The Monterey Bay Aquarium

I watched the people mesmerized by the dark blues and greens of the ocean at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Dunlin

I was there to study shorebirds in their aviary display. It was a rare opportunity to see these birds up close.  And it was here that I was able to study their field marks to help me ID better out in the field. 

Sea Otters in the Kelp Forest near the aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium can be pricey at around 50 dollars.  But it's my birthday month, so I splurged:)

Snowy Plover

I got there early to avoid the crowds and I was mostly successful.  I planned several "must see" spots first which weren't the main attractions that most tourists visit. I actually had a bowl of clam chowder ALONE out on the deck below!  I watched wild shorebirds and sea otters from this very cool spot below.

But my study?  As you all know, I like to visit the living museum collections of our zoos and aquariums around the world.  I do an ebird hotspot list for the wild birds found in the area while also studying their aviary collections.  Many of these birds were once wild but thanks in part to places like the aquarium, these injured birds are given a second chance at life where they'll educate thousands of people (like myself).

Semipalmated Sandpiper

I oo'd and aw'd at the displays like everyone else.  But it was the sandpipers, phalaropes and other peeps that held my interest.

There is something very relaxing about being in a dark area with gentle music playing in the background.

The jellyfish displays were mesmerizing!

Red Phalarope

However, it was time to study my phalaropes.  They are often difficult to ID in the wild because of distance.  And because they are usually in their winter molt when they pass through Arizona.  I was able to see a size difference between the two birds.  But it was the bill that really grabbed my attention.  Note how strong the Red Phalarope's bill(above) is when compared to the Red-necked Phalarope's bill(below).  There is also orange at the base of the REPH's bill which I have never clearly seen from a scope.  What a great way to compare these two sometimes tricky birds!

Red-necked Phalarope

There were octopus..... 

......and more cool aquariums.......

.....and pretty Buffleheads......

drake Bufflehead

.....more awesome jellyfish......

....and lots of wild birds feeding around the waters outside of the aquarium:)

juvenile Pelagic Cormorant

I had a great morning out, but it was time to head back to Arizona where Kathie Brown was waiting for me. Here's a video from my adventure in Monterey.  I'm still smiling from all the fun.  But it was time to return back to the desert. There was work to be done.

The Rocky Roads of Mexico

From our condo on Playa Miramar

Several months back, we had planned our yearly trip back to Rocky Point, Mexico.  It required me to renew my passport and do some research around the area.  Plus my purpose for this trip was to find the Yellow-footed Gull and study up on my gulls. 

Common Loon

But during Easter week, it's never quite that easy with thousands of people walking along the shoreline.  Luckily, we stayed in an area known as Caborca....away from the city.  However, we had to go to the city for supplies.  And I had to find another bird known as a "Surfbird".  The port is full of rocks and the Surfbird prefers this habitat.

The fishing port of Rocky Point

I don't know why, but I've always found Mexican chaos beautiful. It's full of traffic, annoying trash, people and wildlife.  The city itself was a gem when it came to finding birds.  Where there are people; there are opportunistic sea birds. 

Snowy Plovers

As I walked along the beaches, I discovered so many plovers darting around the seashells.  

The Salt Marshes of Morúa

After our return from the city, I began to truly set out and discover a new section of Rocky Point.  It is known as the estuary of Morúa. 

Morúa Estuary

I had seen this massive blue expanse while walking the salt marshes.  I knew there was something special in that area, but I didn't know how to get to it.  

Gulls attack!

So we drove the dusty roads along the golf course near the Mayan Resort and found the place.

Surfbird

This area is a bit strange. A wealthy hotel known as the Mayan Resort "owns" the entire area.  How does one own nature?  Anyhow, they have a golf course along one side of the road and on the other is the magical and large expanse known as the Morúa estuary.  The area is monitored and protected by the Intercultural Center of Desert and Ocean studies or CEDO. 

While this estuary is located in the area "owned" by the Mayan Resort, it is protected by CEDO and that means it's open to the general public. All I will say is "Wow!"  This area is a true gem for birders and a MUST see!  The desert is an amazing place and the desert habitat along the Sea of Cortez is no exception.  

Yellow-footed Gull

A familiar "Weeeeep!"  pulled me out of my reverie as a Wilson's Plover flew directly in front of me.  I believe he was warning me to stay away from something.....perhaps a nest? 

Wilson's Plover

Along the way, I found Dunlins and Red Knots in their breeding plumage. The hotel itself was a rich sanctuary full of different birds and landscape. There were many migrating warblers, flycatchers and orioles! 

A place for the rich to mingle and be isolated from the "others"

In fact, a Scott's Oriole captured my attention as we neared the entrance.  Only then did I see an incredible flock of warblers(Wilson's, Yellow, Yellow-rumped and Nashville!) in the South American mesquite trees!  Once inside the resort, I saw something very interesting.....

A magnificent Sora is ignored by so many people at the hotel.  Just another brown bird.

