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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a green oasis where desert scrub meets cottonwoods, willows, and mesquite. Hummingbirds gather near the entrance, tanagers move through the canopy, and Ash-throated Flycatchers call from the drier edges.

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.

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.

A day on Santa Cruz Island brought close encounters with Island Scrub-Jays, Island Foxes, native plants, and butterflies, all within a boat ride of the Southern California coast.

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.

Black Skimmers chose my local beach for a nesting colony, giving me the chance to watch their breeding season unfold from courtship and incubation to tiny chicks and first flights.

Our time near Munich combined birding along the shores of Ammersee and Chiemsee with the crowds and celebration of Oktoberfest. Somewhere among the lakes, birds, and beer tents, a ring made the trip even more memorable.