Bird Search

While I was in the desert, I got to take some photos of some interesting birds. Now I realize that some of these photos are not all that great (because most of them were pretty far away,) but I had fun searching for the birds and getting shots of them, especially the Burrowing Owl. Check it out!

Here's the Burrowing Owl, as far as my 200mm camera could get him.

Here he is when I digiscoped him. Digiscoping is when you point your camera though the lens of a scope. Amazing difference, eh?

Prairie Falcon

American Wigeon (New species for me!) By the end of the week, I got an other new species; his cousin, the Eurasian Wigeon. Whoo-hoo!

I assisted in searching for a Guinea Fowl, that was seen wandering beside Hwy. 111. We never found him. Bummer! He's obviously been around....

Leucistic Finch

One the greatest avian treats of my week in California was getting to see a leucistic House Finch at Mike and Betty's home in Joshua Tree. I have never seen a leucistic bird before, so this was special.

Leucism is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals and humans. Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin. You can tell a leucistic animal from an albino by its eye color. A leucistic bird will have a normal eye color.

The sweet little bird made its way around the feeders at Mike's house, just doing what normal House Finches do....eating. Mike and I noticed, though, that it didn't really seem part of the normal group. It stayed on its own. Of course, that could just be our interpretation, but it was interesting to observe, nonetheless.

Birding Back Home

Shew, I'm feeling better. Finally was able to catch up on my sleep!

One of my favorite things to do in California is birding with the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve group. It's like a family reunion every time I visit.


This Wednesday morning nothing of the extraordinary species showed up in my binoculars, but it was a sweet relief to see my favorite desert birds like the White-crowned Sparrow, California Thrasher and Roadrunner. Oh, and, of course, the Gambel's Quail. I've missed its soft chi-ca-go-go, chi-ca-go-go.

White-crowned Sparrow

One thing I enjoyed on this bird walk was introducing the desert species to a visiting birder from Guatemala. Every bird was new to him. That is always fun (that was me just over a year ago.)

Juan adding new lifers to his worldwide list.

Gorgeous San Bernadino Mountains to the North

I'm Not Dead

I'm just tired.

Had a great time in CA, but my flight back to StL was four hours late, getting me in after 2am on Monday. I have not been able to catch up on my life since then.

Until I get back into the swing of things, here is a beautiful sunrise in Joshua Tree, CA. I was staying with my good friends Mike and Betty in Joshua Tree, and Mike always invites me to watch the sunrise over the mountains every time I stay with them. GORGEOUS!

Life is Good Today

Morongo Valley, CA

Sorry for the hiatus...no internet, no posts. :(

But, I'm back! Merry Christmas, everyone! Had a hoot of a time in Indiana with the folks. I'll post more on that soon.

Today, I am headed back to the desert for some sunshine and birding. Can't wait to see everyone again!

CBC Hooky

I'm missing the annual nationwide Christmas Bird Count ...again.

Every year thousands of audubon societies and bird groups around the nation get together a couple weeks before or after Christmas Day to count the birds they see within an established area. The information collected is published as important national research. This is a VERY big deal.

Last year, I missed the BMCP CBC because I was traveling to Missouri (and really didn't know what I was missing.) This year I had great plans on participating in a local StL CBC, but for some reason all of the dates are on days I am, again, traveling. Mix that with the fact that I am working full-time now, makes the chances of catching a CBC pretty slim on my schedule. Pooper....

Today, I did consider driving 2.5 hours west to Columbia, MO for their count, but with the weather being snowy/rainy with temps around 30 degrees and winds 20mph+, I just couldn't pull myself together enough to do it. I guess I am a bit of a fair-weather birder. Woose, I know.

So, again, I'm missing this great event.

Maybe next year.

Tree Walking GBH