2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California - #2372811872 - linda jones' Photos

Adult Red Tail Albino or Leucistic Hawk, Golden Eagle, Kit Fox, Gray Fox, Ferruginous Hawk, Burrowing Owls, Lazuli Bunting, Bald Eagles

linda jones > This Albino Red Tail Hawk was a sighting not to forget. I was so glad to get some nice photos of it. Whether it's a leucistic hawk or not, I'll let you decide. He did not have any pink in It's tail, but rather red dirt from the plowed field he hunted in. Seemed to be picked on by other Red Tails, either that or he was trying to take their territory.

linda jones > Theres no greater thrill than to get in touch with nature, when they look you in the eye. Especially something so rare as this Albino [leucistic?] Red Tail, you are lucky to see it once in a lifetime.

Here is info on the difference between an albino and leucistic animal. You decide....
Leucism (or Leukism)
Leucism is a very unusual condition whereby the pigmentation cells in an animal or bird fail to develop properly. This can result in unusual white patches appearing on the animal, or, more rarely, completely white creatures.

Albinism is a different condition. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that in albinism the eyes are usually pink or red, and albinism affects the entire animal, not just patches.

linda jones > Beautiful Leucistic/Albino hawk, I thought he/she looked a tad larger than a Red Tail, but it may have been a female.

linda jones > This Red Tail was clearly all white, the small colorings, I believe was dirt from the field he hunted in.

linda jones > Leucism (or Leukism)
Leucism is a very unusual condition whereby the pigmentation cells in an animal or bird fail to develop properly. This can result in unusual white patches appearing on the animal, or, more rarely, completely white creatures.

Albinism is a different condition. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that in albinism the eyes are usually pink or red, and albinism affects the entire animal, not just patches.

linda jones > Albino Red Tailed Hawk, I do not see pink in his tail.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Leucism (or Leukism)
Leucism is a very unusual condition whereby the pigmentation cells in an animal or bird fail to develop properly. This can result in unusual white patches appearing on the animal, or, more rarely, completely white creatures.

Albinism is a different condition. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that in albinism the eyes are usually pink or red, and albinism affects the entire animal, not just patches.

linda jones > No pink tail, evidence of possible an Albino type bird.

linda jones > I have photographed at least two Golden Eagles in Orange County over 3 years, and also observed them in the desert. They are rare here, and it breaks my heart to see their hunting grounds torn up at the two air bases in OC. They most likely will have to move on to be able to feed themselves. Such a beautiful species. Crows and cement are all that is going to be left in OC. Hunting ground prey in field areas are how they survive. What a shame that their endangerment was disregarded here. I don't know of anywhere else in the country where this would have been allowed. There is just not enough nature advocates here to matter, nor was anything challenged. Typical OC/Irvine.

linda jones > Take a good look, they will soon be gone from this area.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Golden Eagle looks back at the Irvine Crow. Hey buddy get the wide load off the road, this is Irvine, ya know?

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > hehheh, ya think ya gonna turn that tank around on me? ;)

linda jones > It's up to us to see that our next generation will be allowed to enjoy the majestic flight of a Golden Eagle. I'm afraid it will be over with in this generation, because plainly, people just don't care. And they have no clue of what it takes to continue sharing this earth wisely with the original species that belong here. I do not believe humans are wise enough. Because the only selfish culprits are the humans.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Golden Eagle, Irvine

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Kit Fox, a rare sight, they exist in a few areas near Gorman and the deserts, seen roaming not far from their dens until evening, when they hunt for prey or anything humans may have left around.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Sweet little guy, I am assuming this Fox being smaller than the other den area that it may be a male that has left to be on his own.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Female White Headed Woodpecker. nests in pines in or near forests. Lower coastal areas on occasion, in the winter. This one was in the desert.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Mountain Chickadee comes down for a visit during the Winter also.

linda jones > This is the year of the fox for me. Pretty close to extinct in Orange County, irradicated decades ago. Making a comeback in some inland valleys, Orange County still having some sightings due to a reintroduction of them in the 90's. This one qualifies as a Gray fox, even though it was the Red Fox introduced.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Beautiful animal, I enjoyed observing this for the first time in my life. We can only hope that our future generations don't lose the value of conservation and open space for these beautiful creatures. Feeding areas are of the utmost importance for their survival. You can't just shove them into a corner and expect them to survive.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Slightly longer wings than the Red Tail, the Ferruginous Hawk hunts over plains in the same area as our Golden Eagles. Fairly unusual around here, seen more commonly out in the desert and northern California. A real treat to find this one! Unfortunately it's hunting area is now being plowed out for the new Great Park, a place that is going to misplace our wonderful rare wildlife with homes, businesses parks and cement. Take a look, before they are gone.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > One of just a few Ferruginous Hawks in Orange County. Soon to lose it's hunting grounds to homes and razing of their habitat. Goodbye dear Ferruginous! I hope for your survival.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Burrowing Owls of Orange County. Very few left and are endangered in California. Without open fields they really have a tough time surviving.

linda jones > Burrowing Owls are a threatened species, especially in Orange County where the fields are almost gone. Other areas of California are advocating for better city/county planning to insure the survival of this species in it's natural habitat. Not so in Orange County.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Taken in Irvine, soon this area will be razed.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > These beautiful Burrowing Owls are protected in other parts of California. Not in Irvine, Orange County, where their habitat will soon be razed for homes. ;) Take a good look. Your children may never see them in their lifetime.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Lazuli Bunting, Irvine. A rare sighting. The area this bird migrates to is being torn out this year. Take a good look, soon they will be gone from this area. As most birds return to the same area, they are creatures of habit. When the trees and seeds are gone, they move on or do not survive.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > What a beautiful bird to observe. Passing through the outskirts of Irvine. By next year this migration area will be gone, the trees razed and homes replacing this beautiful area. Lazuli Buntings are passing creatures of habit. Some coming to the same tree every year. Many bird species are creatures of habit. Irvine by next year will have obliterated the area they are used to....goodbye, beautiful Bunting.....

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Southern California Bald Eagle, a joy to see the comeback, open space, hunting areas and clean air is a must for survival.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Teaching the chicks to pick up sticks, developing their talon skills.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Lark Sparrow

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

linda jones > Pacific Slope Flycatcher, found in an area of Yorba Linda where original tree areas were left untouched when planning communities. Ohh how I wish the city of Irvine would take heed to the cities who actually care about their habitat.

linda jones > Black Throated Gray Warbler, foot injury. Unusual species here. I had observed one in the past, and this one kept hunting on the ground which didn't fit their usual high tree presence. Looked closely and saw the bum foot, and he had adapted nicely as a ground bird, snagging numerous worms with no problem. He could fly to the tree for safety, but had trouble staying on a limb.

linda jones > 2013 Rare or unusual species, Southern California photo

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