Chasing Mountain Quail Chicks

Watching the parents of Mountain Quail chicks keep up with their fuzzy offspring has been amazing. Knowing all the dangers that exist for them adds to the suspense each time they show up in our backyard.

Their coordination increases each time I see them. In a few weeks time, they can walk/run without a sibling's foot landing on their head.

They are getting braver which might not be a good trait. I watched this family resting under a nearby bush. The chicks had their eyes closed apparently getting a quick nap. Soon the parents were closing their eyes as well.

 

Hunger overtook caution when they aroused from their short nap. The chicks emerged one by one before the adults. Parents soon followed. No nap time for them!

 

It takes two to parent these vulnerable chicks. While one is the vigilant lookout, the other eats and drinks. I can't help getting tense myself watching them especially since I know that bobcats, coyotes, ravens, hawks and rattlesnakes share these woods.

Survival includes not being in the open or in one spot too long. The visits with us our short. Today after they had their fill of food and water, I watched one of the parents lead the way while the trailing parent chased the chicks from one hiding spot to another up the hill. Whew! Another day in the life of the Mountain Quail family.

Cowboys and Ghost Towns

Birdwatching is much more than searching for birds even when you are on an official workshop. If you're lucky, the views are incredibly beautiful but often, more birds are found in less than desirable locations like dumps and water treatment plants. 

You don't always want to be looking up. Otherwise, you may end up landing on your face or you might miss a neat creature on the ground like this Sierra Tree Frog....

or an interesting insect, flower, even a highly unusual fungus like this Sierra Puffball (Calvatia sculpta).

Sometimes the bird you are searching for turns out not to be a bird. My chirping "bird" turned out to be this Chicaree or Douglas' squirrel. Quite cute!

 

 

One of our field trips was interrupted by a roundup of cattle. The cowboys led the huge animals from one massive pasture to another blocking our intended path. We all forgot about birding and enjoyed the passing of this unique procession taking place in front of us.

As I have mentioned before, the journey somewhere is sometimes filled with unexpected surprises like the aliens we encountered in the desert. This trip, I found a ghost town named Bodie.

In 1859, WS Bodey and Black Taylor discovered gold in this remote place. It took awhile before it was a thriving town. By 1879, thousands of people were working on the gold and silver mines.

Although it was one of the most prosperous mining towns in California, it had a reputation for being "once known as the most lawless, wildest and toughest mining camp in the west." With that quote from the park brochure in mind, I figure the hearse on display had a lot of business.

By the 1940's, it had become a ghost town. The remaining buildings with possessions left behind provide images from the distant past.

This historic park is definitely worth the drive on the remote 13 mile road off the highway. A surprise bonus is the magnificent scenery when it is time to leave.

Birding in the Sierra Nevada

 

Sierra Nevada, the land that inspired John Muir and countless others was my destination. The 400 mile drive along the eastern side of the mountain range is filled with snow covered mountain peaks including Mt Whitney. At 14,497 feet, it is the tallest peak in the lower forty-eight.

This trip was all about birds and other discoveries along the way. My goal was to better understand the songs of the forest by taking a week long Birding by Ear workshop outside Sierra City, a small town with a rich gold mining history.

 

At the SFSU field campus, under a mixed conifer forest, we camped in tents next to a flowing creek. What a treat to hear water all night long. Swainson's Thrushes and Robins woke us up each morning before the sun filled the sky. To study bird songs, you have to get up before the birds do which is quite early!

Our days were filled with listening to the singing birds and studying sonograms of their songs at night. There are those who have a gift for knowing birdsongs without much effort but for others, like myself, it takes lots of focus and practice.

Along the way, the views were spectacular.

I was thrilled when I finally discovered who was singing every day in the trees over my tent - A Hermit Warbler. I have only seen one of these cute birds one other time in Idyllwild during migration.

Another bird I've only seen once during migration is the Lazuli Bunting. He was perched high on a tree long enough to see his turquoise blue head in the sunlight.

Woodpeckers are fascinating to me. This Lewis's Woodpecker is an uncommon bird to see so we were lucky to see it. We found it in a patch of trees that had been partially burned from a previous fire.

Many seed eating birds swallow small pebbles or grit to help digest their meal in their gizzard. These huge billed Evening Grosbeaks were adding pebbles to their diet regularly on the side of the road.

 

 

In the Sierra Valley, we found other birds who were nesting in the grassland near creeks. Some were more noticeable in flight like the calling Sandhill Cranes and the Wilson's Snipes. Snipes circle high in the air during their courtship flight. When they plunge towards the ground a vibrating hum or "winnow" occurs through their tail feathers. I got this one resting after a busy display.

 

The sharp contrasts of the Yellow-headed Blackbirds were stunning to see. They don't have a melodic song ...sounds like they are coughing up hair balls.They sure look great though!

Another favorite bird for me was the Marsh Wren. This tiny bird was full of attitude! Usually, they are hidden in the marsh grass but this one was boldly singing out in the open at all of us.

By the end of the week, I left knowing more bird songs than when I arrived and my spirit was filled with peace and gratitude for spending days and nights in the beauty of Nature.

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees."  John Muir

Hiking Seven Pines Trail

Seven Pines Trail is one of the least hiked trails in the San Jacinto Wilderness. To reach the trailhead at 6,478 feet, your car first needs to climb a windy, narrow dirt road up from Dark Canyon.

The trail is strenuous with plenty of ups and downs. Since it isn't used a lot, it can be a challenge keeping on the path at times but mostly, it is easy to follow. Bring your map and compass as a backup.

For the highly motivated, Mt San Jacinto at 10,834 feet can be reached in 7 1/4 miles. My goal was to find the birds hidden in the trees and to be on the lookout for other "eye catchers" along the way so our mileage was much less.

We didn't get very far when I started hearing a referee whistle. After a lot of searching, I discovered the singing Ash-throated Flycatcher. It helps to identify birds by their songs as well as by sight. For me, his song is definitely a muted referee blowing his whistle.

 

 

The mountain trails in this wilderness are full of balancing boulders with interesting shapes. The Pteradactyl egg, eagle, and crowned frog were still as I remembered them last year. They are bound to change with the numerous tremors that occur up here.

 

"Quick, three beers" When I heard that call, our hike came to a halt until we found this Olive-sided Flycatcher wearing his nifty grey vest and singing with gusto high up on a snag.

The flycatchers we saw today may not have much color but they have GREAT songs.

We were either too early or the drought has impacted the wildflowers. This Western Azalea was more

noticeable last year. It has a much humbler existence than in the south where they bloom profusely in the Spring and Summer.

Black Mountain Fire lookout tower can be seen from this trail. There are 7 fire lookouts in Southern California. The one on Tahquitz Peak is unique for being the only one in the wilderness accessible only by foot or horseback. They all play an important role in keeping an eye on the forest for smoke and fire.

 

When we returned, I checked on the Steller's Jay nest under our porch. I found 2 extremely quiet babies waiting for one of their parents to return. Great sight! With all the dangers that abound, it is good to see a nest of healthy birds. They should be out of their nest soon. Interestingly, the adult Steller's Jays are normally quite loud but when it comes to taking care of their nestlings, they are extremely quiet as well as they come and go. Keep your eyes open. You will be surprised by what you see and hear.