My Best of 2011

[Shyanni]

Deer Mouse -- it was sunning itself, right at my feet and didn't move -- probably frozen with fear of my big feet!


Orange Crowned Warbler -- first time I've ever gotten a shot where the orange crown actually shows.


River Otter - he was chasing fish in the creek as I walked the dike.


Starlings -- not a favored species, but I couldn't resist that row of little heads!


Varied Thrush -- one of my favorite species -- but then whichever one I am photographing at the moment is my favorite.


Pacific Wren -- my favorite bird singer, these little guys are so hard to catch with the camera!


Yellow Warbler -- like little splashes of sunshine with wings!


Yellow Rumped Warbler, Audubon variation


Common Murre -- this one was diving right beside the dock and coming up within a few feet of where it went down.

Going on the January Bird Count tomorrow. I hope we see lots of birds!

[paulnj]

Did the christmas bird count today myself.. bit slow on the east coast this winter.

Great images you have here!

[Shyanni]

Hi, Paul! Thanks for commenting. The Bird Count was a bit slow here on the west coast too. The morning was dry at least, but it poured rain all afternoon and the binoculars kept fogging up. Didn't even take my camera this year because I didn't trust the weather. None of the field teams or feeder counters reported anything unusual, but we all enjoy it tremendously.

[paulnj]

a chaffinch was in my area last week... missed it myself, but do believe it was recorded. odd year with the mild weather, so winter birds were lacking (though I seen a goshawk, but nobody else confirmed, same with the northern shrike) I am the bird dog in my group and bird by ear mostly while going off the beaten path.

[carlogalliani]

beatiful set
last one is very great shot

[Shyanni]

Paul: A Chaffinch? Isn't that a European bird? It must have been blown in by a storm. It's lucky to have made it across the big water. Maybe it hitched a ride on a freighter, eating bugs amongst the cargo. It is truly amazing what these tiny, fragile creatures can survive.

Carlo: Thanks for commenting. I had a lot of fun photographing that Murre. It was a species first for me, and it was so cooperative.

[ANIMAMUNDI]

Nice set - loved the starlings lining up and the swimming otter!