2023 Pinnacles National Park
and Condor Hunt
February, during our anniversary week, Greg and I headed up to Pinnacles National Park to see the Condors. I got my first official sighting of a Condor there two years ago. The park itself a wonderful. Lots of hiking trails. We have done several, or parts of several. Just can’t go on this trip without one of us on the mend from some injury. Even so, we did our best.
This trip, the main aim was the Condor trail ending at a good viewing area and training our spotting scope and camera on the roosting tree. Of course, I also take pictures of anything that interests me, like other birds, colorful lichen, little waterfalls and the pinnacle summits. This is a small sample of my finds. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed their discovery. See the full article in my Portfolio.
In the Pinnacles National Park. The center tallest tree is the Condor roosting tree. The park has telescopes set across from the camp office and store for use. The condors come to roost near dusk.
Our first sight coming into the park a flock of turkeys about 30 of them.
Easier to get are the camp birds. This California Towhee came visiting regularly.
Scrub Jays are everywhere.
Couldn't tell what that was, but he thought it was special.
We had a tire incident the first morning. While Greg was changing the tire, this Brewer's Black Bird came to offer support.
Lovely little Golden-crown sparrows.
Park poser - little animals on the payroll. How do I know? Because they sit in place and pose for the camera.
Another poser who gave me several good views. I would have paid him, but the park has a no feeding policy. Acorn Woodpecker.
Love the trees in this park. Too many to amazing oaks to choose from.
Arched boulder along the Condor trail
Flowers
Getting higher, and Greg dropped out. I went ahead a bit to see how much farther we needed to go.
There is a flat boulder that can be seen on the left side of the tall pine in the distance. That isn't the viewing area. Where we wanted to go was another mile or more. Too far for me to go with Greg unable to continue. Other hikers told me it was well worth the walk, so better luck next time.
Not sure that's a condor, but it was the only big bird I saw before turning back.
Day two - We did the second half of the Bend trail we had done the first time. Riverbed water is flowing down from the canyon in the background.
Oak on the bank in the sun.
For a little color, a Stellar Jay.
little waterfalls heading up the trail.
Natures colors and patterns in rock lichen.
Boulder up the trail side.
American Towhee
Back at camp the birds were giving us a serenade. California Thrasher
Redtail Hawk, he had a girlfriend waiting. More than the little birds were thinking of love.
These Redtails have finished their courtship, um, now it's time to build a nest. Love was in the air all over.
The roosting tree. There is already two in there.
Lots of activity on our last night. A big flock of Vultures circled the ridge.
The light shining off the lower wing feathers indicates vultures.
Yet, I notice some that were a little bigger looking.
This guy. That's not a vulture. There appeared to be some condors, possibly juveniles, flying with them.
Oh yes, definitely a Condor.
Dusk
By dusk seven of them started to show.
They came in one by one and then did a ballet, circling the tree until near dark.
Then, one by one they settled down to sleep.