October 10, 2026: Walking Bird Tour No. 39

Enjoyed a lovely evening with Mary, Ruth, Monica, Jenine, Cynthia, Leslie, Pat and Mary Ann. We met in the parking area and talked about the history and origin story of the Stanford Dish.

The Stanford Dish (Stanford Radio Telescope) is a prominent 150-foot diameter steerable parabolic radio antenna

The large radio telescope (“the Dish”) itself was built in 1961–1962 by the Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International) for the United States Air Force at a cost of about $4.5 million.

Key purposes at that time included studying the effects of nuclear blasts on the upper atmosphere/ionosphere, assessing defense radar resilience in a nuclear scenario, and gathering intelligence on Soviet radar installations (e.g., via moon-bounce techniques).

The Stanford Dish trails were open in 1987.

The dish is till active today for spacecraft commanding/calibrations, radio astronomy, satellite work, and other research. Owned by the U.S. government and operated by SRI International.

With bird checklists in hand, we started our bird walk.

Perching Turkey Vulture

Time for a group shot with the sun behind us.

Now the other way, turn around with the sun behind me.

Western Blue Bird

White-crowned Sparrow

Western Bluebird

House Finch and Male Western Bluebird hanging out.

Another Western Bluebird

Can you see the large Red-tailed Hawk at the top of the tree?

Very large female Red-tailed Hawk that swooped in right in front of the ladies.

As we were observing her, she decided to swoop down between us then loop back up into the tree.

Almost done with its juvenile tail feather stripes.

Golden Hour Portrait time!

Here comes the nictitating membrane!

Tarantula!

Acorn Woodpecker