Photos by Len Blumin

1. Greater Scaup

Lots of "Bluebills" around these days, meaning the Scaups. These two Greater Scaup (Aythya marilia) were in the Loch Lomond Marina on January 7, part of a group that were congregating socially but had not yet formed pair bonds (they do that later than most ducks around here). Just happened to get them together for a second, to show the contrast between male and female. They were pretty close to me, but separated too much from each other for both to be in focus. The male Greater Scaup has a green gloss on the head in the right light (barely seen here), coarse vermiculations on his back, a very pale "clean" flank, and a big blue bill. The black swollen tip of the bill is the "nail", and is larger in the Greater Scaup. Greater Scaup has a more rounded head, but can show a slight bump near the rear of the crown, as here. But note how the back of the head (occiput) is nicely rounded. The female here shows a more typically rounded head, as well as a larger nail on the bill.

Greater Scaups winter along both coasts in North America, although more along the east coast, such as Long Island Sound. Here not many go much further south than San Francisco Bay. In contrast, Lesser Scaups are found much more widely, including inland areas and waters well to the south into Mexico. Both Scaups form their pair bonds in Feb/March, sometimes shortly before leaving. The Greater will go mostly up to Alaska and northwest Canada. Greater Scaup is the only circumpolar or "holarctic" Pochard (Aythya). When they disperse south after breeding most (70-80%) will fly southeast, taking the longer journey to the east coast. Lesser Scaup are much more numerous overall. The male Lesser can show a pretty purple gloss on the head, has a slightly smaller bill, and a flatter occiput, with a more pronounced bump on the crown, producing a slightly squarish look. In flight the Greater Scaup has a white stripe near the trailing edge of the wing that extends further out into the primaries than the stripe on the Lesser.

2. American Pipit - Anthus rubescens

Pipits are often described as dull, but they're always fun to watch as they tail-bob along, foraging in the grass for insects and other prey. Taken March 6, at Shorebird Marsh, Corte Madera. American Pipets are often seen near the water (once called Water Pipit), but can be found in a wide range of open habitats, including the beach. The Pipits (about 42+ sp.), Wagtails (12 sp.), and Longtails (7 sp.), together make up the family Moticillidae, the Pipits and Wagtails. Most are Old World and not closely related to North American passerine families. I liked this photo because of detail in the coverts and secondaries, seen over the lower back. Typical head up posture. We can't see the long legs and long claws very well here, but the white outer tail feathers are shown clearly.

3. Whiskered Screech Owl

The "whiskers" of the Whiskered Screech-Owl (Megascops trichopsis) refer to the bristly extensions of some of the feathers of the facial disc, which are said to be longer that those on other Screech-Owls. "Trichopsis" means roughly "hairy face". Here is an enlarged view of the face in an attempt to better show the bill and facial disc bristles, perhaps seen best below the left eye and towards the bill.

4. Vermilion Flycatcher

Male and female Vermilion Flycatchers on a dry stalk along the San Pedro River. Even Photoshop cannot remove the offending dead stalk, but at least we get a decent look at the female, with a streaky breast and apricot orange vent area ("underpants", as Mark P. would say), and a white throat. Say's Phoebe has more extensive apricot, lacks streaking on the breast and has a gray throat.

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