Visit to Famosa Slough

Since my Julian trip, life has been fairly quiet, except for my 8 year old grandson's baseball games.  Today, I walked to the Famosa Slough (San Diego) to see if I could find any migrating birds.  Instead, I was greeted with regulars, which of course are worth seeing.  It was a quiet respite.

When I arrived, the first bird I spotted was a  male Mallard, whose bill looked blue.  The photo of the male and female displays the male's bill as yellow.  The photo shown below on the left shows a bluish tint on the bill.  In every website I checked, experts said the male Mallard's bill is a bright yellow.  Each photo below is of the same male Mallard.  This pair was the only one at the Slough today.  The male Mallard's beautiful colors really stand out.

Male and Female Mallards

American Kestrel

The next bird I found was the American Kestrel, which is a small hawk.  It's head is well defined by two black stripes on each side of its head.  When attending a bird tour at the Slough, others more knowledgeable then I, can spot one faster.  So, today, I was happy it stayed in the same place long enough for me to get a few poses.  The photo to the right is the best.  My camera doesn't have that long a range, so this is what I get.  It's a very striking bird.

As I walked further into the property, there were some sparrows and finches.  I walked along the path and heard the call of a Song Sparrow.  I finally found it, but it was too far from me to get a good photo.


Before I started for home, I decided to cross West Point Loma Boulevard to see what I could see, so to speak.  I was hoping to see a Clapper Rail, a marsh bird that hangs out in the tall reeds.  On one of the tours I attended last fall, I was able to see one, but today, nothing.

As I was intently scanning the reeds with my eyes, I heard the familiar call of a Song Sparrow.  It was so loud it felt like the bird was sitting on my shoulder.  I turned and checked out a small tree behind me. It's flowers had died off for the most part, but there near the top was a Song Sparrow.

Song Sparrow

I did receive an email regarding the sighting of a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at the back of the property near the 8 (Highway).  Since it's far off the main road, I usually only go there when I'm with a bird tour.  It would be great if that bird would spend the month here, but I think it will be on the move.

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Perhaps by Catherine Hall (on Kindle and the Nook) 

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Great Week

After returning from New York in mid-June, I was assailed by a terrible head cold.  I spent three weeks getting over it.  Three quarts of Wonton Soup from the Mandarin Wok in Clairemont helped immensely.

This past Saturday, I attended the birding tour presented by the Friends of Famosa Slough in San Diego.  On this day, there were only three of us with the leader, Barbara.  I try to go every month because I learn something each time.  The tour leaders are very knowledgeable.  Because there were only three people Barbara was able to go into depth for the other guests were attending for the first time.  I reaped the benefits.  Barbara heard a Clapper Rail hiding in the salt marsh, but we couldn't spot it.

The tide was low so we saw Fiddler Crabs and California Horn Snails.  A Snowy Egret was lying low to the ground to feed on something.  Then we saw two young Black-necked Stilts (photo below left).  The adults have a black back with reddish pink legs, but these young birds had a mixture of black and brown backs with very pale pink legs.

Young Black-necked Stilts

Clapper Rail

 The other two ladies had to leave to attend another event, so Barbara and I went to the west side of the Famosa Slough, which is across West Point Loma Boulevard.  We spotted a Clapper Rail (photo right).  The Clapper Rail seemed to be cautiously watching a Western Gull who arrived on the scene.  The Gull then spotted what looked like a dead fish and proceeded to feast.  That photo wasn't appealing.





On Monday, I met a friend, Diane, for lunch at Mimi's in Mission Valley.  We had an enjoyable time conversing as Diane's lunch was a salad with strips of chicken, and mine was a Spinach quiche with a side of fruit. While we choose different restaurants when we meet, Mimi's is convenient and always good. 

That evening, my son-in-law decided to make a "Thanksgiving Dinner" and suggested to my daughter that they invite me.  The table was set as it would be for Thanksgiving day.  The dinner was scrumptious.  I always make a great Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallows, he one-upped me by adding a little bourbon.  Delish.  It was such a pleasant surprise to have this little celebration on a warm summer night.

