodpecker at brushwood.

Stormy Calaveras

It has been difficult to shoot photos in the low light that has been cursing us.  Apparently it's supposed to rain until early next week.  Good thing, seeing as how this place hasn't seen any rain for hella hella days.  I am preparing myself mentally for the great migration south which will be taking place in a few short days.  It won't be long now before I am searching out nests and watching construction workers in Southern California.  Without further ado, here is my best attempt at salvaging some low light photos.

Artist's rendition of Audubon's Warbler.

This is what it looks like for people who disrespect or destroy the environment.  After they die, they go to a fiery hell and are lorded over by a devil satan California Towhee.

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.

Salt Springs And Beyond

Took an old fashioned tour around the Salt Springs Valley (the greatest of all Calaveras County birding locations).  It was chill.  Nothing cray.  Lots of flyover cranes, a Burrowing Owl, and a Bald Eagle.  I've actually been spending a lot more time looking for my new car.  As most of you have probably not heard, my car (The Silver Surfer) is no more.  I'm not gonna go into the details, but yeah, I'm in the market for something really nice.  Any suggestions?  Tonight I am cruising down to Brushwood for BJ's Famous Fajitas.  They hecka good.

In the face of a Salt Springs Valley Savannah Sparrow.

This is a small portion of the 400 cranes that I saw today.

Is Pizza Bad For You When You're Sick?

When I woke up, I hacked up about 1/2 cup of bright yellow slime.  Sorry, I don't mean to gross you out, but it's true.  I think my condition has stabilized over the course of the day.  It may be okay.  I might survive.  Pray for me and keep me in your thoughts.  Wow, it's fun to feel sorry for myself on the internet.  I can just feel all of your hearts pitying me.  Thank you.  


Today I made a short effort outside of my sister's house to obtain the two photos that you see below.  It was thin pickings, but I found some common stuff.  My sister's house is up at about 3,500 feet, so the birds are a bit different than down in Angels Camp.  It's still in the overlap zone for Western Scrub Jay and Steller's Jay, but there are more Steller's.  Ima go hack up more slime now...

Stupid stick ruined another great photograph of a Spotted Towhee.

Bushtit, flexing nuts.