BETWEEN SHOWERS

Took advantage of the semi clearing sky to take a quick walk in the Elfin Forest. The Calif. Lilac (Ceanothus cuneatus) was in full bloom (photo). Photo on left looks west across the bay.


Had only gone a few feet when I was assaulted by song - a trio of Wrentit, Bewick's Wren, and Spotted Towhee. Saw thousands of water fowl from the overlooks, Western Grebe, Pintail, Shoveler, Scaup, Teal, Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, (some of the males were in mating plumage).

To be honest I was hoping to get a glimpse of the Bald Eagle that has recently been seen. I will persist!!

CALIFORNIA THRASHER

Elfin Forest, this morning. Weather cool and overcast. I have many favorite birds. The California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) is one of my favorite, favorites. Its usually perch is atop a shrub, making it easy to see.

This time of year the male is hoping to attract his love by impressing her with his enthusiastic songs. Click on the flickr.com photo link(below) to hear a California Thrasher mimicking the call of a Northern Flicker.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/docentjoyce/5399528371/

BIRDING THE PHOTOGRAPHIC HOT SPOTS

The Morro Bay Bird Festival begins tomorrow. At 8:00 Linda will be taking a group of 15 to several photographic hot spots that feature great scenery and great birding. This morning Linda and I took a trial run. We began at the Morro Bay Marina sand spit. In the marina were 2 Western Grebe and 3 Pied-billed Grebe that were being a bit feisty (the breeding season has begun). In the shrubbery we saw the usual, plus Song Sparrow, Meadowlark, Gray-blue Gnatcatcher, Yellow-rumped Warbler. Out in the mud flats were thousands of diving and dabbling ducks, cormorants, Brant, Sanderlings, Sandpipers, White Pelican.

Next stop, The Elfin Forest - The Fuchsia-flowering Gooseberry is beginning to bloom. We saw Calif. Thrasher (photo), Bewick's Wren, Gnatcatcher, Anna's Hummingbird. At the overlook (the tide was lowish), American Wigeon, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Avocet, Dowitcher, Pintail, and scads of shorebirds. In the shrubbery and pine trees by the parking area were 2 Hermit Thrush and Junco.

Last stop Sweet Springs. A gentleman pointed out a Great Horned Owl. Well, that made the morning. A Kingfisher was in the area of the pond. From the overlook we could see thousands and thousands shorebirds, ducks, Terns, and a huge flock of Brant. The birding was beyond amazing. Without a doubt, Linda's photographic/birding event will be a tremendous success.