This is the end of my January trip to California…heading south on Highway 1 from the Mendocino area in the late afternoon.
I think the above photo was around Bodega Bay and then we headed inland. It was a perfect trip! Sad to think how the world has changed so much since then…
After exploring the Lower Salt River, we headed to Saguaro Lake, set in the Sonoran Desert and rimmed with canyon walls. It is only about 40 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix.
Eared Grebe
And…I got a lifer (below)!
Western Grebe
Red-winged Blackbird, immature male
The lake is divided into two sections connected by narrows between canyon walls. The above is considered the marina side and the other side is my favorite, Butcher Jones Beach.
The Salt River wild horses, mentioned in my last post, often congregate here on hot, summer days. A lot of people also congregate at this lake all summer long. As you can see, we beat the rush by waiting.
Pied-billed Grebe
Redhead
There was a really nice trail there but it was almost dusk so we were not able to go very far on it…maybe next time…it seemed pretty “birdy.”
Great Blue Heron
Northern Cardinal
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
Glenrosa Journeys 