A Sora spun around in circles while people casually passed this bird by on the bridge. Several locals spoke Spanish around me and assumed I didn't understand a word.  They mumbled to each other, "What is the gringo looking at?"  A young lady replied, "Some stupid bird." I let it roll off my shoulders, but what they did next really irked me.  They wanted to take a picture of their family right where I was standing. Really people? How often does one get to see a Sora swirling around out in the open??!!!  So I didn't budge.

Anyhow, they had to wait until I was done with my observation. Hey, I was a paying customer and had several drinks at their bar:) The hotel had little pools of water with all kinds of sandpipers hanging around at the edges. 

A Dunlin

I still have several more areas of study that need to take place in Rocky Point which will include Cholla Bay and another estuary to the south, but those will wait until next year.  I was a bit angry on our way back to the US as I was pulled over for "speeding".  Which I wasn't.  The local police just wanted money.  Thankfully I speak Spanish and we were able to pay the criminals their fee without much hassle.  Mexico is beautiful but the local law enforcement is at times quite crooked. These police are underpaid in their own country so they have to make it up elsewhere. One word for that incident.  Annoying.

"Roberta"-the Heermann's Gull at Viña Del Mar restaurant

The above shot is of "Roberta".  She is a Heermann's Gull who lives at a local restaurant downtown. Perhaps part owner? This gull was born with a gimp leg and loves to visit the local clientele during breakfast, lunch or dinner:) Just to chat:) Needless to say, the owner of the restaurant loves her very much.  I'm not sure if she is really a "she", but I enjoyed listening to the owner's story about Roberta. 

Forster's Tern

If you are interested in visiting Rocky Point, check out Jan and Andy's place on Playa Miramar.  We've been down at their rental home many times and have had a safe and wonderful stay.  Andy and Jan, both Phoenix residents, are wonderful hosts who live in Rocky Point most of the year. Their home is right next door to the rental.  For birders, this is a great place to explore at low and high tide.  There aren't many people along the beach in this area which is a good thing for birders.  The Morúa estuary is very close(about 15 minutes by car) from their place.  The habitat is varied on their road and is home to the Large-billed Savannah Sparrows, Burrowing Owls and so many other birds. I spent my days walking up and down the beach and dirt roads counting birds. As a side note, because I've been out studying birds, I haven't been able to catch up with everyone as I'd like.  But I promise I'll be stopping by soon. 

A juvenile Pacific Loon

Until next time......

Northern Shoveler  8

Red-breasted Merganser  14

Gambel's Quail  2

Pacific Loon  6

Common Loon  3

Eared Grebe  6

Black Storm-Petrel  1

Magnificent Frigatebird  3

Blue-footed Booby  6

Brown Booby  25

Brandt's Cormorant  12

Neotropic Cormorant  80

Double-crested Cormorant  40

cormorant sp.  40

Brown Pelican  110

Great Blue Heron  3

Great Egret  4

Snowy Egret  3

Reddish Egret  1

White-faced Ibis  4

Black Vulture  5

Turkey Vulture  6

Osprey  5

Bald Eagle  1

Red-tailed Hawk (Western)  1

Sora  1

American Avocet  26

American Oystercatcher  8

Black-bellied Plover  14

Snowy Plover  2

Wilson's Plover  4

Semipalmated Plover  2

Killdeer  6

Spotted Sandpiper  2

Greater Yellowlegs  1

Willet (Western)  6

Lesser Yellowlegs  2

Whimbrel  11

Long-billed Curlew  9

Marbled Godwit  8

Red Knot  1

Surfbird  33

Sanderling  40

Dunlin  16

Baird's Sandpiper  3

Least Sandpiper  4

Western Sandpiper  25

Short-billed Dowitcher  2

Franklin's Gull  2

Heermann's Gull  178

Ring-billed Gull  151

Western Gull  2

Yellow-footed Gull  23

California Gull  17

Herring Gull  10

gull sp.  200

Least Tern  2

Caspian Tern  17

Common Tern  8

Forster's Tern  10

Sterna sp.  50

Royal Tern  10

Sandwich Tern  2

Elegant Tern  32

large tern sp.  100

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  22

Eurasian Collared-Dove  22

White-winged Dove  4

Mourning Dove  5

Burrowing Owl  2

Anna's Hummingbird  1

hummingbird sp.  1

Belted Kingfisher  1

Western Wood-Pewee  1

Empidonax sp.  1

Say's Phoebe  8

Ash-throated Flycatcher  1

Loggerhead Shrike  2

Chihuahuan Raven  2

Common Raven  7

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  12

Barn Swallow  5

Cliff Swallow  10

Verdin  2

Curve-billed Thrasher  2

Northern Mockingbird  1

European Starling  5

Orange-crowned Warbler  3

Nashville Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  2

Yellow-rumped Warbler  3

Wilson's Warbler  3

warbler sp.  1

Spizella sp.  5

Black-throated Sparrow  4

Savannah Sparrow (Large-billed)  5

Song Sparrow  4

sparrow sp.  2

Western Meadowlark  2

Great-tailed Grackle  27

Scott's Oriole  1

House Finch  15

Lesser Goldfinch  4

House Sparrow  32

For more birds, check out Wild Bird Wednesday!