Common in California, but can also be found in western Nevada and Oregon, as well as in northern Baja California (Mexico). Lifespan is 2-3 months.
Photo: Mila
Bill goes red when mature, otherwise black. Occurs in parties of 3-8 in woodland, hence they like the area around Xakanaxa.
Spotted by Mila.
Why do they stand in the sun with their wings splayed? Because their feathers are not waterproof, which enables them to dive deep to spear fish. But then they need to dry their wings in the sun…
Maun to Piper Pan CKGR and back, with Dave, Oren & Roland.
Mila and Lisa saw one with Lily (who jumped!) while eating crepes early in the morning at the flea market. When threatened, it sticks its bum in the air and emits a foul smell (we didn’t smell anything except strawberry and chocolate crepe).
At Abbott’s lagoon, Pt. Reyes.
Swam in the salt water.
Also known as red-backed jumping spider and is one of the largest and most commonly encountered jumping spiders of western North America. It is not to be confused with the unrelated and highly venomous redback spider. When threatened, the redbacked jumping spider can inflict a painful bite in self-defense, but with no serious medical consequences.