Kay was off to see the Chapman College art show with Fay, Mary and a couple of Fay’s friends today so I took off a bit after 8 AM to head towards the Mountains of Los Angeles County, specifically a hike near Mt. Baldy called Ice House Canyon Trail. The drive was easy, and I got there just after 9 AM. Cool and clear weather and almost immediately a White-headed woodpecker was drumming on a snag in the creek bed, photos once I get downloaded from the camera. Also shortly later had a Hairy Woodpecker, both CA firsts for me. The trail was an easy walk once I figured out that is starts really like a private driveway, and the highlights of the walk were Oak Titmouse, 4 Canyon Wren’s singing and calling, one seen, lots of Mountain chickadees once I finally got them out of the tops of the trees with PYOW imitation whistling, and just seeing a cool new area.
All along the creek are what appear to be private cabins varying from very sturdy and pretty well kept up, to rugged shacks. On both sides of the creekside, some seemed very low and at risk of flash-flood destruction.
I had lunch at the Mt. Baldy Restaurant and Bar then went up to the ski area parking lot to nose around. No snow and few birds really.
Tomorrow up early to head for the pelagic trip with the San Diego Birding Festival. Hoping for something to pop on that. We’ll see.