It's been a while since I visited a nice birding area near
Penasquitos Creek off of Flintkote Ave in Sorrento Valley, San Diego. This area
is nice for birding but really a hard place to get close-up bird photos.
Every hummingbird that I spot is looked at carefully
just to make sure it is not one of the rare visitors that are sometimes spotted
in this area. I believe this one is one of our native Anna's Hummingbirds sitting
in this dead bush. He has been defending his territory and flying courtship
flights.
This tall lean dead bush is also appealing to another
bird that is common in this area. A Bewick's Wren flies into the bare brush.
The wren just wants this brush to sing his song but the
hummer is not pleased about his territory being invaded by the wren.
As the wren sings away and his call echos through the
canyons, the hummer becomes very agitated, he buzzes and challenges the
wren.
The hummer chatters and chatters demanding that the wren
leave this bush. This bush has been claimed by the Anna's Hummingbird and the
wren needs to find his own perch.
The Wren is too busy singing his heart out to be
distracted by an agitated hummer.
The hummer becomes more vocal and now is scolding the
wren to leave immediately! A few more buzzing and aggressive flights by the
hummer.
The wren keeps singing his beautiful song.
The male hummingbird is getting more upset with the intruder
wren and relentlessly scolds from a nearby perch. Soon after this photo, the wren decided he had
enough agitation from the hummer and flew off. It's always interesting to see
how aggressive these little hummingbirds can be when protecting their territory.
They will even bully other species of birds off their favorite perches.
As I walk towards the Park Ranger's house, I notice lots
of beautiful cactus flowers in bloom. It really feels like springtime already.
Several Common Ravens soar overhead. You can easily
identify the difference between a raven and a crow by the shape of the
tail. Ravens often soar but crows never do...
The trail is located at the base of a huge canyon that
is located east of the Torrey Pines Nature Reserve. As I search the sky for
movement, I spot a young Red-tailed Hawk flying over the highest ridge.
The young hawk flies down and back up over the ridge.
He comes up over the ridge again but appears to be on a
mission, going straight for a target.
By the time I looked in the direction of the young
hawk's flight, he was already engaged in a wild altercation with a full grown
Red-tailed Hawk.They had locked talons with their powerful wings
outstretched in a display of strength.
The older hawk appears to be pulling the youngster down
and reaching up to bite the youngster's leg.
For a moment it appears they have both spun out of control
and are free-falling with wings flapping.
Oh, but they are still connected... hanging on by a
talon! What a wild and exciting thing to observe.
The mature Red-tailed Hawk (on top) appears to be the aggressor.
His talon is locked around the youngsters and appears to not let him go!
Feathers fly and there is a wild moment of body slamming and
confusion. What in the world is going on with talons and wings in all
directions!
The youngster (on the right) appears to want to fly away but the adult
hawk is still hanging on by a talon.
More twirls and displays of powerful flying by both
hawks.
Finally the adult (now on top) lets the youngster free and the aerial show
comes to an abrupt end as each flies off in the opposite direction.
The mature hawk (right) heads north and the youngster (lower left) heads
south.
The mature Red-tailed Hawk is still flying aggressively
with both talons down. The youngster looks as though he has had enough and just
wants to leave.
I barely catch a shot of the adult as he flies by.
The young hawk soars up and does a few tight circles before he
disappears to the south.
One last shot of the young hawk as he soars off to find
his own piece of territory. Wishing him luck, it's time for me to head for home.
Have a great week everyone!
