tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post7259928127516720697..comments2024-02-28T16:02:42.157-07:00Comments on Birding Is Fun!: It's Sweltering! It's Stinky! Time To Get Your Salt On!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333731452974780237noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-61799488641607017062012-09-07T13:11:25.570-06:002012-09-07T13:11:25.570-06:00The tide may turn, but it sounds like the sea has ...The tide may turn, but it sounds like the sea has stayed the same (although, unfortunately, it is shrinking). I was sad to miss the Gull-billed Terns by just a week or two, but am happy to have an excuse to go back. <br /><br />Camping there for three days...that sounds like the best way to do it! Let no pile of filth go unturned in the quest for birds!!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-11360666988580068342012-09-07T09:53:37.627-06:002012-09-07T09:53:37.627-06:00One of my favorite birding memories was my daughte...One of my favorite birding memories was my daughter and me to the Salton Sea. She had just turned 4 years old and she and I spent 3 days wonderful days birding together in 105 degree weather. We slept out under the stars on the ground, ate sandwiches prepared from our cooler, and hiked and drove around the sea. Wood Storks, Gull-billed Terns, Black-necked Stilts, Yellow-footed Gulls, Cattle Egrets. Yes, dusty roads, fish bone beaches, sunburn, the smell of rotting fish and algae... it was wonderful!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15047133202447295521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-76061172806888086072012-09-07T07:29:33.428-06:002012-09-07T07:29:33.428-06:00Sounds good Kathie! I think the dead birds were ju...Sounds good Kathie! I think the dead birds were just par for the course here. Its a harsh environment and with population numbers so high, there'll be some dead birds too. They seemed to be mostly Gulls and Pelicans, all of which has been picked clean to the bone. I guess it's all part of the same cycle, but something about seeing a Pelican skeleton is...weird.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-32695199361912563022012-09-07T07:27:40.785-06:002012-09-07T07:27:40.785-06:00Thanks Larry! It's funny how it works out. The...Thanks Larry! It's funny how it works out. The Salton Sea area is a great location for shore birding and waterfowl, but then the surrounding desert scrub doesn't offer a whole lot--mostly Quail and Doves--except for the Burrowing Owls. I counted over a dozen sentries at different turn-offs and perches and they were too spread out to all be based at the same few burrows, so their networks must be pretty expansive there. It was wonderful to see.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-62159279340124866522012-09-06T23:56:06.078-06:002012-09-06T23:56:06.078-06:00Laurence, what an adventure! I definitely need to ...Laurence, what an adventure! I definitely need to go to this place. When I am ready I will consult you for trip advice! BTW, why the dead birds? Great shots and great post!Kathie Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10377224759599266209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-2019529876494158922012-09-06T23:39:29.882-06:002012-09-06T23:39:29.882-06:00Sounds like a place I need to visit Laurence! Your...Sounds like a place I need to visit Laurence! Your descriptions and commentary are only exceeded by your wonderful photos of this surreal place. Of course I knew of the Salton Sea from the Burrowing Owl lore but would love to see one standing sentinel at every turn off!Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09072345959644694466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-54758111282737728542012-09-06T07:27:42.806-06:002012-09-06T07:27:42.806-06:00Thanks Mia. Ah, no I haven't been to the Great...Thanks Mia. Ah, no I haven't been to the Great Salt Lake area for birding yet, but now I've had some exposure to the salty side of birding and I'll be better prepared. It seems like the Salton Sea is the poor man's Great Salt Lake, but it has its own strengths too. <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-16276754826807278142012-09-06T05:47:09.269-06:002012-09-06T05:47:09.269-06:00Laurence, from just reading the title I thought yo...Laurence, from just reading the title I thought you might be talking about the Great Salt Lake because it gets stinky too!<br /><br />This is a great post and it has made me ever more curious about the Salton Sea and the avian residents. Mia McPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01613385411156245829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-46106747171171653832012-09-05T21:23:24.131-06:002012-09-05T21:23:24.131-06:00Nice Rob! I want to get back out there, but doubt ...Nice Rob! I want to get back out there, but doubt I'll be able to for a few months. The Yellow-footed Gulls start to decrease in number through the autumn, but a few stay all winter long and they should still be fairly easy to find throughout September. <br /><br />If not at the Red Hill Marina area, check the southeast parts of the Sea--I've heard they linger there longest though I wasn't able to actually make it down that far during my brief visit. Best of luck!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-45250111231303931202012-09-05T16:43:56.729-06:002012-09-05T16:43:56.729-06:00I will be birding in that area in just a couple of...I will be birding in that area in just a couple of weeks for the second time ever! Are the Yellow-footed Gulls still there in mid September?Rob Ripmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18204010629946659477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-81520117105633873342012-09-04T21:50:29.501-06:002012-09-04T21:50:29.501-06:00Thank you Tammy. It doesn't have quite the piz...Thank you Tammy. It doesn't have quite the pizazz of the Everglades or Fort De Soto or Orlando Wetlands, but hey it's about the only place within 4 hours I can see Gulls. Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-41193079043705195482012-09-04T21:49:18.560-06:002012-09-04T21:49:18.560-06:00Thank you Debbie. I like to think words have their...Thank you Debbie. I like to think words have their way with me...or maybe not, that sound's weird...anyway there it is, weird and weirder. <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by : )Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-21304667771772794192012-09-04T18:35:08.627-06:002012-09-04T18:35:08.627-06:00I really enjoyed learning about your encounter wit...I really enjoyed learning about your encounter with the Salton Sea. Great photos of the wonderful species you saw!!! Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08481372510221914366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-74960709146986040992012-09-04T18:34:27.002-06:002012-09-04T18:34:27.002-06:00You sure have a way with words, great post and awe...You sure have a way with words, great post and awesome photos!Debbie Miller @HooootOwlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13580580317271895694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-36331897888839783852012-09-04T16:27:49.102-06:002012-09-04T16:27:49.102-06:00"The Salton Sea sounds like a fabulous place ..."The Salton Sea sounds like a fabulous place to view birds."<br />I feel like I did a terrible job describing it then Julie...Nah just Kidding I appreciate it : )<br /><br />It is a remarkable area and the wildlife, particularly birdlife, is amazing. I'd definitely recommend it as a hotspot, but maybe try and get to the San Diego beach afterwards for some more birding and more soul-satisfying scenery. <br /><br />Thanks for your kind comments. Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-6699776581338775742012-09-04T16:25:42.135-06:002012-09-04T16:25:42.135-06:00Cheers Gordon thanks for stopping by. I'll be ...Cheers Gordon thanks for stopping by. I'll be looking forward to your photos once you get out to there.Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-29607370759583609372012-09-04T16:18:43.297-06:002012-09-04T16:18:43.297-06:00Wow Laurence, you certainly know how to set a scen...Wow Laurence, you certainly know how to set a scene! Outstanding post! Your descriptive narrative and wonderful photographs really hooked me in. The Salton Sea sounds like a fabulous place to view birds. After reading this post, I think I will have to put this birding destination on my list. I bet every visit is quite an adventure.Julie G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08552498284012539176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-8013327445272003612012-09-04T16:16:33.871-06:002012-09-04T16:16:33.871-06:00Great post and a lot of information! I hope to ge...Great post and a lot of information! I hope to get there some day soon. Thanks for sharing!Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13931448617460317916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-52800766119518731222012-09-04T14:34:21.874-06:002012-09-04T14:34:21.874-06:00And to be alive! Thanks Denise of VirigniaAnd to be alive! Thanks Denise of VirigniaLaurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-41662658276555302662012-09-04T14:19:10.687-06:002012-09-04T14:19:10.687-06:00What a thrill to see so many beautiful birds. Gre...What a thrill to see so many beautiful birds. Great photos!DeniseinVAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08494518513936310345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-78697152592112585582012-09-04T14:12:54.283-06:002012-09-04T14:12:54.283-06:00Thanks so much Anonymous : )
Monterrey is such a ...Thanks so much Anonymous : )<br /><br />Monterrey is such a gorgeous place...I don't know if the stark contrast between it and the Salton Sea is healthy. No, those'll be some great days of birding for you no doubt! The Salton Sea roads are dirt, but for the most part you shouldn't have a problem getting around the area. <br />The North/South Roads will take you along the east coast (not sure if that' where you'll be heading), and these are fine. Some of the east/west roads, like Schrimpf and McDonald, get very mucky as you get closer to the end. If you see the road is a darker brown, as in it's still moist, then just get out and walk that last distance (which shouldn't be much, unless there's a lot of rain between now and then). <br /><br />I hope you find the Gulls. I'm hoping to go back to the Sea for some winterfowl in late October but it's a grueling drive from Phoenix. The Yellow-footed Gulls should still be there--good luck!Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-54667935151183151612012-09-04T14:07:53.808-06:002012-09-04T14:07:53.808-06:00Ha! Thanks Pat. I can only imagine how odd it must...Ha! Thanks Pat. I can only imagine how odd it must be in winter. Just be sure you bird with a buddy! It's the only way to stay safe and sane : )Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-13480989851760837332012-09-04T13:58:47.946-06:002012-09-04T13:58:47.946-06:00Absolutely superb post! I visited the Salton Sea i...Absolutely superb post! I visited the Salton Sea in the dead of winter, and am proud to say I survived the experience to bird another day. It was without doubt the eeriest, most surreal place I have ever seen, and frankly, I'm not sure I'm strong enough to visit again:) Pat Bumsteadhttp://www.birdcanada.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-46306432959549056922012-09-04T13:16:15.696-06:002012-09-04T13:16:15.696-06:00Thanks Phil. The Salton Sea is a must-visit before...Thanks Phil. The Salton Sea is a must-visit before one dies. Luckily, it can provide both things at once! : )Laurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5068198388134099737.post-87916318448658128392012-09-04T13:15:46.346-06:002012-09-04T13:15:46.346-06:00Gracias TerriGracias TerriLaurence Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14766876797454283812noreply@blogger.com