Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve

I spent an hour at Bolsa Chica Reserve near Huntington State Beach before I had to get to the airport. What a show! The FORSTER'S TERNS were diving next to the boardwalk, an adult was feeding a young tern on the railing of the boardwalk allowing close approach (~3-4 feet)...





...and a few BLACK SKIMMERS made a fly by...



...and a skimming.

Avocets, avocets, avocets!

I returned to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary to find the pond adjacent the Sea and Sage Audubon House as I had left it yesterday...rife with AMERICAN AVOCETS and a few CINNAMON TEAL.



There was a bit of interaction as well as avian romance on the pond. I never get tired of avocets.

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

I have been sent to Irvine for work and found myself with a few hours this morning. A quick Internet search led me to the Sea and Sage Audubon Society's San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary...and it is just a few blocks south of the Marriott where I am staying! BELL'S VIREO was very vocal but difficult to photograph...maybe I'll get some shots tomorrow. This ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD landed right next to me and seemed to be "licking his lips"!





As I returned to my car I almost stepped on this SAN DIEGO GOPHER SNAKE...scared the gopher out of me! I was looking up into the trees as I walked and by the time my eyes landed on this guy, I was a mere 2 feet away. This impressive snake measured approximately two and a half feet long and didn't seem too bothered by me. I really like the Alice Cooper eye makeup!





I didn't have time to visit the Audubon House but will return in the morning. There were AMERICAN AVOCETS and CINNAMON TEAL in the pond adjacent to the center seemingly unaware of the parking lot...I hope they are there tomorrow.