What is this?

[Kahlua Kid]

There are so many birds, flowers, etc. of this area that I don't know what they are called because, well, I didn't grow up here - so I thought it would be great to ask you to see if you know what this is (and I'm sure there will be more I'll ask along the way!)

This bird keeps coming back to our place. I'd never seen anything like it til this year...

[Kahlua Kid]

And how about this little cutie - these were hopping all over our flowers and eating seeds in November. They are tiny - maybe 3-4 inches big.

[BGW]

The first one is a Flicker; a type of woodpecker
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/woodpecker/woodpecker.html

The second little guy...I had thought was a type of Titmouse, but after doing a Google image search...I am not so sure. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif The only adoreable small grey birds I get here at the house are of the Titmouse variety.

[MadScot]

The little one looks like a bushtit. If you see them hanging upside-down that's a dead giveaway.

[Kat]

Wow! those are some great pictures! What kinda camera did you use? I try to get pictures but everyone moves so fast.
The first looks like a Northern Flicker, which one I can't tell. The second looks like a cute little grey something, probably a bushtit. Anyone else got an idea?

[Kahlua Kid]

Thanks so much! Nice to know the names of the birds we are seeing in our yard.

Kat: I use Canon 35mm cameras (both film and Digital)... and multiple lenses - those 2 shots were taken with a 300 zoom. I am just very patient and wait, wait, wait (and also, click, click, click!)

[Kahlua Kid]

This is not indigenous to this area, but they are in our yard - they are evergreen and get quite large (6 feet tall thus far, by 5-6 feet wide)... they bloom once a year these pretty pink flowers - anyone know? I'm thinking some kind of Juniper (but Junipers don't bloom, do they?)

[BGW]

At Western Sierra Nursery they are called Hummingbird Bushes. I have 5 or 6 of these now.

[Kahlua Kid]

Cool! I want to get some more.

BGW - I need you to come over and help me figure out what I've got here! You always know what's up!

[MadScot]

If you like hummingbirds try planting some bleeding hearts, bubble gum mint, malva and red lobelia they go crazy over these.

[Kat]

Originally posted by MadScot:
If you like hummingbirds try planting some bleeding hearts, bubble gum mint, malva and red lobelia they go crazy over these.

Hey MadScot: You seem to know quite a bit of natural history. Are you from around here? Or where is Bethel Island? Also, are any of those plants natives?

[MadScot]

I lived in the Oakhurst area over 10 years. I really miss driving around the forests. There are not many places where you can drive through so many different vegatative zones in such a short distance. I really enjoy watching birds so I planted a lot of different varieties of flowers when I lived there. I heard a rumor the deer voted my house one of the 10 best buffets in California.

Malva is native to africa, europe and asia. It grows well in most areas around oakhurst. It needs protected from gophers they really love it. It has big flowers.

Bubble gum mint (Agastache cana) is from western Texas/New Mexico but the Agastache urticifolia version of it is native to California it should do ok in Oakhurst.

Lobelia is a medicinal plant that's native in most parts of the world. It was used by Native Americans and the Chinese. I think the blue version grows wild around the area. I'd mix blue and red for the best effect.

Those three are easy to grow. The bleeding hearts (Dicentra) can be a bit of a pain they are kind of picky about how much water you give them they get stem rot easy but they need water in the heat. They would do better north of deadwood than in the Coarsegold area. I'm pretty sure I've seen the fringed (exemia) version growing on the way to big sandy. This plant also draws a lot of butterflies. If you like butterflies you need to drive the forest service road that goes southwest from the motorcycle trails across from Lewis Creek in early spring. There's a large meadow a short distance from the FS gate that becomes an ocean of butterflies it's really an amazing sight, there must be at least a couple hundred thousand of them. The rangers might know when to go.

Four O'clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) are nice because the hummingbirds get used to coming around when they open late in the evening.

[MadScot]

I think the bush in KK's picture is some type of Rosemary. I imagine the deer avoid it like the plague. The oil can be very toxic. I used to plant it outside the kitchen to help keep the ants away.

[CatdaBrat]

I know at least one deer that liked rosemary. I have a plant that I started from my grandmother's garden. When I was a kid helping to water that garden, she told me her rosemary plant was more than 50 years old at that time.

So I was less than pleased to see a doe gobbling up my "heritage" rosemary!

[Kahlua Kid]

Great info being shared - love it~ Have Bleeding Hearts even though in Coarsegold - but have them on a north facing wall so they get good shade.

