Gary Nunn

Death on the high seas. Spectacular Peregrine #Falcon kills Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel one hit Oregon 01Dec2017, came off top of cruise ship 50NM offshore struck right under the bow! Searches for stoned prey.

Van Dam’s Vanga—male, Ankarafantsika NP, northwest Madagascar. The amazing bill morphology, I watched it at close range levering bark off the small dead and decaying tree trunks. Just so happy, dream come true bird! #Madagascar #Vangidae #bird

X community of zoologists—tell me what is the baby upside down animal in this panel carving? Baby Javan Rhinoceros or baby Giant Panda? This is in Wusong Road Tiki Bar in Cambridge, Mass. Help!!

Here in Southern California waters the South Polar Skua reigns supreme, whether choking boobies to near death or poking fear into large shearwaters it’s just simply “to be avoided”, I think regular seabirds are grateful it’s uncommon!! 04Aug2024 #SanDiego #pelagic #birds

Eastern Sierras, Alpine County, California—Rosy Dart (Xestia oblata) was high on my list to find with my son Obi on our recent “395 Highway” mothing adventure from San Diego to Oregon and back. At several higher elevation sites we found them! #moths #mothing #california

White Mountains, California—this is an uncommon Tiger Moth here in the state, Arachnis citra, found in pinyon pine—juniper forest at 7700 feet elevation. A species of the intermountain west, but not many records in California. Very eye-catching!

Mothing the Sierras, California—after finding Violet Brocade (Oligia violacea), with reddish colored thorax, was thrilled to come across the rarely reported Oligia rampartensis, the pale thorax and buffy HW marked reddish diagnostic.

Headed back into the Mojave Desert this weekend, searching for moths around Clark Mountain and other higher elevations in Mojave National Preserve. Trying to get my California moth list over 1000 species! #moths

Looking for help diagnosing what might be Fire Blight? impacting Santa Cruz Island Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp, asplenifolius), amazing healthy growth but turns faded green, stunted tips, then sudden burnt look and dead down to crown. @CNPS

Heard a peculiar loud warbler “chink” call in my backyard and finally got to see it closer — thrilled to find was a Virginia’s Warbler! Very rare in San Diego County. New yard bird #158 here.

New garden bird for me today 01Sep2023! Flushed off the feeder early in morning had to wait until late afternoon to lay eyes again on this beautiful immature male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Hoping for more good finds in San Diego over the holiday weekend!

Amazing chat! Hike to 9200 feet elevation finally found WHITE-THROATED BUSHCHAT on territory. Ground still frozen solid, bare trickle of ice melt, no sign of plant growth yet, snow showers. Male birds just arrived. Khanghai Mountains, central Mongolia, 16May2023

Unforgettable electric clicking noise of lekking BLACK-BILLED CAPERCAILLIE deep in the forest just after dawn. The dominant male looking worse for wear, but did see female come to the lek. Near Terelj, north Mongolia May 04, 2023.

Just had a “mothpocalypse” night in Robinson trap, mixed in among 500+ White-lined Hawkmoth were 8 perfect examples of Five-spotted Hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculatus). Only seen 2 before! #moths #sandiego

Very large size, assume queen?, Sonoran Bumble Bee (Bombus sonorus) on the Echium flowers in my backyard #lovebees

New migrant arrival—stunning adult male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at my feeders last couple days. He’s a real punk defending the place. Smart move sticking around because the rain and snow has gone nuts in Southern California!