Today was one of California's finest when you talk about
beautiful weather in November. The sky was blue and the temperature was in the mid-seventies here in San Diego County. I drove by Oceanside Harbor a day before just for
a quick look from the car after a trip to In-N-Out Burger for dinner. As I passed
the bridge on the south side of the harbor, I spotted a Reddish Egret hunting
for fish below the bridge! The bridge is located on the south side of the harbor and spans
the San Luis Ray River mouth. The river mouth has been open all year but now it
has closed and the river mouth has become a large lagoon filled with algae and wildlife
again. I couldn't wait until morning to go and look for the Reddish Egret at
Oceanside Harbor!
It was still early morning when I walked to the
bridge on the south side of the Oceanside harbor. I spotted the Reddish
Egret standing near the western shoreline. He stood relaxing for quite awhile
but finally decided to stretch his wings and do a fly-by! Here are the flight shots that I got of this beautiful egret. Notice that he is not in breeding
plumage but the head and neck feathers are still a beautiful red.
Reddish Egret, Egretta
rufescens, measures 30 inches long with a wingspan of 46 inches.
He is probably a first year juvenile.
The water was full of American Coots, maybe in the hundreds! Also,
several ducks such as the Gadwalls in the photos below and several pairs of
Pied-billed Grebes. I also spotted several pairs of Western Grebes and noticed a
lone Bufflehead in the shallows. Lots of Snowy Egrets, Gulls, and the regulars
that are always here such as the Osprey, the Belted Kingfisher and many Cormorants.
And we have a fly-by! Look at all the small fish in the
water! No wonder he is hanging around.
He does not land but makes a smooth U-turn and heads
back towards where he started.
What a super morning this has been watching this
beautiful bird. I'm so happy that he did a fly-by to top the morning of birding
at Oceanside Harbor!
Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, everyone and stay safe!
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