I returned to Big Morongo Preserve, 125 miles from where I live here in San Pedro, last Saturday for a visit along with our little group of birdwatchers we call The San Pedro Kingbirders (me, David, Jose, and Johnny, who couldn't make it). It was Jose's first time there, and being a 15-year-old bird phenomenon -- he's only been birding for about 2 years but he recognizes bird calls and seems to find 'em all the time -- he said Big Mo was "awesome". And so it was, though we were skunked by the Long-eared Owl seen there recently. But we got there at 8am and except for a break for lunch didn't leave until around 6:30pm. Here are some of the birds that we saw, along with a few I've seen on past trips, and a few landscapes to put the place in perspective. The full Big Morongo gallery consisting of pics I've taken there since 2008 is here -- http://www.lonewolfephotos.com/Birds/Big-Morongo-Canyon-CA-2008/4932701_RFFVch
1
Big Morongo Preserve, looking down the canyon, seen from the Yucca Ridge Trail --
4
Here's David (on the right) and Jose watching the birds at Dee Zeller's feeders at the entrance of the preserve. David is a phenomenal birder, constantly saying "There's 2 --- over there, and 1 --- singing over there, and..." and I can't hear a darn thing. And to augment his hearing, he sometimes carries a parabolic sound dish.
10
Fisher's Point, a house across from Covington Park, can have some interesting birds at its feeders; here's a Lawrence's Goldfinch, which was a Life Bird for me when I saw it in April 2010 --
12
Late that afternoon, while hiking down the Canyon Trail, David and Jose heard an Owl-like call. Well, as we were in Owl Mode at the time, we decided to check it out, which meant thrashing through underbrush to get to the other side of the creek where the call was coming from. Jose called it Xtreme Birding, and it was! Once on the other side, the call was at another location, of course, as we'd made enough noise getting there to wake up the dead (Natty Bumppos we ain't ) but after 15 minutes Jose said, "I see it!" and pointed to an area where David and I couldn't make out a darned thing. But Owls are good at concealment, so we kept looking, and looking, and then --- out flew a bird -- http://www.lonewolfephotos.com/Birds/Big-Morongo-Canyon-CA-2008/i-tCzXBNm/0/L/March-3-2012-Big-Mo-White-L.jpg
It had been a White-winged Dove all the time. Sibley's guide says it sounds just like a Barred Owl's "Who-Cooks-For-You" call -- and we'd been fooled.
13
All good things must come to an end, so here's Mr. Vermilion saying, "Goodbye!" to viewers as he takes off --
Nice shots, Steve. The first one is really special. I never realized that Big Morongo could look so exotic--like something out of Africa. Thanks for sharing these.
---John
gschrade wrote:
Wow, nice set Steve. I have never seen a few of these. Love the Vermilion shots.
George
Thanks, George! Big Mo and Covington Park (right across from Big Mo) are best in spring, and a birding friend said it was too early for "good stuff" there, but I think the warmish weather this winter has pushed things up by about a month. And when Mr. and Mrs. Vermilion come back for the season, then all the fun begins!
Callisto wrote:
Steve,
Very nice series and story - love the vermilion shots. Thanks for sharing. - RC
Thanks Rodyon! Big Morongo is one of those places that, like San Jacinto Wildlife Area, literally begs to be described and experienced. Hopefully I've captured at least a small part of its interest in this post.
Tim Kuhn wrote:
Super set Steve!! Love those Vermilions 2 is a shot to die for Man you make me want to head that way
Tim
Well Tim, how's about you, me and Roger (the hotel) doing a GTG there? Spring is coming up, and it's the best time of the year at Big Mo. Guaranteed Vermilions and Summer Tanagers, and who knows what else may pop up? Something to ponder over...
--
) but after 15 minutes Jose said, "I see it!" and pointed to an area where David and I couldn't make out a darned thing. But Owls are good at concealment, so we kept looking, and looking, and then --- out flew a bird --
2 is a shot to die for 
Man you make me want to head that way