Sunday - Avila Beach, Ca. - Bob Jones Trail - Mike Baird and I were standing on the foot, bike and golf cart bridge that crosses San Luis Creek hoping to see the Common Goldeneye, a sea-duck, native to the lakes and rivers of Canada, the northern U.S., Scandinavia, and Russia. (female on left) About three minutes after we arrived on the bridge the fog lifted. The Goldeneye were close and we got great views. They are a large duck and very beautiful. The male's eye is a bright orange; the female's eye is a soft golden color.
On either side of the bridge is the Avila Beach Golf Course where hundreds of Canada Goose, one Cackling Goose and multitudes of Coots were feeding on the grass. As we progressed up the trail, actually it is a road/trail for about a mile, we came upon an unusual sighting. A family of Western Bluebird were taking turns drinking from little pools of water that had accumulated on the yellow seats of a maintenance vehicle. (trail is above the maintenance yard) Two other birds of note, an Acorn Woodpecker perched atop a tall Red Cypress and a Great Blue Heron looking for edibles on a dry hillside.
Miscellaneous Sightings in the Great Beyond of Morro Bay
In a Eucalyptus tree a Turkey Vulture was doing her pre-flight warming exercise. At night the body temperature decreases. To fly they have to increase the body temperature. By spreading their wings, they increase the area the sun will be warming. The spread wing stance is called the "Horaltic Pose." Not only does the Pose dry the wings and warm the body, it also bakes off bacteria that forms on the legs from feeding inside a carcass.
Lately I have been fascinated by the movement of Ruddy Ducks. A couple thousand spend the winter on Morro Bay. They are always accompanied by a scattering of Greater Scaup. They are usually in a large spread out flock, appearing to be resting, but in motion. By expanding the photo you will notice the perky tail of the Ruddy and the bright white cheek of the male; upper left is a Bufflehead; the Scaup is the darker duck with the larger head.
Below is a Google Map that shows the location of the Avila bird sightings, from left to right - 1) X is where the Goose were located. 2) bridge over creek, Goldeneye, 3) Bluebirds, Woodpecker, 4) Great Blue Heron.
Spring was in full bloom (photo) this Morning. Common Yellowthroat and Song Sparrow were singing their little hearts out. A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were noisily chasing each other through the trees. Wildflowers were blooming - Humming Bird Sage, Wallflower, Phacelia, Coreopsis, Chinese Houses. Floating along in the bay was a large flock of Ruddy Duck; many of the males transitioning to their breeding colors - dark head, vivid white cheek, blue bill, a ruddy cinnamon body, and of course their "piece de resistance," perky tail feathers.
On the far side of the wetland two White-tailed Deer (photo) were quietly feeding. Fortunately for the deer, the boardwalk keeps people out of the wetland - has been at least three years since I had seen deer in Sweet Springs.
