Visited the East Wetlands again on Thursday morning for about an hour prior to work. Even though I arrived just after sunrise, I still heard no Black Rails. Clapper Rails were calling, as was the single Bell’s Vireo. New for this visit (in addition to what I had last Sunday) were four White-faced Ibis, a Greater Roadrunner, and numerous Great-tailed Grackles. The Least Bittern was a no-show, but I did see a Mallard family with 9 nearly full-grown juveniles. As I was walking over the rocks lining the levee road, I came close to stepping on a coiled and sleeping Western Diamondback!
(Click on the Diamond-backed Rattlesnake for a full-sized photograph)
Close to work I drove by the Burrowing Owl colony along the salinity canal. Three young owls watched me as I took some long-range photos with my super-zoom. Then they got nervous and shuffled down into their burrow. Meanwhile, the parents kept a wary eye on me from atop the berm over their home.
(Click on the Burrowing Owls for a full-sized version)