These are some shots of the Scaly-breasted Munia, aka Spotted Munia, Nutmeg Manikin, Spice Finch. It's native to India and South Asia. Do to the pet bird trade it is now found in coastal California from the Mexican border to the SF bay area and scattered areas along the gulf coast from Texas to Florida.
The Central Valley got sogged in by fog every winter and so I'd hook up my lil trailer and head to Bodega Bay with my dawgs for Xmas.
One year the winter storms were more fierce and the waves flooded half of the campground, but that was okay because there were only 3 other spots occupied. The sound of the waves that year was very loud.
Dull and grey here today, but here's Lake Itasca, source of the Mississippi, from a couple of years ago.
With the obligatory "Happy New Year", although the new year might not prove all that happy.
Anyway...
