From June 12th to the 20th, the San Diego Natural History Museum science team focused their mission on Cottonwood Springs and the Pinto Basin at the southeastern corner of Joshua Tree National Park. I had my 50th High School reunion to attend, but joined the group on the 15th and stayed to the end. The … Read more
My trip to Joshua Tree National Park was not without its surprises. I promised to wait one month before speaking of one of them, but there is a good reason for the delay. I’m sure you’ll agree when I finally get permission to speak about it. My friend Sula found a seed pod in doing … Read more
I drove down to Border Field this morning and met with the biology team surveying the California Least Terns (endangered) and Western Snowy Plovers (threatened). Both species struggle with habitat issues. The coastal beaches and wetlands they require for nesting have been decimated by human development. I’m not sure if I made any worthwhile captures, … Read more
Travelling south after my expedition with the San Diego Natural History Museum to Horse Thief Springs (read more of that trip HERE) in the Mojave Desert, I could not bring myself into a bee-line for home. I thought a pass by the Salton Sea might be worthwhile. When I travel, I try to find highways I’ve … Read more
The Bird and Mammal team from the San Diego Natural History Museum launched an expedition nearly 300 miles north to the north-east flanks of the Kingston Mountains, about 75 miles south of Death Valley and 12 miles from the Nevada border at a site called Horse Thief Springs. Our plan was to stay for eight … Read more
It’s always a good day when visiting the nesting sites at the Saltworks, especially when it includes spending time with wildlife biologists Brian, Robert, Lea and Kate. On my way down to the rendezvous with the biology team this morning I made a pass by the mudflats at J Street, hoping to get the … Read more
I obligated myself to providing a ride for a friend to the San Diego airport and thought it might be worthwhile to stick my nose into some of my old South Bay birding haunts. My first stop on this morning was at Chula Vista Bayfront Park off J Street. I arrived at the near minimum … Read more
I spent from 2017-04-22 through 2017-05-04 touring some great bird locations in Arizona. The places I was able to visit during this time were Agua Caliente Park, Sabino Canyon, Mount Lemmon, Florida Canyon, Madera Canyon and two places in Arivaca (Day 1 and Day 2). I do not feel I got everything I could from any … Read more
Thursday morning I got out early to the Cienega at Arivaca, one of my favorite birding locations. Here I found Hermit Warblers, Orange-Crowned Warblers, Lucy’s Warblers, Brewer’s Sparrows, Vermilion Flycatchers, Cassin‘s Kingbirds, Say’s Phoebes, Mourning Doves, Bewick’s Wrens, Gila Woodpeckers, Canyon Towhees, Northern Cardinals, Hepatic Tanagers, White-Winged Doves, Yellow-Breasted Chats, Swainson’s Hawks, Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers, Song … Read more
When you lookup the word “rural” in the dictionary, there should be a picture of Arivaca Arizona shown. I have a friend who’s lived in Arivaca since she was 10 or 11 years old. She’s recently had to leave her home in this smallest of small towns. Time has taken its toll on her ability … Read more