Heading east out of San Diego we stopped at Anza Borrego Desert State Park on the way
to the Salton Sea. Because of the drought and being winter, there were very few birds here.
However we added a beautiful male Costa's Hummingbird and...
California Gnatcatcher
Desert Hill Trail at Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor's Center.
Thousands of Snow Geese winter here and is the major attraction for birders.
The Salton Sea is 220 feet below sea level.
Coyotes constantly stalk and haze the Snow Geese...
This is the result!!
There are over 6,000 Snow Geese and 500 Ross's Geese.
The last goose is the smaller Ross's.
Snow Goose walking to adjacent pond.
Hundreds of White-faced Ibis feed in the shallow ponds of Unit 1
Many Sandhill Cranes also winter here.
Green Heron at attention!
Snowy Egret
Although the ponds are filled with ducks the Mallard is a rarity here.
Verdin
Greater Roadrunner actually running on the road.
American Kestrels winter here in large numbers
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tails take advantage of the abundant prey along agricultural fields
New bird for the year - Abert's Towhee
Another new bird - Gambel's Quail
Since 2011 when we first stayed at Del Yermo RV Park, across the street
a pair of Burrowing Owls has taken up residency in this abandoned loading dock.
The active train track with daily ground shaking and ear splitting horns
passes just feet behind them.
Hoping to find Burrowing Owls in a more quiet setting resulted in locating 20 individuals.
Here are just a FEW.
Don't look so mean!
This one has had enough!
This is a huge Geo-thermo area with many power plants.
In the forgrough are the natural Mud Volcanoes exhausting steam and mud.
White-faced Ibis descending into deep irrigation canal to feed.
Roosting Cattle Egrets
These Egrets, by the thousands fly out to the grain fields to feed on insects.
Blackbirds, likewise by the thousands come feed on the grain.
Yellow-headed Blackbirds intermix with the Red-wings.
Two Ring-necked Pheasants
Hundreds of Long-billed Curlews join in the feeding frenzy.
Sprinkling systems draw birds
This is the Red Hill Marina, now blocks from the receding sea shore.
We traveled 40 miles north to the Salton Sea State Recreation Area.
We scoped thousands of waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls and grebes.
Salt encrusted shoreline.
Blue-winged Teal
American Avocets
And to our delight - Cinnamon Teal
Hundreds of Boneparte's Gulls
Cactus Wren
Phainopepla - our 489th bird for the year.
"On the Road Again" heading toward Arizona we traveled the 15 mile Box Canyon Road.
Our last sunrise before leaving the Salton Sea.
We are now in the Arizona Desert and it's raining, standing water everywhere.
May God bless you with a happy and healthy New Year.
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann
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