11.12.08
Southeastern US Trip
23 days, 3607 miles on the rental and over 3000 photos taken as I traveled through six states. I’ve sorted the photos into categories by location.
09.07.08
Palomar Mountain
I took a trip through the local Laguna Mountains and on to Palomar Mountain where I visited Observation Campground and Doane Pond.
Early in the morning the birdlife was visibly active, but as the day went on the birds stayed out of view even though I could hear the constant calling of Acorn Woodpeckers and Stellar’s Jays.
As the day grew warmer, the dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies became more active. Doane Pond contains an amazing amount of American Bullfrogs and watching these frogs erupt from the water after prey was great. A couple of hours in the 90-plus degree heat chasing after as many species as I could find tired me out.
On the way down the mountain but within the Palomar Mountain State Park boundaries was a group of five Mule Deer feeding on the grasses. As much as I tried to find the buck, I saw only one adult female and four young but what an enjoyable way to close out the day.
Many images from the day can be found here.
Birds
Western Bluebird
American Robin
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Dark-eyed Junko
Dragonflies
Black Saddlebags
Neon Skimmer
Common Green Darner
Red Saddlebags
Damselflies
Tule Bluet
Northern Bluet
Pacific Forktail
Butterflies
Funereal Duskywing
Painted Lady
Woodland Skipper
California Sister
Cabbage White
Checkered White
Northern White-Skipper
2 other Butterfly species not yet identified
Mammals
Mule Deer
Amphibians
American Bullfrog
08.24.08
6 Hours in the TJ Valley
I spent most of the morning and early afternoon throughout the Tijuana River Valley area in southwest San Diego County. Armed with my Canon 20d with a 500mm f/4 and my Digital Rebel with a 17-85mm f/4-5.6, I was ready for whatever I could find. Most of the marine layer had burned off by the time I arrived and the sun was shining, warming up the day into the low 80s. The wind presented the major challenge of the day as it was strong in some places and non-existent in others. Dairy Mart Pond, the Bird & Butterfly Garden and Border Field State Park offered most of the day’s rewards.
I watched as both a male and female Northern Harrier hunted across the open scrubland in Border Field State Park, an awe-inspiring sight. But the most fascinating event of the day was watching two Thread-waisted Wasps taking turns going down into a small hole and bringing out what appeared to be dirt.
On the way home I made a quick stop at Kumeyaay Dam in Mission Trails Regional Park and was treated to a few lovely dragonflies.
Surprisingly, no reptiles came out, but plenty of other animals made appearances. Here’s a list of wildlife I captured on camera today. Click here to see photos.
Birds
Northern Harrier
White-tailed Kite
Cooper’s Hawk
American Kestrel
Common Ground-Dove
Selasphorus Hummingbird
Black Phoebe
California Towhee
Butterflies
Western Tiger Swallowtail
West Coast Lady
Monarch
Lorquin’s Admiral
Marine Blue
Dragonflies
Red Saddlebags
Flame Skimmer
Blue Dasher
Black Saddlebags
Interesting Insect of Note
Thread-waisted Wasp
