2013-01-31 Imperial Beach Hot Spots

South of San Diego Bay and north of the Tijuana River and the border with Mexico, lies the town of Imperial Beach. Both the bay and the river valley are productive bird finding areas. I started my day along the mudflats at the south end of the bay. The location is known locally as “7th … Read more

2013-01-22 Bayfront Park In Chula Vista

Chula Vista Bayfront Park is positioned between the Chula Vista Marina and San Diego Bay. I make a point of visiting this place whenever I’m on errands nearby, but it often warrants a visit on its own merits. Wintering along the bay shore may be Brant, Surf Scoters, grebes and other divers near the shore. … Read more

2013-01-20 San Diego Safari Park

Now that my review of 2014 is complete, I’ll be starting the process again with 2013. I’ll begin by sharing my January visit to the old “Wild Animal Park”, now called “Safari Park”. I signed up for a year’s membership earlier this morning because I wanted to photograph some of the free ranging birds that … Read more

2014-12-19 Santee Lakes

This post wraps up my retelling of stories from 2014. Tales of 2013 remain to be told, and I hope to spin those yarns soon. I know I’ve been pumping out these posts at an unusual pace. Once I sell my home and hit the road in my RV the posts should be only a … Read more

2014-12-04 Poway Creek Mergansers

There is a location on Poway Creek, a mile from my home where I like to hunt for Wilson’s Snipe each winter. While the snipes may bring me to this location, at times I’ve been rewarded by meetings with other amazing birds. The City of Poway mows down all the tall cattails, bulrushes and willows … Read more

2014-11-30 Birds At Vendel Road

No trip to the Salton Sea is complete without paying a visit to Unit #1 of the Sonny Bono NWR at Vendel Road. In winter, it is an exceptional birding destination. Snow Geese and Sandhill Crane numbers are at their peak. Fifteen years ago my visits here might turn up the occasional two or four … Read more

2014-11-30 Poe Road Passerines

My past stops at Poe Road on the southwestern shore of the Salton Sea have yielded worthwhile bird encounters. On this visit at the end of November 2014, I focused on birds at the edge the thick mesquite thickets several hundred yards from the current shore of the receding sea. In October 2011,  I spent … Read more

2014-11-30 Cattle Call Park

Cattle Call Park in Brawley California is rodeo arena at the western edge of town. Unusual birds will occasionally make an appearance here. My only meeting with a Gray Flycatcher was at this location. What makes this place ‘birdy’ is its proximity to the New River, a ditch of muddy water draining out of Mexicali … Read more