+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 A chipmunk on the roof of a fallen down house in the ghost town of Ironton, Colorado. The cache is Colorado Boy (GCGW2W) Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Spotted this Marmot as we were leaving Animas Forks (nearby caches were Rocket Boys, Animas Forks and Frisco Mill Building) Quote Link to comment
+FlagMan Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Spotted this Marmot as we were leaving Animas Forks (nearby caches were Rocket Boys, Animas Forks and Frisco Mill Building) They look just like little bears!! Quote Link to comment
+Duncan! Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Spotted this Marmot as we were leaving Animas Forks (nearby caches were Rocket Boys, Animas Forks and Frisco Mill Building) They look just like little bears!! Nice Marmot! Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Another chipmunk... Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 (edited) Duplicate post. Tried to remove it last night, but the same lack of response that lead to the duplicate post also prevented its removal. Edited August 10, 2010 by Let's Look Over Thayer Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Another chipmunk... Must be twins ... sure look alike. Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 Out & About Click for Great Blue Heron Video CLick for Stingray Video Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 August 15 Best Friends Day Wood Ibis (Mycteria Americana) and Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) foraging in the San Dieguito River. Pair of Hawks near Best Friends Day ~ The City in the Country Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 Misc... Pirates Cove a favorite area! Black Mountain Summit Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 This morning near the Cache on the Bay was the first time I've ever observed a pair of Belted Kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon). There's usually an Osprey or two sharing the airspace here. Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Flashback Years ago in Glamis, I was excited to find the largest Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in existence Walking near Lesser Known Landmark #5 Rose Creek on Labor Day, I passed an oversized lawn ornament. Startled to see it move ever so slightly, I dropped my backpack over the fence for size comparison. What a specimen…it has reached its 15” max length! Quote Link to comment
+BadSquirrel Posted September 11, 2010 Share Posted September 11, 2010 Not a particularly good photo, but we all found this guy in GC2D9VH (Your Next Procedure...) A bit of a wakeup call...we weren't looking for this kind of fauna. Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 Not a particularly good photo, but we all found this guy in GC2D9VH (Your Next Procedure...) A bit of a wakeup call...we weren't looking for this kind of fauna. Blimey! This guy looks a little lost... Quote Link to comment
+jahoadi and john Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 (edited) Mr. Hawk sitting on the scaffolding near hour house asking me when all this loud construction is gonna be done ( near Sit Awhile) House in the backgroud is a foreclosure..fixer with amazing views. Not bad picture considering I took it through a dirty window. Edited September 19, 2010 by jahoadi and john Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 Nice Hawk shot. Stopped caching to catch some action... San Diego Bayfair 2010 - The World Series of Powerboat Racing on Mission Bay Click for Little Blue Heron Click for Race Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Doubled back for my camera but the Osprey had flown off. Interrupted my bike ride for a looksie into Rose Creek where I saw 3 of 33 (?) species of Stingrays in a span of 5 minutes. One of my birding goals this past summer was trying to figure out whether or not I was actually seeing Great Blue Heron chicks and later the juveniles in nests at the Hubbs-Sea World Research Center property (across from North Cove (Redux) GC). Although it’s next to the bay, it’s a hot sit and I was relieved when I finally got proof. Click for GBH Wing Practice Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Wolf Spider and Worm -- The cache was Necropolis of Britannia Manor III -- GC2B034 It was dark but we kept seeing little pin-pricks of bright green light reflected from the ground. Upon investigation, we discovered that the source of this reflected light was wolf spiders. You can sort of see the flash reflecting off the eyes of this one. Later, we researched this and discovered that "spotlighting" is a common way to locate wolf spiders. The worm is upper-right...I didn't see it there when I took the picture. Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 (edited) American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Just in time to watch a male in hunting mode near Pirates Cove (GC1FRB8). The light challenging...the prey not. Followed the Kestrel with my bike from its park perch over to the lifeguard station flagpole. Less than five minutes later it swooped down to the ground capturing its prey with a flutter of wings. Here it's carrying the mouse back to its previous perch for consumption. Edited October 13, 2010 by travelita Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 This beast was guarding Is THIS a Sumac? (GC2GM8Q) Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 (edited) To Beeth or Not To Beeth That is the Question Whether 'tis nobler in the mind To suffer the Stings and Arrows Of angry Apoidea Or to take Arms against a sea of micros And by opposing, end them? A swarm of bees on a cactus about 10 feet from The Bronze Nut (GC2D6RE) Edited October 24, 2010 by Let's Look Over Thayer Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 To Beeth or Not To Beeth That is the Question Whether 'tis nobler in the mind To suffer the Stings and Arrows Of angry Apoidea Or to take Arms against a sea of micros And by opposing, end them? A swarm of bees on a cactus about 10 feet from The Bronze Nut (GC2D6RE) Exthcuse me ... To Beeth or Not To Beeth That ith the Quethtion Whether 'tith nobler in the mind To thuffer the thtingth and Arrowth Of angry Apoidea Or to take Armth againtht a thea of microth And by oppothing, end them? Jameth, you miththed a thtupendouth chanthe to become a thatithfied bee keeper. Thcoop the thwarm into your thwag bag next time. Beeth are your friendth, Harmon Quote Link to comment
+SKILLET Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 To Beeth or Not To Beeth That is the Question Whether 'tis nobler in the mind To suffer the Stings and Arrows Of angry Apoidea Or to take Arms against a sea of micros And by opposing, end them? A swarm of bees on a cactus about 10 feet from The Bronze Nut (GC2D6RE) Exthcuse me ... To Beeth or Not To Beeth That ith the Quethtion Whether 'tith nobler in the mind To thuffer the thtingth and Arrowth Of angry Apoidea Or to take Armth againtht a thea of microth And by oppothing, end them? Jameth, you miththed a thtupendouth chanthe to become a thatithfied bee keeper. Thcoop the thwarm into your thwag bag next time. Beeth are your friendth, Harmon What did he say???? Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Misc: Bees in PB Osprey with fish stick. Enjoying rainy days... and beautiful sunsets. Seen while dropping a new GC (GC2HBE6) Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 While cycling around searching for new cache locations I discovered some new birding areas near Northern Wildlife Preserve (GC2HK2E). Stopped for a quick look through the fence at the D12 site and spotted an American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret and Belted Kingfisher within 50' of each other. On one of my visits last week, I got to watch 3 Belted Kingfishers diving for fish in the bay. GWS LLOT! Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 GWS[/i] LLOT! Thanks, travelita. Keep those wonderful photos coming... Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Nov 12 1600 Kestrel at Pirates Cove Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 (edited) Active nesting in Mission Bay...male left, female fielding broken branches on right. Click for video clip: American Kestral catching mouse. Edited December 2, 2010 by travelita Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 WOW! Beautiful shot! Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted December 12, 2010 Share Posted December 12, 2010 Alligator Lizard on the trail near Nice View!. I thought it was the backend of a snake at first... Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 On 12/11/10 I made a quick stop at Robb Field and saw that the Osprey nest there seemed somewhat more dense/larger and a second nest was being built on the neighboring pole. As I got ready to leave, two Ospreys swooped in, one with a branch. Where would they land? On the smaller nest. Should be an interesting season. McEvoy Field For several days during ½ hour visits I’ve observed the male fly off the nest every 3-5 minutes to collect eucalyptus branches/smaller twigs and some type of tree moss from various directions, same distance. Easy to get nice shots of the bird leaving and landing in the nest due to mostly clear skies. The female left the nest once to make passes at three trees and only brought back a small twig. Oddly, as I was forced to turn and leave the area for safety reasons (transients), the male lands in the nest with a white T-shirt. Lately, there is a palm frond and plastic shopping bag outside the nest and I’m wondering if the female sorts through it all. I was surprised one day when the male swooped overhead just 25” away from me. Another time he dove down to pick up a fallen branch just 50’ away. This is definitely not a quiet zone with all the soccer games and stadium lights although I noticed the middle light under the nest stays off. Someone surprised me with a calendar and postcards! Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Cont: On 120510 The pair were perched in the nest upon my arrival. Eventually the male flew off catching a fish in Rose Creek landing it on the flagpole. The female leaves the area, and several minutes later a different male appears on the scene, circling three times around the nest for a looksie. Five minutes later the female lands in the nest and her mate moves the fish across the creek to the rooftop of a neighboring high school. After a series of unheeded, loud vocalizations, the female leaves the nest to join the feast. Mating behavior. Merry Christmas! Quote Link to comment
