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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