Bighorns Dominate the Day-November 4, 2012

We now have renamed the blog to include all wildlife and plants. A group of birders went out Sunday November 4, 2012 led by Lori Hargrove, noted ornithologist. Although birding was the prime objective, we were interrupted by Bighorn Sheep, lizards and insects. Within 15 minutes of our walk, a large bighorn ram pushed us off the path. A walk by was a bit close for good photography. Birding highlights included all 4 wren species including Rock, Canyon, Cactus and Bewick's. A Chipping sparrow with huge eyerings, more like a Field Sparrow. Gray Bird Grasshoppers mating was interesting. In 2011 we counted over 1800 Swainson's Hawks feeding on this same species.
Here is a list of the birds observed:
Cooper's Hawk, 
Gambel's Quail,
California Quail

White-winged Dove

Roadrunner

Costa' Hummingbird

Anna's Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Say's Phoebe

Black Phoebe

Loggerhead Shrike

Verdin

Bushtit

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Bewick's Wren

Rock Wren

Canyon Wren

Cactus Wren

Common Raven

Western Bluebird

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Gray Warbler

California Towhee

Black-throated Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

House Finch

Lesser Goldfinch

Our birding group 11/4/12-HC

Bighorn Sheep up close and personal 11/4/12-HC

Chipping Sparrow? 11/4/12-HC

Lizard (Whiptail?) 11/4/12-HC

Canyon Wren 11/4/12-HC

Bluet species Damselfly-11/4/12-HC

Mating Gray Bird Grasshoppers-11/4/12-HC

Bighorn 11/4/12-HC

Bighorn 11/4/12-HC