When I arrived, the first bird I spotted was a male Mallard, whose bill looked blue. The photo of the male and female displays the male's bill as yellow. The photo shown below on the left shows a bluish tint on the bill. In every website I checked, experts said the male Mallard's bill is a bright yellow. Each photo below is of the same male Mallard. This pair was the only one at the Slough today. The male Mallard's beautiful colors really stand out.
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Male and Female Mallards |


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American Kestrel |
As I walked further into the property, there were some sparrows and finches. I walked along the path and heard the call of a Song Sparrow. I finally found it, but it was too far from me to get a good photo.
Before I started for home, I decided to cross West Point Loma Boulevard to see what I could see, so to speak. I was hoping to see a Clapper Rail, a marsh bird that hangs out in the tall reeds. On one of the tours I attended last fall, I was able to see one, but today, nothing.
As I was intently scanning the reeds with my eyes, I heard the familiar call of a Song Sparrow. It was so loud it felt like the bird was sitting on my shoulder. I turned and checked out a small tree behind me. It's flowers had died off for the most part, but there near the top was a Song Sparrow.
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Song Sparrow |
I did receive an email regarding the sighting of a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at the back of the property near the 8 (Highway). Since it's far off the main road, I usually only go there when I'm with a bird tour. It would be great if that bird would spend the month here, but I think it will be on the move.
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Perhaps by Catherine Hall (on Kindle and the Nook)
The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (on Kindle and the Nook)