[EBB Sightings] 2 California Clapper Rails in Palo Alto Baylands

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Having walked out about a mile and a half along the Palo Alto Baylands trail to Hook Island from Bixbee, I had just gone about 200 yds back towards my truck (about at the red "4" on the Baylands map on the web site) when I spotted a medium sized gruiforme in the shallow marsh ahead. I thought at first I might have a Moorhen to get a good photo of, but then noticed it was generally brownish - NOT a Moorhen. I snapped 2 quick pics, as it was headed for a mound of saltwater grasses; then grabbed my binos to get a look before it disappeared in the grasses!! I was amazed at what I saw, but then. . . 
Just as I was about to make notes, I saw this bird come scrambling out of the "hole-in-the-wall" he went into, being chased out by a second bird of the same species. Not only that, but this 2nd bird remained in plain view in this cubbyhole, while the 1st bird went to the other side. Then, it also "perched" in plain view on the other side. Ended up getting 17 pics of 2 California Clapper Rails! (first sighting for me of this bird)
   
  Links to pics -
  http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/mojoedevine/Water%20Birds/CalClapperRail2.jpg
  Rail #2 -
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/mojoedevine/Water%20Birds/CalClapperRail3.jpg
  http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/mojoedevine/Water%20Birds/CalClapperRail4.jpg
  Rail #1 -
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/mojoedevine/Water%20Birds/CalClapperRail5.jpg
   
  Joe Devine
  mojoedevine at yahoo.com

		
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 of 2 California Clapper Rails! (first sighting for me of this bird)  
 
  
Links to pics -
  
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/mojoedevine/Water%20Birds/CalClapperRail2.jpg
  
Rail #2 -
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/mojoedevine/Water%20Birds/CalClapperRail3.jpg
  
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/mojoedevine/Water%20Birds/CalClapperRail4.jpg
  
Rail #1 -
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/mojoedevine/Water%20Birds/CalClapperRail5.jpg
  
 
  
Joe Devine
  
mojoedevine at yahoo.com

		
 Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.
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