Pishing Isn't Just for Birds

Walking on white sandy beaches with turquoise blue water crashing along the shore is quite a treat!

I have yet to see a beach as beautiful as the one along the Santa Rosa Island leading to Ft Pickens in Pensacola, Florida which is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Black-bellied Plover

This island is a bird magnet especially during migration. Part of the appeal is the interior forest with freshwater ponds. Ebird lists this place as a hotspot for birding.

A popular trail that starts at the fort leads through a forest filled with appealing snags, oaks, pines, bushes filled with berries and freshwater ponds.

Ospreys love this island. Abundant nests can be seen at the tops of suitable snags.

One morning, I discovered a Bald Eagle perched on a tree near an impressive nest.

As I watched the eagle, an Osprey carrying a stick for its nest hesitated for a landing due to the presence of the eagle. After a few circles, the eagle flew off enabling the Osprey to add a new stick to its nest.

Another morning, I watched a pair of Great Blue Herons with nest building on their minds.

One of them arrived carrying a huge branch and presented it to the other one.

 The two of them proceeded to find just the right spot for this branch.

Another great find for me was a huge flock of Cedar Waxwings. At least 50 of them filled the trees. They definitely liked the berry lined trails!

After about an hour, one of the waxwings left the cover of needles to enable me get a photo!

So what about "Pishing isn't just for birds"????

Birders know that making an occasional "pishing" noise can help bring a bird out of hiding which helps in identification. While I was "pishing" to get a better look at a new bird, something else came out of the dense underbrush....another birder with a huge camera! She exclaimed, "I heard pishing!"

I couldn't help but laugh with the results of my "pishing". 

Sanderlings

I look forward to the day when I can return to this special place!

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Photos and content by Robin Roberts

Melting Snow and Rising Creeks

Warming temperatures and rainy days have melted most of the snow that covered the mountains a few weeks ago.

The highest elevations still have snow but it is disappearing daily.

 

 Last weekend, we still needed snowshoes on parts of the PCT. Snowshoeing is loads of fun but remember to be prepared if you plan on hiking in the snow. Familiar trails disappear and are unrecognizable when covered in white. It's also hard to gauge the depth of the snow until you sink into it. A fun day can end up as a disaster if you aren't careful! Check with the ranger station and bring your topographical map and/or GPS along with extra clothes and food.

The melting snow and rain are filling the creeks with rushing water. What a great sight!

Since our only experience living on the mountain has been during the drought, we are excited to see water bubbling and cascading over boulders in unexpected places. Water brings life back to the mt.

Lake Hemet has benefited greatly! The shoreline and vegetation that resulted during the drought are underwater once again. A missing sound has returned....croaking. The chorus of frogs can be heard from the submerged meadows by the lake. Fantastic!

Almost feels like Spring is here especial since the birds are starting to sing and pair off. Today I saw a couple of California Thrashers in their respective Manzanita bushes singing away declaring their territory to one another.

It is still Winter though. Get ready for another snowy blast next weekend. I'm optimistic.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Photos and content by Robin Roberts.

Snow on the Mountain

Bring on the snow! We're ready! Snow chains are on the tires, our pantry is full, wood is chopped and the bird feeders are full. The first blast of snow arrived a couple of days ago and more is expected.

Our first blast of snow a couple of days ago brought at least 7 inches to our home and much more in the high country.

House Finch

Lesser Goldfinch

 Word has spread in the avian world about our "restaurant". Every day we have about 60 House Finches and 40 Lesser Goldfinches fill our trees. The Black Oak is their favorite.

As the day ended and the weather was quite brutal, 28 of them lined up on the ledge of our porch to seek shelter from the storm.

Northern Flicker

American Robin

Bushtit

Although the finches are the most abundant, other birds are finding their way to our patch in the woods.

Even the Western Screech Owl is still around. All the commotion hasn't deterred him from returning to his little home in the Black Oak.

Finding a bit of solitude in a snowy wilderness is the best!

The first 2 storms have passed and we have one more to go before the sunny blue skies return. With 4-5 years of drought and wildfires across the state, the rain and snow are a WELCOME sight, indeed!

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

Please, I Need to Sleep

Steller's Jay

Whether it's a Steller's, California or East coast Blue Jay, they all share common traits. Besides loving peanuts, they are extremely vocal especially when it comes to scaring off an intruder. It always piques my curiosity when a mob of Jays shows up in a tree squawking.

Red-shouldered Hawk

Sometimes it's a snake, a cat or a hawk that they're trying to scare away.

Yesterday, when our Black Oak tree was full of 6 loud Steller's Jays, 1 California Scrub Jay and 1 curious, little Mountain chickadee, I scoured the tree for the recipient of these unwanted calls. The tree was empty but I noticed that they directed their attention to this hollowed out hole in one of the limbs...who was in there?

Eventually, the birds left the tree. Just as the sun was lowering in the sky, we discovered the source of all the fuss...a Western Screech Owl had been sleeping in this perfect cavity. If it hadn't been for the raucous calls of the Jays, I never would have found this cute little owl roosting in our oak tree. Next time you hear some noisy Jays, check it out. You may discover something amazing, too!

Snow and the Black Oak

 Winter has finally arrived! Our first major snowfall of the year arrived Christmas Eve. The second snowfall occurred last night, New Year's Eve.

Our friends in the desert have purple "ornaments" in their tree, we have yellow and red ones.

Lesser Goldfinch

House Finch

 With the arrival of much needed snow, the finches have made our Black Oak tree their haven. Having feeders filled with thistle and sunflower seed helps. Our yard is extra enticing on snowy days.

When we first moved into our home last year, this oak tree was filled with crows. Nothing against crows but I was hoping for a more diverse bird population to fill our trees. A year has gone by and this tree has been filled with lots of birds including migrating warblers and uncommonly seen woodpeckers.

All this activity piques the interest of other birds like this Red-shouldered Hawk.

Northern Flicker preening itself in the magnificent oak

Observing birds is an easy way to reconnect with Nature no matter where you live. Birds have a tough time with natural habitat loss.Hanging up a feeder and providing water this winter for our feathered friends will benefit you just as much as it does the birds.

May your new year be filled with peace, joy, healing, new discoveries and a bit of adventure!

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