+Team Gecko Posted December 23, 2010 Author Share Posted December 23, 2010 Monday, 13 December 2010 The Robb Field pair have been actively courting and mating for several weeks. For what is apparently the third year running, they are starting out their season working together building a protonest on light pole A6 to the east of their primary nest. This particular morning was clear and warm, one of the few we've enjoyed this fall. Three days prior I had an opportunity to observe the female through binoculars as she scanned the river channel then dove and caught a very nice mullet. She is far and away the more efficient hunter of the pair. Here are a few shots taken on and around the new and probably temporary nest. Happy holidays everyone. -Gecko Dad P.S. Very nice photographs, Travelita. It will be fun to watch at least two families develop this year. Love birds on the protonest atop light post A6 Female on left, male on right Female departure Male on nest Frontal view Male adjustment Male hovers with twigs Landing and delivery Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 (edited) Near "Harmon's Belated Birthday Paw-tay" ... Snake in repose Little-finger size basking in the sun and not at all concerned about me and my boots. Never moved a muscle while I closed in with my camera. Morning-after hanger perhaps? Harmon SD Rowdies Edited December 28, 2010 by SD Rowdies Quote Link to comment
+travelita Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 ...and Happy New Year! Clickable Action Shot Quote Link to comment
+Team Gecko Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 (edited) Sunday, 1/2/2010 Male Osprey hovering while hunting over San Diego River channel. Morning lighting. Here he is emerging from the water shortly after diving and missing his intended prey. The action was so close to me - between 20 and 30 yards - that I could not track his dive quickly enough with my telephoto. What a sight, though. Later on I visited Travelita's pair on the far side of Mission Bay. This pair's behavior suggests they are less mature than the Robb Field expert pair. It would be fantastic if both nests are productive this year. -GD Edited January 5, 2011 by Team Gecko Quote Link to comment
+Tex&Capie Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 We were looking for a cache known to be extremely well camouflaged and in the process of leaving no stone unturned, we found this little guy, Batrachoseps major. Quote Link to comment
+Team Gecko Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 We were looking for a cache known to be extremely well camouflaged and in the process of leaving no stone unturned, we found this little guy, Batrachoseps major. Awesome cache critter. This little guy gets the "cutest ever" award. -GD Quote Link to comment
+Team Gecko Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thursday, 3 Feb 2011 I try to stop by daily to check in on the Robb Field Osprey pair. I'm pretty sure the female has laid her eggs in their new nest near the San Diego River Channel and the TFTC’s SDCET Top 40 TB series of caches. Today I was fortunate to photograph some nice flight sequences and observe a shift in pattern wherein at least one bird stays on the nest. As I was returning to my car, I saw what initially looked like an oversized Kestral approaching from overhead. What a pleasant and unexpected surprise to see the cheek markings and unmistakable underbody plumage of a Peregrine Falcon. -GD Distinctive underbody Cruising by Lovely lady (and mom again) Proud papa Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thursday, 3 Feb 2011 I try to stop by daily to check in on the Robb Field Osprey pair. I'm pretty sure the female has laid her eggs in their new nest near the San Diego River Channel and the TFTC’s SDCET Top 40 TB series of caches. Today I was fortunate to photograph some nice flight sequences and observe a shift in pattern wherein at least one bird stays on the nest. As I was returning to my car, I saw what initially looked like an oversized Kestral approaching from overhead. What a pleasant and unexpected surprise to see the cheek markings and unmistakable underbody plumage of a Peregrine Falcon. -GD Distinctive underbody Cruising by Lovely lady (and mom again) Proud papa Excellent, Don, just fabulous. Quote Link to comment
