Cats and birdwatchers would think this was heaven.

I live in north central California. And this time of year we are where all
the birds that flew south for the winter are hanging out. I know most of
the local year round and summer birds, but now I see birds almost daily that
I can't identify.

A few weeks ago I passed swans resting in flooded rice fields. Closer to
seven hundred than to seven. Wednesday a skein of geese flew over that
looked almost black from the ground. Larger than Canada geese. Today I saw
what I would imagine a collared dove to look like. Dove shaped and size.
Grey and brown body and head, with a white band around the neck. The only
dove I normally see here are the mourning doves.

Pheasant and quail, owls and hawks, cranes and herons are here year round.

We are having a very dry winter, so maybe that is why the birds seem to be
more around and visible. The big dog and cat water bowl out back with the
drip has been serving extra duty as a birdbath. Molly is across the street
stalking small furry things and Jake is napping a lot so they are pretty
safe. There are several wildlife refuges very close by but this year there
seems to be an abundance just on the fallow farmland.

Jo

Jo Firey wrote:
I live in north central California. And this time of year we are
where all the birds that flew south for the winter are hanging out.
I know most of the local year round and summer birds, but now I see
birds almost daily that I can't identify.

A few weeks ago I passed swans resting in flooded rice fields.
Closer to seven hundred than to seven. Wednesday a skein of geese
flew over that looked almost black from the ground. Larger than
Canada geese. Today I saw what I would imagine a collared dove to
look like. Dove shaped and size. Grey and brown body and head, with
a white band around the neck. The only dove I normally see here are
the mourning doves.

Pheasant and quail, owls and hawks, cranes and herons are here year
round.

We are having a very dry winter, so maybe that is why the birds seem
to be more around and visible. The big dog and cat water bowl out
back with the drip has been serving extra duty as a birdbath. Molly
is across the street stalking small furry things and Jake is napping
a lot so they are pretty safe. There are several wildlife refuges
very close by but this year there seems to be an abundance just on
the fallow farmland.

Jo

Awwww, I remember a place where my mom's best friend lived, it was called
Quail Park. Somewhere in Southern California (must have been) since we
lived in Vista. We'd go to visit her and the quail were so pretty. We'd
walk on trails and scatter feed for them. Dad was in Vietnam then. Second
tour of duty. I was 7.

Jill

"Jo Firey" wrote in message
et...
I live in north central California. And this time of year we are where all
the birds that flew south for the winter are hanging out. I know most of
the local year round and summer birds, but now I see birds almost daily
that I can't identify.

A few weeks ago I passed swans resting in flooded rice fields. Closer to
seven hundred than to seven. Wednesday a skein of geese flew over that
looked almost black from the ground. Larger than Canada geese. Today I
saw what I would imagine a collared dove to look like. Dove shaped and
size. Grey and brown body and head, with a white band around the neck.
The only dove I normally see here are the mourning doves.

Pheasant and quail, owls and hawks, cranes and herons are here year round.

We are having a very dry winter, so maybe that is why the birds seem to be
more around and visible. The big dog and cat water bowl out back with the
drip has been serving extra duty as a birdbath. Molly is across the
street stalking small furry things and Jake is napping a lot so they are
pretty safe. There are several wildlife refuges very close by but this
year there seems to be an abundance just on the fallow farmland.

Jo
This is what a collared dove looks like. Pinky-grey in colour with a black
band round the neck.
http://search.orange.co.uk/mediaredi...edDove(EK).jpg

Blimey, I didn't think the link would be that long!!

Tweed

Christina Websell wrote:
"Jo Firey" wrote in message
et...
I live in north central California. And this time of year we are
where all
the birds that flew south for the winter are hanging out. I know
most of
the local year round and summer birds, but now I see birds almost
daily
that I can't identify.

A few weeks ago I passed swans resting in flooded rice fields.
Closer to
seven hundred than to seven. Wednesday a skein of geese flew over
that
looked almost black from the ground. Larger than Canada geese.
Today I
saw what I would imagine a collared dove to look like. Dove shaped
and
size. Grey and brown body and head, with a white band around the
neck.
The only dove I normally see here are the mourning doves.

Pheasant and quail, owls and hawks, cranes and herons are here year
round.

We are having a very dry winter, so maybe that is why the birds seem
to be
more around and visible. The big dog and cat water bowl out back
with the
drip has been serving extra duty as a birdbath. Molly is across the
street stalking small furry things and Jake is napping a lot so they
are
pretty safe. There are several wildlife refuges very close by but
this
year there seems to be an abundance just on the fallow farmland.

Jo
This is what a collared dove looks like. Pinky-grey in colour with
a black
band round the neck.

http://search.orange.co.uk/mediaredi...com&thumb=http
://re3.mm-a8.yimg.com/image/4234630412&fullsize=http://www.camacdonald.com/b
irding/CollaredDove(EK).jpg&pagefrom=http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/ZIND
EX-E.html&destination=http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/ZINDEX-E.html&geom=
140x114&picname=CollaredDove(EK).jpg&cat=image&pic weight=3.4kB&refURL=http:/
/www.camacdonald.com/birding/ZINDEX-E.html&pictitle=CollaredDove(EK).jpg

Blimey, I didn't think the link would be that long!!

Tweed

Try this. http://tinyurl.com/32ekoh
--
Adrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera)
Cats leave pawprints on your heart.
http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk