Saturday, February 14
The ranger comes by our camp at Corvina Beach Campground at the Salton Sea.
It’s funny how rangers make a big deal about taking down the license plate number on the clipboard they carry. I assume this is to give the message that one’s days at a camp are numbered.
“Okay, let’s see here. I’m just going to write down the license number. South Dakota, eh? Okay, got it. Good. Thank you. Enjoy your stay!”
Well, that is a lot better than, “Ya’ know there’s a 14-day limit here and we’re keepin’ track of you people!” (Not that any ranger would ever say that.)
The refrigerator’s new normal.
Ever since I had the refrigerator serviced in Yuma, it has been operating very quietly. I don’t hear the ignition clicking several times throughout the day and night. I thought it was supposed to do that. Apparently it wasn’t running efficiently. How nice that it is now.
Speaking of running efficiently. . . .
Here are two pelicans who are flying efficiently.
I found this tidbit about the Salton Sea on the internet.
“California’s largest lake is also its worst one. As you drive past it, you get to see pristine white beaches with blue waters, but if you climb out of your car and take a closer look (I wouldn’t recommend this), you suddenly realize how horribly depressing the place is.”
That’s from an article written by Sumitra, “Salton Sea Beach — A Graveyard Made Up of Millions of Fish Bones,” 1/28/14.
Whatever you do, Do Not Get Out of Your Car!!!! You will be depressed!!!!
Okay, let’s look at something a little more positive about the Salton Sea.
“The Salton Sea is a critical stop for migratory birds on the Pacific and Central Flyways. More than 400 species of birds, including 80 percent of the western population of white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and 20 species of concern, use the system. Birds banded at the Salton Sea and reported to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory have been recovered throughout North America. The combination of avian biodiversity and importance as a breeding habitat is unsurpassed by any limited geographic area within the contiguous 48 states and Latin America.” — Harvey Lee Case III, et al, USGS Salton Sea Science Office
Click on the USGS link (above) and scroll down to read more and to see photos of a burrowing owl, two black-necked stilts, and a caspian tern among others.
Okay, all you birders out there, get ready to eat your hearts out!
The photo below is a very small section of a larger photo that I cropped out (sorry about the fuzziness). I noticed an unusual bird in the background. Hmm… What is that? I crop and enlarge the photo and here it is!
Oh my gosh, it’s the black-necked stilt!
I had never seen one before this. Click here to list to the stilt’s three different calls.
Be kind about the poor focus of these photos. They were taken from a very long distance and enlarged. I post them today to show a few of the birds you can see at the Salton Sea, regardless of photo quality or lack of it. We’re just having fun, right?
Help me out.
What bird is this?
Maybe you don’t give a hoot about the birds at the Salton Sea.
(Did you notice that little nod to the burrowing owl in the preceding sentence?)
Maybe you wish I’d forget about the dadburn birds and get crackin’ on finding the new crew member. I want you to know that a plan is coming together. I can’t just roll into the big city with the Best Little Trailer and start running around to shelters, you know.
There’s no need to give me any suggestions.
You don’t need to point me toward a certain dog or shelter. I’d rather you not do that. It makes me feel pressured. I move at a slow pace.
Bridget and I are enjoying this camp. We will move soon. I’ll update you on the progress of my search.
Time for a sunset photo to close this post.
That pelican keeps drifting into my pictures!
rvsue
THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Here are links to a few of the items ordered by readers:
Baffin Men’s Tractor Work Boot
3V Gear Posse EDC Sling Pack – Coyote Tan
Hydrofarm 2-Foot Jump Start Grow Light System
Sony Portable Bluetooth Wireless Speaker with Speakerphone
Moonrays 91241 Stained-Glass Solar-Powered LED Post-Cap Lamp
MesoSilver ® 20 ppm Colloidal Silver 250 mL/8.45 Oz
NOTE: Readers identified the bird with the “beard.” Click here to listen to the Great Blue Heron.
