It’s always fun to birdwatch (and get some steps walking along) at Santee Lakes! You never know what species you’ll see.
Today we saw Mallards, Snowy Egrets, a Green Heron, a Western Bluebird, Black Phoebes, Wood Ducks and a Lesser Scaup to name several!
Check out the video above!
We were pleased to see the new General Store and Snack area.
Here is the website for visiting with lots of info: https://www.santeelakes.com/
Photos and Video by SJF Communications.
It was mesmerizing to see and photograph several hawks up close and personal on January 5th at Hawk Watch Ramona, thanks to the Wildlife Research Institute !
These free Hawk Watches (donations accepted as well) will continue on Saturdays throughout January and February at 10 a.m. (suggested arrival time 9:30 a.m.). The Hawk Watch lasts about 1.5-2 hours. The location is at the private Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Rd. Ramona, CA 92065.
More suggestions: Bring binoculars, cameras, wear layered clothing, and sturdy shoes. (It could get muddy and wet there)! There are chairs set up outside but you can also bring your own if you prefer. There is free parking.
There were several varieties of hawks to see up close and personal,
including the Red-Tailed Hawk(s), as well as a Peregrine Falcon, Ferruginous Hawk, White Gyrfalcon and an American Kestrel – plus several exhibitor displays inside the building and demonstrations outside, such as a net trapping and learning how the handlers work with the hawks. Each week will feature different species.
According to the WRI flyer at the event- Here is the upcoming Owl schedule:
February 2nd: Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Western Screech
February 16th: Barn Owl, Western Screech
February 23rd: Barn Owl, Western Screech
Here are some photos from the day!
We had such a spectacular, fun and educational morning (along with a large group of attendees) at the first 2019 ‘Hawk Watch’ Falconry event including a Q & A with Biologists from the Wildlife Research Institute (WRI).
Here is the Facebook Page for the Wildlife Research Institute: https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeResearchInstitute/
These free Hawk Watches (donations accepted as well) will continue on Saturdays throughout January and February at 10 a.m. (suggested arrival time 9:30 a.m.). The Hawk Watch lasts about 1.5-2 hours. The location is at the private Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Rd. Ramona, CA 92065.
More suggestions: Bring binoculars, cameras, wear layered clothing, and sturdy shoes. (It could get muddy and wet there)! There are chairs set up outside but you can also bring your own if you prefer. There is free parking.
There were several varieties of hawks to see up close and personal,
including the Red-Tailed Hawk(s), as well as a Peregrine Falcon, Ferruginous Hawk, White Gyrfalcon and an American Kestrel – plus several exhibitor displays inside the building and demonstrations outside, such as a net trapping and learning how the handlers work with the hawks. Each week will feature different species.
According to the WRI flyer at the event- Here is the upcoming Owl schedule:
Click below for a short video from our day!
Here are a few photos representing the hawks we observed!
These free Hawk Watches (donations accepted as well) will continue on Saturdays throughout January and February at 10 a.m. (suggested arrival time 9:30 a.m.) The location is at the beautiful picturesque private Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Rd. Ramona, CA 92065. Coffee and donuts were on hand (donations accepted) and afterwards hot dogs and refreshments were available for purchase.
There were also exhibitors (including reptiles on display) plus hawk related and other goods for sale.
A great day to observe and marvel at the hawks!
Here are a few images from a brisk walk at the San Elijo Lagoon on New Year’s Day!
Some links:
https://www.sanelijo.org/naturecenter
https://www.sanelijo.org/nature-center-trail-head
All Photos by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications – 2019
I spent a late morning into the early afternoon at Lake Miramar (also known as the Miramar Reservoir) in the Scripps Ranch area of San Diego, walking along the 5 mile paved Loop Trail.
The address is: 10710 Scripps Lake Dr., San Diego, CA 92131
There were beautiful views throughout!
Feel free to click on each photo for a larger view!
I took a detour and hiked a bit below the paved trail on the dirt path.
Little bird watching surprises: a Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Western Grebe, Gadwall, Snow Goose, Cassin’s Kingbird and of course, plenty of Mallards and Coots!
No swimming, but there’s fishing and bike rentals!
Besides people walking and jogging, there were many on bikes and one on roller skates!
If you go: bring WATER to drink. Yes, there are plenty of portable toilets along the trail.
There’s plenty of parking as well.
Here’s a short video from the day!
We spent an afternoon walking along the trails and exploring bird watching (and more)
at two North County San Diego areas –
the Buena Vista Audubon in Oceanside & the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation in Carlsbad.
Not too many bird sightings but…the beautiful wild flowers and stunning nature captivated us as usual!
My favorite find of the day: The dragonfly !
Here’s a short video.
I spent some time bird watching at the San Dieguito River Park Lagoon in Delmar and then took a stroll at Dog Beach and serendipitously discovered Gwen’s Garden in Solana Beach. Getting in touch with nature is one of the best feelings and having my camera handy to capture these moments is indescribable!
Hope you enjoy these photos!
All About Gwen’s Garden:
http://delmarsandpiper.org/Pages/News2018-02/Feb2918-17.html
https://www.gofundme.com/savethegardenatdogbeach
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A great morning hike and “Birding with a Camera” at Lake Hodges, Bernardo Bay Staging Area, at the San Dieguito River Park Trail
with
Senior Ranger Dave Hekel and Krisztina Sheeff, KS Nature Photography.
Here’s a short video to recap the morning…
Disclaimer: I am still learning….Birds (and butterflies) were moving QUICKLY and I am quite new at using the Manual settings on my camera! So…my shots aren’t the most focused…
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A chilly cloudy day with some cool sightings at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy with a #Haiku.
Photos and Haiku by Susan Farese, SJF Communications
Bird Watching is FUN!
Challenging and exciting
(But pay attention)!
All of a sudden
One might grace with their presence
And poof…they fly past!
Camera in hand
Mastering all the settings
Stay still – just don’t move!
Nothing like photos
Displaying what you’ve captured
I LOVE BIRD WATCHING!
Here are some photos – feel free to click on each one!
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It’s always a breath of fresh air (at an altitude of 4226 ft of glorious elevation) for a visit to Julian, California, including a stop at this time at the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve!
Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Then – a stop at the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve
Until Next Time!
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My husband and I recently thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon at Santee Lakes. We walked around several of the lakes for fitness and I did some incredible bird watching!
Browse the Bird List!
Check out photos of the Wildlife!
Find out more about the Park!,
Perhaps go Fishing!,
Stay overnight in the Cabins, or in their Campground!
Or: Plan your Events!
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