Wildlife: Santa Barbara Bird Refuge

 Nothing like a safari to break up the week of the labors of a volunteer, so I headed for the local Santa Barbara Bird Refuge to spend a couple hours looking to see what bird might be taking refuge.

It helps to flatten out and to take a stealthy approach to ambush the small fish along the perimeter of the water as this green heron is doing. I had the great good fortune to share in this hunting expedition from the sidelines as this fishing trip was repeated many times.

This is the green heron version of stink eye as I was perceived encroaching on this favored fishing site, but I was soon forgotten and the heron went on plucking out the favored delicacies.

 Here is the catch of one of the small fish that came as a result of the successful hunt. Unlike the long-standing habit of the egrets and the great blue heron, the green heron paced up and down the strand, leaving the school of fish after each capture and returning for a new attempt.

 While watching the heron, along came a Sora from the depths of the rushes. Two weeks ago I stalked a Sora at the Sedgwick Reserve Pond and felt extremely lucky to snap a few dark photos. Here the Sora danced prettily along the sun-dappled shore and seemed not the shy sort I concluded it was.

I sat upon the bench I fancied placed for the unlikeliest bird watchers who might feed the ducks a few yards from their cars. The ducks took no interest as I puzzled out the controls  of my camera and practiced shooting a few targets when I was amazed to see these two "good" birds plunge from the tight growth in close range for my viewing pleasure. I also saw a nice variety of other birds though I expect the main migration is long over with successful movement north and these are permanent or summer residents.