Imperial
Valley w/ Sandy & Kathi
Dec 08, 2003
Guide Bob Miller
Exploring the
Imperial Valley and the Salton Sea!
93
species (list follows at end
of page)
Click on
thumbnail pictures for full-sized shots.
Western Bluebird |
Our first stop of the morning was in the park, right
in the middle of Calipatria, where we had great looks at Western
Bluebird to start the day. |
| We then went to Sperry and Eddins just west of town
where we had ALL of the doves! We had several White-winged
Doves which are unusual at this time of year. Ruddy Ground-Dove
seem to be here to stay but they are still a hot item on the
rare bird alerts. We had great comparison looks with the Common
Ground-Doves and Inca Doves at their side. |
White-winged Dove
|
|
| This Osprey soaring over the New River Wetlands in
Brawley was a treat as it passed right over head numerous
times. A Virginia Rail walked practically right under our
feet and was still hard to see! |
New River Wetlands
Project, Brawley
|
|
White Geese over Unit
One
|
| Unit One of the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR was loaded
with birds! There was a small but growing flock of Sandhill
Cranes that are making the refuge their winter home. Lots of Snow
and Ross's Geese side by side for comparison. |
Salton Sea from Unit
One
|
Yellow-footed and Herring
Gulls |
We found a second year Yellow-footed Gull while
birding along the sea wall form Lindsey Road and then were treated
to this adult while at Obsidian Butte. They are not as
skittish as most of the gulls and have a tendency to be the only
bird left standing when everyone else scatters! |
| Sunset caught up to us too soon so we threw together
a game plan to look for owls! After a fine dinner at Escalera's Su
Casa Restaurant in Brawley, Robert joined us and we roamed the streets in
search of Western Screech-Owl. It paid off well with two birds
calling and zipping past us under the full moon! Using a
small pen light we finally caught the eye shine of one as it
continued to call. |
Moon over the Chocolate
Mountains
|
|
