CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE OCTOBER 2024

Black Tail Buck Alameda Foothills

                                                                     “The Challengers”

  Black tail season is upon us. Sharing some of the male local challengers competing for females in the Alameda County foothills… My canine partner Rebel and I had a couple of close calls chasing them, but overall, gathered some close-up views of these incredible beasts. Added other photos of species commonly seen the Blacktail world.

   Closing out the barn owl story as they successfully fledged some youngsters in our residential back yard. They were here every night for forty-five days, and lately make short visits known only by the screams heard in the dark. I have cleaned out the box and will add more material hoping they choose to return. We went out of our way to ensure their safety and trust the best we could. The owls ate the eggshells so I did not get an accurate count of the fledglings. (I have read this is common to replace calcium in their bodies, that they lose by laying the eggs). 

                            All of these photographs are recent and taken in the Bay Area...

Cooper's Hawk in Eastern CC County

Black tail buck Alameda foothills above Del Valle reservoir



Black Tail Buck Alameda Foothills

Anna's hummingbird (Understands plumbing) Oakley CA

Black Tail Challenger Alameda County 

Red Tailed Hawk finishing meal near Marsh Creek

White Tailed Kite A youngster who may have resulted from earlier post of nesting Kites. Eastern CC County

Remote section of Alameda County, this BT Buck was sparing with Buck in below photo. A little early yet, they were just sizing each other up...

Photo taken just prior to info in above photo, these two actually made my dog and I stop on the trail, rarely does the deer intrude towards us, usually the other way around. 

Turkey Vulture sunning, with Lake Del Valle in the back ground...

Bye, Bye to my Barn owl friends, hope you come back and use the facilities again. It was an honor to have these guests for nearly two months. Thanks everyone...

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