Last weekend, I was introduced to the San Jacinto Valley Wildlife Area. It is such a special place that I had to return immediately to share it with someone else who loves the outdoors as much as me.
San Jacinto Valley Wildlife Area is full of ponds and open fields where wildlife can flourish. Living in a place where water is scarce and open natural habitat is threatened daily, one quickly realizes that this is an incredibly important place to protect!!
When we first arrived, this "empty" pond was filled with Northern Shovelers until a Peregrine Falcon swooped in causing the entire flock to take flight. The deadly talons of the hunter barely missed one of the lucky Shovelers this time.
It was probably the same falcon who we saw a few days earlier feasting on an unlucky American Coot.
Another "fierce" little hunter is the Loggerhead Shrike. Usually they are seen alone on the lookout for their next meal. This visit we saw courtship in action when an insect was offered to a potential mate. Spring is coming!
The Mountain Bluebird! I was lucky on my second visit when it perched on a post!
Bird watching on an extremely windy day is crazy! Tumbleweeds roll across fields until they get stuck on a wire fence; hats and sunglasses fly off your head and the birds that attempt to fly get whisked off in the opposite direction from where they are headed.
Surprisingly, the tree swallows didn't let the wind deter them. It was exhausting to watch them fly into the wind without going anywhere. They were burning mega calories!! A few checked out the cavities in trees made by woodpeckers for future nesting sites. It was a relief to see them rest on a branch or wire momentarily before conquering the wind again.
My absolute favorite photo of the day was the Western Meadowlark as it sang loudly from a trapped tumbleweed! Unforgettable moment!
Hunting continues in the fields. I don't know which would be more dangerous...a field of hunting Great Egrets or a Red-tailed Hawk hiding in the grass..Better to keep hidden if you are a furry, little rodent.
After leaving the wildlife area, we drove by some nearby dairy farms...havens for wildlife as well. It's a pretty special sight when you can see both the Tri-colored Blackbird and the Yellow-headed Blackbird! Both of these striking birds were seen hanging out with the munching cows.
My other favorite moment of the day was seeing a cow with a spiked hairdo, a long-eared goat and fluffy sheep all snuggled together for an afternoon nap!
Protecting habitat starts with being aware of special places that surround you!
"In every walk in Nature, one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir
