Birding CALIFORNIA Coast --Bodega Head Point Reyes Part 3

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Күн бұрын

Sparky finally makes it to Coastal California to do some more birding and bird photography-Point Reyes, Bodega Head, Elk Head Trail at Trinidad Beach. Lifer Elephant Seal appears at Drake's Beach! Inland bird highlights include Chestnut-backed Chickadees, singing Wilson's Warblers, fruit-eating Band-tailed Pigeon, curious California Thrasher pair, and a surprisingly loud Yellow-breasted Chat.
On the way to the Coast Sparky detours to enjoy the MASSIVE California Redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants and Founders Grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. He even drives THROUGH the Chandelier Tree!
Along the Coast, the best sightings were a couple pairs of enigmatic Black Oystercatchers, Western Gull with four fuzzy chicks, Heerman's Gulls, Pelagic Cormorants, thousands of nesting Common Murres and watching the fascinating courtship and mating rituals of the Brandt's Cormorant.

Пікірлер: 35

@Cobbmtngirl 2 ай бұрын

You went to some very special places in my stomping grounds. I ❤ our redwoods. So blessed to have them. Ty for sharing. ❤️chestnut backed chickadees. I’ve never seen a Canada Jay.

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

The redwoods are so spectacular!! It’s always a little disappointing that you can’t really convey their size through video or photos. Just have to experience it! I will be bringing my kids out there in 2026.

@guymatson7731 Ай бұрын

Sparky, Another great video

@SparkyStensaas Ай бұрын

Thank you kindly Guy! I will be doing a wrapup video about the photography soon as well

@Chris_Wolfgram 2 ай бұрын

You went birding in my back yard :) And you did great too ! Those Wrentit shots were fantastic :)

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Chris! You live in an amazing place for birding!

@frednorman1 2 ай бұрын

Love the video of the Brandt’s Cormorants, you captured the blue of their throats. We have lots of Brandt’s Cormorants in Monterey Bay, but I’ve never seen the blue throat

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Fred! I must say that I didn’t know much about either the Brandt’s or Pelagic cormorants so it was really fun to see the Brandt’s blue throat and watch their courtship behavior.

@ukestasz 2 ай бұрын

You inspire me to repeat this leg during migration. You are birding this during our slow season, but what a good eye and ear you have.

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

I would really love to get back out there during migration and visit Point Reyes …and in winter for the big waterfowl concentrations at the wildlife refuges up in the valley.

@almeadows8277 2 ай бұрын

Another great episode, Sparky. You saw species I’ve barely heard of. Good for you.

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Al! California has a lot of unique species for sure.

@mwerner3194 2 ай бұрын

Excellent Video Sparky. Looking forward to part 4 and the photography/videography video. If you head east to NC, let me know... a Pelagic Trip out of Hatteras may produce a few lifers and make a great video.

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

Hi Matt! Good to hear from you. Part four is out! And yes, a Hatteras/Brian Patterson pelagic would definitely get me a number of lifers. I will certainly let you know if I head that way :-)

@mobilestrike5182 2 ай бұрын

Great as ever Sparky and a damn site warmer than that day in Superior forest a few years back. I’ll be in this area in October. Hope I can catch up with some of the species you saw. Alan.

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

Great! Let me know what avian highlights you see there in October.

@mobilestrike5182 2 ай бұрын

I’ll do my best 👍👍

@brighteyedbirding 2 ай бұрын

Wow, Northern Cal is so much different than SoCal! It's a whole different universe of birds! I got to get up there someday! Amazing video as always!

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

NoCal rocks…. but I would say the same for SoCal! So much to see in California!

@BobMacNeal 2 ай бұрын

Great shots. Please tell us more about Behavior Birding.

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

Hi Bob, the behavior birding idea is still evolving in my head, but the whole idea is to put the “watching“ back in birdwatching. But people love listing too so it would combine the two. I’m getting the website up and going, but it’ll be months before I do the reveal.

@craigsawyer6453 2 ай бұрын

Hey Sparky, don't be afraid to reach out to us, your fans, when you are out looking for lifers. For instance, I live in Rohnert Park CA and know where the birds find food during different seasons. I am sure I am not alone in wanting to help you make your videos even more spectacular. When I first moved to the area I called the local ranger stations. I would often be connected with a fellow birders and wildlife experts this was immensely helpful in finding the places for birding that few know about. Looking forward to watching the behavior videos. Thank you for the amazing job you do.

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

That’s a fantastic offer, Craig! And you are right , I should reach out to my KZbin friends before my trips. Good tip!

@craigsawyer6453 2 ай бұрын

@@SparkyStensaas Birders are among the nicest people on the planet, I am quite sure that your life will be enriched in more than just great content. I, myself, look forward to helping any way I can.

@mobilestrike5182 2 ай бұрын

Hey you wouldn’t like to spend a day or two birding with a Brit would you. In Robert park for couple days in October. ??

@kathyporter6479 2 ай бұрын

What a fun video. I'm taking notes for the possibility of a trip to that area.

@SparkyStensaas 2 ай бұрын

Great Kathy! There is also a fantastic book called Birding Northern California that is a must to have.

@kathyporter6479 2 ай бұрын

@@SparkyStensaas Truth be told, I've been taking notes on your TR Roosevelt NP trip, your older AZ trip and the FL trip too. But I'll check out your book recommendation in anticipation.