On Tuesday evening, my daughter took the children and me to The Palette, the student-run restaurant at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute in San Diego. My daughter enjoyed a Melon soup as an appetizer, followed by Barbecued Short Ribs.  She gave me a tiny taste of each.  Nicely done.  She would have shared more, but then, I'd have no room for my meal, as my children say I eat like a bird.  My granddaughter and I each had a large root beer glazed pork shop with succotash and sweet potatoes with fennel.  My granddaughter was able to eat most of her pork chop.  I could only eat a little.  My grandson relished his chicken fingers, which I believe was really an appetizer. Dessert was a chocolate lava cake.  I skipped it, but the others informed me that it was absolutely delicious.  Everything tasted so good, we took what we couldn't eat home.  It was a very enjoyable meal.

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Benefits of Volunteering

                                      

This past Saturday, I volunteered at the sign-in table for the "work clean-up party" at the Famosa Slough.  It gave me a great opportunity to take some photos of the birds.  The Snowy Egret I caught fishing for his lunch is a resident.  I noticed a long time ago that he seemed to stake out his territory.  I've seen him chase a Little Blue Heron and other Snowy Egrets.  I haven't seen him bothering ducks or cormorants.

I believe that the bird shown on the right below is a Long-billed Curlew.  There are a few birds that are very similar in size with up or downward turned bills, such as Short and Long-billed Dowitchers and a Marbled Godwit.  The large bird below is a Great Egret on its way to fish.  It seemed to be headed to an area already scoped out by an unidentified duck.

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Wanderings

 On Friday, October 25, I went to Cabrillo National Monument.  I was hoping to see some migrating birds, but didn't.  I did see a few Painted Lady Butterflies near the top of the hill near the lighthouse.  Made my day!

                                                                                                                       

Painted Lady Butterfly

Cabrillo National Monument Lighthouse

Today, I was able to join a Girl Scout troop touring the Famosa Slough lead by the Chairman of the Friends of Famosa Slough.  I was enjoyable to see how much the girls enjoyed learning about the presence of fresh water just a few feet from the presence of salt water.  Binoculars were provided to enhance their experience.  The girls enjoyed zooming in on several species of ducks, a Snowy Egret, a Great Egret and three Black-crowned Night Herons.  The night herons are nocturnal birds.  I had posted photos of Juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons, but I've never seen an adult Black-crowned Night Heron out in the Slough.  Below are pictures of the three we saw this afternoon.  I consider the adults very elusive.  Previously I've only spotted them in a tree, surrounded by the leaves.

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

Adult Black-crowned Night Heron

Adult Black-crowned Night Heron

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Labor Day Weekend

On Friday, I started the weekend by going to Mission Beach with my daughter and her children.  My daughter spotted a parking space on Mission Boulevard.  Finding a spot there was quite a coup.  For a Labor Day weekend, there weren't many people on the beach.  We had expected larger crowds.  More people did start coming around 3:00pm.  We enjoyed romping in the waves with the children.  The six year old was a little wary of the waves, but still had a good time.  My daughter spread a blanket and placed an umbrella in the middle.  After a while, we returned to sit on the blanket to eat a snack, while the six year old played in the sand along side.  Before I knew it, I was shooing flies with large wings.  At first, my daughter said there is nothing there, but then she did see them.  Since I was the only person they were landing on, I suspect that it was probably my pomegranate and mango soap that attracted them.  Lesson learned.  I didn't bring my camera so I missed the opportunity for photos of some Whimbrels, pecking through the sand.  After two hours, we left the beach, having thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. 

On Saturday, after my grandson's soccer scrimmage, we left for Los Angeles to visit the cousins.  We enjoyed spotting the "monster" in the clouds as we traveled north up the "5".  Traffic wasn't bad at all, except for the toll booth area.   My daughter was wondering why the cars paying the toll were held up.  Then, we noticed that the toll for the "73" had risen to $5.75.  Some of the drivers were probably unprepared for the rise in the cost, slowing everyone down.  The visit with the cousins was, of course, very enjoyable as it always is.