I went to the nursery today and found my plant for sale - its called a "Flowering Pine". I have other plants I want to identify still, but have to wait for them to leaf out or bloom to get ID'd...

Here are some more birds I'd love to know what they are called. (Took these shots earlier today at our place. We had tons of visitors with the nice weather.)

Is this a Robin? If so, is there a specific name or type? (its one of my favorite birds here!)
http://www.sierravistastudios.com/robinbirdquestionsm2.jpg

Hmmm... never saw this type of bird here before today...
http://www.sierravistastudios.com/blackbirdsm2.jpg

These were going nutz for the Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo) berries:
http://www.sierravistastudios.com/birdsnandinasm.jpg

Is this a Sparrow? Interesting with their specs of gold/green:
http://www.sierravistastudios.com/yellowsparrowsm.jpg

And I know this is a Woodpecker - Red Hatted? Something like that?
http://www.sierravistastudios.com/woodpecker3sm.jpg

[Kahlua Kid]

Originally posted by Yosemite_Wolf:
hey KK. what kinda lenses do you use? I have the 300 mm telephoto. and the basic lens that came wif the Canon Rebel XT. Im having a brain fart and cant remember the other lens(es) you have. I get bucks back from taxes and want to buy a lens..............


Mostly my Canon EOS 20D (Digital)... the bird shots are being taken with my 75-300mm zoom lense.

I also have my 50mm Macro, 18-55mm zoom (hardly ever use - prefer the 28-90), 28-90 mm zoom, and 19-35mm wide angle.

[BGW]

the 1st guy is a rufus sided junco. the 4th is a female warbler..the rest are self explainatory

[MadScot]

Great pictures
Spotted Towhee same family as Sparrows
European Starling (undesirable bird will drive others away)
American Robin
Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler
Acorn woodpecker

[Kahlua Kid]

Thank you so much!!! I am so glad to figure out what "our" birds are. (I know for those who grew up here you're going, "pu-leeze, its so easy." -

Send me back to LA and I can tell you all about the flora and fauna!

[BGW]

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rofl5.gif I am glad MadScot replied!! I had just realized I had typed Junco instead of Towhee!!
KK- it wasn't easy for me to learn. I wasn't even really interested until I moved up here (away from the city) and had the perfect trees for hanging bird feeders. I soon learned to enjoy sipping my morning cup of coffee while watching the birds feed. Curiousity and books about birds were soon to follow.

The pic below is a Junco. You probably have these cute little guys too!

[Kat]

Originally posted by Kahlua Kid:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Yosemite_Wolf:
hey KK. what kinda lenses do you use? I have the 300 mm telephoto. and the basic lens that came wif the Canon Rebel XT. Im having a brain fart and cant remember the other lens(es) you have. I get bucks back from taxes and want to buy a lens..............


Mostly my Canon EOS 20D (Digital)... the bird shots are being taken with my 75-300mm zoom lense.

I also have my 50mm Macro, 18-55mm zoom (hardly ever use - prefer the 28-90), 28-90 mm zoom, and 19-35mm wide angle. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kahlua Kid: I don't want to hi-jack this thread to anything other than wildlife, but, here goes anyway. I just checked out your camera and it is Pricey! Is there anything you could recommend for an amateur wildlife buff who wants a digital with a good zoom? I have a digital but the zoom is ridiculous. Thank you!

[Kat]

Thanks, MadScot. I looked up Bethel Island. Looks like an equally great spot to live. I think I am a mad Scot also by the way, if that's what you meant.


Originally posted by MadScot:
I lived in the Oakhurst area over 10 years. I really miss driving around the forests. There are not many places where you can drive through so many different vegatative zones in such a short distance. I really enjoy watching birds so I planted a lot of different varieties of flowers when I lived there. I heard a rumor the deer voted my house one of the 10 best buffets in California.

Malva is native to africa, europe and asia. It grows well in most areas around oakhurst. It needs protected from gophers they really love it. It has big flowers.

Bubble gum mint (Agastache cana) is from western Texas/New Mexico but the Agastache urticifolia version of it is native to California it should do ok in Oakhurst.

Lobelia is a medicinal plant that's native in most parts of the world. It was used by Native Americans and the Chinese. I think the blue version grows wild around the area. I'd mix blue and red for the best effect.

