BushBlog: California Condors & Gray Whales!!

Birthdays - who needs 'em - and what in the world do you ever get someone for a birthday present? And not having any expectations for gifts myself - just about anything might be a surprise. Well, my birthday was yesterday, and I received GREAT present(s), and other than some travel-time today, there was not a cent involved!

Living at El Capitan State Beach, I have been very interested in trying to view whales from shore. While it may be much more satisfying to take a 'whale boat' (not the ones from Japan that are dodging 'green' ships in the Antarctic Ocean) and have professionals guide you to see these mammoth marine mammals, finding them yourself is just more satisfying. And saves $80 - each.

Yesterday, while walking along the picnic area above the beach, I saw a young family looking out to sea - and quite intently given that there were very young kiddos involved. Mom had spotted a whale, and they were all waiting for another 'blow'. I weaseled my way over and inquired as to their focus, and they kindly pointed me in the right direction. So Sunday morning, before the NFL Conference Championships, I had my first whale sighting from land. A gray whale, headed south to the Gulf of California for the annual winter gathering. I'm told by the lifeguards here who have a GREAT viewpost, that I can expect to see many more gray whales beginning in mid-February when the moms come northward, closer to shore, keeping junior shore-side while she provides some protection to the roving white sharks and killer whales. I might see several dozen Gray Whales a day!

I am quite fussy about the quality of photos that I post on this site. However, I am pleased to offer the big lump that represents a mature Gray Whale:

So, what does one do on the day following the Gray Whale-from-the-beach adventure? How about trying to see a California Condor? Having seen Reed Smith's posting in the Ventura County Birding site stating that he had seen CA Condors that very day, Jeanne and I decided to give it a try.

Lake Piru is about 80 miles to the east and north of the Santa Barbara area and is located in Ventura County. In spite of clouds and a chance of rain, we headed to Lake Piru. Arriving about 9:45am, we stopped as outlined in the posting at the pull-off just above the dam. Moments later, Kirk and Luke from Malibu stopped in, also having read Reed's post - looking for CA Condors. We looked together, both pleased for the good company for nearly a half-hour, while Kirk bottle-fed Luke (Luke is a budding birder at four months old).

Coming up empty, we both headed to new overlooks, with Kirk and Luke going on ahead into the $8/car Lake Piru Management District. Jeanne and I decided to forego the extra $8 and return to the first overlook - and were rewarded for our thriftiness! Jeanne has become an excellent "bird-spotter" and spied the soaring birds over a ridge to the west. While far from being right overhead, and moving farther westward, I was able to take some photos. Again, while not 'quality photos', they do CONFIRM that we saw California Condors at Lake Piru!

Now that's a great 'back-to-back': 45 tons of Gray Whale on 20Jan and the 9' wingspan of CA Condors on 21Jan. Now let's see... what shall we look for tomorrow???

Strong white coloration on the leading edges of the underside of the wing, plus a white spot in the center of the underside of the tail are diagnostic. [Turkey Vultures are about half the size of CA Condors and have black leading edges & white secondary feathers.]