We returned on Sunday morning with some sporadic tie ups.  My daughter chose to skip the toll and bypass the "73".  I dislike driving the 405 all the way to where it joins the "5".  The traffic at that point can be an absolute "bear", at least in my opinion.  I do not enjoy bumper-to-bumper traffic.  This morning, however, we didn't have any problem.  That afternoon, I went with a friend for a late lunch at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza at Liberty Station in Point Loma to celebrate our birthdays.  The atmosphere at this restaurant is always enjoyable.  We both ordered from the "Tapas" section of the menu.  I ordered a the "crab and shrimp with flat bread" (I highly recommend this) and Marge chose the "Oak roasted asparagus with prosciutto."   I tasted one of spears....very tasty.  Since we were celebrating our birthdays, the waiter offered us a special desert.  We both declined.  It would have tasted great, but common sense won out.  We still shared in laughter and I did a lot more talking than my friend.  She's a great listener.   It was another great day.

Yesterday, I went to Balboa Park to see if there were any migrating butterflies.  A young man attending one of the bird tours at the Famosa Slough last spring spoke glowingly about many butterflies in the Rose Garden.  There were no butterflies, but many rose bushes in this garden.  My photos don't do them justice.  One variety of rose was prettier than the other.

Balboa Park Rose Garden

After looking at the roses, I walked to Balboa Park's Koi Pond.  It is located by the Botanical Building and is a favorite of many.   As I left the Park, I noticed a number of children in the Bea Evenson Fountain.  It was very hot yesterday.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Bea Evenson Fountain

                                                                                                    
 On my way home, I went to the Famosa Slough, where I saw the Osprey perched on the telephone pole.  Several times in the past two weeks, I've seen a "host" of sparrows.  Actually, I've been unable to discern exactly what amount of sparrows constitutes a "host."  All summer, I would hear them in the bushes and if they were not in bushes they would quickly get into one as I came near.  This made it quite difficult to see what kind of sparrow it was.   Now, they are collectively out in the open which makes me think that they are preparing to migrate.  Visiting Balboa Park and the Famosa Slough was a perfect way to finish my Labor Day weekend.

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Visits to the Slough

I recently came upon an Osprey sitting atop a telephone pole at the Famosa Slough.
             

                                                                   


                                       

Suddenly, he spotted something in the water.   Now here's a big bird.

The bird shown below is a juvenile Gull seen at the Famosa Slough last month.  It is shown in two different views.  There was a white Gull near it, but I was unable to verify that it was a Western Gull, though I suspect it was.  Interesting that the color and markings on the juvenile Gull would be so different from the adult Gull.    If you remember the pictures of the Black-crowned Night Heron, it's juvenile stage is quite different from how it will look as an adult.

Juvenile Gull

Juvenile Gull

I've found Hummingbirds at the Famosa Slough, but haven't succeeded in getting a good photo.  They are very fast and flit everywhere.  During a Bird Tour at the Famosa Slough, I discovered one sitting on a branch just over my head.  I suspect that it was quietly sitting there until the group of nine or ten left.

I've included the photo of the Hummingbird shown to the left because I thought it's colors were very pretty.  I saw it last summer in my daughter's yard in North Clairmont in San Diego.  

  My neighbor recently created a garden on her side of our joint deck.  Hummingbirds regularly visit.  When I hear the bird's little "chip, chip, chip" I grab my camera.  The photo to the right is about the best I could get so far.  I think it is a female Anna's Hummingbird.

                                                                          

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Birds at Famosa Slough

On Saturday, while walking around the Famosa Slough,  I happened upon this Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron.  I wonder if it is the same bird I saw in January of this year or in July of last year.

If so, its plumage seems to be changing, as evidenced by less spots and the more solid dark bill and red eyes. Its back will go from being spotty to a svelte black.  It takes two years for this bird to mature, but it seems well on its way.   See the Black-crowned Night Heron in a previous blog.

