There are 72 photos in the “January 2012″ set. The photos include pictures of birds at home, Goleta Slough, Devereux Slough, AreaK, Coal Oil Point and a few from the eastern edge of OMGC (Ocean Meadows Golf Course)  yesterday when I walked by to get to the western edge of Devereux.

In the standing pools at OMGC, were many Pintails, a few Northern Shovelers, Great Egret, a Ruddy Duck and Pied-billed Grebe. On the course itself, there were lots of Coots. As I walked to my car parked on the street, I saw a line of Coots stretched all the way across the fairway of the ninth hole.

Shots from Devereux include before (very full)  and after (very empty) the last rain .  Because of the rain, the water rose sufficiently to break through to the ocean. After that happened, and the slough turned into a large mudflat, most of the birds hot-winged it out to pools on OMGC and Area K at UCSB. Area K had dried out to such an extent in the dry fall, that the vegetation (pickleweed?) turned to a bright red. Now, with the blue water, the color contrast is amazing.

On my walk along the western edge of Devereux yesterday, I saw two pairs of WTKs – a pair on a cypress a distance  behind the area where the bird interpretation signs are located (see photos). As I exited  from the western path onto the road that leads to the bridge, immediately ahead was a second pair perched on a plant, the name of which escapes me now.

I have taken photos at Goleta Slough for several years, and had never thought about the vegetation growing down the cliffs. Looking at a close-up of a Great Blue Heron, I noticed flowering Lemonadeberry – hence the shot of just the Lemonadeberry, that looks healthy and vigorous, and is a native.

Last Saturday, I went on a SBBG course to Haskell’s Beach to learn about its geology. The trip  included a very brisk walk there and back, and that knocked me out when I got home. Interesting area – need to revisit. At a stream outlet that was somewhat oily, there were quite a few birds happily feeding.  The new lens is a very strong motive to get out and walk, and with somewhat less of a workload, hopefully this year will be more “walkful”. Last year can only be described as “sitful”.

To view the slideshow on Flickr (larger and better), please click here.

Today, I went to buy at book at the Gift Shop at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, on the way to Goleta Beach for photos.

I looked toward the courtyard, and saw a tiny owl in someone’s hand. After purchasing the book, I went back to the car, and returned with the camera and 400mm lens, paid the entrance fee, and then took photos of the Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel and the Western Screech Owl.

Since the lens is fixed 400mm, I had to stand more than 10 feet away, which must have been less stressful for the birds. I walked all around the courtyard trying to get the best backdrop for the birds – attempting to exclude signs, walls, and people, etc.

To see a larger, better slideshow on Flickr, please click here.

A week ago, I went to LLC to find a reported Sora or Rail, or both – and found a Little Gull.

Today, I went to LLC to photograph warblers, and found a Sora.

LLC is full of surprises.

The Sora was amongst the reeds at the west end of the metal barrier. It seemed to be extracting a long, thin gelatinous substance from the water, and used its long feet adroitly. As long as I stood as still as the fencing, it did not seem to notice or mind the click of the shutter.

Click here for larger, better image slideshow on Flickr.