
I’ve posted about my favorite place on the planet before: the Springs on Santa Rosa Mountain. This outing was the first time I’ve brought another photographer with me. Jerry and I drove up the long, rough road from the hellacious furnace in the desert valley below where 113°F oppressed us. Jerry expressed an interest in seeing the Salton Sea and that quest drew us into the heat of the Imperial Valley.
We drove out of Poway mid-day and I’d hoped the afternoon might relent it’s fiery grip on the region. It did not. Camping out when the temperatures soared over 100°F at night was beyond our endurance so we opted for the Best Western in Brawley. Early morning found the temperatures had fallen to the low to mid-nineties, but that would not last.
I headed us north along the eastern edge of the Salton Sea. I’d been told of a spring fed oasis just north-east of the sea called Dos Palmas. On our way north those few roads that would have taken us to the sea’s edges were barricaded, frustrating our intentions to explore. The water level at the Salton Sea continues fall at an alarming rate. When we found an access road, the interesting bird-life was so far away we were not tempted to try for pictures, as by now the heat climbed up to the unbearable 100+ range. As our luck would have it, when we found Dos Palmas, we encountered yet another barricade … damn!
I usually drive up Santa Rosa Mountain from the western route, but this day called for a drive up from the desert side to the northeast of the mountain. There’s something to be said for this route: the view back to the Coachella Valley from the road that climbs the rugged mountains is spectacular. Every foot of elevation gained brought a measure of relief from the fiery valley floor below. In leaving the paved road and beginning our ascent up the mountain, a different kind of torture begins. The ten miles of road from the pavement to the springs has long stretches of punishing roads. Even the “good” sections are no picnic. I guess it keeps some of the riff-raff away.
We arrived at the spring mid-day and set up camp. We took advantage of the afternoon light and captured images as long as it held out. The next morning’s light was late, as is always is at the location on the northern slopes. We captured images again until the sun reached straight up at noon and then broke camp and headed back to Poway.
Birds we met and photographed on the mountain included Black-Throated Gray Warbler, Brown Creeper, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-Eyed Junco, Hairy Woodpecker, Hermit Warbler, Mountain Chickadee, Nashville Warbler, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Pygmy Nuthatch, Townsend’s Warbler, Western Bluebird, Western Tanager, White-Breasted Nuthatch, White-Headed Woodpecker, Wilson’s Warbler, and Yellow-Rumped Warbler. We also had a Cooper’s Hawk, Western Gray Squirrels and Merriam’s and California Chipmunks.

White-Breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 15:19 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D723317-WhiteBreastedNutHatch |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Headed Woodpecker(Leuconotopicus albolarvatus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 15:22 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D723339-WhiteHeadedWoodPecker |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Headed Woodpecker(Leuconotopicus albolarvatus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 15:32 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723368-WhiteHeadedWoodPecker |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Hermit Warbler(Setophaga occidentalis) |
Description: With Pygmy Nuthatch and Mountain Chickadee at the springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 15:46 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723420-HermitWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Mountain Chickadee(Poecile gambeli) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 15:51 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723442-MountainChickadee |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Mountain Chickadee(Poecile gambeli) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 16:29 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723523-MountainChickadee |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Headed Woodpecker(Dryobates albolarvatus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 16:30 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723533-WhiteHeadedWoodPecker |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Headed Woodpecker(Leuconotopicus albolarvatus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 16:37 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723584-WhiteHeadedWoodPecker |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Mountain Chickadee(Poecile gambeli) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 16:53 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723664-MountainChickadee |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:00 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723682-WesternBlueBird |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Townsend's Warbler(Setophaga townsendi) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:02 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723694-TownsendsWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Orange-Crowned Warbler(Leiothlypis celata) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:03 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723701-OrangeCrownedWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:05 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723732-WesternBlueBird |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Hermit Warbler(Setophaga occidentalis) |
Description: With Mountain Chickadee at the springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:08 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723753-HermitWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Brown Creeper(Certhia americana) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:12 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723800-BrownCreeper |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Orange-Crowned Warbler(Leiothlypis celata) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:14 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723856-OrangeCrownedWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:18 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723877-WhiteBreastedNutHatch |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Warbler(Cardellina pusilla) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:22 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723915-WilsonsWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black-Throated Gray Warbler(Setophaga nigrescens) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:47 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D723948-BlackThroatedGrayWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Dark-Eyed