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More Birds

First, I have to make a correction to my last post, I noted that ".... a Clapper Rail was intent on his own fishing in the water."  The correct name for this bird is "Marbled Godwit."  I find these birds confusing.  Of course, the more I learn to recognize these birds the better for my credibility.  I really do appreciate birding friends who help me out with the correct names.
 
In my quest to get photographs of different birds, I been visiting the Slough often to see what I could find.   Since they fly away just when I spot them, it is sometimes quite a challenge to photograph them, especially when they are perched in full leafy trees.  As the weather gets warmer, any migratory birds will be on their way.

On March 10th, I spotted the following bird,which might be a Cassin's Vireo because of the eye-ring and yellow flanking.

Vireo

As I walked deeper into the property on the trail that ran along Famosa Blvd, I saw something yellow in the back of the property.  Then, I noticed people walking there.  I had not known that the area was open to the public.  So, I walked up the hill on Famosa Blvd, turned left and re-entered the property at Mentone Street.

Common Yellowthroat

I asked a couple leaving the property if they had seen anything interesting.  I realize that the answer could be quite subjective.  The man responded that they had seen some "yellow rumps."   As I walked around, I spotted a yellow bird, which turned out to be a Common Yellowthroat. 

The path loops around the property.  As I walked further around the loop I spotted this big blueish bird.  It turned out to be a Western Scrub-Jay.  I was so excited since I loved taking photos of the Blue Jay in New York, so I was happy to get a photo of this bird. I've since learned that the Western Scrub-Jay is regularly seen in the Slough. 

Western Scrub-Jay

On March 11, I found a Summer Tanager Immature Male (shown below).  A mature male will be red in color.  You can see the splotches of red on this bird.   As I was leaving the property, I spotted a Killdeer on the bank of the water near the West Point Loma Blvd entrance to the Slough.  I think that the bird is so cute.  The stripes on its breast looks like a turtle-necked sweater.
                                                                                                                                

Killdeer

Summer Tanager Immature Male

                                                                                                                       

 After spending four days in the house because of feeling "under the weather", it was good to get out.  On March 16, I joined the bird watching tour given at the Famosa Slough.  At one point, as the tour leader pointed out different shore birds, I spotted a hummingbird sitting on a branch just over my head.  As I was looking up, the leader saw something and said, "Was that a Golden-Crowned Sparrow?".  No one responded.  I hadn't seen it since I was so preoccupied with the hummingbird over my head.  I was intrigued as to why it didn't fly away with approximately nine people standing right there underneath it.  Usually, they flit before I can get a picture.  There are so many kinds of hummingbirds, I admit I'm intimidated when it comes to assigning a specific name to the picture below.

Hummingbird

 After a while, I left the group and went to the back of the property where I could see other kinds of birds, possibly migratory ones.   For a few days, I heard a familiar bird call.  I would try to ascertain the source, but wasn't succeeding.  That day, however, I saw it.  I got a photo of the Song Bird as it was singing.

Song Sparrow

Golden-Crowned Sparrow

 The next day, I went back to see what I could find.  I thought I saw a bird with a gold spot on its head.  I remembered that the tour leader had spoken about it the day before.  I wondered if the bird I saw flit into the tree was truly a Golden-Crowned Sparrow.  A young couple I had seen earlier came along with their scope.  I told them that I saw this bird.  They were very knowledgeable and could tell me the bird calls that they were hearing.  The woman advised me that the Golden-Crowned Sparrow had a very sad call like "I'm so tired."  She started doing a visual search and spotted it.  Then the man pulled out his bird book, found it and asked the woman if that was what she saw.  She answered in the affirmative.  Then, he showed me.  I said, "Yes."  As the Sparrow flew to another tree, she spotted again and showed me.  I took multiple pictures but the Golden spot on his head was hidden each time.  The photo above to the right shows just a sliver of gold on his head.  Anytime it looked my way as he was nibbling on something green, it would block my view of its head.  Since this bird only winters here in San Diego, I will continue to watch for this bird as often as I'm able.  Spring is here.

