tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75295225243465490332024-02-06T20:12:31.051-08:00Arroyo Simi Avian CatalogueAn inventory of birds found in and along the Arroyo SimiMadison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-83277191015846450312015-01-12T05:46:00.000-08:002015-01-12T05:46:16.665-08:00After the RainsThe arroyo was swollen and coursing fast yesterday after the recent rains we received. It's color was chocolaty (in a bad sort of way), the spillways were frothy (again in a bad sort of way), and all sorts of detritus from the streets drifted by as I strolled the banks. Most of the birds stayed away, but a lone Bufflehead did make an appearance as did a Double-Crested Cormorant. The trees adjacent to the arroyo near the path spur at Ward Avenue (behind the Discovery Church) always seem to yield a few interesting sightings. Yesterday, it was an Orange-Crowned Warbler that was flitting about in the branches.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg983d3ICVL8LBISqhQjFP9fREz-DdJaLaMEm93S30RN8xDZaq5_bM0zeAKerzX4LUpYZ1HzZHggJKjrv0NtAYgQjQE4IvkIHAzC4rGFXYQsORRxjaxOsyDfXZOXAoy7rnzR5x_Sfpta3Mn/s1600/IMG_9355.Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg983d3ICVL8LBISqhQjFP9fREz-DdJaLaMEm93S30RN8xDZaq5_bM0zeAKerzX4LUpYZ1HzZHggJKjrv0NtAYgQjQE4IvkIHAzC4rGFXYQsORRxjaxOsyDfXZOXAoy7rnzR5x_Sfpta3Mn/s1600/IMG_9355.Cropped.jpg" height="401" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>A Bufflehead plies the murky arroyo waters</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWvePScnAyOGz1cQ_Y11BGCJjQsyorw4b7nFL6VSGj0O7tIN7nhQ1leNzakrGlOqWxIxow2i3xKQoRh2ehNeW8yeiqy7nP3QREyZnbrduHrjvcNK-IzQwFGTl559IsxJMOT296RMNkEhe/s1600/IMG_9358.Croppped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWvePScnAyOGz1cQ_Y11BGCJjQsyorw4b7nFL6VSGj0O7tIN7nhQ1leNzakrGlOqWxIxow2i3xKQoRh2ehNeW8yeiqy7nP3QREyZnbrduHrjvcNK-IzQwFGTl559IsxJMOT296RMNkEhe/s1600/IMG_9358.Croppped.jpg" height="483" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Double-Crested Cormorant drying its wings</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7S7lBcu9ChO62huGBxW56dzEgqvOTim8xghrhTIcc-Ivj31XdkepBlOG9GANtn0lFLWLJUGHZopFfsoEaQNqBJkTeztVFckLz-X_iPFhW3iCRLNRkdYJt9NTQ3PEjkfYmeB8ju8UYPLK/s1600/IMG_9363.Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7S7lBcu9ChO62huGBxW56dzEgqvOTim8xghrhTIcc-Ivj31XdkepBlOG9GANtn0lFLWLJUGHZopFfsoEaQNqBJkTeztVFckLz-X_iPFhW3iCRLNRkdYJt9NTQ3PEjkfYmeB8ju8UYPLK/s1600/IMG_9363.Cropped.jpg" height="443" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Orange-Crowned Warbler in the trees behind Discovery Church</em></td></tr>
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Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-89656237093666258782015-01-03T17:14:00.002-08:002015-01-03T17:16:17.046-08:00Still Morning in the ArroyoIt was cold early this morning and the arroyo between Madera Road and First Street was quiet. There were a few scattered Mallards, Wigeons, and Coots about, but many of the usual suspects were nowhere to be found. Come to think of it, since the last rains scoured the arroyo channel, I've noticed a distinct change. Activity has slowed dramatically. All three species of Teal, which in the past have been a common occurrence this time of year, are curiously absent. But there was some activity. A lone Sora made an appearance as did a few other regulars.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6dtk7VLtEfb6IAFy6CLtCxdG3V072Jc-muBEqsbNl0gJX1jS_RMpkjz2r0ecFN_5274KeL0petKzC4-JTXjhcluzQiZd_XYpElXUeV07YqsdpMNtYsbXt9HfkWenUxMF95l8wxjqDeBq/s1600/IMG_9350.Cropped2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6dtk7VLtEfb6IAFy6CLtCxdG3V072Jc-muBEqsbNl0gJX1jS_RMpkjz2r0ecFN_5274KeL0petKzC4-JTXjhcluzQiZd_XYpElXUeV07YqsdpMNtYsbXt9HfkWenUxMF95l8wxjqDeBq/s1600/IMG_9350.Cropped2.jpg" height="435" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Sora Near Madera Road Bridge</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8piDkDfo7QCjFqbkPcYxlYqZUDVoLLRMcCGnsPfvH2X6UUQmbEM-Kg1bke70ujo-4hmq2KesB9UoPVTR7D7DrNqy5c8dOz-x2Ml_UAcKe-SIzcmlN9egPu5OaYu4-qQjikeF53hm-KuM/s1600/IMG_9323.Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8piDkDfo7QCjFqbkPcYxlYqZUDVoLLRMcCGnsPfvH2X6UUQmbEM-Kg1bke70ujo-4hmq2KesB9UoPVTR7D7DrNqy5c8dOz-x2Ml_UAcKe-SIzcmlN9egPu5OaYu4-qQjikeF53hm-KuM/s1600/IMG_9323.Cropped.jpg" height="435" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Great Egret Putting on a Display</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcByga6ZAzhY6w11MpoB2HI0wFu22S_NU2FoGJ5iKptx9W13f4N6CtxtdL8ellmGlETZ12N936NM0u8ZpUbWAJeO-UCu7_K4p7o_boqEct9OyNFivIoaq-GtP2FcyMU891tJnV2DpywRr/s1600/IMG_9318.Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcByga6ZAzhY6w11MpoB2HI0wFu22S_NU2FoGJ5iKptx9W13f4N6CtxtdL8ellmGlETZ12N936NM0u8ZpUbWAJeO-UCu7_K4p7o_boqEct9OyNFivIoaq-GtP2FcyMU891tJnV2DpywRr/s1600/IMG_9318.Cropped.jpg" height="457" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>White-Faced Ibis</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K_iAI9Ye5vcMCd_aftA_V4LUr3SN3S6ScbEX3h13bteD0cWvSNqvdRusxjxD7A5aQ45SgIuk1qSdYb0QYnYbhl73-glaLOFD0_ymW9JGP7zgf1Y59FOfdSDksB3SjZpzRGY20aP5My6C/s1600/IMG_9313.Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K_iAI9Ye5vcMCd_aftA_V4LUr3SN3S6ScbEX3h13bteD0cWvSNqvdRusxjxD7A5aQ45SgIuk1qSdYb0QYnYbhl73-glaLOFD0_ymW9JGP7zgf1Y59FOfdSDksB3SjZpzRGY20aP5My6C/s1600/IMG_9313.Cropped.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Great Egret Warming Itself in the Morning Sun</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTu-VHCoeCcTEoPiF1OTRjpJpgrFXImh8biouKLsuCuEa4G9fvS4DM3sK9w17pfQjTcwWGduYYcDVOaUN4IkgEvlEnqwTwM3l5YO03zNfG_HIR8WP8D4bN1tWc5RN7xK7Ioi2OZedac6zV/s1600/IMG_9330.Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTu-VHCoeCcTEoPiF1OTRjpJpgrFXImh8biouKLsuCuEa4G9fvS4DM3sK9w17pfQjTcwWGduYYcDVOaUN4IkgEvlEnqwTwM3l5YO03zNfG_HIR8WP8D4bN1tWc5RN7xK7Ioi2OZedac6zV/s1600/IMG_9330.Cropped.jpg" height="457" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Resting White-Faced Ibis</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb7Xn3qsAIGXbkOKKSdwsCwO-fjRMptFOa9CP3G-YWqWPRjtssLzxXEG7RAy55gyQjA5ZRnuhfsKdXM9ko1vuvPVH8liF-21mInJLkrDsa8Kl-D6bGlKPOdiFFZOfZYTQHZJjt9jQPpMb/s1600/IMG_9339.Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb7Xn3qsAIGXbkOKKSdwsCwO-fjRMptFOa9CP3G-YWqWPRjtssLzxXEG7RAy55gyQjA5ZRnuhfsKdXM9ko1vuvPVH8liF-21mInJLkrDsa8Kl-D6bGlKPOdiFFZOfZYTQHZJjt9jQPpMb/s1600/IMG_9339.Cropped.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Green Heron</em></td></tr>
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Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-79492732117980848142014-12-28T10:33:00.000-08:002014-12-28T10:33:27.105-08:00Horned GrebeYesterday was a cool and blustery day. The arroyo was rather quiet except for a bunch of California Gulls and a rather boisterous assemblage of American Crows. Absent were the Teals, Egrets, Herons, and Ibises that normally dominate the arroyo between Madera and First Street. Despite this apparent absence of anything interesting to see, I continued my trek eastward because I was already there and moving anyway.<br />
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But things aren't always as they first appear. As I slowed my pace and tuned into my surroundings, I found that not all activity had ceased with the less than optimal conditions. A flash here, a squawk belied the dormancy of the arroyo. <br />
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So I began to look more closely. And that looking allowed me to see a couple of interesting specimens that I might ordinarily overlook. In the trees behind Discovery Church I observed a Ruby-crowned Kinglet flitting furiously about. In those same trees, there was also a couple of brightly-colored Townsend's Warblers. Nothing terribly unique or unusual mind you, but nice to see nonetheless because of their irritating propensity to masque themselves in the dense foliage.<br />
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In the arroyo itself, there were a few Mallards, a stray American Coot or three, and this guy: a Horned Grebe (<em>Podiceps auritus</em>). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4QnWPfZfuruYyamzMypM20QITJ9j_Y_ka4xLckv5j9kGA8poJApRaRmnH8Xbr3bba3r7IhOJtFysj94Kc1CRjjwQZyHLTs3AGIgiYBu09FITfWpcRLiU0WEdtcIGw7W2w7-l_hIIIDdF/s1600/Eared+Grebe.122714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4QnWPfZfuruYyamzMypM20QITJ9j_Y_ka4xLckv5j9kGA8poJApRaRmnH8Xbr3bba3r7IhOJtFysj94Kc1CRjjwQZyHLTs3AGIgiYBu09FITfWpcRLiU0WEdtcIGw7W2w7-l_hIIIDdF/s1600/Eared+Grebe.122714.jpg" height="530" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Horned Grebe in the Arroyo Simi</em></td></tr>
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I realize that it's not spectacularly unusual, but to date I've personally not seen a Horned Grebe in the arroyo. Eared Grebes and their ubiquitous brethren, the Pied-bill Grebe "yes," but this was the first Horned Grebe that I've logged.<br />
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At first, I thought this was an Eared Grebe. The Eared Grebe and the Horned Grebe are easy to confuse for an amateur like me because their look and size, particularly in winter plumage, is similar. <br />
But as my<em> Kaufman Guide</em> teaches, the Horned Grebe has a more gently sloping forehead and a thicker, white-tipped bill. It also lacks the puffy rear-end and post-auricular patches of the Eared Grebe. On closer examination, this guy had all the characteristics of a Horned Grebe.<br />
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Here's a few more images. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWla0rP_kzM7nQSjz0nM-UD3gQxtyeGsC9uZ-E_-S6HlMOoOpqamW_S1xyU_D395dv_NA8odARx_nZz235ALDVXCMf_aMf73PCsuHNZb9WGUjk6hbEbSFC8F6R9MUn8AiqxZ1_KpflnxjL/s1600/Horned+Grebe2.122714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWla0rP_kzM7nQSjz0nM-UD3gQxtyeGsC9uZ-E_-S6HlMOoOpqamW_S1xyU_D395dv_NA8odARx_nZz235ALDVXCMf_aMf73PCsuHNZb9WGUjk6hbEbSFC8F6R9MUn8AiqxZ1_KpflnxjL/s1600/Horned+Grebe2.122714.jpg" height="508" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Horned Grebe in the Arroyo Simi</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8Rxzv_AV6Mk1nVDeW7nAGcXPohBNWwQBFIRqCNPgi-qobFZym3VzfAJYoY3Z4czHs8tcUGPxdRKxIOkh3g_A-Oi_dRMY1NKeLSAmJ1UfObFFeh4ZJ6CXhQ6yoEft6md_Vf6vqvzTS0tY/s1600/Horned+Grebe3.122714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8Rxzv_AV6Mk1nVDeW7nAGcXPohBNWwQBFIRqCNPgi-qobFZym3VzfAJYoY3Z4czHs8tcUGPxdRKxIOkh3g_A-Oi_dRMY1NKeLSAmJ1UfObFFeh4ZJ6CXhQ6yoEft6md_Vf6vqvzTS0tY/s1600/Horned+Grebe3.122714.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Horned Grebe in the Arroyo Simi</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh829NqzERdZMbga8VpQczT02BCuSS3M-ciW48jVWmA_wRGfhUY_zAUn2RUSiBoDCIosDaAXTG4GS1R7UBJtt-vOkP-hDuvHoX9fjHT3CEQ2md4XKcgSpQRPI7KA-5oEXjM74-kEJYBpIWV/s1600/Horned+Grebe4.122714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh829NqzERdZMbga8VpQczT02BCuSS3M-ciW48jVWmA_wRGfhUY_zAUn2RUSiBoDCIosDaAXTG4GS1R7UBJtt-vOkP-hDuvHoX9fjHT3CEQ2md4XKcgSpQRPI7KA-5oEXjM74-kEJYBpIWV/s1600/Horned+Grebe4.122714.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Horned Grebe in the Arroyo Simi</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmi0VL_59ii1az2NOaBo-Osx94zW3z8Sl_E0pKYh5mhnpbYGh6b52Oxy3aLMpAAJoPKJ7LIwHEGVEbM12IsDWHqXIL37nzP0z7QOVvcuR7M2P3R-1bSCUK3d6M3StvaVtGxLyNFn6P8ou/s1600/Horned+Grebe5.122714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmi0VL_59ii1az2NOaBo-Osx94zW3z8Sl_E0pKYh5mhnpbYGh6b52Oxy3aLMpAAJoPKJ7LIwHEGVEbM12IsDWHqXIL37nzP0z7QOVvcuR7M2P3R-1bSCUK3d6M3StvaVtGxLyNFn6P8ou/s1600/Horned+Grebe5.122714.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Horned Grebe in the Arroyo Simi</em></td></tr>
