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
