Participated in a Breakfast Bird Walk at Boyce Thomas Arboretum. Seven experienced birders and a newbie (that would be me) participated in this fun event.  The group gathered at the entrance to BTA at 6:30 a.m. and then tailgated two extremely competent birders for approximately two hours.

This newbie was amazed how quickly the participants were able to hear a bird song and then immediately identify the bird. Following are photos I managed to capture during our Breakfast Bird Walk.

After our walk we gathered onsite in a BTA conference room for a breakfast pot luck: Yogurt, fruit, blueberry coffee cake, juice, date nut bread.   Our leader(s) treated us to “dessert” afterwards:  a fantastic view via a scope of the Cooper’s Hawk nest with three fledglings!! A real treat!! Notice that in a few of the fledgling photos ‘mom’ is in the background keeping a watchful eye on her chicks!

Turkey Vultures at the entrance to Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Cardinal

Coopers Hawk and fledglings (three in the nest)

Coopers Hawk fledglings (three in the nest)

Three Coopers Hawk fledglings in the nest

Coopers Hawk Fledglings (three in the nest with mom in the background)

Coopers Hawk Fledglings (three in the nest and mom in the background)

Coopers Hawk Fledgling (three in the nest)