Birds
Since we mostly stayed in the city or in Napa Valley, I had very little time for birding on this trip. Nonetheless, there were a few highlights.
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
My best picture in Napa Valley was of this White-crowne Sparrow.
My best birding day was my second-to-last day, specifically, that morning when I walked to Coit Tower along the Filbert Steps. Here, first I saw a Chestnut-backed Chickadee, a bird that is common on the Pacific Coast, but I had not seen before.
A California Towhee (not a new bird for me) was also active this morning.
Because the residents planted many flowering plants in their gardens, there were many hummingbirds flying about. Any day I see and photograph a hummingbird is a good day.
I also photographed another 2 new birds (so my tally for this day and this trip is 3) near the Coit Tower -- the diminitive but restless Pygmy Nutbatch and the beautiful Townsend's Warbler.
My best bird picture of this trip is of an Eared Grebe in the pond outside the Palace of Fine Arts.
This Brown Pelican in colorful breeding plumage was taken on a pier near Presidio.
Finally, a Black Phoebe near Presidio rounded up my bird pictures.
White-crowned Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
California Towhee
Anna's Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird
Pygmy Nuthatch
Townsend's Warbler
Eared Grebe
Brown Pelican
Black Phoebe
