The Bald Eagle is one of the largest birds, with a wing span of approximately six feet.  They are commonly found soaring in thermals during the daylight.  The juveniles are often brown and lack the characteristic white head and legs.  The Bald Eagle can be found along rivers or any large water source, as they tend to fish for food or feed on small rodents.  These photographs are from Grand Teton National Park.

    The Osprey can be found nesting at the tops of trees or rocking cliffs.  These large raptors are fishing birds and usually have a water source near the nest.  These photographs are from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

    The Red-Shouldered Hawk can be found perched in trees waiting for their prey to move into an optimal striking position.  They are large birds, with broad wings and long tails.  This particular hawk was photographed in Yellowstone National Park.

    Barn Owls are common in wooded areas around the Bay Area.  They, like most owls, are active during the night.  They are a relatively large owl with mostly light brown and white coloring.  This owl was found in Santa Cruz, California.

    White-tailed Kites are very interesting to watch.  They have the capability to hover by taking large wing beats.  Once they spot something they might be able to catch, they will gradually glide straight down by keeping their wings out.  These Kites were photographed in Santa Cruz near the coast.

    The Red-Tailed Hawk is very common to the San Francisco Bay Area.  They can be found in most of the mountain or foothill areas of the Bay Area.  This hawk was found just south of Sunol Regional Park.

    The American Kestrel can be found hunting insects and small mammals in open areas.  This American Kestrel was found in the open fields of UC Santa Cruz.

    The Canada Goose is common throughout most of the United States.  I have photographed them in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, as well as in my hometown of Fremont, California.

    Turkey Vultures are common in both North and South America.  They are scavengers that only eat carrion.  These Vultures were captured in Sunol Regional Park.

    Trumpeter Swans obtained their name because they sound like a trumpet when they squawk.  These Swans were found in a marsh area just north of Jackson, Wyoming in the National Elk Refuge.

    The Wild Turkey are located primarily in the eastern United States, though they exist in patches through the rest of the country.  The males are much more colorful and are larger than the females.  These photographs are from Sunol Regional Park.

    The American White Pelican can be found on rivers and lakes, because they feed on fish.  They can be found along the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park and at Oxbow Bend on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park.

    There are many different species of gull.  They are most commonly found near coastal shorelines and inland near large bodies of water.  These images were taken in Santa Cruz at Natural Bridges State Beach.

    The Great Blue Heron is a long-legged bird that can be found along riverbeds in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

    The Common Raven is a much larger version of the Common Crow, but looks almost identical in its features.  These Ravens were photographed in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

    Clarks Nutcrackers are commonly seen with nuts and seeds in their beaks.  These photographs were taken in Yellowstone National Park on the Mount Washburn hike.

    Allen's Hummingbird has a mostly orange body with spots of green and white.  The throat area is a very bright orange or red displayed during the mating season.  This hummingbird was found at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum.

    Scrub Jays are easily identified due to there blue and grey color.  They have distinctive grey on the middle of their back.  If you listen carefully you can hear the loud squaks of the jay in the trees or on the ground searching for food.  This photo was taken in Pinnacles National Monument.

    This Jay is very interesting to watch.  They are related to the Blue Jay.  Watching them land is always a treat.  I love how they push their heads back while landing putting their entire wings on display from behind.  These shots were taken at the Hodgdon Meadow Campground in Yosemite National Park.

    The Yellow-Headed Blackbird is very similar and related to any of the blackbirds found across the country.  I found these blackbirds just north of Jackson, Wyoming in the National Elk Refuge.

    The Yellow-Rumped Warbler is related to the other types of Warblers.  This type of Warbler was found in Fremont, California.

    The California Quail is very common to the Pacific coast and is found in open woodlands, foothills, and valleys.  They are rather comfortable with people, which makes them an easy subject.  This picture was taken in Santa Cruz, California.