DUNES AND BIRDS - FEBRUARY 2015

DUNES AND BIRDS

Over the President's Day Weekend I joined two fellow photographers on a venture to the Imperial Dunes near Glamis, CA; and onto the Salton Sea.

The Imperial Dunes are mostly a destination for those who like to ride dune buggies and motorcycles. It is located in Imperial County and is bisected by State route 78. Motorized vehicles are allowed on the South side of State Route 78. However on the North side the only access is by foot or horseback. This makes for some pristine dunes. We were looking to photograph in the North Section.

We scouted the area, took pictures of the motorized fun, 

 and then retreated to the Glamis Beach Store for a cold drink and a couple of pieces of pizza. We then headed out to find a place for capturing the late afternoon and sunset light on the dunes. After walking from the Overlook and crossing the Highway, we quickly found a couple of spots. As there has not been any rain lately the dunes were quite soft and we were glad that we did not have to stagger up a very steep dune. It was a fun evening and the sunset was good. 

 

Dry Grasses and Ripples

Dunes and Grasses

Dune Detail

Dunes Sunset 1

Dunes Sunset 2

Dunes Sunset 3

After a good night’s sleep at the Brawley Inn we were off early to the Salton Sea which is to the North for sunrise and bird photography. Sunrise was not particularly noteworthy, but we did enjoy seeing the Sea in soft light .   

Cormorants and Moon

Tree Skeletons

Salton Sea Morning

We went in search of the burrowing owl, but were not successful in seeing any. I was able to spot a couple of burrows though. Then it was onto Unit 1 where we did succeed in capturing some birds –

Black-Necked Stilts —

White Pelicans – 

 

and high overhead some Sandhill Cranes --

The drive home was through the Southern part of Anza-Borrego State Park, Julian, and Ramona via the Old Julian Highway and Wildcat Canyon Road which my passengers were not really familiar with and they enjoyed the back roads tour.

LA JOLLA BIRDS - 8 FEB

Decided last night to go do some photography this morning. Was planning on Santee Lakes, but the morning dawned clear and sunny. So I changed course and headed for La Jolla Cove to photograph the brown pelicans in their beautiful colors.

They did not disappoint me. They are close to their peak breeding plumage which consists of a black neck, a very red pouch, and a gold colored cap. As there was little wind in the morning, the birds just stood around on the bluff. Occasionally one would fly off to do some fishing.

Staring You Down

The cormorants were lined up on a lower ledge just enjoying the sunshine. They too were not ready to go flying or fishing.

After a while I moved over to the coast walk, met up with my friend Debbie, and waited for the birds to fly by. One had to be patient as they were not very active. While there I was also able to photograph a couple of shore birds:  
The Black Turnstone---

Sanderling ---

and the Royal Tern ---

  

While returning to my car I passed a few seals resting on the rocks. This was my favorite – waiting for Mom/breakfast. 

 

It was a great day even without a lot of flight shots. I really enjoyed being out there and seeing these beautiful creatures.

 

SYCAMORE CANYON, SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Friday I met with a hiking partner, Myrna, for a stroll up Sycamore Canyon here in San Diego. I did not know how much we were going to hike and assumed it would be  out to Gooden Ranch and return.

Myrna is also known as the “Fearless Leader” and suggested we add to the hike by going North to the Goodan Staging Area before turning back South. So off we went with a stop at the memorial to Ranger Martha lived a full and adventuresome life as a leader in outdoor education, etc.

After that loop we enjoyed a short break back at the Ranger Station and site of the Goodan Ranch and restocked on some water. We then proceeded South to the “Sidewinder” trail which led us up to the ridge on the East side of the canyon. It was a great view once we were there and along the way we saw California poppies, California sun cup,

California Sun Cup

ground pink, winecup, and popcorn flower. The whole vista was open country with Sycamore Canyon to the West, and I believe Slaugterhouse Canyon to the East. 

Sycamore Canyon

Goodan Ranch Site/Now a Visitor Center

It was wonderful to see and realize some the wilderness that still exists close to metropolitan San Diego.

Out in the middle of Sycamore Canyon there was a large rock which had been painted white. It also had a large millipede painted on it. 

Painted Rock

Though the canyon is named Sycamore Canyon, there were lots of old coastal live oak trees with their large branches and shade which is much welcomed in the summer. These oaks are a signature tree of the area

We were both quite glad to return to our cars, tired but happy and filled with a feeling of accomplishment. 

A DAY IN ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK

We went out to Anza-Borrego to visit with a NPS Ranger that we knew from our work at the North Rim. Gaelyn is boondocking (Camping on open land where there are no established campsites. This could be State or National lands, U.S.F.S., B.L.M.. It is understood that you camp where someone has camped before so you do not impact the wilderness too much.) She has been there since just before Christmas and is heading to Quartzite, to rendezvous with other No. Rim workers.

We met up with her about 1100 and delivered some of our bake goods - dark chocolate chocolate chip cookies, and homemade sourdough English muffins. She recognized the items right away and was most appreciative.

After visiting a while she took us on a hike to see a 30+foot rattlesnake. It has been residing in a small valley for a couple of years. Along side of it is a scorpion, and possibly a turtle. 

Rockin' Rattlesnake

Rockin' Scorpion

We returned to Gaelyn’s camper, enjoyed a lunch, and some more visiting. As she travels in a large Ram pickup with a large camper in the truck bed, we took her on a tour of some of the metal sculptures located in Borrego Springs. They were made by Ricardo Breceda, http://www.abdnha.org/borrego-springs-sculptures-of-ricardo-breceda.htm. We toured a number of them and took quite a few pictures. The sculptures are on private land within the town of Borrego Springs. They are quite extensive and fun to see.

These are only a few of the many that are displayed. Along the way we stopped and picked up a 10# bag of local grapefruit for $3!! They are delicious.

As the sun was setting we headed back to the camp and watched a desert sunset which we photographed from the campsite. Then we were off for home via Cuyamaca State Park and a stop at the Lake Store for dinner.

Sunset Light on the Santa Rosa Mtns.