I heard that a pair of Hooded Mergansers were at San Elijo and I wanted to see these lovely ducks that are unusual here.

 I arrived in early afternoon on March 29th. It was an overcast day and there were almost no visitors and very few birds and other wildlife visible. After a while, as I stood or sat quietly, I saw lots of nature all around me.  

White crowned Sparrows were all around me and the smell of sage was intense at times.

I turned and looked over the lagoon. It was low tide and a Snowy Egret was hunting with great intensity.  

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a Clapper Rail run across a gap and disappear from sight but I did get a rather blurry photograph!  

Signs of Spring everywhere. Catkins and buds and flowers:  

The Lesser Goldfinches are busy:  

The Lorquin’s Admiral butterflies are out: 

Lizards are everywhere:  

In the freshwater ponds there were lots of ducks: shoveler, Cinnamon Teal, Blue winged Teal, Mallard and even a coot.