Reflections of the Natural World

Travel with me as I explore the wild things and wild places of our planet. – Jim Gain

  • Common Black Hawk

    Common Black Hawk

    The Common Black Hawk has a blackish plumage with a slightly paler head and neck, and yellow legs. They are a common sight around rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, where they hunt for fish, crabs, and other aquatic prey. Read more

  • LBBs – Little Brown Birds

    LBBs – Little Brown Birds

    By Jim Gain Learn 100 Common Valley Birds is a photo blog series highlighting the 100 most common Valley bird species. Post #23 in the Learn 100 Common Valley Birds series. (Species 36, & 37/100) Oak Titmouse – Species #36 The Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) is a small, non-migratory bird species native to the oak Read more

  • Spot-breasted Wren

    Spot-breasted Wren

    The Spot-breasted Wren has a distinctive white throat and breast speckled with small, dark spots, which gives them their name. They are active, social birds that are known for their loud, musical songs and calls that can be heard throughout the forest. Read more

  • Yucatan Jay

    Yucatan Jay

    The Yucatan Jay is a striking bird species and is known for its vibrant blue feathers and its impressive vocalizations, which can be heard echoing through the forests of the Yucatan Peninsula. Yucatan Jays typically live in flocks of 4-12 individuals, and they are known to be highly social and intelligent birds. Read more

  • Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

    Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

    The Cinnamon-bellied Saltator is gray above and grayish or buffy/”cinnamon” below, with a strong whitish eyebrow and black malar stripes that boarder a white throat.  Cinnamon-bellied Saltators prefer to live in wooded areas and forest edges, where they forage for insects, seeds, and fruit. Read more

  • Coots and Gallinules

    Coots and Gallinules

    By Jim Gain Learn 100 Common Valley Birds is a photo blog series highlighting the 100 most common Valley bird species. Post #22 in the Learn 100 Common Valley Birds series. (Species 34 & 35/100) American Coot – Species #34 The American Coot, (Fulica americana), is a common waterbird found in the Central Valley of Read more