Ash Canyon - September 30, 2025

 Big excitement today with the appearance of a Steller's Jay, a beautiful bird not usually seen this far south, as it prefers the pine forests found farther north.  This bird was named for Georg Steller, a German physician turned naturalist who accompanied Vitus Bering during his exploration of the Northern Pacific.  Steller discovered and documented six "new" species, including this jay, all of which were named for him.  Two of these species are now extinct, while others are in various stages of "endangered".  The Steller's Jay is the only one of the six that is non-endangered to some degree.




 Otherwise, we enjoyed the usual assortment.  One oddity of note is the elongated bill of the Curve-billed Thrasher.  This condition is called Avian Keratin Disorder, but its causes are not known for certain.  Researchers think a virus is the most likely culprit.  The condition can lead to death of the bird due to difficulty eating.  The birds I've seen with it seem to have successfully adapted.

Curve-billed Thrasher
 
Rock Squirrel

Blue Grosbeak

Bridled Titmouse

Lesser Goldfinch (M)

Anna's (F)

Broad-billed (F)

Chipping Sparrow

House Finch (M)

House Finch (F)

Mexican Jay

White-breasted Nuthatch (M)

White-winged Dove

Acorn Woodpecker (F)

Anna's (M)

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