Junco(Junco hyemalis) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 8:27 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724041-DarkEyedJunco |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Nashville Warbler(Leiothlypis ruficapilla) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 8:42 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724047-NashvilleWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Nashville Warbler(Leiothlypis ruficapilla) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 8:42 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724060-NashvilleWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Nashville Warbler(Leiothlypis ruficapilla) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 8:43 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724064-NashvilleWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Warbler(Cardellina pusilla) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 8:44 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724070-WilsonsWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Yellow-Rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata auduboni) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 8:45 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724077-YellowRumpedWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Nashville Warbler(Leiothlypis ruficapilla) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 8:52 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724086-NashvilleWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Headed Woodpecker(Leuconotopicus albolarvatus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 8:54 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724107-WhiteHeadedWoodPecker |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Headed Woodpecker(Leuconotopicus albolarvatus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 9:10 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D724135-WhiteHeadedWoodPecker |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Warbler(Cardellina pusilla) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 9:12 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D724141-WilsonsWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Warbler(Cardellina pusilla) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 9:16 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724165-WilsonsWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Gray Squirrel(Sciurus griseus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 9:19 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724216-WesternGraySquirrel-Web |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Hermit Warbler(Setophaga occidentalis) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 9:20 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724232-HermitWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Gray Squirrel(Sciurus griseus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 9:25 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D724259-WesternGraySquirrel-Web |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Gray Squirrel(Sciurus griseus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 9:29 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D724280-WesternGraySquirrel-Web |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 9:36 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D724292-WesternBlueBird |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Pygmy Nuthatch(Sitta pygmaea) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:04 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724335-PygmyNutHatch |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Mountain Chickadee(Poecile gambeli) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:10 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724345-MountainChickadee |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:15 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724415-WesternBlueBird |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Chipping Sparrow(Spizella passerina) |
Description: Juvenile bird at the springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:17 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724432-ChippingSparrow-Juvenile |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Warbler(Cardellina pusilla) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:19 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724444-WilsonsWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Orange-Crowned Warbler(Leiothlypis celata) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:19 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724449-OrangeCrownedWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Gray Squirrel(Sciurus griseus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:21 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724459-WesternGraySquirrel-Web |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Gray Squirrel(Sciurus griseus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:24 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724467-WesternGraySquirrel-Web |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Pygmy Nuthatch(Sitta pygmaea) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:40 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724488-PygmyNutHatch |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Orange-Crowned Warbler(Leiothlypis celata) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:45 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724495-OrangeCrownedWarbler |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Hairy Woodpecker(Leuconotopicus villosus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:50 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724537-HairyWoodPecker |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Hairy Woodpecker(Leuconotopicus villosus) |
Description: The springs on Santa Rosa Mountain, at 7500 feet elevation in southern Riverside County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:31 10:50 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D724539-HairyWoodPecker |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Scenic Turnout(n/a) |
Description: Scenic Turnout along Highway 74 (Pines to Palms Highway) overlooking Palm Deasert and Palm Springs California. Riverside County. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 12:35 |
Location:
Scenic Turnout |
Camera Information: XT1575, 4.670000002 mm, f/2.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: JcD-_2016-08-30_12_35_52_PhonePic-PalmDesert |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Camping at the Springs(n/a) |
Description: Santa Rosa Mountain camping at the springs. |
Date Taken: 2016:08:30 17:36 |
Location:
Santa Rosa Mountain |
Camera Information: XT1575, 4.670000002 mm, f/2.0, 1/167 |
File Name: JcD-_2016-08-30_17_36_52_PhonePic-SantaRosaSpring |
© 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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