The Red Avadavats - previously known as Strawberry finches - are beginning their breeding season now. The birds turn into this color - deep strawberry color during the prime season and - impossible to miss amidst the browns and greens of the grasslands and lake banks. Their calls could be heard all over in several places.

We sighted a large flock of around 30-40 of them on a lake bank where many males were engaged in competitive fights. The females too were looking very beautiful in their prime breeding plumage - with golden hues and reddish beak.

They were fighting / chasing each other and landed pretty close to our vehicle giving us some nice easy shots. These are small birds around 10 cms long and were close this time for me.

Thank you so much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.

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Bald Eagle, San Simeon Creek Road, San Simeon, CA

The chick, that was away from the nest for the last few days, returned to the nest at 1:12 p.m., when an adult was bringing in food.

YouTube video:
youtu.be/dbE-dNjajew?si=ezC-XjzbQ3TPunQF
This video documents the return of the wayward Bald Eagle chick to the nest after not having been fed for several days during the time spent away from the nest.

The footage shows the interaction between the two siblings immediately upon the return, with the "stay-at-home" chick being dominant and hogging the food dropped by one of the adults, affording the returned chick little opportunity to feed. --- Includes vocalization.

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Many of the folks that follow me on Flickr know well about my experiences with our famous Peregrine Falcons that command the SoCal ocean cliffs. My photos go back to 2015 and I have followed these falcons on occasion ever since. It’s a cross-town hall for me but the experiences have been unforgettable.

Tuzee, the Master (I’ve referred to him as the General) of these cliffs, wore the tag 02Z thus the affectionate name. Alas, Tuzee is no more; he hasn’t been sighted in over a month. He leaves behind his queen Maxine, and two precious chicks she now raises in her new role as a single parent. My heart, like so many others, is broken. Tuzee and Maxine gave us all so much joy, so many thrills. I went yesterday to pay my respects to them both. I got a brief glimpse of Maxine hard at work providing, and I was privileged and overjoyed to see the first of the two chicks flying the ocean cliffs, just like its Daddy. Came right to that perch for me. Be sure and check it large to see all the baby feathers still hanging on. I'm pretty impressed with my new light-weight prime too - I really didn't think I got this photo as the bird came from way across the cliffs, and it's a super challenge to find and focus on them in that busy background. But here it is. 😉

How famous are these falcons? Folks come from all over the country to see them. I actually met two fellows yesterday from out of state who had come to see them. The falcons are that good in their Pacific Coast cliffside setting. I hope Maxine can find a new mate worthy of her; for now, her work is cut out and she’s workin’ it.

And here's to all the hard-working dads on Father's Day.

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