Merry Christmas, Firefighters!

 As I was pulling out Christmas decorations this past week, I found these ornaments that we bought in NYC. They are in honor of the firefighters from 9/11. Although the lead news stories have changed, we haven't forgotten the sacrifice that thousands of firefighters are experiencing this holiday.

We live in a small mountain town in Southern California. Idyllwild has experienced many near misses from wildfires over the years. The latest was the Mountain Fire in July 2013. All of us who live here or who love these mountains are thankful for the firefighters who saved our town and much of our wilderness.

On behalf of countless people, thank you for your dedication to saving lives, property and when possible, the wilderness that surrounds us. Our prayers of protection are with you. Merry Christmas from your friends in Southern California and across the country.

Photos and content by Robin Roberts. Video by Snoopy.
Click on images to enlarge.

Birding without Binoculars and a Broken Camera

Shoebill

Don't you love that bill? I wish I could say I was in a freshwater swamp in Africa photographing this bird but I saved a lot of money by seeing it at the San Diego Safari Park. This 5 ft tall bird is really impressive! It stood motionlessly while we watched it hunt for its next meal - fish, frog snake or perhaps, baby crocodile.

When we decided to go to the Safari Park, birding was the last thing on my mind so I left my binoculars at home. MISTAKE!

African Pygmy Goose

Ross's Turaco

White-headed Buffalo Weaver

Fairy Bluebird

Emerald Starling

Walking through the aviary filled with huge plants and trees, I found myself pretending to be in an exotic location searching for birds. The park, itself, is a nature sanctuary. Native plants and trees line the paths between natural open habitats for the animals. 

Huge African animals roam in inviting open landscapes. I quickly realized that resident and migrating birds must find this sanctuary appealing, too!

Northern Shoveler, Common Gallinule

As I looked more closely, I started to see some familiar birds hanging out with birds and animals from distant lands! Trust me, I "kicked" myself more than once for leaving my binoculars at home! Next time, they will be around my neck where they belong!

American Wigeon

I don't often travel to chase down a bird but the Eurasian Wigeon was "calling" me. We have plenty of beautiful American Wigeons that visit Lake Hemet but a visit from a Eurasian Wigeon is quite special! We traveled to San Elijo Lagoon in San Diego to find a lone Eurasian Wigeon amidst 100-200 American Wigeons. Of course, I was prepared. I had binoculars and camera. Luck was on our side. We spotted a beautiful male Eurasian Wigeon at the edge of the marsh grass but my camera would not take a photo! UGH!!! You can imagine my frustration as this beautiful "life" bird disappeared from sight!

Eurasian Wigeon with American Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

So how do I have a photo? My friend, Hal spotted another rare Eurasian Wigeon near his desert home in Borrego Springs this week. Coincidentally, he sent me his photo without knowing that I couldn't document the one that we found. Thanks for sharing your photo, Hal!

Lewis's Woodpecker

 Finally, one of the best birding expeditions this past month was with my little birding buddy. We went to Lake Hemet to see the Lewis's Woodpecker. We found it and as he looked through the scope for a close look, he exclaimed "It is beautiful!" Priceless!!!

While writing this blog, I found a great article on the Shoebill on the national Audubon site. Check it out!http://www.audubon.org/news/the-shoebill-or-most-terrifying-bird-world

Photos and content by Robin Roberts.
Click on photos to enlarge.

Discovering Spitler Peak Trail

Spitler Peak has been an enigma to us since moving here. It is one of the peaks along the Desert Divide. PCT hikers passed along this string of mountains until July 2013 when the Mountain Fire burned ferociously through the mountains. A huge section of the PCT was totally destroyed.

 We will never forget those scary days! Now 4 1/2 years later, a momentous event took place last week. Spitler Peak Trail which connects with the PCT is now open.Vegetation has had a chance to regrow and dedicated trail teams have worked extremely hard rebuilding the trail! We were told by our hiking buddies that this trail had some of the most beautiful views in the San Jacinto Wilderness.