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Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-65760898421817031812014-12-16T05:55:00.000-08:002015-01-03T17:17:37.199-08:00Miscellaneous Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivh5X5ynfo8m7UZ_LNFfcNkobEd8OgriKSxjBaDM9584C2330Iso9VWuc4OQ416tahJKv2y9YHMCBAeLx6unOa78txyxlnRWnyhT9o0WKq3vPOd2c2Bcpl0bw2OKi5FVWq-t9K_d_l_Npj/s1600/Audubon+Warbler.122912.Edit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivh5X5ynfo8m7UZ_LNFfcNkobEd8OgriKSxjBaDM9584C2330Iso9VWuc4OQ416tahJKv2y9YHMCBAeLx6unOa78txyxlnRWnyhT9o0WKq3vPOd2c2Bcpl0bw2OKi5FVWq-t9K_d_l_Npj/s1600/Audubon+Warbler.122912.Edit2.jpg" height="608" width="640" /></a></div>
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Audubon's Warbler</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyX7w8QPxdyf_B-sOpMWcu2Qs1yIlXIjtrOdA6Q2dgpLPI-Fv5eTkc_Ryj-o3StjDFyEModY7FpDVJO8FG_wezw1bGFLFZNN1dQm5O9b2q7cbFCjldGL-6JNzazRBPq_CxHpeqwXk4eq3/s1600/IMG_9228.Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyX7w8QPxdyf_B-sOpMWcu2Qs1yIlXIjtrOdA6Q2dgpLPI-Fv5eTkc_Ryj-o3StjDFyEModY7FpDVJO8FG_wezw1bGFLFZNN1dQm5O9b2q7cbFCjldGL-6JNzazRBPq_CxHpeqwXk4eq3/s1600/IMG_9228.Cropped.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></div>
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Merlin</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-oBH_Mn5FawEy4DLI6aQqeywmQp2jjSmr4_N83O1VCeHX0sIIDk9y5enIbSD7EFUfpdSD2wP4QTYeQkzpZba-Yc24Y7sXBPJ4N_jw7LNyb62cwEI6zp9ScBUz5wMn2YkPxV-irtLcG6Q/s1600/IMG_9239.Enhanced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-oBH_Mn5FawEy4DLI6aQqeywmQp2jjSmr4_N83O1VCeHX0sIIDk9y5enIbSD7EFUfpdSD2wP4QTYeQkzpZba-Yc24Y7sXBPJ4N_jw7LNyb62cwEI6zp9ScBUz5wMn2YkPxV-irtLcG6Q/s1600/IMG_9239.Enhanced.jpg" height="544" width="640" /></a></div>
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Green Heron</div>
<br />Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-22359762916660197532013-01-19T11:36:00.000-08:002013-01-19T11:36:52.974-08:00Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)The arroyo is unquestionably a good place to observe water-fowl and songbirds, but that is by no means all that is there. Below is some wobbly footage of a Red-Shouldered Hawk that I have seen with fair regularity along the south side of the arroyo just week of Rancho Simi Community Park. Scan the eucalyptus, sycamore, and pine trees lining the service road behind the softball fields.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3hwf4ZWRLrNP9PsUlbJQtsgzk5vdZzdAflfoa5SCYsbfQ4xXU5STGf-YJdPyi74o-_V3oMFE6ZJCBBT_lZQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93065, USA34.267438906391931 -118.7673139572143634.26579840639193 -118.76983545721436 34.269079406391931 -118.76479245721436tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-32058975523895449212012-12-30T09:05:00.001-08:002012-12-30T09:09:01.098-08:00If You Clean It, They Will Come<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qeP0UStaxa2bV3cQsOJ4-T5-1AJaJ6tdvtaFK4A5Ak4oMp_Il0AJHfhz9mUNIqvihFe8LCcdh8Lvb-PCtMllllBNEl0FJUxERhJcldxRyCUVxGIwwESJs1op2nERmuX99O_V3wOsfN6V/s1600/IMG_2735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qeP0UStaxa2bV3cQsOJ4-T5-1AJaJ6tdvtaFK4A5Ak4oMp_Il0AJHfhz9mUNIqvihFe8LCcdh8Lvb-PCtMllllBNEl0FJUxERhJcldxRyCUVxGIwwESJs1op2nERmuX99O_V3wOsfN6V/s640/IMG_2735.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recently read in the <a href="http://www.simivalleyacorn.com/news/2012-12-14/Front_Page/Arroyo_project_scores_second_sizeable_grant.html" target="_blank">Simi Valley Acorn</a> that the Rancho
Simi Recreation and Park District (“RSRPD”) has been awarded a $900,000
grant from Prop 84 funds for use in its on-going, multi-year project to “beautify”
the Arroyo Simi so that it becomes “a place locals might actually want to hang
out.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to the Prop 84 grant, both
RSRPD and the City of Simi Valley have committed to chip in additional funding
to complete Phase 2 of the beautification effort: the former will contribute
$167,000 while the latter will contribute $150,000. These combined funds will
be used to beautify the Arroyo Simi by paving two additional stretches along
the south side of the watercourse: from Erringer Road to First Street and from
Madera Road to Stargaze Place. Additional amenities in the form of “easy to
access” trail entries at Madera Road and Stargaze Place, along with new
signalized crossings will also be constructed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not really certain how more concrete along the channel,
particularly its south side, will serve to make the arroyo more beautiful. I
also question why cementing additional segments adjacent to the channel is
viewed as a priority when the path is already paved and/or asphalted along the
