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| Lesser goldfinch |
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Join the Birders!
Walks are the 1st Sunday and the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8am to 12 noon. |
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| Allen's hummer sits on a Bladderwort. Posing pretty! Photo courtesy Laurel Woodley |
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| A hummer enjoys the Mexican sage ( salvia Leucantha) Photo courtesy Annette Solano |
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| Birds Enjoy the Fountain in the Garden for the Senses |
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| Great Blue Heron Photo courtesy: Arlene Buchanan |
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| Great Egret Photo courtesy: Laurel Woodley |
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| In flight: Photo courtesy Pedra Furmall |
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| Mississippi Kite -
Ictinia mississippiensis
The Mississippi Kite is a medium-sized, graceful, long-winged raptor. Similar in size and body length to the Peregrine Falcon, although the Peregrine Falcon can be up to three times heavier. This lightweight body gives the kite its buoyant flight.
The Mississippi Kite roosts in nests in woodlands, riparian zones and tree clusters. They are common to the Southern United States, with a small congregation in Arizona. No one knows why this bird is this far north-west. It is thought that with the strong upper atmosphere winds of late, he might have been blown off course.
This bird has been called a one-day-wonder, seldom staying in one place for more than a day. However, he has been at the Garden for awhile now. First sighted by Steve Wolfe at the Garden on Saturday, May 26th, he has been staying in the Garden to the delight of the birders who have had the chance to come and observe. Swooping and diving, he puts on what appears to be an acrobatic air show, although what he's really doing is catching bugs on the wing to eat!
Other avid birders such as Olga & Herb Clark, and Bob Shanman of Wild Birds Unlimited saw the bird over the weekend, however Steve's photo evidence clinched the fact that this was a Mississippi Kite.
Name derivation:
The scientific name comes from iktinos - Greek for kite, and the Latinized of Mississippi - where the first specimen was collected. This bird can live up to 7 years in the wild.
Congratulations to all who have seen this rare phenomenon!
Please check out the following web sites for additional information regarding the Mississippi Kite:
www.peregrinefund.org
www.trailhiker.smugmug.com (Steve Wolfe's web site)
www.birdforum.net
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| Resting: photo courtesy Pedra Furmall |
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| Stately bird: photo courtesy Pedra Furmall |
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| Buteo lineatus |
| Red Shouldered Hawk |
Photo taken at South Coast Botanic Garden. |
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| Photo courtesy: Steve Wolfe |
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| Snowy Egret visits the Lake. Photo courtesy: Laurel Woodley |
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