So a few days ago, we set off on the newly opened trail! It is a little hard to follow in the beginning if you have never been on it but if you head towards the mountain, you will find a well defined trail. With that said, it's always a good idea to bring along your map and compass or GPS.

 Initially,the trail goes through lots of Red Shank (Ribbonwood). Healthy new bushes are growing around blackened branches.

Before long, the trail starts to climb through a mountainside full of boulders.

Quickly, Lake Hemet becomes visible in the distance. 

It was great to see that birds were returning to the area. California Scrub Jays were the most abundant bird. With the successful regrowth of Scrub Oaks, acorn eating birds have a feast on the mountain.

Since we had a late start to our hike, we didn't make it to the peak. I can say that the views became more beautiful the higher we climbed. We definitely plan on returning and reaching the peak next time!

Photos and content by Robin Roberts
Click on Photos to enlarge

Anyone Know a Rain or Snow Dance???

Wow! It is mid November and we havaen't had a drop of rain since August! Before that, it was probably May. With that said, if you have experience as a rain or snow dancer, please come to Idyllwild!

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Although birds are resourceful, they sure could use a little help from us, humans! We have a couple of bird baths that are quite popular especially the one with a dripper.

Pinyon Jays

We live in cowboy country. Imagine grazing cattle in fields of Great Basin Sage. In this vast landscape, you will occasionally find a few "boats" filled with water for the cattle. The birds appreciate them greatly! This HUGE flock of Pinyon Jays descended upon this spot one day when I was passing by.

White-headed Woodpecker

Mountain Chickadee

Pygmy Nuthatch

Here and there, a few faucets drip or a pipe has an unexpected leak where a few precious drops of water fall. Lots of birds are depending on these scarce watering holes to enhance their survival.

Pine Siskin

 You may not want to fill up bird feeders but a dish of clean water especially if it is dripping will be quite appreciated!!! Signed, Birds on the Mountain

Click on photos to enlarge,
Content and photos by Robin Roberts

Lake Hemet through Binoculars

Watching birds from your own backyard is a great way to meet your feathered neighbors. During migration, when an unfamiliar bird shows up, you can grab your binoculars, field guide or bird app and investigate the newcomer.

"Going birding" is the next step. First, you need to climb out of bed at o'dark thirty so you can get to your destination early. Remember, the early birder gets more birds.

Nestled next to Thomas Mt, Lake Hemet is a fantastic place to find new and familiar birds in the San Jacinto Mountains.

Lake Hemet

Salton Sea

When you are in the high country looking out over the land, there are only a handful of bodies of water. It's easy to see why some migrating birds would pick Lake Hemet to refuel on their journey to the Salton Sea and beyond.

The month of October has been a great month at the lake. Early in the month, the Coffeeberry bushes were full of berries and hungry birds.Yellow-rumped warblers and Phainopeplas were everywhere!

 White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows out number those birds now.

Caspian Tern

Osprey

Caspian Terns flying over the lake were a common sight for a couple of weeks but they moved on and were replaced by a couple of Ospreys.

It is amazing to find a bird you are least expecting when you go birding. Seems that this is the season for Lewis's Woodpeckers. They are irruptive migrants so they do not show up every year. This is the first sighting of them for me at Lake Hemet since moving here! It's been fantastic!

Another new bird for me this month at the lake was this feisty Merlin that chased a few pink-bellied woodpeckers while we were there recently. It certainly interrupted their storing of acorns.

Looking at photos is nothing like finding the bird yourself! For me, it's like going on a treasure hunt.  Hope you grab a pair of binoculars and find your own birds in your "patch" where ever that may be.

"Many people think of birding as a passive pastime. No! That's bird watching. Birding is an active pursuit full of unknowns and excitement. To me, there's nothing better than a healthy dose of birding on the edge." James Currie When Eagles Roar

 

 

Click on photos to enlarge

Photos and content by Robin Roberts