Christmas Day Bird Gallery

Quiz Bird: what do you think it is? Answer at end of blog. (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

One of the most enjoyable parts of leading the Malibu Lagoon bird walk is meeting new birders, talking to people about birds and answering questions as best I can.

Willet (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

I also like to mention to photographers that they can send me their nice shots and very likely we’ll put them on our blog. As a result, we get a lot of beautiful and interesting photographs to enhance and illustrate the sometimes leaden prose. (Who writes this stuff, anyway?)

Osprey with fish-wich in tow (toe?) (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

On Christmas Day, among the few people braving the beach, we met Fraida Gutovich, local birder and photographer, who came over to our group of birders to ask about some particular bird feeding at the lagoon’s edge. I forget which species.

This time the juvenile gets away with the fish (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

In the course of our conversation, I suggested that she send me some photos. Much to my surprise, but a few days too late to be included in the regular field trip report, I received a very nice set of photos.

Brown Pelican adult (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

A Los Angeles resident, Fraida focuses her photography on birds, wildlife and nature, especially on capturing birds in their natural environment. She explains:

Immature Brown Pelican taking a bath (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

My interest in birds was piqued this past summer when photographing shorebirds and waterfowl at Malibu Lagoon, and on two occasions saw birds I had never seen before.  I sent pictures of them to a fellow photographer and birder who suggested I join the Birding California Facebook group. Immediately I was impressed with this group’s knowledge and passion for birding.  While in my infancy with birding, I learn something new every day.  I hope my photography conveys my love, respect and interest that I have for birds and all living things!

Double-crested Cormorant, working hard to fly (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

There were too many nice photographs to add them to the previously posted blog, so they’re getting their own posting. I think you’ll like them.  [Chuck Almdale]

Black-bellied Plover shows his famous black axillaries (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

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Killdeer pausing mid-step, as usual (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

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Adult White-crowned Sparrow, king of all he surveys (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

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Snowy Egrets on the march (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

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Snowy Egret lifting off (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

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Great Egrets nesting in the Malibu shopping center (Fraida Gutovich 4-3-16)

The above photo of breeding Great Egrets will be in the February 2017 edition of Bird Watching magazine.

Great Blue Heron (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

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Momma & babies? Nope. Marbled Godwit surrounded by Ruddy Turnstones, asleep, or at least trying to sleep. (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

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Now you can see why it’s called a Green-winged Teal (Fraida Gutovich 12-25-16)

The Quiz Bird is a Marbled Godwit.