I made seven trips to the La Jolla Cove between February and May 2011. This Thursday I toured the coastline, looking for any subject that might offer itself to me. When I realized the local Brandt’s Cormorants were either courting or already on eggs, I knew I had a long-term mission to address. The unobstructed … Read more
I drove this Thursday morning to San Diego Bay at Chula Vista Bayfront Park. My favorite route to this destination is not direct. Rather, I take “F” street to Marina Parkway and stop where a natural channel connects a small wetland field to the bay. I’ve found this a good place to look for … Read more
Three species of cormorant exploit the cliffs and surrounding waters by the La Jolla Cove; Double-Crested, Pelagic and Brandt’s. I found Brandt’s Cormorants on eggs and raising babies in full public view and took advantage of the opportunity to capture images. I also sat out on Point La Jolla watching the cormorants doing flybys and … Read more
I’d heard reports of a Northern Waterthrush at the ‘stick pond’ near Dairy Mart Road for at least a month. Having looked and failed to find this bird when on my 2005 Alaska expedition, I took a run at this warbler now in my backyard. I often wait too long to respond to ‘rarity reports’, … Read more
One aim on this trip was to visit family in Northeast Tucson. While there I spent some time at Agua Caliente Park. It had been in my head for several years I should spend a few days at Beatty’s Guest Ranch in Miller Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains south of Sierra Vista. On my return … Read more
Two locations well worth visiting any time I’m in South San Diego Bay region are J-Street by Chula Vista’s Bayfront Park, and Border Field near the Mexican border. I spent several enjoyable hours at both these locations. I also made a stop at the Refuge Headquarters at the Tijuana Slough to visit my friend Brian … Read more
Agua Dulce Creek is a popular birding destination for the local San Diego birding community. On my way to visit this place I stopped first at the town center of Mount Laguna and met a Northern Flicker. Repeat visits to many locations is a good strategy for discovering new actors, new scripts and scores on … Read more
I took a direct route to Border Field this early August Friday morning. I passed the Bird and Butterfly Gardens on my way. I ignored the Dairy Mart Ponds as I exited. The only thing that interested me this day was a ride to the solitude that this isolated stretch of beach at the southernmost … Read more
Wednesdays are set aside for accepting guests as part of the nesting tern surveys at the Saltworks section of the San Diego Bay NWR. I’ve had to good fortune to gain the friendship and confidence of key members of the biology team charged with monitoring this sensitive habitat. Belding’s Savannah Sparrows, Snowy Plover, Least Terns, … Read more
My aim on this Monday morning was to enjoy the company of birds, whoever they may be. A good place to accomplish such a goal is the Tijuana River Valley. I stopped at the Bird and Butterfly Gardens after breakfast, but did not find any feathered friends compelling me to linger, so I drove out to … Read more