Santa Cruz Island

I am a little behind on these photos. We were camping at Santa Cruz island about 5 weeks ago. Santa Cruz island is the largest of the northern islands in the Channel Islands chain off the coast of Southern California. If you are able, I highly suggest checking out some or all of the islands. They really are something special. We had some overcast days while we were there, which bummed me out from a photo standpoint, but still had an amazing time. Can't wait to return!

China Harbor at Santa Cruz island

Bluff on the North side of Santa Cruz island

Cave near Potato Cove, Santa Cruz island

Channel Islands Fox

Channel Islands Fox

Trails on Santa Cruz island

Potato Harbor, Santa Cruz island

The North side of Santa Cruz island

Friendly humpack whale on our trip out to the island. It was a mom/calf pair that were so close that my large lens couldn't get both of them in the frame!

What's the word, hummingbird!

I missed a lot of the events at my hummingbird nest this year because of work and how high up the nest was. Then, at the zoo a few weeks ago one of the keepers pointed out a nest right at eye level. Probably because this Anna's hummingbird (Calype anna) is a little more used to people all around her, she doesn't seem too bothered by people watching her chicks grow up. The last week of the chicks nest time I was camping out at Santa Cruz, but I was happy that I got to see this mom raise her young as much as I did!

Mom feeding her young chick. They were so small that they barely poked out of the nest.

Mom feeding the chick. The chicks stick out a bit more and are starting to grow in feathers.

Notice the chick on the right has its tongue out.

Mom fluffing out her feathers after feeding the chicks.