Kay and I went to Pinnalces NP today hoping to see a California Condor, but struck out today. We first went to the west entrance, and after hearing that CACO had been seen often on the High Peaks Trail. We started a hike up the trail, but after about 1 1/2 miles headed back down as Kay’s PARP inhibitor side effects made continuing not realistic. It was a beautiful hike, and the west side of the park showed us the “pinnacles” much better than the east side had when we camped there a couple of years ago. We did see 4 Lawrence’s goldfinch right on the dirt path of the picnic area.
For the afternoon we drove around to the east side, because the condors are said to come to roost there many evenings. We waited from about 2 PM until 8 PM watching up to 37 Turkey Vultures soaring over the peaks, and finally coming to roost, but no condor.
Overall a nice day, a beautiful place, but no condor.