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2023 Astronomy Photographer of the year shortlist | NAS
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
Link to 2023 Astronomy photography shortlist. Stunning!
Below: RCW58: Wolf Rayet Bubble by Mark Hanson and Mike Selby; El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile
2023 Audubon Photos | NAS
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
Link to 2023 National Audubon Society winners and honorable mentions. Includes two very short films.
Below: Verdin. Photo: Linda Scher/Audubon Photography Awards
Salton Sea Survey | NAS
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
This survey request comes to us from the friendly folks at Audubon California, a division of National Audubon Society.
The survey takes about five minutes and is asking about planned as well as potential visits by folks in order to determine their preferences for access and use at the sea. The more respondents, the better.
Thank you in advance for your time on this conservation matter.
Survey in English: https://www.proprofs.com/survey/t/?title=2vqhs
Survey in Spanish: https://www.proprofs.com/survey/t/?title=bs8w
Please note that you can put a check in both columns B and C for any item.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact:
Camila Bautista camila.bautistia@audubon.org
and/or Tammah Watts tammahwatts4socalaudubon@gmail.com
The following is a message from Audubon California’s Salton Sea Program Manager Frank Ruiz, and Salton Sea NAS-Senior Program Coordinator Camila Bautista:
We are seeking Chapter input related to Public Access at the Bombay Beach Wetlands. Here is a message from our landscape architect, Hans Baumann, as well as the survey link, for you both to look at and share with your Chapter networks.
As part of our ongoing efforts at the Salton Sea, we would like to receive input from Audubon members to better understand what amenities are most important to them when they travel outside their region to go bird-watching. Our goal is to use this information to inform public access and landscape design at the Bombay Beach Wetlands alongside a broader public outreach strategy aimed at local communities. A link to the brief, 8-question survey is below. Thanks so much for all of your help – we deeply value your feedback!
Consider this as an opportunity for you to contribute to bird conservation, community engagement and education, and community science. The birds need your help at the Salton Sea and your voice can help shape the future and the ways that you can have access when visiting.
This is an ongoing effort on our part as chapters and members council to actively engage with, highlight, and underscore the importance of the Salton Sea in our region and beyond. This is in partnership with Audubon CA, the residents of the surrounding communities of the Salton Sea, and of course, the many species of birds who are in need both in our chapter’s region and at the Salton Sea.
Advice on Binoculars
High in the Top Ten of birders’ questions is, “What binoculars should I buy?” I just came across a very interesting article by Dan Cooper, formerly on staff at Audubon’s Debs Park Center and now running his own business, Cooper Ecological Monitoring. Many of us know Dan and would trust his advice.
The article was published by the New York Times’ “Wirecutter” section and you can Click Here to see it. NYT subscription not required. I won’t say any more, but his choice is waterproof, close focusing, sharp, and under $300. Worth reading.
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
Mt. Piños is a great area for mountain birds such as Clark’s Nutcracker, White-headed Woodpecker, Mountain Quail, singing Green-tailed Towhees and Fox Sparrows, Pygmy & White Breasted Nuthatches, Cassin’s & Purple Finches, Lawrence’s Goldfinches and occasionally the ever-elusive Calliope Hummingbird. We’re always on the lookout for one or more of the released California Condors who are again fully licensed to fly. We will bird early, then look for butterflies. If the wildflowers are out in force, we’ll have a good chance of finding the Calliope. We may also drive over to Mt. Abel to take a look at “Shirley’s Seep” — an oasis for thirsty birds in dry years — located about 1/2 way up the road.
If you want to come, Call the leader ASAP but no later than Thursday, 6/15 if you’re coming. Leader: Jean Garrett 213-522-0062
This trip is scheduled as a day trip, with Saturday birding from 8am until mid-afternoon. We first do some mid-elevation birding around the meeting location at the base of the mountain to give late-comers a chance to catch up. We then drive up the mountain, stopping at a few locations along the winding road, then on to Iris Meadow at road’s end. Here we have lunch when a quorum of people loudly complain of hunger.
Family Guide: Lots of driving; maybe lots of walking; days can be sunny & hot or cloudy & cool. Small patches of snow may still be present. Dress in layers, bring food and water.
Mountain Adventure Pass Not Needed: The Forest Service Ranger Station for the Mt. Piños area (661-245-3731) says we do not need a pass for this area for this time of year, only during snow season which is now officially over.
Call the leader ASAP but no later than Thursday, 6/15 if you’re coming. If they don’t know you’re coming, they won’t wait for you if you’re late. Leader: Jean Garrett 213-522-0062
[Directions] Allow 90 minutes travel time from downtown Santa Monica.
I-5 north to the Frazier Park exit. West on Frazier Mountain Road for about 6 miles. The name then changes to Cuddy Valley Road. Continue northwest about 6 miles to the intersection of Cuddy Valley and Mil Potrero Roads.
Park in the large pull-off area about 100 yards past this intersection. (Do not expect us to meet you at the top of Mt. Piños!)
We will briefly bird around this area, then continue up the mountain or drive over to Mt. Abel. This is an all-day trip, so gas up your car, wear layers and bring food and water. If you are camping, McGill & Mt. Piños campgrounds have no water, but do have wonderful new bathrooms.
FRS radio: Bring it if you have one, tuned to Channel 11, privacy channel 22.
Meet at 8:00 a.m., Saturday June 17.
Leader: Jean Garrett 213-522-0062
[Chuck Almdale]
SANTA MONICA BAY AUDUBON SOCIETY BLOG 