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.
What a spectacular day hiking at Lake Hodges in Escondido, CA! Beautiful scenery, wildflowers blooming, birds enjoying the plentiful rain that we’ve had lately, magnificent rainbows (did we mention the larger than life rattlesnake)? Take a look at ‘art in nature’ and ‘nature as art’!
Music: If We Knew All the Laws of Nature’ by Robert Farmer.
Photos/Video by SJF Communications ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’ sjfcommunications.com
My husband and I enjoyed a walk along the lower trail near Annie’s Canyon the other day. We began at the Northwestern end of Rios Avenue in Solana Beach and heading East towards Highway #5 (Manchester Exit). Note: We didn’t hike into Annie’s Canyon his time…but hopefully next time!.
Here are some photos captured by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications. Take a look at the variety of shorebirds pictured solo or in a flock. An extra treat was spotting the cutest Anna’s Hummingbird building a nest as we exited the trail!
Feel free to click on each photo for a larger view.
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!
Fun time strolling at the San Dieguito River Park in Del Mar today despite the heat and humidity in the San Diego area! Shorebirds are thriving there and the water was crystal blue. Two Great White Egrets were in a tizzy, I saw a flock of Kildeer hurrying above yapping away (who knows why), a European Starling (I think) and a few gulls too! Panoramic view of the lagoon, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Viewpoint Brewery , the #5, then West towards the ocean.
Here’s a short video. Enjoy !
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.
Had a great afternoon bird watching with my husband at the mile long, double loop, ADA accessible San Elijo Nature Center Loop Trail (Located off of Interstate #5 a bit West on Manchester Blvd. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California). There are several benches along the route to sit back, reflect and ‘take it all in’.
Despite the dredging and restoration lately, we saw some incredible shorebirds : The Great White Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Black-Crowned Night Heron as well as Mallards.
There’s a bit of restoration and dredging (thus, disruption of the bird habitats) happening these days, complete with large cranes, so I didn’t spot as many species as usual.
Feel free to read more about the San Elijo Nature Center plus, some info about the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy
Here’s a short video….
I had some free time and took advantage of a wonderful mini-escape to nature!
Here’s a short video to recap my time strolling throughout the mile long, double loop, ADA accessible San Elijo Nature Center Loop Trail (Located off of Interstate #5 a bit West on Manchester Blvd. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California). There are several benches along the route to sit back, reflect and ‘take it all in’.
There’s a bit of restoration and dredging (thus, disruption of the bird habitats) happening these days, complete with large cranes, so I didn’t spot as many species as usual.
Feel free to read more about the San Elijo Nature Center plus, some info about the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy
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 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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I spent a delightful afternoon wandering about by bird watching and enjoying nature’s foliage, views and more at the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy – a Southern California nonprofit land trust which is part of the nearly 1000-acre San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, bordered by the northern San Diego areas of Solana Beach, Encinitas and Rancho Santa Fe.
I began my solo stroll at the ‘green’ San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center (2710 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007). The volunteers and rangers were very helpful with information. I gave a donation and visited the interactive exhibits. The Nature Center sells limited items such as maps, books, snacks/drinks etc.
I embarked on my journey by following the beautiful trail. Here are some photos from the day!
Feel free to hover over/click on each photo to see the name and enlarge it.
I visited during low tide and was able to see a variety of shore birds at the mud flats. The trail is quite easy to navigate (it also includes ADA accessible boardwalk). There are natural-looking overlooks and benches for those who’d like a rest, or just sit and observe!
Feel free to hover over/click on each photo to see the name and enlarge it.
Feel free to hover over/click on each photo to see the name and enlarge it.
I also enjoyed admiring the foliage and surroundings. Here’s a peek at what I saw that day…Spring has sprung indeed!
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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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