A Rare Bird

Although I wasn't feeling very well, Robb convinced me to drive out to Arrowhead Marsh near the Oakland Airport, which is home to the Federally Endangered California Clapper Rail.

This is a very rare and shy bird, whose quickly-disappearing backside we often see at this marsh. The fact that they are crepuscular (active at dusk) makes for some particularly lousy photographs. Some of the pictures I took had the quality of photos of Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster.


Here's a map of the range of this bird, where you can see how few homes remain for this interesting chicken-sized creature.

We did see other birds.


Buffleheads. (Love that name!)


And the eternally crabby-looking Anna's Hummingbird.