The Daily Deluge

Here's a little vignette from the Sierra Nevada Foothills for ya.

The cam trap was set on a small creek/pond that is currently getting a daily dose of water from a well to help keep it alive for wildlife during this drought.

I placed it where the creek trickles into the cattail-encrusted pond, and positioned it low - at about 14 inches off the ground - to target small mammals and birds.

And the cam caught 10 species in 3 days.

Purple Finches came in small groups. At least I think they're Purple. Could be Cassin's Finch, but the characteristics seem Purple to me, and the 3,000-foot elevation and oak-pine habitat is more typical for Purple. Whichever, the raspberry flush was a treat to see. Really beauty little birds.


Purple Finches playing through with a male in the lead








Purple Finch female in front, male in middle, and tail of another male in back

House Finches also showed, their male's normally "wow red" looking a tad drab in comparison to the Purple Finches. Poor fellas.


Male House Finch


Male and female House Finches having a drink

Lesser Goldfinches also visited, but only females.


Female Lesser Goldfinch

And I think this is a Song Sparrow:


Song Sparrow?

A Lady Black-headed Grosbeak stopped in for a drink and bath:


Female Black-headed Grosbeak

And, as might be expected, both Spotted Towhee and California Towhee foraged through...


Spotted Towhee in back


California Towhee at 6am - a true early bird

2 mammal species were caught by the cam trap. A mother Brush Mouse with a pup in her mouth:


Mom Brush Mouse with pup in mouth for move or retrieval


Too cute

And a vole, also called a meadow mouse, that is probably a California Vole:




California Vole

Last, Lord Vader came out to strut his stuff, while the Missus watched in the background:


Male Red-winged Blackbird doing his dance with female in background





LV: "bum bum bum bum-bu-bum, bum-bu-bum" (Darth Vader theme)

Missus:  "Oh, sure! The nest is soggy, and the chicks are screeching at me, and here you are showing off your "Jedi tricks" to that dumb camera..."

Ah, yes - life on a 'crick.

Just add water.

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References:

• eBird.org - California eBird
• David Allen Sibley - The Sibley Guide to Birds

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