Birding With a Bleak Soul

The San Luis Obispo County "stay-at-home" announcement was on March 18, 2020 - feels like that was months ago.  Like many of our residents, I take walks, making a point of keeping six feet from other humans.  Actually, I'm more comfortable at 10 - 15 feet.  People wave, smile, and at times engage in pleasant conversation.

Saturday morning I threw caution to the wind and took off for the Audubon Overlook (6 blocks from my house) and nearby Turri Road.  Total driving distance about 6 miles.

Audubon Overlook - A Song Sparrow was gaily singing as I proceeded down the path to the overlook.  The morning was without flaw.  Across the bay (upper Photo), along the edge of the pickleweed, was a sizable flock of Brant Goose, their delightful chatter carried across the bay.  Photo shows the same flock of Brant feeding in pickleweed on a foggy January day.

Other Birds: Caspian and Forster's Tern, Willet bathing, and a Black-bellied Plover in gray winter plumage.  Out on the bay floated a large flock of mostly Ruddy Duck -  Rufus Hummingbird feeding on pink flowers of a mallow shrub was a special treat.  He was a beauty!

Turri Road Ponds -  On a tiny island, in the center of the photo, perched a Greater Yellowleg.  Upper right, eleven Green-winged Teal, and three Northern Shoveler dabbled.  A dabbling duck is a shallow water duck that feeds primarily along the surface or by tipping headfirst into the water.

   Now, you know the origin of the idiom, "bottoms up."

The next stop, about a mile up the road, is one of my favorite places to bird.  I have named it the cattle pond.  In the rainy season the pond fills.  What a privileged to be here, breathing in the scenery, the scents, and the sounds of the birds.

Five male Cinnamon Teal were feeding in the far section.  Streaking over the pond were White-throated Swifts and Swallows, along the edge two Willet searched for edibles. 

West of the pond is a dilapidated cattle pen.  The corner of the pen, with its old loading chute, scruffy little tree, and aging wooden fencing was attracting three species of birds.  American Goldfinch, House Finch, and California Towhee (photo) were flying in and out of the foliage.  From a section of barbed wire fencing two Cassin's Kingbirds sallied forth in pursuit of insects.  Wilson's Warbler sang from a willow thicket.

Best sighting of the morning was a Lark Sparrow (below) perched atop an old post.  Every few minutes he sang - this was first time I had heard a Lark Sparrow sing.  During breeding season males sing from elevated perches and that is just what he was doing - made my day! 

Afterthought:  As I jotted down my thought, I realized how privileged and fortunate I am to be able to drive to a peaceful rural area and spend time thinking only of birds and the beauty of the day . . . . .