north side of the channel from Madera Road to Sequoia Avenue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’ve spent any time down by the arroyo, you’ve recognized
that one of the biggest problems from an aesthetic standpoint is not an absence
of cement, or even the vagrants that sometimes congregate there, but the accumulation
of trash and other detritus that flows into the arroyo from a variety of
sources. From soccer balls to broken bottles to old tires to shopping carts, this
garbage is fouling the watercourse, negatively impacting wildlife habitat, and reinforcing
the widely-held perception that the arroyo is simply an ugly place to be
avoided.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtO8M4w7XVobNUdXAFhKSElOvV5auO0XgUGkRzn0lQ6iNPGXmYe9jiLS8lw1mm1S3IYCGUyOgngk6ZRcRAh7rBaxdc6lrgAxEXoC0l20qeigj3cGtNzvztcJk1Ull5uI1iMrxfa7x05ZN/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtO8M4w7XVobNUdXAFhKSElOvV5auO0XgUGkRzn0lQ6iNPGXmYe9jiLS8lw1mm1S3IYCGUyOgngk6ZRcRAh7rBaxdc6lrgAxEXoC0l20qeigj3cGtNzvztcJk1Ull5uI1iMrxfa7x05ZN/s640/IMG_2732.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniGMb6Q_WUD7fAHYOqgBQNVVn5YrhY2W18T3MEcTKTRJqsuDXIi0xWKcARHCl_sb8Rl5W3Ro9DIqqSx4fjL6Tgjb6AmYNBSNuDUJ2eBLXv95K63piuWWWyZwrQElaijQ7g1xaOY2q0Y7l/s1600/IMG_2736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniGMb6Q_WUD7fAHYOqgBQNVVn5YrhY2W18T3MEcTKTRJqsuDXIi0xWKcARHCl_sb8Rl5W3Ro9DIqqSx4fjL6Tgjb6AmYNBSNuDUJ2eBLXv95K63piuWWWyZwrQElaijQ7g1xaOY2q0Y7l/s640/IMG_2736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, if the RSRPD and the City of Simi Valley
really want to beautify the Arroyo Simi, and give more than mere lip service to
the “arroyo’s environmental importance to local wildlife,” it would seem that perhaps
they should start with the lowest hanging fruit and spend some of that Prop 84
grant money actually cleaning up the existing mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That, more than anything else, will go a long
way toward making the arroyo an attractive place that folks “might actually
want to hang out.”</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfAEcDJ4IpQ4UXoVH6toi7Enue_uq-oRIhOzpNODmE1QpKScV-XphDtExI5aBOjiz1uyRbwvjBJJGMbiCjyjgbv54U3c7NrUa01wm6rjwbicAOQ3P8WIZE-FIKlQPa8J3mB70jahDRO5z/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfAEcDJ4IpQ4UXoVH6toi7Enue_uq-oRIhOzpNODmE1QpKScV-XphDtExI5aBOjiz1uyRbwvjBJJGMbiCjyjgbv54U3c7NrUa01wm6rjwbicAOQ3P8WIZE-FIKlQPa8J3mB70jahDRO5z/s640/IMG_2734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-59445937241004846442012-12-26T17:50:00.000-08:002012-12-27T07:39:06.519-08:00Miscellaneous Field Notes<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since it has been some time since I have posted anything new, I thought I’d update the site with a few observations from the field. Now that winter has returned and the arroyo has re-awakened from its summer hibernation, I hope to update the site more frequently. With that in mind:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since I started this project in mid-2011, I have identified <a href="http://arroyobirds.blogspot.com/p/catalogue-of-birds-identified-along.html" target="_blank">79 different bird species</a> in or immediately adjacent to the Arroyo Simi. As surprising as that is (at least to me), I know there is more here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have caught glimpses of it on occasion, but have been unable to identify it. I have also read reports by others that tell me that there is still more here to see. So, I guess I’ll continue with what my daughter call my “nerd field trips” to see what else I can find.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recently read about the passing of Rich Stallcup, who I understand had some stature in the bird watching community. From what I’ve read, Stallcup was able to amass quite an impressive list of rarities by looking at every single bird no matter how ordinary or common. After considering this strategy, I employed it on one of my recent forays and was able to locate (i.e., see) a solitary female Wood Duck preening among a bunch of American Wigeon. I would have completely missed it if I hadn’t taken the time to look again at the American Wigeons that I’ve seen a million times in the arroyo. So, although I never knew (or even knew of) Rich Stallcup, I have learned from him. I suspect that, in and of itself, is a testament to the man and his knowledge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Christmas Day, I went back to the arroyo with my camera looking for the Wood Duck and hoping that she would be there with a date from her species. No luck. But, I did come across something pretty exciting. I flushed a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk from the shrubs along the footpath that had just taken an American Crow. Upon my approach, the hawk took flight with the crow clutched tightly in its talons and alighted in a tree on the other side. Not something you see everyday, and the impressive thing about it was that the prey was almost as big as the predator. I was able to sit and watch through binoculars for about 10 minutes until the hawk eventually dropped below a wood fence with its meal and disappeared.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And now, a sampling of some of the recent visitors to the arroyo. All of these pictures were taken along the bike path on the north side of the arroyo between <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Madera Road and First Street:</span><br />
