Southern California

29th April - 7th May 2006

San Dieguito River Park

This is a very accessible park on the outskirts of San Diego just 0.5miles from one of the main roads north (I-15), and well worth a stop. The park is on the banks of Lake Hodges and numerous pairs of Clark's Grebes can be watched at close range feeding their chicks. Western Grebe also occurs here but it was much less common and never close enough to photograph.

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii)

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii)

Also on the lake were a few pairs of Pied-billed Grebes...

Pied-billed Grebes (Podilymbus podiceps)

I found the hummingbirds here particularly cooperative and easily approachable. For such a small subject it is essential to get quite close if you want to get full-frame photos (Costa's Hummingbird is only 8cm (3.5") long from bill tip to tail!).

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Since I wasn't using a flash, I had to rely on the birds sitting at just the right angle to catch the light on the irridescent feathers around the head and throat of the male birds of both the Costa's and Anna's Hummingbirds.

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Another tiny bird that was quite common in the park was the Bushtit. These were not quite so easy to photograph as the hummingbirds as they are a bit hyperactive and never sit still...

Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)

Although the California Towhee's range is restricted to coastal California and northern Baja California it is a very common bird in the areas where it does occur.

California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis)

The Song Sparrow is one of the most widespread birds found in North America and is a common resident in Southern California.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Picacho SRA

California map

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary