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What
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
I just got a brief look at a White-throated Swift, I think. I'd love to get something a little closer!
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What
Cape Honey Flower (Melianthus major)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
This plant smells like peanut butter! That spike of flowers 1 foot tall at least. In the wild along with Calla Lilies. And it may be a stretch to say in the wild. In between the houses and the San Lorenzo River levee in the city of Santa Cruz.. Separated from the backyards by a chain link fence. Okay, an imported plant from South Africa that may escape into the wild.
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What
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
This photo shows kingbird eating a yellowjacket. I took it for granted that it was a tropical kingbird because several sightings were reported. I have many probably better photos, but I thought the yellowjacket was interesting.
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What
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
Maybe a hybrid? Tail is brown not black...
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California Gull (Larus californicus)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
I'm conflicted
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Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
2nd year Western Gull. I like the bill. You can see hints of pink in the yellow. I wondered what made that weedy clump such a prize, and tried to get a closer look, but it was very possessive.
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Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
A decent view of the frog leg propulsion system of the Western Grebe
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What
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
OK it was the AI suggestion for Parasitic Jaeger. But secretly I wondered. There is the slightest gap in the mid tail, pointed wings, plus the lead bird looked like it actually landed on an otter's stomach and grabbed a bite. Pretty bold behavior!
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Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
I like the big healthy looking GWGU's
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Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
Proud of its crab!
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Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
I'm having trouble narrowing this down.
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Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
It has something that looks like an eel. He worked it over before he ate it.
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Ochre Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceus)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
There seems to be a clump of starfish here
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What
California Gull (Larus californicus)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
I have a question. I can recognize the white spotted primaries and the front gull is showing a black and white tail below the primaries. But I noticed that both gulls have really long set of gray feathers sticking up of the back as well. Are those secondaries?
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Short-billed Gull (Larus brachyrhynchus)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
This bird was on the top of a very tall evergreen perched like a hawk. I expected it to be a Western Gull, but no. The bill is like a short-billed gull, but it has light eyes.
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What
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
This is by far the most spotted Spotted Sandpiper I have seen so far since I began concentrating on birds. Breeding birds have more and bigger spots and an orange bill, but I've never seen this many spots...Ha, ha, there is a possibility that they were of focus shots, but surely not all of them!
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Olympic Gull (Larus glaucescens × occidentalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
Still some tough ones for me!
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Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
A leisurely swim upriver
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Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
My default guess. See second frame for context
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Cook Inlet Gull (Larus argentatus × glaucescens)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
Actually, maybe a hybrid? See second frame for context.
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Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
I am going with the AI guess because (see 2nd frame for context) the size seems right.
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Western Gull (Larus occidentalis)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
Possibly a 3rd year WEGU because of the slight smudges on the head and the smallness of the white spots. I'm still trying to dial myself into the differences, but that's my premise
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Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
Red-necked Grebe
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Large White-headed Gulls (Genus Larus)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
I guess the long primaries say California Gull. Way to go AI!
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What
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
This is probably a Herring Gull. The Iceland Gull is similar, but I have not seen one (that I know of)
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What
Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens)Observer
arthurmacmillanDescription
This ID is for the gull on top.
This is the San Lorenzo River mouth 1 hour 20 minutes after high tide and raining. Interestingly (?) the next low tide was only going to be 2 feet lower. Choppy water. Interesting gull behaviors...
