Stalking the Reclusive Roadrunner

This afternoon, my two photographic assistants and avian aficionados, Casey

and Owen

helped me stalk the wily roadrunner who had wandered into our yard.

In a feeble attempt to escape, he hopped into the nearest oak tree, where he tried to blend into the foliage.

Ha!  He thinks he's camoflaged.

But we sat in the grass and kept him view for quite awhile.

Owen volunteered to make sure he didn't leave the tree.

And that was our afternoon's excitement here at Spanish Lakes!

Geococcyx Californianus

That's the scientific name of one of our resident birds....the Roadrunner.  Sometimes called a Chaparral Cock.

I enjoy watching our resident roadrunner.....he (or she) doesn't show up too much, and always seems to be in a hurry, but if I have my camera ready, I can get a shot or two before he (or she) scoots off.  I followed one up the hill into the oak trees the other day and found out that they will fly up into the trees.  Like the cartoon character, the roadrunner prefers walking or running (up to 17 mph.), and is one of the few birds that can catch and eat a rattlesnake!

I really love their jaunty topnot!