[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.105″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_padding=”|0px||0px”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.105″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin=”0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Outing Description” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ text_font=”||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”10px||10px|” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” use_border_color=”off”]<\/p>\n
Today Don and I drove to Prosser Creek Reservoir, arriving around 8 am.\u00a0 First we checked out the Prosser Creek outflow area at the east end of Prosser Reservoir, where we had visited a couple weeks back.\u00a0 We parked at the other side of the creek, hoping again to see an American Dipper or a Kingfisher.\u00a0 We did not see those, but we did see a number of\u00a0Song Sparrows, and a Brewer’s Sparrow<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We also encountered a friendly and curious Orange-crowned Warbler<\/strong> who hopped around in the willow bushes near us and seemed quite unperturbed by our presence. After about an hour, we returned to the car; while driving out we saw a number of Turkey Vultures perched on the power poles.\u00a0 They were eying us in a creepy manner, so I stayed closed to the car when taking photos.<\/p>\n We then headed to the west side of the reservoir, gaining access via some gnarly dirt roads (challenging Don’s mini-SUV).\u00a0 We\u00a0explored\u00a0on foot the area\u00a0where Prosser Creek flows into the reservoir.\u00a0 There is a wide, flat marshy area, and the creek still had moderate flow.\u00a0\u00a0We first followed the trail where pine trees edged the marsh.\u00a0 In that area we saw Song\u00a0Sparrows,\u00a0a House Wren, and several Western Wood Pewees. Walking closer to the creek, there were flocks of small\u00a0birds up in some dead trees; we later identified these as Pine Siskins<\/strong>. Close to the lake, the marsh turned to a wide flat area, where we saw several small birds, including Killdeer, Mountain Bluebirds, a Spotted Sandpiper, and tiny (4 inch long) Least Sandpipers<\/strong>. Additionally there were ducks and Canadian geese on the lake.\u00a0 We also saw a Western Osprey (see photo above) wheeling about and diving for fish in the lake.<\/p>\n I added\u00a04 new species to my Tahoe Big Year\u00a0list!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.judyduffyphotography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/JDP-TBY-20180821-6732.jpg” title_text=”Click to zoom in.” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_padding=”60px||5px|” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image Caption” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ text_font=”||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” use_border_color=”off”]<\/p>\n Wildflowers and Weeds<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”on” background_color=”#ffffff” parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.105″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Gallery Container” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ text_font_size=”20″ link_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off”]<\/p>\n