Remember, we're in southern California and the busy tourist season is during the winter. That being said, just a couple weeks before Christmas found us at the NWR with very few people present. This is good because the wildlife was not very much disturbed and we saw lots of it.
Pat and I got acquainted with this frigate bird in the visitor center. Many of the species found here are on mounted display in the center. Makes it easier to ID the real thing when you see it in the wild.
Lots of canals and streams on the refuge, but not natural. These are created by pumping water through pipes and funneling it where it is needed. It's all flat here, so there are no waterfalls.
Salton Sea looking west. Brown pelicans, several kinds of seagulls, and more waterfowl than we could id from our books.
Flock of snow geese coming to land on the refuge.
Not a bad beach scene for December, don't you think?
Pat intently watching a flock of birds with her binoculars. The smoky plant in the background is one of many geothermal electric plants in the area that produce electricity by tapping into underground magma. Don't know how many of these plants are near here, but we counted six visible from the refuge and have seen smoke coming out of stacks all around the Salton Sea so I'm guessing that this is a major source of power around here.
Fresh-water pond (water piped in) for breeding/nesting sites. Lots of heron, egrets, and a variety of waterfowl.
More of the snow geese.
Salton Sea and Chocolate Mountains in background.
There's a coyote in this pic, really. Wouldn't you know, not a minute after I switched from the long lens to the short lens this guy appeared in the roadway just ahead of us. That blob in fronto of the dark square thing and just to the left of the brown pole is the coyote. Next time I'll leave the long lens on all the time because this place is jumping with wildlife. And there will be a next time because we like this place. There is a LOT to see.
1 comment:
Very nice pictures!
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