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Canada Goose</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mY_mE7s13npOO-b0QXXjXZY70J7v3lIfMWbRtJwfhg4Tempm3_Kp-N7-Ljzp2eIVFFJVIRSMl8GMRdruJJZ_uT6x2_824ax3ppWBjOiHGHr_vD8c8VnHYzm3AsCbJ9zDd5jN4vnch9Nu/s1600/Picture+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mY_mE7s13npOO-b0QXXjXZY70J7v3lIfMWbRtJwfhg4Tempm3_Kp-N7-Ljzp2eIVFFJVIRSMl8GMRdruJJZ_uT6x2_824ax3ppWBjOiHGHr_vD8c8VnHYzm3AsCbJ9zDd5jN4vnch9Nu/s640/Picture+011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Canada Goose</div>
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Female Common Merganser</div>
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Female Common Merganser</div>
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Blue-Winged Teal</div>
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Great Blue Heron</div>
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Snowy Egrets</div>
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Agitated Snowy Egrets</div>
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White-Faced Ibis</div>
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Egrets and Ibis (Ibises? Ibisii?)</div>
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Great Egret</div>
Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Arroyo Simi34.274985207223416 -118.7910676002502434.274165207223419 -118.79232810025024 34.275805207223414 -118.78980710025024tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-86325555383722693162012-04-02T06:38:00.000-07:002012-04-02T15:55:09.393-07:00Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u>Common Name</u>: Greater White-Fronted Goose</div>
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<u>Scientific Name</u>: Anser albifrons</div>
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<u>Date</u>: <date day="1" month="4" year="2012">April 1, 2012</date></div>
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<u>Time</u>: ~<time hour="8" minute="45">8:45 a.m.</time></div>
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<u>Location</u>: <place><placename>Ranch</placename> <placename>Simi</placename> <placename>Community</placename> <placetype>Park</placetype></place> Duck Pond</div>
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<u>Season</u>: Early Spring</div>
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<u>Conditions</u>: Clear, calm and cool; low 50s</div>
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<u>Sex</u>: Undetermined</div>
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<u>Habitat</u>: During breeding season, the tundra and the taiga wetlands; winters in marshes, lakes, ponds, bays, and estuaries.</div>
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<u>Status and Distribution</u>: Populations are increasing, although still uncommon in <place><placename>Ventura</placename> <placetype>County</placetype></place>. In winter, found in coastal <state><place>Texas</place></state> and <state><place>Louisiana</place></state>; Pacific populations winter in southern <state><place>Oregon</place></state>, <place>Northern California</place> and in the <place><placename>San Joaquin</placename> <placetype>Valley</placetype></place>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><u>Notes</u>: The Greater White-Fronted Goose has one of the largest ranges of any species of goose in the world.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bHABd1gshKQlZw6AX2Of9p3KW3cCzOV47QFu_VW8xgx-6DqVPNvOZ59-9F4zEROE3eKRn4ccklfa3ZoX-5symD5C8_GwGuNYmXmbdgpgqw-hRozgtvDBpH96rnxKj0QHTbl6yOT6gHEG/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="425px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bHABd1gshKQlZw6AX2Of9p3KW3cCzOV47QFu_VW8xgx-6DqVPNvOZ59-9F4zEROE3eKRn4ccklfa3ZoX-5symD5C8_GwGuNYmXmbdgpgqw-hRozgtvDBpH96rnxKj0QHTbl6yOT6gHEG/s640/IMG_1091.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fNk4W4fYKZ7oFnRs2nEibuNvvWhESjhL9Q9_vKtmwvQwP-VU037fHA6v1Da3zt2WVovHfut1t12CHvB9PaOCitbNjKtLSA4z4D5_pvWZqIWFw3lCQW41gMfCOSZUH8vjY_jdW9MhcuAh/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="425px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fNk4W4fYKZ7oFnRs2nEibuNvvWhESjhL9Q9_vKtmwvQwP-VU037fHA6v1Da3zt2WVovHfut1t12CHvB9PaOCitbNjKtLSA4z4D5_pvWZqIWFw3lCQW41gMfCOSZUH8vjY_jdW9MhcuAh/s640/IMG_1107.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_nl6aX2YtXHDYfpbH6-csrudr_ddmZfxXEArykEWWPBevEZQLlQ5ZI2PgZgUuuX41cxHpDgLDd0zF8Pd7Q5clO8yAFiLWsJMIRDfYHPUydzZVhH4hrxxbBm0hpXAwy09BP0z_fZScEeC/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="425px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_nl6aX2YtXHDYfpbH6-csrudr_ddmZfxXEArykEWWPBevEZQLlQ5ZI2PgZgUuuX41cxHpDgLDd0zF8Pd7Q5clO8yAFiLWsJMIRDfYHPUydzZVhH4hrxxbBm0hpXAwy09BP0z_fZScEeC/s640/IMG_1108.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com01575 Erringer Rd, Simi Valley, CA 93065, USA34.266181094338982 -118.7630224227905334.265361094338985 -118.76425642279052 34.26700109433898 -118.76178842279053tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-54101866869274030902012-03-11T10:10:00.001-07:002012-03-11T10:11:47.781-07:00Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Common Name</u>: Common Merganser</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Scientific Name</u>: Mergus merganser</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Date</u>: <date day="11" month="3" year="2012">March 11, 2012</date></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Time</u>: ~<time hour="19" minute="45">7:45 a.m.