Those three are easy to grow. The bleeding hearts (Dicentra) can be a bit of a pain they are kind of picky about how much water you give them they get stem rot easy but they need water in the heat. They would do better north of deadwood than in the Coarsegold area. I'm pretty sure I've seen the fringed (exemia) version growing on the way to big sandy. This plant also draws a lot of butterflies. If you like butterflies you need to drive the forest service road that goes southwest from the motorcycle trails across from Lewis Creek in early spring. There's a large meadow a short distance from the FS gate that becomes an ocean of butterflies it's really an amazing sight, there must be at least a couple hundred thousand of them. The rangers might know when to go.

Four O'clocks (Mirabilis jalapa) are nice because the hummingbirds get used to coming around when they open late in the evening.

[Kahlua Kid]

hijack away - I don't mind. This thread is meant for anyone to post asking "what is this"... not just wildlife, but whatever they want to identify.

I'm not sure of other cameras. I've been a Canon girl for 20 years now. And I went digital Canon so I could use my non-digital Canon lenses I've collected over the years. To get a really good zoom, I think you need interchangeable lenses so you can get the magnification you choose. But there may be other digitals out there that do a great job that I don't know about because, well, I've been so brand loyal, I've not tried others.

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel I think is the least expensive in the Canon Digital line and with a zoom lense, could get the same type of pictures.

I know my husband had a Minolta Dimage that did pretty good zoom... sorry I'm not much more help.

Best those at Hooper Camera or maybe Best Buy could be of more help! At least there you could try the diferrent cameras out to see what you are getting for the different prices.

[Kat]

Hey, Thanks! I have an old Nikon FE with good enough lenses, but I have to go digital. If I could get a DSLR Nikon that would use my old lenses, that would be the way to go! I'll have to see if it would be Mac compatible, tho, cause I am loyal to Macs like you are loyal to Canon.

[Kat]

I bit the bullet! I am now a happy owner of a brand new Nikon DSLR, nothing as fancy as a Canon d30, but it should work fine for the amateur that lives inside me. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/yes.gif http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rolleyes2.gif Hopefully some of my old lenses will work with the new camera. If not, oh well. I'm still happy!

[Kahlua Kid]

Originally posted by Kat:
I bit the bullet! I am now a happy owner of a brand new Nikon DSLR!

Congrats!

BGW: Saw a Junco today!

[MtnEagle]

Wish there was a relatively cheap digital retrofit for my Pentax K-1000... Love that camera... http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Kat]

Lesser American Goldfinch

[Kat]

I stumped the expert from the Forest Service on this one. Anyone recognize it? it is blooming now, under an oak tree.

[Kat]

Where are you? Do you recognize this flower? it may be a cultivated thing or a wild flower. Dig deep, I'm counting on you!

[BGW]

Are these the same???
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e119/bgirl64/august162006Beasoreadventure033sm.jpg

[Kat]

Nope, the flowers look similar but the leaves are different. My picture is too small, I know. I will try to post a bettter pic. Thanks!

[Kat]

How about this?

[BGW]

yes it a better pic. I took my photo up on Beasore last summer...I had hoped the flowers were one in the same.

[Kahlua Kid]

Its very pretty. I want to say an Aster of some sort? Or Daisy? hmmm... I don't know. I bet MountainBreeze would know.

[Kat]

Very Cool, guys! thanks for the attempt! I challenge someone to fugure it out! i got on Annies Annuals and looked thru 15 pages trying to find this, and got a big nadda. Anyone?

[Kat]

A flower fiend, I mean friend, of mine figured it out. It is Anemone blanda. Comes from Asia and can naturalize in the higher elevations. Not a native so I feel bad, but I like it so it will get watered occasionally from now on.

[Chem101]

Kat

That flower appears to be a Western Aster. Do a Google image search on the western Aster and you'll see the match

[Kahlua Kid]

Ok Chem, BGW or Kat, what is this? Taken in Cedar Valley the other day: You can click on it to see a larger image.

[Kat]

A member of the family Caryophyllaceae, Indian Pink is found in sunny or shaded, rocky places in chaparral,
oak-woodland and mixed conifer zones at elevations below 5000'.* Standing 6"-24", it is one of the most colorful flowers in the Sierra.* It has 1" to 2" wide brilliant scarlet blossoms.** Each of the five petals are deeply cut into four lobes, with rounded tips, and it has a sticky secretion on the upper part of the stem.* Flowering period, March to August.

[Kat]

Here is a picture:

[Kahlua Kid]

Cool - thanks! I always like to know what things are!

[Kat]

Anyone know this one?

[BGW]

not positive but they look like a type of gooseberry...I defer to Madscot for verification. I also cannot rule out Thornberries.

