Day Nine - Moving on continued.
St Luis refuge & Los Barios
We hit the freeway out of Monterey and drove on through the central plain, miles and miles of fertile soil with extensive watering systems to combat the adverse dry conditions. California has ostensively been in drought conditions for the last five years.
On arrival, the wetlands reserve was extremely dry in most parts, but a walk gave us tri-coloured Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird with Blue Grosbeck a real bonus considering just how few birds were about. We only saw one but he was a corker of a male.American Bittern was heard booming in the distance.
We also saw our first diurnal Racoon ( although it didn't stay around for a photo), evidence of Western Rattlesnake, Crawfish, Monarch butterflies and Coyote on the exit road.
St Luis refuge & Los Barios
We hit the freeway out of Monterey and drove on through the central plain, miles and miles of fertile soil with extensive watering systems to combat the adverse dry conditions. California has ostensively been in drought conditions for the last five years.
Dry pools at St Luis
We also saw our first diurnal Racoon ( although it didn't stay around for a photo), evidence of Western Rattlesnake, Crawfish, Monarch butterflies and Coyote on the exit road.
Racoon tracks along a ditch
Sidewinder track
Western Pigmy Blue
Red Swamp (Louisiana) Crayfish (Racoon prey option)
By now it was 5.30pm and still 33 degrees.
We continued on and were amazed to find several wet pools on the edge of
Los Banos reserve bordering the road and at the risk of being moved on
by the Highway Police got American Avocet, Black-necked Stilts, Wilson's Phalarope, Least Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitchers, White-faced Ibis and three Logger-head Shrikes amongst others.
Los Barios pools
Red-tailed Hawk juvenile
The final stretch of the run to El Portal was completed after dark.We expected to find a big change in scenery the following day.