I'd Rather B Birdin': Play Misty for Me...

Boardwalk incline to the elevated Observation Deck - Oso Bay

A couple of days before Christmas Bud and I went for a 2 mile walk around the Oso Bay area [more like 3 miles since we took a few 'off the beaten path' trails also]. It was a mild day, but oh the fog!! I love fog. By the time we arrived at the parking area, the misty air was thinning out and drying up a bit. But it still lingered, and a gray gloom was cast over our morning. Not too much bird activity. As we hiked at a quick pace over the walkway, we spotted a hawk. I was not able to ID it since it flew through just above the brush and bushes at a speed I couldn't keep up with through the lens. We came to a fork in the route where one path goes into the chaparral --desert like with mesquite, cactus, and yucca. Anyway, over the few hours outdoors, we didn't add much too to our Christmas Count. I really enjoyed this trek...along the way, we only saw three other two legged souls with their best friends on a leash...the four legged kind. They were just as crazy as we were out in the foggy air... it was now getting mighty chilly as a cold front moved in all to quickly!! [By Christmas morn the low temperature was near freezing...36 degrees F/2.2 C] A beautiful, quiet, walk to be had.

Crested Caracara

Through the fog...an Osprey

White Ibis in marshy grasses along the path

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

...as we walked back to the car at the parking lot, I could hear the heavy volume of traffic on the freeway. As I peeked through the trees, catching a glimpse of the causeway [low bridge] ...using the zoom lens, this is about a mile from where I stood as the crow flies. The causeway takes us to the islands, I took this view of the boaters, fishermen, and holiday shoppers coming and going --

JFK Causeway

Now, share your birding experiences:

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22 comments:

ElaDecember 27, 2014 at 12:11 PM
Anni, your shots are excellent !
Greetings
Maude LynnDecember 27, 2014 at 12:30 PM
Love the thrasher!
Coloring Outside the LinesDecember 27, 2014 at 12:48 PM
Like a whole different world being in the peace and quiet and seeing all the hustle and bustle right across the way. Beautiful bird shots. Hope you have a super weekend!
Ginny HartzlerDecember 27, 2014 at 1:33 PM
The crested Caracara is special, we have none around here, and they are a very impressive bird. I have only seen a thrasher once, they like to hide. But the Mockingbird I am only too familiar with. We have many, and one attacked me once outside a mall. LOVE the beautiful fog!!!
TexWisGirlDecember 27, 2014 at 1:41 PM
love the caracara. :)
eileeninmdDecember 27, 2014 at 2:32 PM
Wow, Anni! A wonderful outing and great bird sighting.. The Caracara is a cool bird. Great shots. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post.. Have a happy weekend!
Ruth HiebertDecember 27, 2014 at 3:20 PM
I really like the effect that the fog gives to these images.
sunshineDecember 27, 2014 at 3:28 PM
Birding in the fog, beautiful photos.
DeniseinVADecember 27, 2014 at 8:05 PM
Even with the fog you got some beautiful photographs Anni.
Phil SladeDecember 28, 2014 at 3:56 AM
Hi Anni. Now I'm not a great fan of fog or mist for birding but I would certainly have liked to join you and Bud on that hike and watched the Osprey through the mist.

I often do as you do also, set out on a fixed route and take so many side trails and detours that I end up doing double the intended distance. I reckon we have inquiring minds?

I'm pleased you're both back to "birding normality" so quickly. All Best Wishes for 2015 and thanks for all your id-rather-b-birdin during 2014.

Kenneth Cole SchneiderDecember 28, 2014 at 5:34 AM
Really enjoyed your foggy walk! We also had dense fog, yesterday morning here in south Florida. As with you, there were few birds out and I took some landscape photos that I thought might look great-- NOT. My lens was fogged up because the air conditioning had to be turned on, and I did not realize it! This week I myself have been in a "fog" keeping track of the days, with Christmas and lots of singing in our choir, so thanks for the invite, and thank you for hosting this site. Best wishes for a Happy New Year!
photodougDecember 28, 2014 at 7:23 AM
Anni, the fog adds a surreal touch. Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon WagnerDecember 28, 2014 at 9:35 AM
Your blog is pretty in purple. Happy New Year Anni!
Bethany CarsonDecember 28, 2014 at 4:25 PM
Nice shots of the birds! I like fog as well--as long as it doesn't make travelling difficult.
LindaDecember 28, 2014 at 9:52 PM
Nice shots! Have a great New Year.
JaniceDecember 29, 2014 at 12:52 PM
We spend a couple of days on Padre Island the first of December. It was foggy there, too!
MTWagginDecember 29, 2014 at 2:08 PM
So fun seeing the cool birds you have down there. Not so much the traffic but so glad you got to go for a lovely walk anyway!
A Colorful WorldDecember 29, 2014 at 5:47 PM
Wonderful fog-soft photos! Good you enjoyed the walk as well!
HannahJanuary 2, 2015 at 2:27 PM
What a great place for a bird walk, the White Ibis is an impressive bird, and the Caracara. It's cold here too, and the little birds are enjoying my bird seeds.
Sheila at WolfSongBlog.ComJanuary 3, 2015 at 10:50 AM
I discovered your site this morning through Eileen! It is always nice to meet other birders! Beautiful captures!
Gail DixonJanuary 3, 2015 at 12:18 PM
All are wonderful, but I particularly loved the Thrasher. The Crested Caracara is on my wish list for 2015. I'm going to try to have a Big Year, beating last year's total of 119. Wishing you all the best for the coming year.
NatureFootstepJanuary 3, 2015 at 4:04 PM
you got some birds despite the fog :)

Play Misty for Me...

22 comments:

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