Horned Lark - Western Birds

A Horned Lark in the Petrified Wood Nat. Park, AZ; 6/20/2011.

Even though Horned Larks can be found year round from coast to coast and in every state except Florida and even in Alaska in the summers, the first time I ever saw one was on Santa Cruz Island in California's Channel Islands National Park on June 18, 2011. Then two days later I see another one (Above) in the Petrified Wood National Park in Arizona.

The same Horned Lark in the Petrified Wood Nat. Park, AZ; 6/20/2011.

The Horned Lark (Above) appears to be a female, as the male's throat and forehead woud be yellow instead of white. Both genders have their namesake "horns" on their black crown. Both also have a black bib on a white breast and belly, with brownish wings and back. Horned larks can be found in vast open areas of  sparse vegetation. Indeed, both Horned Larks I saw were in that type of habitat.

Some more photos (3 Above) of the colorful "Painted Desert" landscape of the Petrified Wood Nat. Park, AZ; 6/20/2011.

Sunset of the day



Actually this is a winter sunrise in the Grand Canyon, AZ. We were freezing our fingers in temperatures in the teens that morning trying to get the early sun reflected on the canyon walls; 12/29/2005.