in flight over The Salton Sea in Southern California. (Click/tap to enlarge)
A pair in breeding plumage,
reflecting fragile,
flying beauty.
We continue to be deluged,
by blessed rain and snow,
with still more forecasted.
Salton Sea is cleaner and fuller than I have ever seen,
making the wintering birds happy.
They are ready now,
for the arduous flight north to breed.
Cheers to you from The Salton Sea~
Love the colours! 💕
So happy you do & thank you! დ
STUNNING PICTURES AS ALWAYS CINDY.
Grazie mille David დ
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome & cheers დ
The birds are very beautiful, Cindy. I have read about the political stuff regarding this accidental lake. The state seriously needs to finally go to work to try and save the Salton Sea. The lake is an important part of migratory birds. I was there just once some years ago.
You and I are in complete accord. They are doing too little, too late. Take good care John დ
Yes, and all because of stupid politics. Absolutely ridiculous.
Agreed. I had hoped people could be wiser.
Everything was so hot and dry or cold and restless. Now mother earth is compensating to give her fields and animals a fresh start and a rest before your Spring bloom. Lovely pictures Cindy, may she top up their numbers too 😀❤️🙏🏽
Your comment reads like poetry. Lovely. Thank you Mark დ
Always pleasing to watch them. Cheers. Amazing captures .
So pleased you enjoyed them & thanks much დ
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So beautiful 🌷
Thank you! დ
Welcome
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Beautiful. And now there’s the whole lithium thing. But at least there’s water, for now, anyway.
Yes. The lithium issue is a truly serious ecological concern დ
They are so gorgeous! Great to hear that the Salton Sea is healthier than it has been.
Yes, fresh water in the sea means life for so many creatures that depend upon it. Cheers to you Lynette დ
Wonderul light, colours, birds. Thank you!
You are so very welcome & I am most pleased you enjoyed them Leya დ
Gosh! These glorious creatures are quite unlike the – also glorious – birds we see in the UK which are strictly black and white. Only the beaks are the same. Wonderful shots.
I would love to see yours and I want to return to Scotland to see your puffins. One of the great joys of travel for me is meeting new birds from all over the world დ
In the wild, I’ve only ever seen our avocets on the Norfolk coast. Puffins, however, on the Farne Islands off Northern England … what a day it was when I saw those! https://margaret21.com/2017/06/15/in-which-i-am-attacked-by-a-tern-charmed-by-some-puffins-and-visit-a-nursery/
How wonderful! I want to visit. I have only seen a few in the ocean. I have missed them everywhere in the world by days.
That was the same for me, until that trip.
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Lovely reflections and broader scenes
Thank you Derrick & cheers to you my friend დ
Gorgeous scenery and birds!
Merci beaucoup mon Ami Darlene დ
A lovely sight, Cindy, perfectly captured.
So appreciated Jo. Thank you & cheers დ
Lovely elegant avocets.
They are elegant and dainty aren’t they დ
Happy to join the chorus here in appreciation. Beautiful Cindy. Sort of twice seen thanks to the water reflections. Water means so much, doesn’t it. A naturalist I’m fond of said about the desert, the dominant feature was water, what shaped the landscape we see. Thank you for sharing.
Yes. Water is everything in the desert. Capturing, consuming and conserving it are principal concerns. Happy you enjoyed Neil and cheers to you დ
Beautiful birds! Love the reflections of their plumage in the water. Do you sell your photos professionally Cindy?
So appreciated Sheree. Very pleased you enjoyed them. I don’t sell my photos, but probably should….. Take good care my friend დ
You definitely should
Thank you Sheree.
Beautiful pictures and captions, Cindy, wished we could see them from nearby😻Double Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend🐾😽💞
Thanks much my friend & happy weekend to all of you! დ
They are very beautiful birds!
We are in accord as is usual Sharon დ
They do everything with such precision. Never stampede.
Indeed, they do. They are dainty and delicate დ
Simply, spectacular!
Aww… Thank you sincerely Michael დ
You’re welcome.
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I don’t know these stunning birds. Well captured, Cindy!
Thanks much Frank and I am most happy to make the introduction დ
Some great shots there. Beautiful markings…Thank you!
You are most welcome Joy & I am happy you enjoyed them დ
Fine photos. Let’s hope these birds make it back to their breeding grounds safely.
Thank you and yes, they have such perilous journeys დ
So glad for the rains and snows . Is the western drought designated as over?
26% of former drought areas are said to be out of drought status. I take this with a grain of salt. It is raining /snowing now throughout the state with more on the horizon. I have never seen this much rain and snow. Resevoirs are being released as I type დ
Do you think that’s a high estimate?