</time></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Location</u>: Arroyo Simi (west of First Street)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Season</u>: Late Winter</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Conditions</u>: Clear, calm and cool; low 50s</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Sex</u>: Male and Female</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Habitat</u>: Lakes, rivers, coastal bays, and estuaries.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Status and Distribution</u>: Considered common in <place>North America</place>, although a vagrant in the east. Winters as far north as there is open water. Summer range includes the <place>Pacific Northwest</place>, the Northeast, and <country-region><place>Canada</place></country-region> to <state><place>Alaska</place></state>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><u>Notes</u>: The Common Mergansers is reported to be a good indicator species for determining the contamination levels.</span><br />
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</div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Simi Valley, CA, USA34.272998741495336 -118.7864311631515234.215655241495334 -118.88434066315152 34.330342241495337 -118.68852166315152tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-85334765715803288542012-03-10T11:41:00.001-08:002012-03-10T11:43:16.474-08:00Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Common Name</u>: Wilson’s Snipe</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Scientific Name</u>: Gallinago delicata</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Date</u>: <date day="25" month="2" year="2012">February 25, 2012</date></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Time</u>: ~<time hour="17" minute="30">5:30 p.m.</time></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Location</u>: Arroyo Simi (west of Madera Road)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Season</u>: Late Winter</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Conditions</u>: Mild, clear, and cool; high 50s</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Sex</u>: Undetermined</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Habitat</u>: Wet, grassy areas such as marshes, damp fields, the muddy edges of creeks, and other wetlands.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u>Status and Distribution</u>: Common, but overlooked. Winters in southern <place>North America</place> to northern <place>South America</place>; in summer, common through the northern plains states, <country-region><place>Canada</place></country-region>, and <state><place>Alaska</place></state>. </div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><u>Notes</u>: very elusive and difficult to detect due to field markings which allow them to blend into the background.</span><br />
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</div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Simi Valley, CA, USA34.277836467005571 -118.8010734528785434.220492967005569 -118.89898295287854 34.335179967005573 -118.70316395287854tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-40179467407813940542012-03-04T10:25:00.002-08:002012-03-04T10:35:10.858-08:00Blue-Winged Teal (Anas discors)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Common Name</u>: Blue-Winged Teal</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Scientific Name</u>: Anas discors</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Date</u>: <date day="3" month="3" year="2012">March 3, 2012</date></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Time</u>: ~<time hour="8" minute="0">8:00 a.m.</time></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Location</u>: Arroyo Simi (between Madera Road and First Street)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Season</u>: Late Winter</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Conditions</u>: Mild, clear, and breezy; low 60s</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Sex</u>: Both males and females observed</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Habitat</u>: Fresh and brackish vegetated wetlands (marshes, ponds, prairie potholes)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Status and Distribution</u>: Common south to northern half of <place>South America</place>. Late spring and early fall migrant. Winters in <place>South America</place>, but some remain in southern states primarily in coastal regions. Population is stable or increasing.</span></div><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Notes</u>: At least four (4) Blue-Winged Teal were observed (2 male/female pairs), although it is probable that there were six (6) of the species in the arroyo this morning and possibly eight (8). Counting was difficult as the bird kept moving upon my approach.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx_2_U3TiOrjvRQTA8SFq3e9qReCTpaN1mZE0MhwG8ls16P7mzFNkT8-ULlsE39dR51LMtXSE8FQiFZljg3Vw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Simi Valley, CA, USA34.276432245776569 -118.7925359815841434.219088745776567 -118.89044548158414 34.33377574577657 -118.69462648158414tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-81069999564726409762012-02-19T14:58:00.000-08:002012-02-20T06:36:38.283-08:00Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On <date day="19" month="2" year="2012">Sunday, February 19, 2012</date>, I ran into a fellow birder walking along the service road just west of Madera Road. I had stopped to document a Cinnamon Teal I had just seen when we struck up a conversation. The guy had started off from the Simi Valley Community Park near Royal and Erringer and asked me if I had seen the Eurasian Wigeon that was frequenting the duck pond there. When he told me that he had seen it there an hour or two earlier, I jumped in the car and head to the park.