Tag Archives: Mark Simkins

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Mark and Kitty Simkins have a hummingbird feeder at their place in Manchester. Kai, their cat, fantasizes about getting a hummingbird but there is a pane of glass in the way.

It's nice to know this Anna's Hummingbird is safe from the Simkins' beautiful cat. Domestic cats kill an unbelievably high number of birds. Quail are particularly vulnerable now, as the chicks have just been born.

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Mark and Kitty Simkins have a resident Bobcat that gives them multiple chances for sightings of the cat with the tufted ears and bobbed tail. Here are two recent photos. Mark titled the first one "Bobcat looking at me."

 And below the Bobcat has found a nice fat gopher for dinner.

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

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Hummingbirds are not always easy to photograph as they dart here and there feeding on flowers and on feeders that kind people set out for them.  Mark Simkins recently had one visit his feeder in Manchester.

 Four parts water to one part sugar is the ratio these tiny birds love. People must clean the feeders often to protect these living jewels. We wouldn't want to do harm while trying to help!

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see another photo of an Anna's Hummingbird, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/01/03/annas-hummingbird-beautifully-photographed-by-coastal-photographer-siegfried-matull/

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Mark and Kitty Simkins have a Bobcat family near their home in Manchester. Mark caught this young Bobcat looking through a fence.

Mark said the Bobcat didn't try to get past this barb-wired fence. Does this cat with the tufted ears look a little peeved to you?

Thanks to Mark for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Mark Simkins noticed a covey of California Quail, Callipepla californica, huddled under a bush during a recent rainstorm.

Here's another photo of California Quail - this time they are eyeing their metal brother on the right. Paul Batchelder caught this cute photo.

The Quail's topknot looks like one feather but it's actually six feathers that overlap. You can find out much more about these beautiful birds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at this link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Quail/lifehistory

Thanks to Mark and Paul for allowing me to share their photos with you here.