+Team Gecko Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 Friday, 4 Feb 2011 An encore performance by this little speedster cruising a couple of circuits over the mudflats late this afternoon. I stopped by after work to check on the Osprey pair but little was happening in that direction so I headed the other direction and was rewarded with this performance. The entire show lasted less than a minute but in that time he/she covered a lot of terrain before heading off to the east. The flight sequence appeared to be a hunt and may have been one of the reasons the rest of the avian neighborhood was in quite a dither. This is a young bird in juvenile plumage. -GD Low and fast Low drag coefficient Turning on a dime - image 1 Turning on a dime - image 2 Turning on a dime - image 3 Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Spotted my first Pacific Diamondback of the year out near Ivan Drago (GC2N1AW). Actually, I darn near stepped on him. A bit of a wake up call, that... Then, on the way back, I spotted this guy (I was paying attention to where I was stepping...!) Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Spotted my first Pacific Diamondback of the year out near Ivan Drago (GC2N1AW). Actually, I darn near stepped on him. A bit of a wake up call, that... Then, on the way back, I spotted this guy (I was paying attention to where I was stepping...!) How come you got to have all the fun that day? Only thing I got to see was you. Quote Link to comment
+Team Gecko Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 Thursday, 10 Feb 2011 While walking on the path between our campsite in Borrego Palm Canyon and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park visitor center, this huge flock of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) was spotted a couple of thousand feet above us. There appeared to be two subgroups and they separated and rejoined while gaining altitude for a crossing of the crest near Hellhole Flat. I visually estimated there might be 500 or more of these huge birds. With wingspans that can reach 9 feet or more and weights of 16 pounds, they are among the largest birds in North America. Closer inspection of my photos revealed a larger count, perhaps 650-700 individuals. The next to last image shows a remarkable bird-like formation within a subset of the group. -GD Massing for passage This way and that way Bow Tie Getting their bearing Superbird Up, up, and away Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Thursday, 10 Feb 2011 While walking on the path between our campsite in Borrego Palm Canyon and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park visitor center, this huge flock of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) was spotted a couple of thousand feet above us. There appeared to be two subgroups and they separated and rejoined while gaining altitude for a crossing of the crest near Hellhole Flat. I visually estimated there might be 500 or more of these huge birds. With wingspans that can reach 9 feet or more and weights of 16 pounds, they are among the largest birds in North America. Closer inspection of my photos revealed a larger count, perhaps 650-700 individuals. The next to last image shows a remarkable bird-like formation within a subset of the group. -GD Massing for passage This way and that way Bow Tie Getting their bearing Superbird Up, up, and away Don, Fabulous! That time of year once again. I'll bet the Canadian Geese are honking away over on the southeastern shores of Salton Sea as well. Harmon SD Rowdies Quote Link to comment
+FlagMan Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Saw this guy wedged into the crack of a rock. Still alive, and I'm wondering if he was using the crack to shed his skin or something. Did not look particularly comfortable to me!! Quote Link to comment
+secretnavy Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 (edited) Not as wild or dangerous as some of the other critters here, but I figured they had to have done something to get locked up, or maybe they where just guarding the cache. (GCQJMH) Edited February 22, 2011 by secretnavy Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Seems like the ol' Cache Critters thread needs a bit of a bump... So here are some cache critters that seem to have become attached to Stone Field (GC2MF2C) Quote Link to comment
+Let's Look Over Thayer Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Spotted this guy on my way to CT 12: Is this a sumac? #51 (GC2KV7R) Can you spot him? Quote Link to comment
+SD Rowdies Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 (edited) Spotted this guy on my way to CT 12: Is this a sumac? #51 (GC2KV7R) Can you spot him? How strange ... I once saw that same critter near that CT12 hide only it was sun-bathing on the main trail when I spotted it. Some say that we evolved from toads. Makes sense to me 'cause back when I was a boy most everybody I knew was, dare I say, with-horns in one way or another. Deep-fried they taste like chicken only more crunchy. Harmon SD Rowdies Edited April 30, 2011 by SD Rowdies Quote Link to comment
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