Central Coast Excursion

Mt. Clef Regional Open Space

Recently, Danette and I had a chance to spend a little time on the Central Coast in the Los Osos area. With all the hills in California displaying the lovely green color of early spring it seemed that everywhere I looked I was treated to beautiful views and spectacular scenery. During our time there we took a day trip down to Ventura to try and see a couple of King Eiders who have been present at the pier there. We had a fun day of it, enjoying the scenery a visiting Ventura.

To See, To Not See - That is the Question

Santa Cruz Sunset

There are no guarantees in birding. When trying to see a rarity, I always leave the house with a high level of hope but the reality is that more often than not, you don't see the bird you are looking for. Call it luck, timing, talent of the birder, karma, or the sometimes capricious nature of nature. The fact remains, sometimes you miss. Perhaps it was one of these reasons or maybe all of them that caused us to miss last Friday in Santa Cruz.

The First Rarity of the New Year

Our climate here can be a bit capricious. The fluctuations in our rainfall totals over the years reveals a truth about this state that many people don't realize. Water is the true gold of the State of California. After a series of very dry winters and an ongoing drought, we are seeing a return of the rain that used to be a characteristic feature during an average winter.

A Day Out In Kern County To End The Year

I always enjoy visiting my mother-in-law who lives in Bakersfield because it's nice to see her, but also because it gives me a chance to do some birding in Kern County. The area around Bakersfield where she lives gets a bad rap but I find it to be just as beautiful in its own way as other parts of California. It is true that there are times of the year when the heat and the want of much greenery gives it an oppressive and perhaps ugly visage, but for most of the rest of the year it is quite beautiful.