Happy Holidays to all.  I avoided the Christmas crowds and commercialism by celebrating with family and friends, and with the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The CBC has been going on all over the country in December for more than 100 years. This year again, I participated with two different groups and had a splendid time with good company and good birds. Although it was a strong start for the month with Hepatic Tanager, Summer Tanager, and an American Bittern, in general, I and others have noted how many fewer birds there are this year. I have no explanation but am concerned. I got out on a boat for some whale watching. We saw two humpbacked whales and hundreds of dolphin.

My Irvine Ranch butterfly survey and my wetlands bird survey were both canceled due to much needed rain.

In the middle of the month, I went to Paso Robles to see the Field of Lights art installation covering rolling hills with an array of over 58,800 fiber optic stemmed spheres. They don't allow tripods, 'professional' equipment, nor flash, and of course the photos are for personal use - not for sale. Despite the restrictions, my cell phone and kit lens caught some of the light. We spent the night there and then went over to the coast to see Elephant Seals in San Simeon. They are always a winter favorite of mine. There were some very large bulls with all the younger males giving them wide berth. There were also three mothers with newborns. The birds were enjoying the flies, sometimes picking them off the seals directly only to be swatted away.

May 2020 bring you health, joy, kindness, and of course walks with nature.
 

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Watch the slideshows or click on the links to look through at your own pace. Links open in a new tab.

Enjoy the show! I always appreciate corrections to ID's.

Local stuff:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_dec-2019

Paso Robles Field of Lights:   https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/sensorio

San Simeon Elephant Seals:   https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/san_simeon_dec_2019