I think it is a low estimate.
I hope you’re right because your area needs it. I tend to believe you because the other source is, well, a government entity. And it just seems that the government lays out narratives with other agendas in mind. Have a great week. By the way, , snow here yesterday and more coming Tuesday. But that’s not unusual for western NY.
Stay safe and warm.
These avocets are pretty, Cindy.
Happy you think so & cheers to you my friend დ
Such beautiful plumage, great photos, Cindy… good news about the rain year. Finally, a good winter!
Amen! Finally so much precipitation on more on the way. Our local hills are covered in snow დ
Another bird new to me! Thank you for the introduction. It looks as though they’re finding something tasty to eat in that water?
Happy to make the introduction Liz. They eat crustaceans, grubs and bugs! Yummy 😉
Chacun à son goût, as the French are purported to say. 🙂
Smiling დ
What interesting beaks. Like little straws. I never heard of them. Thank you for sharing, Cindy. Great pictures as usual.
So pleased to make the introduction & happy you enjoyed them! დ
What beautiful captures of these stunning birds.
So appreciated. Thank you VJ & cheers დ
My pleasure, Cindy
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I loved watching them when we lived in CA. How is the Salton Sea doing? Is it getting much needed additional water with all the winter rains?
Yes, The SS is getting an influx of fresh water which is a big help. It still remains a ecological nightmare though which is a huge concern for the people who leave near it and for the wildlife that depend upon it, especially the migrating birds on The Pacific Flyway დ
Hope the rains and snow continue to do good for the winter birds – and all of you at The Holler, too.
I worry about my California friends with feathers – and those without!
Thank you Sheila. There is a lot to worry about on this poor planet. But, good news finally for Southern California დ
So great to see the water and the birds so happy. It’s a good planet. Beautiful moments in time captured Cindy.
It is a beautiful planet Neill, especially with happy & healthy creatures on it დ
They are pretty birds.
Si claro დ
Good to know all the rain and snow is helping them, at least!
Yes. I have never seen the sea looking so healthy and clean დ
How absolutely gorgeous they are! Thank you for these beautiful photos of this graceful bird. 🧡 Glad that you’re getting more much-needed precipitation.
You are so welcome dear Teresa. God Knows how badly we need the rain and more is on the way! დ
I love the beauty and the education I experience with each of your blog posts, Cindy!
Your thoughtful comment touched my heart. Thank you sincerely Patty დ
Gorgeous birds and photos Cindy! I’m glad the storms have brought needed relief the Salton Sea and area.
Thank you Brad. God knows we need it. It is raining again now and more is coming დ
You find and beautifully capture the most amazing animals, Cindy. 😍
Aww…. So appreciated Michele დ
I appreciate you! 😊
Thank you Michele.
Marvelous beaks like straws. Great captures.
Merci beaucoup mon Ami Rebecca დ
Fantastic images, Cindy! Gorgeous birds and a renewed Salton Sea. What are these birds?
Thank you Jane. They are American Avocets დ
What a lovely bird! I never heard of them before. Great shots, Cindy!
We are getting crazy California weather news up here. I hope the Salton Sea doesn’t overflow!!
Thank you Resa and yes, California is now snow central for the US! დ
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Different to our Avocets which are just black and white. Great shots Cindy
How interesing & thank you Andy დ
There seems to be quite a number of them Cindy.
Leslie
Yes. This is the biggest group I have seen დ
Even as a child when I first saw pictures of these birds, I marveled at their upturned beaks (or bills). Great shots, Cindy.
Amazing aren’t they. Wonderful for shoveling up crustaceans დ
Do you know how far north they go? Beautiful!
They have different ranges depending on where they migrate from. Here is a map of their overall range: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Avocet/maps-range
Thank you!
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Avocets are such elegant birds – great images.
Grazie mille Kerry დ
I have never heard (never mind seen) an avocet before. They are truly remarkable and beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Cindy 🙂
So pleased you enjoyed them Dale & very happy to make the introduction დ
Very much so!
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Lovely!
Grazie mille Chris დ
Hi Cindy! My friends in the Sierras have been sharing photos of all the snow: it’s good to see that California’s getting some precipitation! The photos are also wonderful 😊
Thanks much Josh. The Sierras have the most snow in the country now and it is currently snowing with more on the way! დ
That’s (mostly) good! I’ve heard that snow replenishes ground water more effectively than rain, because it melts slowly, rather than arriving in a downpour and then causing landslides.
That makes sense. It percolates rather than floods. Although there is significant concern now about the snowpack being so excessive that it will cause flooding. They need to redirect it into the drying lakes and resevoirs.
