For most anyone else, the black-and-white bird that flew in front of Harold and Sharon Reeve on May 20 as they were driving along a country road in northeastern Stanislaus County might not have seemed unusual. For the two veteran birders, it was a singular event. “Eastern Kingbird,” shouted Harold, as the bird flew by and then landed on a fence some sixty feet ahead. In the rarefied world of […]
Nature
#25 in Learn 100 Common Valley Birds (Species 39, 40 & 41)
Educator, naturalist, and photographer supreme, Jim Gain’s Reflections of the Natural World offers a trove of concise lessons in natural history as well as excursions into the beautiful world of avian diversity as revealed in images as far away as Central and South America and as close to home as your own back yard. We’re proud to publish episode number 25 in Jim’s series, Learn 100 Common Valley Birds. ed. Mourning […]
Learn 100 Common Valley Birds #23 and 24: Tits, Nuts, and Creeps
Educator, naturalist, and photographer supreme, Jim Gain’s Reflections of the Natural World offers a trove of concise lessons in natural history as well as excursions into the beautiful world of avian diversity as revealed in images as far away as Central and South America and as close to home as your own back yard. We’re proud to publish episodes number 23 and 24 in Jim’s series, Learn 100 Common Valley […]
Coot and Gallinule: # 22 in “Learn 100 Valley Birds” (Species #34 and 35)
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #22. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. American Coot – Species #34 Commonly known as the “mud hen” or “mud duck,” the American Coot, (Fulica americana), is a common waterbird of the Central Valley. These birds […]
Learn 100 Valley Birds #21: Swainson’s Hawk (species #33)
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #21. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) is a migratory raptor that breeds in North America and winters in South America. In the Central Valley of California, Swainson’s Hawks typically arrive […]
Learn 100 Valley Birds #20: Two Warblers and a Vireo (#30, 31, and 32)
Jim Gain is one of the San Joaquin Valley’s most accomplished amateur naturalists and photographers. His Reflections of the Natural World website is trove of spectacular nature photography, including species from places like Belize and Yucatan. We’re proud to present Jim’s “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds” series here. ed. Wilson’s Warbler – Species #30 The Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) is a small, brightly colored songbird that can be found in […]
Learn 100 Common Valley Birds # 19: Burrowing Owl – (Species #29)
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #19. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, ground-dwelling owl that is native to North and South America. In the Central Valley of California, Burrowing Owls can be […]
Fanciful Flycatchers: #18 in “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds” (Species 27 and 28/100)
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #18. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. Ash-throated Flycatcher: Species # 28 The Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) is a medium-sized bird species found throughout the Western United States, including in the Central Valley of California. […]
Learn 100 Common Valley Birds #17: Colorful Spring Migrants
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #17. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. ed. Bullock’s Oriole – Species #24 The Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii) is a strikingly colored songbird found throughout the Central Valley of California during its breeding season. Adult males […]
Learn 100 Common Valley Birds #16: Common Valley Swallows
An educator and naturalist, Jim Gain is also a superb photographer. We’re proud to publish his series, “Learn 100 Common Valley Birds.” Here is post #16. Be sure to visit Reflections of the Natural World for more of Jim’s fine work. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with a couple of bonus birds for this post. ed. Tree Swallow – Species #21 The Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) is a small, insectivorous […]