It has been an enduring dream of mine to not less than as soon as in my lifetime go to the mountains of California. Lengthy earlier than coming to the Golden state I bear in mind happening Google Maps, clicking on a few of Californias high-altitude nationwide parks trying on the pictures from there and going “wow, sometime”. Guess what. Sometime got here!
Bag filled with the warmest garments that I’ve right here, automobile fitted with snow tires and a free weekend from banding on the Palomarin subject station, I set off in the direction of the Sierras with hopes to see breathtaking views and observe cool birds (couple of lifers). From my “base” right here in California it took about 5 hours to journey as much as Sierra Valley, which is situated in Plumas and Sierra county and proper subsequent to the well-known Tahoe Nationwide park.
The drive over the mountain ridge from the town of Truckee and into the valley was completely beautiful. On the highest level, snow was fairly deep on the sides of the highway, however with nice tunes from Paul Simon accompanying me, I used to be in-awe of the attractive views. Coming into Sierra Valley fro the south aspect, I had an opportunity to drive by way of the entire size of it as my first cease was on the North aspect of the valley. It’s dry season now, so the grasslands and scrubs are a pale yellowish tone. The mountains surrounding the valley had snow on them so along with the vastness of the realm and the colors, this made for a really scenic drive.
My very first cease within the valley was at a spot known as “Marble Scorching Springs bridge”. There’s a river with a bridge over it so I hoped for some waterfowl as this is likely one of the few locations with water in the course of the winter season. A brief stroll produced a Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis), American Coots (Fulica americana) and a few different species of waterfowl. However. Coming again to the automobile, with the nook of my eye I caught a glimpse of two cumbersome plenty flying in and perching on the distant fence. Rapidly turned my scope that method and bam! Pair of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)! Okay, now I’ve arrived in the USA of America.
The primary motive I got here as much as Sierra valley was to attend a e-book launch occasion of a pal of mine, so I after observing the pair of the slightly elegant eagles, I began to pack up my scope and different stuff within the automobile. I don’t know if this is similar for each birder, however probably the most fascinating birds arrive simply when I’m prepared to go away. And properly, yeah, guess what occurred. A flock of about 200 Pink-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and Brewer’s Blackbirds (Euphagus cyanocephalus) flew proper over me and landed on the bridge and close by reeds. To say I used to be excited can be an understatement. The Pink-winged Blackbirds have been on my California’s “should see” checklist, and right here they have been and in nice numbers! This was too good of a possibility, so I whipped out my scope and sketchbook and spent the final minutes of daylight observing and sketching these birds.
Lastly, it acquired too darkish to sketch and I packed the automobile and rushed to the upcoming occasion. Though I didn’t get very far. Only a bit additional down the highway an owl flew good over the highway. By the markings and flight I may inform that it was a Quick-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)! I later noticed a complete of 5 of those owls flying over a ranch and it appeared to me like they have been attacking a raptor that was resting in a tree by the ranch. However it was a cool sight with these 5 owls flying shut collectively, giving out calls and utilizing the final gentle.
The occasion I attended was a e-book launch hosted by my pal and hen illustration mentor John Muir Legal guidelines. He was launching a e-book known as “The Legal guidelines Discipline Information to Sierra Birds: Up to date Version” and the placement for this e-book launch was good. Congratulations, John! Throughout the reception, there was a phrase going round {that a} Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) was hiding someplace within the valley in a flock of Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris). Although, again dwelling in Latvia, I’ve had an opportunity to see the hen, it’s thought-about uncommon right here and I certain do just like the phrase “uncommon”. Anxious in regards to the upcoming chase I went to sleep and dreamt in regards to the Longspur.
With puffy eyes, a espresso mug in my fingers and strolling by way of some snow to the automobile I felt prepared to seek out that Longspur. It was a chilly morning, with the temperature being only a tad under freezing. I drove in the direction of the talked about bridge once more because the hen was supposedly hanging round that space. What an attractive morning that was! Waterfowl together with American Wigeons (Mareca americana), a shocking Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) and plenty of different fascinating birds (and lifers). After hanging across the space and scanning the fields for about 4 hours nonetheless no luck with the Longspur… properly… subsequent time. After I was exiting the fields, I did see the Horned Larks which I used to be very joyful about, so the morning had been productive as I used to be departing with a few lifers and a few sketches.
The drive again was spectacular! I used to be leaving the valley by way of a special route and the views have been nothing like I’ve ever seen earlier than. I finished by a lake on the way in which down from the mountains and was joyful so as to add Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli) and the White-headed Woodpecker (Dryobates albolarvatus) to my life checklist. Now thats what I name a profitable expedition! 13 lifer’s within the bag, sketches of birds I most likely is not going to see once more for some time and digicam roll full of gorgeous views on the mountains and the valley! Due to everybody who helped me out up there and I hope for a quickly return!
