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Daily Bucket - 2022 Best Bucket Moments [1]

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Date: 2022-12-26

My favorite photo - Yellow Headed Blackbird in flight - Sierra Valley Preserve June 2022

Having to quarantine for two weeks because of COVID, I decided to take a look back at my birding year and pick my favorite birding photos of 2022.

The title shot is my favorite because I love how the tall tule rushes provide a beautiful textured green background to the striking yellow and black colored bird giving it a 3-D effect. Catching the full wing downward extension with the white wing patch was a bonus.

The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.

We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.

Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream, visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on Follow.

I would like to thank all of you for providing me with support, correcting my errors and encouraging me to continue taking pictures and exploring the world of birds. Ocean Diver, FunningForest, 2n10, Clickadee, Churchylefemme, Foresterbob, Jeff Graham, Appy, CaptBli, IaniusX, BrownsBay, Lenny Flank, MojaveMonkey, RonK, Hopeful4 life, PHScott and oh so many more.

Here are a few other moments from this year in no particular order. Please enjoy.

Widgeon hen bathing — Upper Newport Bay Preserve — November 2022

This duck was having a wonderful time splashing in the shallow waters of the upper bay. I like to think this captured the joy and fun she was having.

Northern Mockingbird on alert after hearing my shutter clicks — Woodbridge Ecological Reserve September 2022

I love the stiff alert posture and how he is staring right back at me. He holds his tail straight back and has his wings ready to take off. It’s funny how there is one errant breast feather sticking out.

Wild Turkey at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge — February 2022

The sun was starting to set and the light hit the turkey at just the right angle to highlight all of the beautiful iridescent colors in the turkey feathers.

Widgeon pair — Rio Cosumnes Nature Preserve — January 2022

This pair is so well matched, their bodies have the same pose. They are in perfect unison. A study in domestic tranquility.

American Coots — Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge — February 2022

This pair had just left the water and one had a distinct bathtub ring of pond scum on his body and a goofy look on his face.

Horned Lark — Sierra Valley Preserve — June 2022

This beauty posed just for a minute on a barb wire fence allowing me to get a great shot where you can see the little feathered horns.

Song Sparrow — Sierra Valley Preserve — June 2022

Saw this fellow singing his heart out on a piece of antique farm equipment. I loved how he had his head fully tilted back and his eyes half closed.

Great Blue Heron — Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve — July 2022

Gloomy coastal overcast didn’t stop this bird from dancing in the tidal basin.

Stellar’s Jay — Lassen Volcanic National Park — August 2022

This camp robber was creeping into our campsite looking for some food to steal.

First year Sharp-Shinned Hawk — Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary — November 2022

Spotted this hawk sitting atop a tall oak tree scanning for possible prey. Little did he know that a scrub jay was hiding about 15 feet below him deep in the tree branches.

Willet lunch — Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve — November 2022

This is one of a sequence as I watched this bird spend a couple of minutes digging out every morsel of food in the shell. I love how this photo captures both his reflection and his shadow on the water.

White Fronted Goose — Rio Cosumnes Preserve — January 2022

I love the action and the water spraying as this goose lifted off the water to fly.

White Crowned Sparrow — Swan Lake Nature Area — Washoe County NV October 2022

A classic portrait for a classic bird.

Yellow Rumped Warbler — Carbon Canyon Regional Park — November 2022

One of a dozen warblers foraging in the leaves and grass on a wide playing field. Just happened to look right at me when I clicked.

Chillaxing tree squirrel — Carbon Canyon Regional Park — November 2022

I had to include this squirrel totally laid back — classic So Cal

The End — Woodbridge Ecological Reserve — September 2022

I spotted a bird flying into a distant tree canopy. I took several shots hoping to get an identifiable bird when I zoomed and cropped the photo. I had one good shot of a Savannah Sparrow before he turned and I ended up with the perfectly focused butt shot.

Today is the last day of warm weather for most of California. A good rainstorm is expected to hit Tuesday bringing much needed rain and snow.

Many of us unfortunately have been forced inside due to weather and/or illness. The upside it gives us a chance to review the past year. What are your favorite shots and or stories from 2022?

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/12/26/2142870/-Daily-Bucket-2022-Best-Bucket-Moments

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