Clear Lake, CA

It was raining out in the county park near the lake. When I stepped outside from the car, the birds were singing in every direction. I stood listening to them sing for a while and then put out my camera. The photo shows the golden-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla, Emberizidae). The sparrows have yellow crown bordered by black. They are around the size of a sparrow.

Golden-Crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla, Emberizidae)

In the park, Canadian geese (Branta canadensis, Anatidae) were walking on in a line. They have a conspicuous white patch on the throat and beautiful brown body.

As we look upon the clear lake, murred in this rain. There were the houses in pastel colors along the road that runs around the lake. We try to drive slowly to enjoy the nice view of the lake, but the incessant flow of the cars did not let us do so. There were speed limit signs here and there, and even digital speed meters that show you how fast you are, but it seemed like time matters to drivers much more. We stopped the car on the way and made some sandwitches for lunch.

The map defines the area scenic and it was. We could have a nice view of the hills and the piers. In the water, several common goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula, Anatidae) were in sight. They are covered with black feathers except the white spots on the side and golden eyes. They were floating, diving, and busy swimming.

Up in the air, we could spot a turkey vulture (Cathartes aura, Catharitidae) hovering, making a circle. It spreads its massive flight feathers out in full. Later in the photo, we confirmed its curbed red-pink beak and the nostil.

Go check orders and families of the birds. → Avian Taxonomy Applet

Photo: Sony A100 + Sigma 70-300 mm APO