Migrating Birds

Today started off with the usual "May Gray" (overcast skies).  I've been waiting for blue skies to take some pictures.  By 1:00pm, the skies started clearing and we ended up with a "partly cloudy" day.   Our mornings have been cool, warming up when and if the sun pops through the clouds, and then, quickly cooling off again by late afternoon.  So, today I ventured out to the Formosa Slough to see if I could find some migrating birds.  Up until now I hadn't seen any so I thought I was missing the opportunity to spot any of these birds.  Even the local hummingbirds are no where to be seen.

While there weren't many birds, I did get some pictures.  I'm a real "newbie" so I have to research each bird I find.  When I compared my pictures to ones on the Internet, I discovered that I had found some birds migrating to more northern areas.  Great!

There were two Northern Shovelers.    
The Male has the dark head.  The picture to the right shows him exhibiting his plumage, perhaps in a courtship mode.  

 
The Famosa Slough is divided into two sections separated by West Point Loma Boulevard in Point Loma in San Diego, CA.  When I visit the slough, I usually check out the northern section to see what birds I can find.  Today, I spotted a Great Blue Heron. 

 

When I crossed the Boulevard to the southern section, I found a seemingly older Heron.

  As time went on, he simply looked like a tired elderly statesman.

I've never seen a Great Blue Heron so relaxed.  

Then I spotted what I thought was a duck.  I detected an unusual bill, like that of a goose.  The closest goose I could find on the Internet was a Greater White-fronted Goose.  But, I'd appreciate a Birders identification.

Finally, the last bird I found was a Common Tern, white with a small black cap.  The male and female are similar in appearance, though the male has a larger bill than the female.  It soared around and then, without warning, just plopped into the water. got his prey and was off in a flash.  It landed just like a person doing a belly flop when diving.  The picture of the plop area shows just how fast it was.

 

PLOP

This is a fun hobby.  You might want to look into it, if you have the time.

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A Happy Easter

Yesterday our West Coast family spent a very enjoyable day together here in San Diego.  The backyard of my daughter's house is larger than normal and afforded the children plenty of space for the Easter Egg Hunt.  Their ages spanned from five through eight years.  They were informed that each child was to pick up seventeen eggs, thereby ensuring that each child had a chance to get eggs.  After collecting the plastic "eggs", each child sat at the table in the yard, opening the eggs to see what was inside.  There were smiles and happy faces as they checked out the little surprises inside the eggs, like stickers, erasers, small toys, as well as Hershey Kisses and "M and M's".  The children then shared and traded some of the booty.


My son-in-law, an Executive Chef, created a sumptuous gourmet meal.  The appetizers included Gougere "BLT's" and Shrimp Cerviche Cucumber Cups.  A short while later, the meal was presented.  We had Honey-Glazed Easter Ham with Mustard Cream Sauce, Smoked Clams, Butternut Squash Bread Pudding, Pureed Yams with Candied Walnuts, Bacon-Infused Macaroni and Cheese, and Roasted Asparagus with Honey-Balsamic Gastrique.  All this with a delicious Spring Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Walnuts, Cranberries, and Blue Cheese.  A second helping was inviting, but I fought the temptation.  Also, after a little bit of this and a little bit of that, there was simply no room for more.

As we were leisurely dining in the yard, the sound of the numerous hummingbirds flitting from tree to tree as well as some other small song birds only enhanced the experience.  They were too quick for me.  I wasn't able to get a good picture.  However, the day before, I did spot an orange glint in a tree with pink flowers.  It is a little difficult to see, but there in the middle of those branches is a Hooded Oriole.  

As evening arrived, with the children scampering around the living room under the direction of a Kinect game,  dessert and coffee came out.  It consisted of Orange-Poppyseed Bundt Cake, Butterscotch Caramel Pie, and assorted cookies....all baked by another daughter.  With full stomachs and joyful hearts, all the guests went home with food for another night.

While grateful for this wonderful day, we have Easter Sunday because Jesus rose from the dead.  He stands ready to be our friend and, if we wish, to live in our hearts.

Also, as I had received an e-mail earlier this week about our service men and women, I'm reminded that we enjoyed our Easter under their watchful eye.  No matter how you feel about their involvement in the current war, I invite you to join me in praying for them and their families, especially our Wounded Warriers.  If it weren't for their dedication and commitment, we would not be able to have such happy times.  God bless them and you.

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Famosa Slough Visit

I visited the Famosa Slough here in San Diego last week.  Since it's a wetlands frequented by resident and migratory birds, I like to check out any new birds that might stop by.  I've photographed the Snowy Egret a number of times, but to have seen it getting its meal was quite a coup.

Snowy Egret Fishing for Lunch

Snowy Egret Owns the Place

Little Blue Heron with Lunch

A Little Blue Heron came by for his lunch but he had to work harder.  Apparently after the Little Blue Heron succeeded in getting lunch, the Snowy Egret came to remind him whose yard it was.

A Great Blue Heron was quite a distance from me, but I was able to get a picture as it took off.

Great Blue Heron Taking off for the Day

In an earlier article about the Cabrillo National Monument, I identified a little bird as a Pacific-slope Flycatcher.  I compare my pictures with whatbird.com since I'm learning.  Later, I decided to re-check with the Friends of Famosa Slough. An e-mail with my photograph was sent to other birders and they responded that it looked more like a Lesser Goldfinch.  These people are very gracious and helpful to a newbie. 

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Cabrillo National Monument

On Thursday, my daughter and I had an hour to spare, so we drove to the Cabrillo National Monument.  The Old Point Loma Lighthouse (shown on left) was built in 1854.  It has been replaced by a newer one on the water's edge (on the right).

When I attended a Birdwatchers Tour
at the Formosa Slough last month, I heard some of the people speaking about the "Drip."  I asked what the "Drip" was and the people told me it was a place where birds were seen at the Cabrillo National Monument.  My curiosity was piqued.  I did ask for directions on Thursday, but ran out of time.  However, I did spot a California Towhee near the Visitor's Center.  The terrace in back of the Visitor's Center provides a great view of the City of San Diego.  On the terrace, you can also find a statue of Juan Cabrillo, who came to San Diego in 1542.   From that spot, we watched the USS Chief leaving San Diego Bay. 

On Thursday's eleven o'clock news, the meteorologist stated that today would be perfect with great visibility.  So, I decided to return to the Monument to look for the "Drip."  I had difficulty finding it, but after walking around, I found a Ranger speaking with an artist who was in the process of completing a beautiful painting of the old lighthouse.  The Ranger offered to walk me directly to the "Drip" while telling me that he thought I would be disappointed.  That day crews had been cutting down some trees because they were infected with a parasite and the Ranger didn't expect birds to be frequenting the spot due to the noise.  I also passed by the same area not realizing that the site was exactly where I wanted to go.

After the Ranger left me in what probably was a small grove of trees previous to being cut down, I did spot a little bird stopping by for a little water. 

The "Drip" was a medium container of water that had a solar panel providing electricity for the drip of water.  Of course, this explanation is in layman's terms and supposition on my part.  Anyway, the little bird was yellow and after comparing pictures on the Internet, I think it was a Pacific-slope Flycatcher.  For me, it was quite a find.  Then, another Ranger spotted me and ordered me off the area, stating the "Drip" had no permit.  Oh well.

While there, I took the opportunity to take another photograph the Old Point Loma Lighthouse with the backdrop of a beautiful blue sky.

 
I plan to return to walk the Bayside trail and visit the tidepools with the grandchildren.  It should be fun.