[sheptoo]

you can look online or at the library, I had an injured raven in my big oak out back, I took care of him for three weeks and he flew away repaired one day...it was awsome! I looked online to find what they'd eat, they are meat eaters so I had to beat the meat bees to feed him!!!!!! I think he still visited for weeks after that .

[Kahlua Kid]

Another what is this?

I know we have BlueJays and Scrub Jays - so what is this little blue cutie?

[Dodgergirl]

How about one of these? Just took this picture & when Davy pokes it in the tummy, it hisses at him... guess he shouldn't be poking it... :rofl:
(click on picture for actual size of our hissy bug)

[jjcheyenne]

What are those annoying high pitched buzzing bugs that sound like they are coming from the trees durring the day time? They make this aweful, loud high pitched buzzing sound and they won't shut up. They come out every summer. I have tried squriting the trees with water and they shut up for a few minutes, then start up again.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Cicadas? Oh wait, that would be in the south... but thats all I can think of.

[Kahlua Kid]

Those are Hissing Beetles. The Blue Jays love eating them. I've seen them fly down, pluck the body off and leave the head (which stays alive for quite some time moving) many times at our place.

I Like them - I think they are cool!

[Michelle]

They are called June bugs!
We had one in our garage and it was huge....I couldn't believe it. and yes they hiss big time. my son messed with it and it hissed and they are nasty looking.... but I have them on my kitchen window when it is open and the light is on. If I am in the garage for some reason I hear them flying in and the big ones will hit you right in the head .. I told my kids said mom be careful the big ones might knock you out...LMAO

[Kahlua Kid]

June Bugs are different -more green in color and make a different sound from what I've seen.

Found this though and makes sense on this website except they say Canada and Eastern US... but they bore into Oak Roots - so would make sense for our area:
http://www.uvm.edu/albeetle/identification/

Prionus laticollis

Click images for larger view The broadneck root borer is found throughout the Eastern US and Southern Canada. As larvae, they feed on the roots of hardwoods including oak, chestnut, poplar and apple. Males range in size from 1-1.25 inches. Females are larger, ranging from 1.25-1.75 inches but have smaller antennae. Adult males fly from May through June, females have never been observed in flight.
This species can be distinguished from ALB by the lack of white markings on the body and the lack of white bands

http://www.uvm.edu/albeetle/identification/WideNeckRootBorerMale.jpg

[Chem101]

I always thought those were pine beetles but I looked pine beetles up and that ain't a pine beetle. I remember the first one I saw as a kid. Scared the s... out of me!

So.... until we figure it out, I'm gonna call it

"Bigbugus Californicus"

[Chem101]

OK... I think I've ID'd it... Do a google search on:

California prionus

[Kahlua Kid]

I had found the Prionus laticollis and posted it above, but it said only Canada and Eastern US... so

California Prionus is definitely it!

Ok - now I know - it can kill oak trees, so I don't want it here... so come on Blue Jays - feast away!

[Kahlua Kid]

But - what kind of bird is the bird I posted?

There was a group of like 6 of them... They almost look like parakeets -but it can't be.

[Mibrew]

May be a western Bluebird ??

[Kahlua Kid]

Thanks Brew (Welcome back - where you been hiding!) - that's what they looked like - but didn't have so much blue - maybe older or younger birds then?

[Mibrew]

Hi KK,

Been busy taking care of the wife, I just sent ya an e-mail catching up a little bit on the situation, not in Oakhurst as much, as before, but we will be spending more time there pretty soon, I will be working remote from Oakhurst a few days during the week, my company just hooked me up a satellite in Oakhurst, so I can spend more time taking care of the wife.

Brew ~ : ]

[Sandman]

Brew, glad to hear that you will be able to spend more time with Treasure Chest. Please give her my best. :)

[BGW]

I was surfing for info on Buckeyes when I stumbled across this well thought out and organized LOCAL site!! It includes flowers, birds, and critters.

http://www.birdmom.net/wildflowerindex.html

[Ironhorse]

Thanks BGW! That is a really good site, I saved it to my favorites for future use. My favorite birds up here are the hummingbirds and the quail. We have a flock that run across the gate opening where I live, once in the morning going out to feed, then you can see them running back home to their nest in the evening, just about the same time every day. So funny to see them all strung out in a line, looking like they're chasing their little "topknot"

[MadScot]

Another what is this?

I know we have BlueJays and Scrub Jays - so what is this little blue cutie?

I'm almost positive that's a young female mountain bluebird. She'll lose some of that bright blue as she gets older.