Different desert today

[Sandman]

A bit of a change today from our Arabian desert landscape, I drove from our layover hotel in Torrance, Los Angeles to the Mojave National Preserve just south of Hwy 15 on the way to Las Vegas. Long drive but well worth it, having 4 target lifers to find. And thanks to eBird I did!
The targets were, in order of difficulty:
- Bendire's Thrasher
- Gilded Flicker
- Juniper Titmouse
- Brewer's Sparrow

Attached are the birds, plus a few others:

Brewer's Sparrows:





A nice Black-throated Sparrow:


A few Ash-throated Flycatchers present:

[Sandman]

Then, a bird I feared I had to walk miles to locate; Gilded Flicker



Near the corral along Cima Road I scored with two Bendire's Thrashers:



And surprisingly two Sage Thrashers as well! A bird I have only seen once, in 1988!




A flyby female Hooded Oriole added a spot of migration

[Sandman]

Lastly, at a high altitude campsite I got the last lifer of the day, a couple of Juniper Titmouse:


Also two species-groups of Dark-eyed Junco

Slate-coloured Junco:


Oregon Junco:


And two un-identified lizards:

[Mike Barth]

Well done Tommy ! Mission accomplished :-)

[daveclark]

nicely done Tommy - most woudl be lifers for me -- did you say hello to my nephew? he is working out there right now

[Sandman]

Thanks guys. And no, didn't see a soul out there, Dave. Empty but very pretty landscape. Coming back to Dubai soom, leaving LA in a few hours