It was hard to pick my top 20 photos of the year, but here they are. Selections are based on a combination of photograph quality and excitement level while observing featured species.
Burrowing Owl
Photographed at the Robb Field/San Diego River in Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA (January 2024).
Reddish Egret
Photographed at Robb Field/San Diego River in Ocean Beach, San Diego (February 2024).
Cinnamon Teal
Photographed at Robb Field/San Diego River in Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA (March 2024).
Summer Tanager
Photographed at Balboa Park in San Diego, CA (March 2024).
Bullock's Oriole
Taken in Anza Borrego State Park, somewhere down a wash near Carrizo Gorge (April 2024).
common yellowthroat
Photographed at San Elijo Lagoon in Encinitas, CA (April 2024).
Wilson's Warbler
Photographed in Twentynine Palms, CA during spring migration (April 2024).
Brandt's Cormorant
Photographed along the sea cliffs at La Jolla Cove in La Jolla, CA (April 2024).
Gambel's Quail
Photographed in Twentynine Palms, CA (April 2024).
verdin
Photographed in Twentynine Palms, CA (May 2024).
Costa's Hummingbird
Photographed on Lost Palms Oasis trail in Joshua Tree National Park (May 2024).
american crow
Photographed at Robb Field/San Diego River in Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA (May 2024).
california thrasher
Photographed in Big Morongo Canyon Reserve outside of Joshua Tree, CA (May 2024).
Vermillion Flycatcher
Photographed in Big Morongo Canyon Reserve outside of Joshua Tree, CA (May 2024).
Lark Sparrow
Photographed at the Ramona Grasslands in Ramona, CA (May 2024).
Violet-green Swallow
Photographed up at Mount Laguna, CA (June 2024).
American White Pelican
Photographed in Twentynine Palms, CA during fall migration (October 2024).
Cedar Waxwing
Photographed in Balboa Park while wintering in San Diego, CA (December 2024).
Townsend's Warbler
Photographed in Pismo Beach, CA along the creek at the Butterfly Grove (December 2024).
chestnut-backed chickadee
Photographed in Pismo Beach, CA along the creek at the Butterfly Grove (December 2024).
Bald Eagle
Photographed at El Capitan Reservoir while wintering in El Cajon, CA (December 2024).