Pacific Golden Plover rare bird for Los Angeles Dockweiler Beach on a wind swept blustery day 053
I had some doubts but off we went. A rare bird was spotted on the beach between LAX airport and the ocean. I have driven by, biked through, and rollerbladed this beach for years.
Were it not for encouragement from Alejandra and Manuel, we would have passed.
The beach was deserted and desolate. Bending palm trees showed the strength of the wind. Only the few and the brave were using the bike path.
We love birdwatching but things like biting insects and wind can be a deal breaker.
We parked. Thankfully, the fee is only $3 this day.
I have my gear; locked and loaded. I plan to keep the lens cap on until I have something to actually photograph. I set up my camp stool and try to use the car as a wind block. W9 is geared up and so we decide to set off trudging north. I can feel the torque on my ankles and knees in the soft sand. My thoughts are scattered. What if we don't find the bird? Big gusts of wind catch my jacket like a sail. How am I going to get up if the wind blows me down?
Come all ye young fellows that follows the sea
To me, way hey, blow the man down
Now please pay attention and listen to me
Give me some time to blow the man down
I've tightened the tie on my hat. Sand is blowing and our footsteps are covered almost instantly. We've been walking for 5 minutes though it feels like hours. A few minutes more and we can see the low barrier that provides protection for a Snowy Plover colony. We get a little closer. I'm less worried about being tipped over but now the wind is making my eyes water. There is a loose strap on my gear and the wind is using it to smack me and it hurts.
W9 says "I see him." Do I hate that W9 always hears and sees birds I can't? No, honestly I don't. I'm grateful.
We move in closer and it looks like some white feathers are being blown about the beach. As my eyes adjust I can see the tiny bodies of the cute Snowy Plovers. They seem to be playing a version of "musical chairs." We can see our target bird. He's a handsome chunk of a guy. The snowy minions are in a semicircle around him. The entire gang is outside the protective barrier.
We move carefully and slowly. If the Snowy Plovers get up from their sand niches we know we are too close. Meanwhile jets are screaming overhead but the birds don’t seem to mind.
We set up our camp stools and remove our lens caps. The Pacific Golden Chunk is sleeping. He's on one foot has his face tucked comfortably under his wing.
I wanted a sunshiny day. I wanted to lie down on the sand and crawl as close as I could to get an outstanding shot.
The light wasn't bad but the wind was whipping up a sandstorm. The fantasy of crawling on the beach was insane.
My spirits were lifted. It was a good day. Perhaps this rare bird has decided to winter over in Southern California so maybe we’ll get another chance to see him …hope so.
Pacific Golden Plover rare bird for Los Angeles Dockweiler Beach on a wind swept blustery day 053
I had some doubts but off we went. A rare bird was spotted on the beach between LAX airport and the ocean. I have driven by, biked through, and rollerbladed this beach for years.
Were it not for encouragement from Alejandra and Manuel, we would have passed.
The beach was deserted and desolate. Bending palm trees showed the strength of the wind. Only the few and the brave were using the bike path.
We love birdwatching but things like biting insects and wind can be a deal breaker.
We parked. Thankfully, the fee is only $3 this day.
I have my gear; locked and loaded. I plan to keep the lens cap on until I have something to actually photograph. I set up my camp stool and try to use the car as a wind block. W9 is geared up and so we decide to set off trudging north. I can feel the torque on my ankles and knees in the soft sand. My thoughts are scattered. What if we don't find the bird? Big gusts of wind catch my jacket like a sail. How am I going to get up if the wind blows me down?
Come all ye young fellows that follows the sea
To me, way hey, blow the man down
Now please pay attention and listen to me
Give me some time to blow the man down
I've tightened the tie on my hat. Sand is blowing and our footsteps are covered almost instantly. We've been walking for 5 minutes though it feels like hours. A few minutes more and we can see the low barrier that provides protection for a Snowy Plover colony. We get a little closer. I'm less worried about being tipped over but now the wind is making my eyes water. There is a loose strap on my gear and the wind is using it to smack me and it hurts.
W9 says "I see him." Do I hate that W9 always hears and sees birds I can't? No, honestly I don't. I'm grateful.
We move in closer and it looks like some white feathers are being blown about the beach. As my eyes adjust I can see the tiny bodies of the cute Snowy Plovers. They seem to be playing a version of "musical chairs." We can see our target bird. He's a handsome chunk of a guy. The snowy minions are in a semicircle around him. The entire gang is outside the protective barrier.
We move carefully and slowly. If the Snowy Plovers get up from their sand niches we know we are too close. Meanwhile jets are screaming overhead but the birds don’t seem to mind.
We set up our camp stools and remove our lens caps. The Pacific Golden Chunk is sleeping. He's on one foot has his face tucked comfortably under his wing.
I wanted a sunshiny day. I wanted to lie down on the sand and crawl as close as I could to get an outstanding shot.
The light wasn't bad but the wind was whipping up a sandstorm. The fantasy of crawling on the beach was insane.
My spirits were lifted. It was a good day. Perhaps this rare bird has decided to winter over in Southern California so maybe we’ll get another chance to see him …hope so.