Pigeon Guillemots at Pigeon Point

Pigeon Guillemot
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

This morning, Yamil, Ashok, and I went to Pigeon Point lighthouse in search of Pigeon Guillimots hanging out on the cliff. We had great looks at as many as five of these guys at a time. This was the first time I'd noticed the black nails on the ends of their orange feet, a detail I'll always look for now. What a wonderful bird. More pictures here.

Live from AT&T Park

Greetings from Section 321 of AT&T Park, home of your San Francisco Giants, where they have free WiFi and Garlic Fries. Such a deal. It's Stitch and Pitch night, so we're surrounded by knitters. Pretty cool.

Penguin Jazz Quartet at KKUP Jazz Marathon this Sunday

I am writing to invite all of you to come down to Santa Clara on
Sunday to hear me and the Penguin Jazz Quartet. We'll be performing as
part of a fundraiser for KKUP FM 91.5, a community-supported radio
station. Music starts at noon and runs until around 6pm, the Penguins
will be playing from 2-4pm.

Hope to see you there!

-------------------------

KKUP FM 91.5 Jazz Marathon
1241 Franklin Square
Santa Clara, CA 95050

Sunday, July 22, 2007
Noon - Leanne Weatherly Band
1:00 - Eric Benson Trio
2:00 - Penguin Jazz Quartet
3:00 - Jennifer Lee with the Penguin Jazz Quartet
4:00 - Octobop
5:00 - Kirk Tamura Trio

The station is in Franklin Mall by the Santa Clara Post Office.
Lafayette Street between Benton and Homestead. Park in the lot at the
corner of Benton and Lafayette

Northern Hawk Owl, Life Bird #500

Northern Hawk Owl, Life Bird #500
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

We got the 500th bird! Northern Hawk Owl was seen around 10pm in a very, very buggy field along the main road in Jasper National Park

499 and heading to mountains

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker feeding young
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

Hey all, with 499 birds in hand, we're heading to the mountains. Jasper here we come.

Alberta Day Eight

LeConte's Sparrow
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

We got internet again, trip going well, 497 life birds. photos here

Six Down, Five to Go

White-winged Crossbill
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

After a stunning fourth day in Alberta, we have seen six new life birds. Only five more to go to get to 500. Dig this White-winged Crossbill, what an awesome look we had.

Alberta, Day Three

Butterflies at Elk Island
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

Our last day in the parklands habitat, we drove north to Cold Lake today, where tomorrow we will begin looking for new lifebirds -- warblers. Wish us luck.

Alberta, Day Two

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

Today we found a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker nest and watched both parents taking food to the nest. Long day, and a good one. Read trip notes for more details, and take a look at trip photos on flickr.

Alberta, Day One

Edmonton Airport
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

We made it! Reporting live from Camrose, AB, after a day that ran from 0420 to 2320, I'm turning in. We and all our gear are safely in Alberta. Tomorrow we look for two life birds, Sprague's Pipit and Baird's Sparrow.