Yesterday, my guided trip clients and I watched a pair of Williamson’s Sapsuckers bringing food to their nest cavity in a burned fir snag for twenty minutes. The parents dutifully foraged for a few minutes and returned with a beakful of insects to feed their hungry chicks. The male and female took turns feeding every few minutes—they must have had quite the brood! It was amazing to be able to observe and photograph these beautiful birds as they went about their daily lives, almost oblivious of us. It was almost meditative.
As the Lead Naturalist Guide for our new Mono Lake Guided Trips program, I love bringing our visitors and supporters into the woods and sharing these incredible nature experiences with them. We know the spots—let us take you there! Here are our upcoming trips for the next two weeks:
High Country Birding on Thursday, July 7, takes you to the high points above the town of Mammoth Lakes to look for specialty birds. The high country of the Sierra has a diversity of conifer habitats that host unique birds like Pine Grosbeaks, White-headed Woodpecker, and Williamson’s Sapsucker. In this birding trip we will explore the pine and fir forests above 8,000 feet to search for high country birds and learn about their mile-high lives. 7:30–11:30am. $65 for members, $75 for non-members. Sign-up today! This trip meets in Mammoth Lakes.
Wildflower Waltz on Thursday, July 14, will have you frolicking in the flowers. We will scour the lower wet meadows and canyons for the plethora of blooms and stalks that grace the trails. We will focus on identification and natural history of the flowers we see in multiple different habitats. This walk is great for photographers and budding botanists. 8:00am–12:00noon. $65 for members, $75 for non-members. Sign-up today!
Birding Bridgeport Valley & Reservoir on Friday, July 15, offers more than just waterbird viewing. We will spend the morning birding the riparian edges of the water, looking for warblers, orioles, wrens, and sparrows. After a picnic lunch by the shore, we will scan the lake for waterbirds as well as specialties like Bald Eagles and migrating shorebirds. 7:00am–3:00pm. $125 for members, $135 for non-members. Sign-up today!
Natural History Ramble on Sunday, July 17, brings a holistic approach to spending time outside. The Mono Basin has beautiful and diverse habitats, as well as ample opportunities to observe wildlife, wildflowers, and wild views. Hike with a naturalist guide and learn to identify local plants, birds, mammals, clouds, rocks, you name it! 8:00am–12:00noon. $65 for members, $75 for non-members. Sign-up today!
If these scheduled trips interest you but don’t fit your vacation schedule, we also offer custom guided trips tailored to your wishes and interests. Call (760) 647-6595 to sign up, and visit our Guided Trips web page for more information.