Yes, right after I made the “no flooding” comment I began to see news headlines about flooding in California 😅 It’s a shame that you don’t seem to be able to catch a break! California’s probably my favorite state overall, despite the natural disasters.
California has such a variety of really different ecosystems and so many national parks. She would be a hard state for me to leave since I was born here.
I love the pictures on the water with the reflection in the water. , really beautiful.
So pleased Ute. Thank you my friend & cheers დ
So glad that the rains have brought new life to the Salton Sea 🙂
Yes.
The Salton Sea is a man made ecolgical disaster that inadvertantly became a wildlife refuge დ
Delightful birds! Nice to see life on the Salton Sea.
The relief is palpable. There is so much wildlife dependent on The Sea. The shoreline is criss-crossed with a diverse variety of kill sites and animal tracks, including bobcat and mountain lion დ
Stunning birds, Cindy. I am so glad to hear that the Salton Sea is clean(er).
Yes. The Salton Sea is such a human problem that so many wild creatures now rely on დ
So beautiful. Happy you’re getting the blessed rains.
Alison 🙏🤗
Take good care my friend & thank you დ
Really great photos.
Grazie mille Marie დ
It’s hard when what is needed comes in a dangerous deluge. Those birds are beautiful and may they continue long after mankind.
Yes. It hope it is clear to you Marlene, that I admire the way you think დ
Thanks you, Cindy.
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Such elegant and beautiful birds. Lovely shots, Cindy!
Thank you very much Steve დ
Stunning photos!
Thank you Gunta დ
So lovely…
Very happy you enjoyed June დ
Thank you for an exhilarating moment spent with you at The Salton Sea. You always give us an amazing adventure.
I like traveling with you Rebecca დ
Aahh … so beautiful. Thank you for these lovely captures Cindy 💐🙏🏻💛
You are very welcome Val & be well my friend დ
Love this series, Cindy! Beautiful birds.
Birds are such. Thank you Amy დ
Thanks for sharing this amazing images. Anita
You are very welcome Anita & take good care დ
So lovely and beautiful.
Love to you Gigi დ
Stunning photos, Cindy! 💖
Grazie mille Eugenia დ
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Magical photos, such sweet birds Cindy
Thank you Eddie. They are sweet დ
you’re very welcome
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Sempre molto speciali le immagini della natura, che proponi con le tue splendide fotografie.
Buon inizio di settimana e un saluto,silvia
Grazie per la tua gentile premura mia cara Silvia e stai bene e al sicuro amica mia დ
Grazie a te della presenza, e delle belle immagini della natura, che sempre presenti.
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I’ve never heard of these birds, but I find them oh-so-pretty! And how happy I am to hear you’re finally getting the precipitation you so desperately need, Cindy!
Thank you Debbie. We are definitely getting the precipitation. The mountains are getting hammered. The Sierra snowpack is astounding and storms are still flowing in. In So Cal we are just getting lots of glorious and so much needed rain დ
I don’t believe I have ever seen these birds before, Cindy. Thanks for the introduction. They are beautiful, as are all the pictures of them!
So pleased to make the introduction Bruce and very happy you like them. Thank you & be well დ
Their beaks are a wonder, shaped like darning needles. I imagine the shape is so very useful while skimming underwater for food?
Exactly yes. Maybe they could take up darning too! 😉
Avocet for life! Lol! Awe-inspiring as always, my friend!❤️ ಇ/ᐠ ̥ᵔ ̮ ᵔ ̥ ᐟ\ಇ ❤️
Smiling….. Works for me! ❤️ ಇ/ᐠ ̥ᵔ ̮ ᵔ ̥ ᐟ\ಇ ❤️
(•ө•)♡
Cindy, thank you for these beautiful photographs.
You are so welcome Charles. Be well my friend დ
I hear mating songs of birds in my garden. It’s time. Despite the snow is still hear, they feel the Spring.
Beautiful scenic pictures as usual, Cindy. 🙂
Yes. The Great Horned Owl males are now sparring for territory with more storms on the way…. დ
Beautiful birds, Cindy. I’ve always admired them. And water! Woohoo. Now it’s flooding, naturally. As for the snow in the mountains, it reminds me of a cabin I hung out in near Donner Summit in the early 80s where we had to dig down to get into our second story entrance. Our vehicles would disappear over night. We had tall poles to mark them with so the snow machines wouldn’t eat them. 🙂
People don’t really understand how much snow The Sierra’s can get. Often they have the most snow in the lower 48. Still this year is a doozy, with storms still plowing in back to back. My kids just came back from skiing in Mammoth. I told them to hold off. I’ve done probably 35 ski trips to Mammoth in my life. I knew this one was different დ
Thank you Cindy. I get to see so many birds in your posts and they are a joy.
