veagle
Well-known member
In Palm Springs for 2 days of a national meeting of College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. The plan is to spend a half day today in the Mountains north of Palm Springs, and on Friday, meet with Henry Detwiler of Southwest Birders, who will spend the day with me at the Salton Sea. Flew from Rapid City, via Denver, where I saw 3 House Sparrows in the Denver Airport. Upon arriving in Palm Springs, I rented a car from Budget, and drove up the Palms to Pines Highway, out of Indian Wells. My first stop was at the Pinyon Flats Campground. Not much of a campground, but I got good looks at a number of Western Scrub-Jays. Climbing steadily, the temperature dropped and the the skies got very cloudy. After the intersection with Highway 371, I saw some birds along the road, pulled over, and got plenty of looks at a good group of Western Bluebirds. Also some Say’s Phoebe, and then got a glimpse of a mostly black Woodpecker, as it flew across the road. As I got closer, I saw an excellent Acorn Woodpecker, with the obligatory acorn in its mouth.
Another couple of miles ahead was Hemet Lake, where I got a parking permit, and drove along the lake to a parking area where there was quite a bit of activity. Before parking, I had spotted a small group of White-crowned Sparrows. Spotting some birds in the water, I walked closer, and was somewhat disappointed to see nothing but American Coot. But as I walked closer to the water, a number of Yellow-rumped Warblers flitted about in the trees near the lake, along with a number of Dark-eyed Juncos, of the Cassiar sub-species. Also in the trees were a number of Mountain Chickadees, a Northern Flicker, and a Pygmy Nuthatch. I walked over to a fence which separated the state park from a private area, and found 3 striking Lesser Goldfinches about 10 feet away. Nearby was an American Goldfinch, and a House Finch.
I started walking back toward my car, and spotted several large birds near a trailer at the far side of the parking area. As I got closer, I got really good views of half a dozen California Quail, along with Juncos, and White-crowned Sparrows all walking around on the ground. Just before leaving, I noticed some activity near the ground in several trees. Spotted a Bushtit first, then an Oak Titmouse. Finally, just before leaving to return to my hotel, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk being harassed by an American Crow. Back in the Palm Springs area, saw a large number of Rock Pigeons. Once I get home, next weekend, I'll add some pictures.
Another couple of miles ahead was Hemet Lake, where I got a parking permit, and drove along the lake to a parking area where there was quite a bit of activity. Before parking, I had spotted a small group of White-crowned Sparrows. Spotting some birds in the water, I walked closer, and was somewhat disappointed to see nothing but American Coot. But as I walked closer to the water, a number of Yellow-rumped Warblers flitted about in the trees near the lake, along with a number of Dark-eyed Juncos, of the Cassiar sub-species. Also in the trees were a number of Mountain Chickadees, a Northern Flicker, and a Pygmy Nuthatch. I walked over to a fence which separated the state park from a private area, and found 3 striking Lesser Goldfinches about 10 feet away. Nearby was an American Goldfinch, and a House Finch.
I started walking back toward my car, and spotted several large birds near a trailer at the far side of the parking area. As I got closer, I got really good views of half a dozen California Quail, along with Juncos, and White-crowned Sparrows all walking around on the ground. Just before leaving, I noticed some activity near the ground in several trees. Spotted a Bushtit first, then an Oak Titmouse. Finally, just before leaving to return to my hotel, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk being harassed by an American Crow. Back in the Palm Springs area, saw a large number of Rock Pigeons. Once I get home, next weekend, I'll add some pictures.