Burrowing Owl at Calavera Preserve

Yesterday, Gail thought she spotted a Burrowing Owl in a field at Calavera Preserve.  We went back this afternoon with binoculars and small camera, and there it was, in the same area.

 Burrowing Owl

 There are a number of large burrows in this area.  We saw claw marks,  and small bones around several, but no pellets.

The center of the picture is where we saw the owl (quadrant G7 of the Calavera grid).  It is great, and almost strange seeing green grass!

Return to Lake Hodges

Yesterday, we spent the morning on the shore of Lake Hodges outside of Escondido.  We had a great time birding there last week, and were eager to return and try a different trail that would have the sun behind us for better photography.

 Pied-billed Grebe

 Clark's Grebe

 Courting grebes rushing.

 Rushing is part of their elaborate courting ritual.

 They literally run across the water without flapping their wings.

 I just can't get enough of them!

 A cool Double-crested Cormorant dries its feathers.  Unlike most waterfowl, they don't produce water repelling oils and can get cold and waterlogged.

 There is alternating head bobbing in the ritual, also.  Two Western Grebes here.  Western and Clark's Grebes were thought to be the same species up until 1986.

  Rushing

 We noticed a number of times a third grebe would try and join in.

 Zoom!

 They are in such unison!

 Another part of the courtship is lifting their bodies as high above water as possible.  They must be treading furiously while appearing to look like they are being effortlessly cool (pardon the anthropomorphizing).

 Great Blue Heron

 Taking wing

Early in the morning we passed a number of bird species walking along the riparian path to the lake.

 Nuttall's Woodpecker

 Goldfinch

 Great Egret

 Black-crowned Night-Heron

 White-crowned Sparrow

 Purple Finch

Also on the lake

 Osprey

 Tree Swallows

Cassin's Kingbird

Boden Canyon Reserve

Wednesday, Gail and I spent the day hiking and exploring the Boden Canyon Reserve east of Escondido.  The weather was perfect, the hills are turning green, and we didn't see another human the whole time.

The trail, on old truck road, follows the oaks and sycamores about 5 miles up the canyon.

 An American Kestrel holding one leg in the air - possibly a sign of injury.

 Acorn woodpecker.

Anna's Hummingbird.

 We returned to an area of boulders up on a hillside that we had discovered a couple years ago.

 There were numerous morteros indicating that this was once a Kumeyaay village or camp site.  It was fun to be here as there were no footprints, litter, or other signs that people in general know about this spot.  It is well guarded by poison oak, a steep hill, and brush.  Unfortunately, Gail has gotten poison oak rash, the first time since the last time we were here.  I maybe suffering more, however, as earlier in the day, I was unknowingly standing on a red ant nest.  The little bastards crawled up my leg, up my pants, and under my shirt, biting me numerous times as I tried brushing them off in a frenzy.  Now, two days later, I have some very puffy red welts that itch like crazy.

 This is no ordinary scat.  We're quite sure it is from a cougar.

 There is a tin hunters' shack at the end of the reserve that has hundreds of bullet holes through it.

 I don't know why no one wants to use my chap stick!  Back to that scat again, it appears to have coarse, brown, deer hair in it.  Deer are the main prey of cougars.

 Nearby were large cat tracks from a small cougar.  From measurements, they are bigger than the cutoff for bobcat tracks. They were not older than the last rain we had a few days ago.

 The tracks went in both directions.

Gail was following tracks up a little wash and discovered -  a rooster!  It will join our sculpture garden for now, and might someday rule the top of my future chicken coop when we get that 5 acres in the country.

Christmas at the Johansons'

I spent Christmas at Andria's and Dave's home in Colorado Springs.  Nick and Elaine also flew out. Gail remained in warm San Diego enjoying festivities with her mom and sister.

 The first day, I went with Dave and the kids for a little hike at Garden of the Gods.  Back seat bedlam with Yukon, the dog.

 Nora was first to conquer this boulder.

 More climbing.

 Nick arrived the next day, and was highly anticipated for his video gaming, and baking skills.

Susanna threw on this outfit - what a character!  Gail loves this photo!

Nora shows off her new trombone skills, though Susanna will not be upstaged.

 Father and son shenanigans

 Christmas morning popover breakfast.

 The popover master!

 I think Soren ate four of the delicacies!

The princess and her golden crown.

Later, Andria and I walked Yukon despite freezing temperatures and very strong winds.  Winds were clocked at 108 mph just outside of Denver!

 Sledding on icy ground with Yukon escort.

 Dave towing Susanna, and Nick.

Susanna on her new bike.