Laguna Lake

Winter rains are slowly filling the parched Laguna Lake. Only a small portion of the lake has water - in some areas barely enough for the dabblers to dabble, yet dabble they do.

Sprinkled among the hundreds and hundreds of Mallard Ducks were American Wigeon, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, four seldom seen Gadwall, and a small flock of Ring-billed Gull. 

As  I followed the road along the edge of the lake there were White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Nuttall's Woodpecker; in the Eucalyptus Yellow-rumpled Warbler was numerous, and what to my delighted ears what should I hear but a Cassin's Kingbird.  In the Spring they nest in the Eucalyptus.  

I was concentrating on a sweet flock of Junco (above), looking for a Slate-colored Junco (no luck) when I head the excited honking of a large, 100 plus, flock of Canada Goose (below).  As they neared, the honking got louder. They were flying from the west end of the dry lake.  There may be a pond in that area, but it is hidden by vegetation.  They ended in shallow water not far from where I was standing.  The sound and sight of this large flock coming in for a landing was a special treat. 

On the way home looked for the Bald Eagle that had been seen several times perched on a snag in a tall Eucalyptus. And there it was!  Fortunately, traffic was light and was able to pull to the side of the road to get a splendid view of our National Bird. 

From Los Osos Valley Road turned off on Turri Road, a five mile rural road that winds gently thru rolling farm land.  In the area of the windmill and water trough, Western Meadowlark and Western Bluebird were close to the road, flitting after insects.  Males of both species were sporting their brilliant breeding plumage.  Another marvelous morning of birding the Central Coast. 

Klamath California

My friend Linda got a 6 month job as one of the hosts in an RV Camp located on the Klamath River in Klamath Calif. To say she is in paradise is a gross understatement. We spent a day together. The Bald Eagles were in a very tall tree, across and up river a bit from her camp. Look carefully and you can see the chick in the nest. In a willowy area along the Klamath, near one of the many Yurok fishcamps, we saw Am. Goldfinch, Kingfisher, Yellow Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow. Osprey are common. Saw several nests.

Upriver a bit farther, driving on the beach gravel along the river, Linda is fearles; she showed me where a Spotted Sandpiper was nesting in tall grass. As soon as we neared the area of the nest, the Sandpiper became agitated. Spotted Sandpipers are one of my favorite birds. Directly after laying her eggs the female takes off to find another mate. The male does the brooding and feeding of the nestlings. No wonder he was testy. (the Sandpiper was nesting to the right of the gravel)

The most common birds of the area were Swainson's Thrush, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Raven, Purple Finch, Song Sparrow.

In the afternoon we took a 2 1/2 jet boat ride up the Klamath. Saw numerous Osprey, several Bald Eagles, and Red-breasted Merganser. This ride is not for the faint of heart.

Spent some hours in the woods of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Heard bird sounds, but not a feather did appear. Dense flora and verrrrrry tallllllll trees tests my birding skills, so I concentrated on the flora, banana slugs, snails, and larger animals such as Elk. Perhaps the starling is related to the Ox-pecker? I wonder if Google has the answer.

WHALE ROCK RESERVOIR

Whale Rock Reservoir is located a few miles up Old Creek Road in Cayucos. My wish was to see a Bald Eagle. Luck was with me; I saw two adults. (Today's photo did not turn out. This one was taken 2 years ago and is the same tree the Eagle was sitting in this morning.) The second Eagle was on the north side of the lake near the shore. Other sightings, an American Kestrel, 2 deer and 4 plump wild pigs (see photo). On the way home stopped at Pecho Marsh hoping to see the Blackpoll Warbler. No luck. Will try again tomorrow.