The first shot was taken about 4' out our front door.
Then onto the local botanical garden.
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| Blue nolina. |
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| A bee gathering opuntia pollen. |
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| Prickly pear cactus. |
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| Romneya coulteri, Matilija poppy. |
This is a Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens). The name "Phainopepla" (pronounced fay-no-PEP-la) comes from the Greek for "shining robe," a fitting characterization of the shiny, jet-black plumage of the adult male. I have not seen this bird before. SoCal is apparently part of its breeding territory. My white balance was off which accounts for some of the bluishness as does the sky reflecting. The eyes however were really that red.
Meanwhile, happy Mother's Day.
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