I started the month in Anza-Borrego for an art retreat with two dear friends. We were fortunate to have a day between rain storms to enjoy the sights of the desert, birds, wildflowers, and nature journaling in the field. On the drive home we had fabulous rainbows.

Later in the month I went on two back-to-back pelagic birding trips. One out of Dana Point had been postponed from January due to the rain, and it wound up being rescheduled on the same weekend as the one I had booked out of Marina del Rey for February. Fortunately the weather held up for the most part.  I had a full weekend of ocean going birds and dolphin. Dramatic skies and a Red-footed Booby were the highlights of Dana Point on Saturday. There were many more birds and a few dolphin that posed while out of Marina del Rey on Sunday. 

With all the rain, we missed a second month of my butterfly count. As I write this, it looks like my March survey will be canceled for the same reason. The rain is much needed, and I look forward to all that blooms after the rains.

I got out between the rain drops when I could to stretch my legs in the local parks. I enjoy the 'common' birds as well as the more rare ones. I like to watch their behaviors, learn where they like to go in the parks, listen to the calls, see insects, see the changing light,and clear my own own thoughts as I go at my own pace.  Of course meeting up with friends and adding birds to the life list is fun too. Local highlights and notes:

• Neighbors of one local park complained about coyotes. Park crews have cleared away much of the lower bushes (habitat). Perhaps this helped combat the coyote populations but it is not good for birds. Maybe coincidence(?), but now I see more gophers there.
• I finally got up to LA to take a look at the 'mega-rarity' Red-flanked Bluetail. It had visitors from all over the country coming to see it. I am glad it stuck around, and I am glad I waited until the crowd died down. It was the subject of an article in the LA Times.
• Some other rarities (but not quite as notable) showed up in Long Beach, so I had to chase them: Blue-winged Warbler and Grace's Warbler.
• I saw two Spotted Sandpipers together, one with spots and one without. At this time of year they generally do not have their spots. It could be a "breeding-like" plumage in the pre-basic molt in fall that it wore all winter. I enjoy learning something new when consulting experts on such matters.
• I particularly like seeing the relationship of birds and their environment. Western Bluebirds are voracious insectivores. A Willet and a Striped Shore Crab had a battle with the crab wrapping itself around the Willet's bill. Willet eventually won. A California Gnatcatcher gathered plant material for its nest.
• Someone found a dead Western Meadowlark and placed it on top of a garbage can. I have no idea on what caused its death. They are beautiful birds. It did give me the opportunity to look at the detail of its feet.
• These are just some of my observations. I hope you get a chance to observe some cool things near you.

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Local stuff:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_feb_2019 
 

Anza-Borrego:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/anza-borrego_feb_2019
 

Pelagic Trips:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/pelagic_feb_2019