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| Resting Bison, Golden Gate Park |
It was 59.3 degrees at my computer desk around noon today -- seven-tenths of a degree colder than it was this morning despite the sunny day. The strong and chilly wind must have countered the sunshine's warmth. (We don't use the heat overnight, and in the morning only on weekends.)
As we close in on the winter solstice, I've been enjoying the almost "golden hour" light that lasts all day due to the sun being so low in the sky. From Bolinas Ridge on Mt. Tam, you can see sundown color in the sky even at noon this time of year.
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| As I watched this red-tailed hawk near the Bison Paddock, it fought gusty winds to keep its balance on the thin branch near the top of this tall eucalyptus tree, then finally gave up and went back to soaring. |
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| The small group of bison looked great in the slanted light as they lay among the verdure of new plant growth, much of which was poison hemlock. |
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| As I was checking up on the black-crowned night herons at North Lake (yep, they're still there), I noticed the coots were fanning their fantails. |
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| I only noticed after I caught them being slightly aggressive with each other, so I suspect this is some kind of dominance game. |
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| "The American Coot is highly territorial in behavior, perhaps more so than most other birds, and must constantly fend off the invasion threats of other coots. Among resident birds this is true even during the winter season. Displays and calls constitute the aggressive behavior which serves to establish and maintain territorial security." |
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| This is the Say's phoebe on one of her favorite perches. A black phoebe was also in the area while I was there today, but for the most part the two species kept their distance from each other. |
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| Beach Phoebe |
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| Speaking of individual birds, I suspect this beach red-tail is the same one I often see perched on light posts and such along the Great Highway. |
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| I like all the yellow bits of lichen matching the warbler's colors. |
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| Although I recently photographed a yellow-rumped warbler in this same tree next to South Lake, I've noticed several of the species working the area, so no claims of being the same individual here. |
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