Tag: point reyes birds

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California Quail in Strong Backlight; Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of a male california quail.
Overseeing His Covey

I liked the lichen-covered post this guy hopped up on at the Pierce Point Ranch parking lot.  I didn’t like the fact that I had to shoot into the sun though.  That made for some tough backlighting.

I don’t know why male California quail always like to be perched on something above the ground while the rest of the covey remains on the ground.  I’ve never seen a female on a post.  Maybe the males do it to protect the females and young.  That way they’re in a position to see anything dangerous approaching and can let out a warning call in time to save the others.  Maybe they like being in a high place because it’s safest for them.  I’d like to think it’s the former.

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Cow Elk Being Groomed by Starlings; Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of starlings grooming a cow elk.
Free Grooming

This cow is being cleaned of parasites by some starlings.  She’s also ear-tagged.  She has a yellow tag in her right ear that is numbered “85” and a silver tag in her left ear that is numbered “8527.”  I don’t know why the tags were put on her, but she may have been tagged when the Park Service was experimenting with birth control in the late 90s.  If so, she’s quite old.  All I do know for sure is that I see her a lot and she sees me a lot.  When I’m upwind of her that nose gets a real workout.

It’s hard to tell from this little jpeg, but it appears that the starling on the cow’s head is missing toes on its right foot.