Blooms in Winter

It's hard to believe that the mountains were covered in snow three to four weeks ago.

Life has changed drastically since then. Blooms are filling the trees and birds like this House Finch are singing exuberantly every morning.

We have moved into a new home with unfamiliar plants and trees. This week these beautiful buds appeared on some of our trees.

We have learned that they are Plum Trees. Certainly, they aren't native to the mts but we shall enjoy watching them. We may even get lucky and get some fruit.

Their early blooms have given me a chance to practice Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. I certainly don't have any training but I do appreciate fresh flowers adding color and life to our home. Using fresh flowers which last a short time is a reminder of mono no aware which recognizes the temporary existence of life here on earth.

Appreciating each new day and all it brings is a good reminder for us all.

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day from the Salton Sea

Happy Valentine's Day! Watching over a hundred majestic Sandhill Cranes is just one reason why going to the Salton Sea in the Winter is FANTASTIC!

Snow Goose

 Hundreds and hundreds of Snow Geese gathering for the evening over the field of foraging Sandhill Cranes is spectacular! Along with the deafening calls of the Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and variety of shorebirds, we could hear the distant howling of coyotes. Wow! The richness of sound was amazing!

During the golden hour before sunset, the American Avocets, Marbled Godwits and passing Northern Shoveler matched in color as they tucked in their beaks after a busy day of foraging. 

This fishing spot, a favorite of Great and Snowy Egrets, was dominated by Cattle Egrets today.

Brown Pelican

Marbled Godwit

Willet

Great Egret

Traveling from the north end to the south end takes a full day but it's worth the 70 mile round trip.

We were lucky on this trip to see both the Burrowing Owl and Greater Roadrunner. Yeah!

Lesser Black-backed Gull hanging out with Ring-billed Gull

 Before the wintering birds return north to breed, I highly recommend witnessing this natural treasure! You might even get lucky and see a rare or uncommon bird hanging out along the shore with an abundant bird.