Sweet Sweet Springs - The tide was high and the fog was meditating on its power to grant the people of peaceful Baywood the unique privilege of experiencing the sun's warmth.
Nuttall's Woodpecker was active in a tall Cypress; Chickadees, Oak Titmouse were flitting through a stand of low growing oak. In the pond numerous Mallards slept, preened and chatted about their recent travels; Song Sparrow darted through pond-side vegetation, and a great and Snowy Egret, perched high in a tall Eucalyptus, watched the action.
A noisy Belted Kingfisher (photo by Gary O'Neill) searched for lunch.
In a Channel, carved by time and tides, 26 Blue-winged Teal fed. I consider them the "Early Birds," as every year they are the first small migratory duck to arrive in Sweet Springs.
Estero Bluffs State Park - Vila Creek - Blooming along the path to the beach and pond was Tar Weed and Mock Heather. My friend Phoebe and I were hoping to see a migrant species that is seen only occasionally on the Central Coast, a Black-necked Stilt. It would be a first sighting for Phoebe.
A few migratory shorebirds, Western Sandpiper, Godwit, Whimbrel and a few Long-billed Curlew were feeding along the edge of the beach. Higher up the beach, Killdeer, a pair of Pectoral Sandpiper and four Turkey Vultures. Numerous Snowy Plover were busy chasing kelp flies. In the background of the top image in the collage, symbolic fencing can be seen. The fencing, along with signage, encourages people to respect the Snowy Plover nesting grounds.
https://www.mbnep.org/2016/03/04/symbolic-fencing-helps-morro-bays-snowy-plovers/ We finally reached the pond where there had been several recent sightings of a juvenile Black-necked Stilt. At the bend in the creek perched a Great Egret; a few feet out from the Egret was a pair of Mallards. A few feet from the Mallards strode a black and white, pink legged Black-necked Stilt. They can swim and dive but prefer to wade in shallow water.
The photo was taken by local birder/photographer Maggie Smith about two hours before we arrived at Villa Creek pond.