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Sure enough, at the duck pond, there amongst the chaos of ducks, geese and coots that call the duck pond home was a solitary, male Eurasian Wigeon. Like its new world counterpart, the Eurasian Wigeon is a dabbling duck. According to the Kaufman Field Guide to North American Birds, the Eurasian Wigeon is a native to </span><place><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Europe</span></place><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> and </span><place><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Asia</span></place><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">. It is a rare, winter visitor to </span><place><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">North America</span></place><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> that is most often seen with flocks of American Wigeons. Male Eurasian Wigeons are identified by their rusty heads, buff crown stripe, and gray body. Females are very similar to female American Wigeons although they may have a slightly browner head.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vGPII46dSUjf-7JCEO52xO79_FaWQjs0MHidBAMh2i1gOn72Oe-fYD0w3njn2JtZaL49wk2dhAFVlTTMKaetk5ODsJhDOLn26pOZHbnwWoVoec6oFSOXUbnjyZzBTKsAckk_z8YkZcuy/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vGPII46dSUjf-7JCEO52xO79_FaWQjs0MHidBAMh2i1gOn72Oe-fYD0w3njn2JtZaL49wk2dhAFVlTTMKaetk5ODsJhDOLn26pOZHbnwWoVoec6oFSOXUbnjyZzBTKsAckk_z8YkZcuy/s400/IMG_0320.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Ave, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA34.2664326289901 -118.7636283979003934.2648776289901 -118.76635989790039 34.267987628990106 -118.76089689790039tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-21082489813928900342012-01-27T06:38:00.000-08:002012-01-27T06:46:06.959-08:00Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)On January 22, 2012 I caught a glimpse of this Great Blue Heron in the arroyo from the service road just west of Erringer Road. (S)he was very skittish upon each of my approaches which made getting a decent photograph difficult. The Great Blue Heron is our most widely distributed and largest heron. It can be found in both wetland and upland habitats where it feeds on crustaceans, vertebrates, and small mammals. The Great Blue Heron is often a solitary bird except when it gathers in breeding colonies called "heronries" to build stick nests high in trees. The species has a pure white morph (the Great White Heron) which can be mistaken for a Great Egret and is sometimes considered a distinct species.<br />
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Anyhoo, depicted below are both adult and juvenile Black-Crowned Night Herons. The juvenile is perched on the rock while the adults are in the trees. The Black-Crowned Night Heron is the most wide-spread Heron in the world ranging over five continents. It inhabits salt, brackish and freshwater marshes, streams and lakes where it fees on aquatic invertebrates, fish, insects, amphibians and small reptiles. It nests colonially in trees and cattails. Because the Black-Crowned Night Heron's is so widely distributed, it is a good indicator species of an ecosystem's overall health.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_K-4Nl7pfsN8VsPO29aekUyrmUC7RmQdrtMJkHKe7yjuCkilRPXpk6B1qn1dywACCXcD-sGYCQDN8ibCW8D2pT6-q0bP5P3NZZV1C6CBtUter_ZEajJsTcJf9jD5FYzrN3_nKcuuiqSC/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_K-4Nl7pfsN8VsPO29aekUyrmUC7RmQdrtMJkHKe7yjuCkilRPXpk6B1qn1dywACCXcD-sGYCQDN8ibCW8D2pT6-q0bP5P3NZZV1C6CBtUter_ZEajJsTcJf9jD5FYzrN3_nKcuuiqSC/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Simi Valley, CA, USA34.2662325538685 -118.7630865916793834.208889053868496 -118.86099609167938 34.3235760538685 -118.66517709167938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-3366836723389825542012-01-16T06:55:00.000-08:002012-01-16T06:55:15.458-08:00White-Faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)On the afternoon of Saturday, January 14, 2012, I ventured out along the arroyo between Rancho Simi Community Park and First Street. During the two or so hours that I was out, I spotted 6 White-Faced Ibises- 1 perched in the trees at the duck pond and 5 in the arroyo itself. I have also seen White-Faced Ibises on several occasions in the arroyo just west of Madera Road. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The White-Faced Ibis is identified by its long legs and decurved bill, and its chesnut body with green, purple and pink gloss on the wings. It looks very similar to the Glossy Ibis and thus is distinguished from it primarily by range. Ibises are tactile feeder who use their long bills to forage for fish and aquatic invertebrates in shallow and fresh water. They will also forage visually in uplands and feed on terrestrial invertebrates.