The Salton Sea & Imperial Valley California provide a major wintering area for migratory birds. The area is a birders paradise during the winter. In four days of birding the area, I was able to photograph 23 species of birds I had never seen before.
The Burrowing Owl was on the top of my target list. So I'll start with it, and post a few of my favorite shots of Burrowing Owls.
The Burrowing Owl is declining in most of the west. However, the Owls are more common around the Salton Sea than any where else in California.
The Imperial valley is an important agricultural area. However, the valley is a desert without irrigation. There are many small concrete lined irrigation canals, which direct water to the farm fields. The Burrowing Owls tend to excavate their burrows, on the outside edge, of the concrete canals. This Owl is peeking out of its burrow, over the edge of the concrete canal lining, keeping watch over the strange human with a camera.
A pair of Owls standing next to their burrow, witch is blocked from sight, by a low mound of soil
The Long-billed Curlew is definitely an unusual looking bird. They are large birds about 23 inches long, with a bill nearly a foot long.
I could hardly believe my eyes, the first time a flock of Long-billed Curlews landed directly in front of me, .
Great pics, especially that first one, and interesting Information. Never thought that an owl might live in the ground. That Curlew's long bill must be there for a reason. What do they eat?
Hack
Wow, you really struck it rich with all those different birds. Great shots of the owls and the Curlew is really unusual. Do we get to see more of your photos?
What a trip, Gary. Congratulations. Anytime you can photograph 28 species that you haven't seen before you have to be ecstatic. Looking forward to seeing some other species.
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Nice shots Grasmussen! Those Curlews must do pretty well in the farm field's with that long bill getting worm's. Nice close-ups of the Burrowing Owls! I bet you couldn't wait to upload all your pic's, glad you had a birding blast!
Sorry to report the computer with the trip photos on, locked up when I tried to up load a few more pictures. It is back in the shop again.
Gary
Wow Gary the shots are wonderful! I adore those Owls and the Curlew are quite a sight! Hope your puter comes back soon!
Best wishes for a quick, easy fix and no loss of memory.
Nice pics!
Yes, curlews (all species) eat earthworms and other soil invertebrates. They'll often push the bill into the soil all the way to its base to get deep worms. Means they do need fairly soft soil!
Resin
That's okay Gary, we'll wait to see the rest of your pictures. Hope the computer is easily repaired for you!
Very interesting birds Gary, hope you didn't lose any precious pics from your PC lockup. It will be interesting to see, what other interesting shots you got.
How awesome to get a chance to see and get great photos of the Burrowing Owls!
Wow, Those are really impressive photos. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest. :)
After two & a half weeks I finally got my computer back, so I'll pickup where I left off.
The reference works on Burrowing Owl's describe them as solitary birds. However, I found a place where seven birds, three pairs and one single, were all living with in a couple hundred yard long an irrigation canal.
The Red-naped Sapsucker is listed as a "bonus bird" for Cattle Call Park, in Brawley, CA. I was fortunate to see two in the first half hour, at the park. But, I could never relocate them on succeeding days. The park was near my motel.
The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is the center of bird watching in the Imperial Valley of California.
So glad you got your computer back Gary!!
Love the Owl and Sapsucker!
Large flocks of wintering Snow and Ross's Geese feed largely in Alfalfa and grain fields managed by the Salton Sea NWR. This is a view from the Refuge headquarters looking towards Rock Hill. Unfortunately while I was there, the geese stayed in areas closed to the public. No opportunity for close ups.
This is a view of another part of the same large flock shown in the the above photo.
An Alfalfa field, being flooded with irrigation water, attracted of flock of White-faced Ibis.
During the breading season the Ibis have a white face.
Very nice pics, Grassmussen! They remind me of my birding trip there in the 90's. Several lifers were got there for me as well. I think the ones that impressed me the most were Western Grebes. The male was besotted with passion and showed it in ways I had only seen before in nature films. The female appeared completely aloof as long as I was looking. I can only hope the male's efforts paid off.
BTW, I've had the pleasure of visiting Anchorage many times on my way out to Adak Island where the birding (and fishing) are fantastic even if it just a little cold, rainy/snowy and windy.
Bob, not many people can say they have ever been to Adak Island, let alone many time, especially considering it is just beyond the end of the earth! Yes it can get a little windy out there. I spent December 1968 on a floating crab processing ship anchored on the south side of the island. During one storm the wind gage was repeately being pegged at 110 knots, 126.7 MPH! By far the highest winds I have ever experienced.
Ring-billed Gulls winter in large numbers on the Salton Sea Refuge. There are also a few white-faced Ibis and Cattle Egrets in the front and at least one Snowy Egret. Can you spot the Snowy Egret?
Great shots Gary! I love seeing these huge flocks of birds and the White-faced Ibis are beautiful!