You are so welcome Lakshmi. Your kind comment makes me happy I posted them დ
Dear Cindy
great picture, perfect composition.
We have a lot of avocets here. Birdwatcher from all over the UK come here to watch them. The avocet is the official symbol of North Norfolk and it’s a symbol of well-done preservation as the avocets was nearly died out here.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I must come to Norfolk. How wonderful it is when humans work together to save creatures that humans have nearly destroyed. Hope flies and floats! And what a beautiful symbol for Norfolk. Thank you for caring & take good care all fabulous four of you from Cley დ
Tonight our village will be out to save toads from being run over. Most of the people living here because of all this wildlife. It’s one of the oldest nature reserves in the UK.
Yes. I need to visit. I would be honored to help the village save the toads. Be well my friend.
Hi Cindy–Your words are as powerful and beautiful as your pictures. Well done!! Thank you for shining a spotlight on the beauty and majesty of God’s creation. Romans 1:20
What is seen in creation is The Creator. Thank you Katie for seeing. Be well my friend დ
Oh, I love those words too–“What is seen in creation is The Creator.” Thank you for that too!!
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I’ve not heard of avocets before. These look so happy! And I’m so glad you’re getting the rain they need!
Thank you Kathy. Blessings to you my friend & take good care დ
You’ve captured there beauty in your typical fashion, Cindy, honoring your subject and the world around them. It’s always a pleasure.
Ahhh…. So touches my heart. Be well my friend & thank you დ
xo
Thank you, Cindy. This bird is new to me. What a beak! And, your photos are gorgeous.
So appreciated Jennie. Thank you & take good care დ
Best to you, Cindy.
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Such pretty birds and I love the colors! It is so cool to see the different types of birds from different regions! Have a super day!
Yes! I love meeting new birds from new places too. Have a wonderful Sunday Lisa დ
Beautiful birds. New to me. I did get to see some Bluebirds at my son’s place last week.
I just saw a Bluejay go by. With more robins around every day I’m hoping Spring shows up soon!
Bluebirds are special. They only deign to show up here for photo shoots rarely. Cheers to you Jules & Happy Almost Spring დ
…They feed them dried meal worms…They put a hand fun in a flat feeder and it fills up pretty quick. I couldn’t get a guy, but I did get two gals 😀
Spring at 31F??? One can hope 🙂
How wonderful! Enjoy and stay warm.
…It got up to 74F this afternoon! Spring sprung! (But it was cold last night!).
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What a boost to the spirit your photography is. Thank you, Cindy for today’s adventure with you and these gorgeous birds. oxox
So happy you visited with me Mary Ann and enjoyed yourself! Thank you very much & enjoy your gorgeous new grandbaby. (I know you are!) დ
Very astute of you! My pleasure. Nature and things of beauty inspire poetry. You create poetry with your camera! oxox
So appreciated Mary Ann.
Excellent photos of the avocets in breeding, Cindy. And how exciting to see the Salton Sea so full and beautiful.
Hi Jet! Great to hear from you. It is so wonderful to see SoCal getting all the rain she so desperately needed and more is on the way. I do know it is wrecking havoc further north though and for this I am very sorry დ
Oh Cindy, I missed this post, just found my email notice filed wrong. Beautiful shots, I just love those beaks and their coloring!!
So happy you enjoyed Donna! Thanks much my friend & cheers to you დ
I’ve been here
Happy you have been დ
They are beautiful — graceful, elegant lines and curves, and that orange! Well done with the reflections too, Cindy. Hugs on the wing.
Hugs back to you sweet friend & be well დ
Thank you for sharing some of your beautiful and bountiful avocets. They have yet to arrive here and I can’t wait.
It was only recently that I learned about the Salton Sea. It’s nice to know that some of California’s water woes are getting some relief, at least temporarily.
They are certainly on the way. Wonderful they spend time with you, and yes, California is still getting slammed with precipitation. The Holler creek is a raging river for weeks now and I love it დ
When you have had enough rain, please send some our way. 😊
I so empathize with you if you are having water shortages. I know how awful this is.
Thank you, Cindy. We hope that the pattern will change and the decades-long drought will end soon.
I am hoping with you.
Fantastic place! They look lovely in their breeding plumage, and those beaks/bills!! They are super-long!😅
Happy you enjoyed the birdies & cheers to you and The Wolf Child დ
Wonderful. I’d never seen avocets with such a “plumage”. Maybe it’s a different species? (Or I didn’t see many… LOL)
Thanks for the trip Cindy.
They are in breeding plumage so they look a bit spruced up to impress! დ