Salton Sea

Anzo-Borrego Mountains

We left San Diego heading east through the Coastal Mountains and into the desert.  We passed through Julian where we were able to pick up some high altitude birds before the descent to below sea level at the Salton Sea.

Band-tailed Pigeon at Julian

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco

Spotted Towhee

Steller's Jay

Wild Turkey displays his fan tail

Red Hill (former) Marina - no water nearby anymore 

We stayed in Calipatria, a town 184 feet below sea level.  Only a few miles each day to the sea and the Sonny Bono Wildlife Refuge to explore the many interesting habitats.

Ross's Geese - a special treat

Sandhill Cranes winter here getting ready to leave

Long-billed Dowitchers and 2 Stilt Sandpipers

White-faced Ibis and Cattle Egrets in flooded field

Snow Geese

No place left to land - over 5,000 geese left
The other 50,000 already headed north

Snow Geese

This is the view from the Rock Hill Trail a little over a mile walk from the visitor's center.  We were able to scope out the rare Yellow-footed Gull from the hill.  If you use your imagination, you will see him in this photo.

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

We had a flock of over 60 Mountain Plovers in a plowed field and some came very close to our RV "blind".

Clark's Grebes on Weist Lake

There's a Barn Owl sleeping in between these Palm leaves,
Look carefully!

Gambel's Quail

Eurasian Collared Dove

Verdin

Abert's Towhee - nesting material

Male Northern Harrier

Snow-capped Mountains to the northwest of the Salton Sea  35 miles long - 10 miles wide

Burrowing Owls, the happy couple at home

After a week in the California desert we are on to Arizona and more birding.

Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann