Weekly Wildlife Thread Jan. 20-Jan. 26

Madrona Marsh , Torrance, CA

Sony A77 + Sigma 150-500 OS

I was so intent on the Red-tailed Hawk that I totally missed the Cooper's Hawk sitting just a

couple branches away (upper right). I didn't realize I had two birds in the photo until I got

home.

Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks sitting in a tree.



For some reason I have a very difficult time getting nice sharp images of American Coots -

there's always a lot of motion blur because Coots are constantly moving (usually directly away

from me). This time everything came together and I finally got a nice shot in.



An American Coot struts through the marsh.

During this time of year the willows start to bloom. Since there aren't a lot of other flowers in January the willows attract bees by the hundreds or maybe even thousands. You can hear the buzz of bees from quite a distance away.



Honeybees harvest pollen from willow blossoms.

Not only bees but butterflies too.



A Monarch Butterfly drinks his fill of nectar.

And off he goes!



The Monarch moves on to other blossoms.

--
Lance H