BIRDING HERE AND AFAR

"Birding Here" - Last Saturday Norma, Harry and I checked out the birds on Dairy Creek located 5 miles east of Morro Bay in Chorro Regional Park (photo). The dense trees and shrubbery along the creek provides prefect habitat for migratory song birds. The air was alive with song.

As we entered the park we saw a male Turkey strutting after 2 females - most amusing. The gobble, gobble of Wild Turkey followed us as we very slowly meandered up the creek. Total identified species, 30 - best birds - Chipping Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, a brilliant Bullock's Oriole, and a Lark Sparrow (managed to photo the Lark Sparrow which is amazing, above photo)

"Birding Afar" - Monday 5:00am.on the road to Yosemite. First to Glacier Point for the breathtaking views of snow capped peaks and foamy white waterfalls furiously rushing down granite slopes. Had a first time sighting of a Sage Sparrow singing merrily atop a Manzanita shrub. Could hear many songs but saw few birds due dense, tall trees, and my basic ignorance of mountain birds . In the Valley, the falls were breathtaking, the upper Merced, a rushing torrent. Spent some time in the area of the Fen at Happy Isles. The Piliated Woodpecker was a no show. Stayed the night in Oakhurst at a motel I would not recommend. Round trip 520 miles. If you are planning a visit to Yosemite, sooner is better than later, as the snow pack is 40% of normal and melting fast. The following link is to my latest effort at a youTube movie. http://youtu.be/KD8HzMuPYcI