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCkUcJ-kES0KOz79eEZq8C9Jy9VyQtCjjydYTpKtwgK-LpQCQrPHUD0JI2D1cgiIIlI8BTpLIW0uu2BnqjsQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Simi Valley, CA, USA34.268734690822136 -118.7723962535896534.211391190822134 -118.87030575358965 34.326078190822138 -118.67448675358965tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-9913554691168645952012-01-15T06:56:00.000-08:002012-01-15T06:56:38.359-08:00Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon)So this was a pretty cool sighting for me. This is a male Belted Kingfisher that I spotted along the Arroyo Simi from the service road just east of First Street. Apologies for the shaky footage, but this guy was quite distant from me and he kept flitting from place to place so getting good footage was difficult. Belted Kingfishers are the most abundant and widespread kingfisher in North America although this is the first one I have ever seen. Belted Kingfishers perch upon tree branches, walls and fences while they scour clear, still waters for fish. The species nests in holes along rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries,and arroyos. Kingfishers are one of the few species in which the female is more brightly colored than the male. If the kingfisher in the video below was a female, it would also have a rufous band across its across its chest and down its flanks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdvS6DyzA4x1MRJKcA2OWYmVIVncerKGahGynigTfPCYF5m6qMcSqOQ_f_JCV44OMM795rHnVmJShMPG56' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Simi Valley, CA, USA34.269596669200013 -118.77595753396634.212253169200011 -118.873867033966 34.326940169200014 -118.678048033966tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-58411088871343152132012-01-12T07:53:00.000-08:002012-01-22T13:15:15.113-08:00American Wigeon (Anas americana)American Wigeons are dabbling ducks that are commonly found on western ponds and at golf courses and parks. They are a familiar sight at the Arroyo Simi. They are identified by the white crown stripe and green ear patch found on males as well as the black-tipped, bluish-gray bill found on both sexes. The video footage below captures both the male and female of the species on January 7, 2012 in the arroyo just west of Madera Road. The stills are from the duck pond at Rancho Simi Community Park on January 22, 2012.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Apologies for the pixilation on the video.</div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Simi Valley, CA, USA34.277849004589591 -118.801462373185734.220505504589589 -118.8993718731857 34.335192504589592 -118.7035528731857tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-41422518607440383582012-01-10T08:12:00.000-08:002012-01-10T08:12:31.577-08:00Black-Necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)I have seen Black-Necked Stilts on every trip I have made to the Arroyo Simi. These guys were filmed on January 7, 2012 from the service road just west of Madera Road. Stilts are members of the same family as avocets--Recurvirostridae. They generally wade in the shallows picking at the surface and using their long beaks to probe for invertebrates in the mud below. Stilts are social birds and will make a quite a ruckus when an intruder apporaches a nesting site.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyplw8EL_hhg_ck6HZG-DbKLXNTdoFBVVTVMLBLODnYEuZn2Sja4brb6dqK7TyAThe6bvq458C4mQ-R87GGfw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Simi Valley, CA, USA34.277780047855117 -118.7992522329574334.220436547855115 -118.89716173295743 34.335123547855119 -118.70134273295743tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-46569177198175886542012-01-09T06:27:00.000-08:002012-01-22T12:30:54.347-08:00Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)The Snowy Egret is a member of the family Ardeidae which includes herons and egrets. It is identified by its stately white plumage, its black beak, and its bright yellow feet ("golden slippers"). It is considerably smaller than the Great Egret and is dispersed throughout the coastal United States in freshwater and saline habitats where it feeds on a variety of fish and aquatic invertebrates. The stills were taken on January 22, 2012 at the Rancho Simi Community Park duck pond which is immediately adjacent to the arroyo. The video was taken on January 8, 2012 just west of where the arroyo passes under Madera Road.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyGSQ2i-Mf2FpRchnWsc09_0FPgkDOpYiaJyKf7UQcRHfeEKqUIYWGUOXGbW6NCP0oidWKXt3im2NORaM1pVA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0Simi Valley, CA, USA34.277768878451376 -118.7978360265975734.220425378451374 -118.89574552659757 34.335112378451377 -118.69992652659757tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529522524346549033.post-77295641283883814712012-01-08T08:06:00.000-08:002012-01-08T08:09:35.366-08:00Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)This is a male Hooded Merganser that I saw in the Arroyo Simi on January 7, 2012 just west of Madera Road. I saw two separate Mergansers on this day. I also observed a Hooded Merganser on a previous visit in the same area, so I suspect one or more of them may be wintering in the arroyo. Hooded Merganser are considered diving ducks that favor small lakes, ponds, and coastal marshes. According to my guide, their appearance here is considered "uncommon."<br />
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</div>This is the second male that I observed on this same visit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxOezs_wrhs60LZ59JnJTBxA1-08WuRkjA6s8G39y-DdqVJn3GWgnwItfg3_G774SvVj5uldLLT97PkwKotPg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Madison Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17476494056610217659noreply@blogger.com0