Brown Pelicans: A Coastal Icon of California
Brown Pelicans are icons of the California coast, famous for their dramatic plunge-dives and remarkable conservation comeback. Discover what makes these charismatic seabirds one of the Pacific's most unforgettable residents.
Fairview Park Bird Surveys 2025: Still Watching Fairview Birds
Four years after the first survey, Fairview Park continues to surprise with new species, memorable encounters, and the quiet rewards that come from returning to the same place month after month.
Fairview Park Bird Surveys 2024: Another Year with the Fairview Birds
Three years into the Fairview Park bird surveys, familiar routes continued to produce memorable surprises, from Loggerhead Shrikes and Vermilion Flycatchers to owls, meadowlarks, and more.
Fairview Park Bird Surveys 2023: Familiar Birds and New Surprises
The second year of Fairview Park bird surveys brought familiar species, exciting new discoveries, and a growing appreciation for one of Costa Mesa's most rewarding birding locations.
Fairview Park Bird Surveys 2022: Getting to Know the Park
Follow my first year of monthly bird surveys at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, discovering the birds, habitats, and seasonal changes that make this urban park such a rewarding place to explore.
Joshua Tree Through Three Seasons with Zoe: Wildlife & Desert Adventures
Three trips, three seasons, one unforgettable road-tripping cat. Returning to Joshua Tree throughout the year revealed new birds, wildlife, wildflowers, and a deeper appreciation for one of California's most remarkable landscapes.
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching, Birds & A Very Good Captain
A birthday trip to Monterey Bay turned into two unforgettable whale watches, incredible pelagic birding, Dall's Porpoises at the bow, and one captain who made an already amazing day even better.
Santa Clara River Estuary: Pelican Roosts and an Osprey Buffet
Brown Pelicans, Ospreys, shorebirds, and protected nesting habitat make the Santa Clara River Estuary one of Southern California's most rewarding places to slow down and watch coastal birds.
Whale Watching in Orange County with Newport Coastal Adventures
A whale watching trip just off the Orange County coast delivered breaching Humpbacks, Ocean Sunfish, seabirds, dolphins, and a reminder that incredible wildlife adventures can happen surprisingly close to home.
Birds of the Salton Sea: An Unusual Hotspot
The Salton Sea is one of the West's most remarkable birding destinations, where desert landscapes, enormous flocks, and ongoing conservation efforts make every visit memorable.
Palomar Mountain State Park: A Favorite Day Trip for Every Season
Palomar Mountain State Park feels worlds away from Southern California's coast. From forest birds and quiet trails to wildflowers and mountain views, it's a favorite day trip that keeps drawing us back in every season.
Topic Archive
- Angeles National Forest 3
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park 2
- Backpacking 5
- Backpacks 3
- Big Sur 2
- California 32
- Camping 17
- Camping Gear 6
- Cleveland National Forest 1
- Coastal Birding 1
- Colorado 5
- Crater Lake National Park 3
- Death Valley National Park 4
- Film Photography 4
- Fort Bragg 1
- Hiking 22
- Idyllwild 2
- Joshua Tree National Park 5
- Laguna Coast Wilderness 3
- Lassen Volcanic National Park 2
- Mojave National Preserve 2
- Mount Rainier National Park 1
- North Cascades National Park 1
- Orange County 3
- Oregon 3
- Point Reyes National Seashore 1
- Road Trips 3
- Rocky Mountain National Park 5
- San Bernardino National Forest 1
- Seattle 2
- Sequoia National Forest 1
- Washington 2
- Yosemite National Park 1
- Zoe 4