BIRDQUEST2004

Sue, Dan and I were up early to get to Ventura Harbour, to catch the Island Packers boat to Prisoners Harbour on Santa Cruz Island.  Its a 1.5 hour crossing, but it takes about 2 hours because they drop off campers and hikers at Scorpion Point.

The Island Scrub-Jay, an endemic found only on Santa Cruz.

Once we arrived at the island and were briefed on the rules, it took about 3 minutes to see the first Jay fly by.  We all wanted a better look at the bird so we hiked up the mountain following our guide.  Rules were simple, follow the guide up, stay on the trail and when you want to turn around, you’re on your own.

We had only gone about 400 yards when an Island Jay flew in and landed close.

Island Scrub-Jay – Life Bird #702

After walking up for an hour, it was about as far as we wanted, we turned around, leaving the pack.  We hadn’t gone very far when we encountered one of the islands other endemics, the Island Fox.

We took a break at the picnic tables and a Song Sparrow was foraging nearby.

Island Song Sparrow

The rest of the day we all went our separate ways photographing and exploring the area.  Many lovely thing to photograph.

Allen’s Hummingbird – (sedentarius)

Wandering Glider

California Sister

Orange-crowned Warbler

I spent a bit of time taking photos of the many gulls on the dock.

We completely enjoyed our day on the island, a must for any lister.

On our way back in we passed by the Russian Mermaid statue at Soter Point, which was donated by Alec & Tatyana Benke who emigrated from Kazakhstan to the United States and the mermaid statue is a symbol of their love for their new country.

Ciao for now

We left San Diego on the morning of the 24th and took the long way around Los Angeles.  It doesn’t matter what time or what road the traffic is horrible going though LA.  If the GPS says 1 hour, figure it will take you two.

Following highway 8 east, we stopped at Kitchen Creek Road but not much was happening there and drove a few backroads looking for Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Mountain Quail and Bell’s Sparrow.  You would have though it was the night before Christmas, nothing was moving.  Only thing I saw at the Bell’s Sparrow spot was a Brewers Sparrow.

Brewer’s Sparrow

Later in the day we stopped at Anza-Borrego and even the water hole didn’t produce any birds.  On the way out of town we did spend a few minutes looking at the over 20 metal statues in the fields.

I’d like to say that the rest of the day was spent wandering around and seeing lots of things but the temperature hovered between 106 and 110 F (41-43 C).  Brutal even without humidity.

On arriving at Obsidian Butte, I took a chance and drove the road instead of walking.

The first bird I saw was a Yellow-legged Gull, walked over to the shore got a photo and we got out of there.  The smell and heat were just too much for us both.

Even the Gulls were panting from the heat.

Or were they just laughing at me?

Yellow-footed Gull – Life Bird – #701

The hottest spot of the day was Palm Desert, it was 114 F (45.5 C).

The rest of the day Sue and I, did some sightseeing and traffic fighting but managed to arrive at Ventura in time for a good meal and rest up for the coming day.

Ciao for now.