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Bird Observations

Female Western Bluebird

Last week, I was walking near Tourmaline St in La Jolla, CA, a coastal community north of San Diego, and spotted the following bird on the lawn.  At first glance, I thought it was a Robin, a bird that can be found throughout the United States, but one that I've never seen on the West Coast.  Then, I saw a blue glint on it's head.  As I came closer to get a better picture, it flew away. When I researched my photo later and verified with a bird expert, it turned out to be a Female Western Bluebird.  A few years ago in Balboa Park in San Diego, I spotted a beautiful, bright blue bird (probably a Male Bluebird), but as I pulled out my camera, it flew away.  I've become more alert and almost always have my camera out and ready, although I'm convinced that as soon as the bird is aware of my silver camera they take off.

House finch

 

 Yesterday, I spotted a house finch at the Slough.

 Today, I walked the hills of Ocean Beach.  The weather was overcast and the birds must have been hunkering down since it was also cold.    On the way back, I stopped in at the Slough.  There I saw a man and a small child feeding two Mallards some bread on the Famosa Boulevard side.   As I walked toward them, they left.  The man and child then went around to the front entrance to the Slough.  Believe it or not, the ducks swam across the water to where these people were and followed them on the path.  That was amazing to me.  The ducks didn't come to me. as I had come around to the front and was just several feet from these people.  Did the Mallards recognize their feeders?                                                                                

                                                 

Mallard

Along came another man with a school bag.  He put his hand in the bag, dropped something for the ducks,and proceeded on.  The birds ate some of it and there was a piece between them.  Just then a small gull with black wings just swooped down and picked up the whole piece of bread.   One of the Mallards quacked and turned his head towards the airborne gull with the bread.  It sounded just like he voiced, "Wa-a-." (Like "what just happened here?")  That gull certainly was very deft in his actions.

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Then, four White-crowned Sparrows hopped out of the bushes and pecked around for breadcrumbs.  This gave me an opportunity to get a close-up of them, since they usually hide within the brush.

Clapper Rail

While all this was going on, a Clapper Rail was intent on his own fishing in the water.

While I certainly don't know much about birds, I'm sometimes taken aback to view their almost human-like actions.

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Famosa Slough in late January

With the cold weather, other than my daily walk and exercise, my ventures have been limited.  I certainly hibernated during last week's rains.  I don't like heavy rain.  In fact, I don't like rain at all.  With the rains gone on Sunday, I took a walk to the Famosa Slough, a wetland in San Diego.  While it was quiet, there were a number of birds just hanging out, so to speak.

In the picture shown above, American Avocets look stately as they cruise along.  As you can see, the heads of some of the birds show that breeding season is near.  Their winter plumage changes to a pinkish tan color.  Both male and female take turns incubating the eggs.  The American Avocet is a beautiful bird.

Below are two pictures of a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron.  I published a picture the first time I saw a juvenile, in a post in July.  (http://bicoastalgrandma.blogspot.com/2012/07/bird-watching.html)  The juvenile shown below was in the exact same spot as I found him in July.  However, if it is the same bird, he now has white spots on his back.  I took these picture from two different positions through a chain link fence about five feet from where he was perched.  Other than occasionally looking around, he never flinched at the click of the shutter.

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

The Mallards came near.  The Northern Pintail looks regal, at least, in my opinion.  When they're foraging for food, all you see is their bottoms with the long pintail sticking up in the air.  It is a curious sight.  The center picture shows an American Wigeon on the edge of the island in the middle of the property.  There were also some Killdeer on the same island, but my camera range was not sufficient. If the Kildeer is facing you, it looks like the bird is wearing a turtle-neck sweater due to black stripes across its breast.  If a predator is near, the Kildeer will feign a broken wing to lure the predator away from the nest.  It is a cute bird.

Mallards

Northern Pintail

American Wigeon

As I was preparing to leave the Slough, I spotted another bird.  It flew from bush to bush about 20 feet away.  I took some pictures and then, later last night, (since I'm so new at this) compared them to bird pictures on the Internet.  Then I verified it with a birding expert.  The bird shown below is a Say's Phoebe, a flycatcher.  It winters in California, but it was the first time I'd seen it.

 

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