When I found out from the Morro Coast Audubon Society that the Hi Mountain Condor Lookout was having an open house, I cut my Eastern Sierras trip short and drove home so I could learn about the work being done to save California condors from extinction.
Although the condors aren’t often seen there, a cliff that was last used for nesting in 1969 is nearby and there is hope that the increasing wild populations will rediscover it.
Band-tailed pigeon
Hermit thrush
Dark-eyed (Oregon) junco
However, one of the Hi Mountain volunteers gave an amazing presentation on the extreme efforts to save this magnificent scavenger, and how so many of them die from lead poisoning from eating animals shot with lead bullets and buckshot.
Bewick’s Wren
Sage Thrasher
Golden-crowned Sparrow
We were led on a bird walk and a plant walk during the day, and I hung out by the feeders where the bird bath was to capture the morning visitors. The band-tailed pigeon was a life bird for me. Unfortunately, I missed capturing its band-tail spread out because I was returning from the outhouse sans camera! The sage thrasher is a rarity and was duly reported by one of the other birders.
We all agreed the bears were the “best bird” of the morning!
There was a potluck dinner and an evening program, and you could camp up top if you wanted. I wanted.
A wrentit found yummies (or water droplets) in a faucet.
California Thrasher
A California thrasher joined the hermit thrushes, juncos, and sparrows at the bird bath.
California thrasher
California towhee
Hermit thrush
Dawn was amazing, even though there was a cottony blanket of “marine layer” below.
Bird sentinelIsland in the Sky
This was the 17th annual open house. If you do it next year, be aware–the 6 mile road is very rocky.
Lopez Lake
