On to SAN

Easy flight to San Diego, upgraded to first class, with me in a window seat on the front row, and Grant back in the last. A chance for me to see if the bulkhead seat makes me claustrophobic. Wouldn’t be my first choice, but an upgrade is an upgrade.

Welcome to the fun chaos of a household with 2 active children. Grandma, grandma, grandma. Music to my ears.

I had written to the San Diego Audubon Society for birding ideas, and Peter answered with a suggestion of the Tijuana Estuary, a place to see ridgeway rails. 

At the crack of mid morning, we were there. Little legs didn’t move very fast or cover much ground. After a while, Grant, toting the scope, offered to sit on a bench with Remi while Bella and I walked to the end of the path. She and I saw great egrets, black-necked stilts, a peregrine falcon kiting in field, and more, but no rails. We were assured by a woman we met, they were there, including some chicks. I was skeptical we’d see one since rails are notoriously shy.

Yet, after we turned back and met Mary and Remi almost back at the start, Mary spotted one weaving in and out along the edge of the reeds. Remi was able to follow it when it tucked back into the brush. Finally, the bird came out long enough for a picture. 

We returned the next day and walked a different path, with the hope of seeing the tern colony over near the beach. Too far for us. Next time, I’m recommending the kids bring their scooters. We did see several bunnies (jackrabbits?), Mary and Remi saw a 5’ California king snake, and I was thrilled to see Cassie’s kingbirds and blue grosbeaks, both new species for me.

It was the Fourth of July, Ryan was on 24 hours at the hospital, and both kids are noise sensitive. Grant found the Boston Pops on the big screen tv so we could watch fireworks in air conditioning. With no fighting traffic on the way homes afterwards. Perfect.

I brought the scope on this trip, cushing it with clothes in my carryon bag. The times we’ve used it, I have been glad we did. Even Remi claimed he could see a bird when he looked through the scope. Could be. Bella certainly can. Having it along gave me time to practice taking pictures with my phone through the scope. I’m getting better at find the bird and focussing on it, but I think it would take hours before I was quick at it. Certainly won’t be taking an in-focus hummingbird’s picture anytime soon. 

Our project this trip was to put together some heavy metal shelves Mary had bought at Costco, then help her put her big plastic bins on them. So much stuff. I remember now why our garage was so full.

Bella’s tooth had been loose, and while she was looking at herself in the living room mirror, it just fell out. I heard it hit the hardwood floor. All I could think was thank goodness it happened inside; we’d still be combing through the grass if it had come out in a park. In anticipation, she had stuck little rhinestone stars all over a small plastic vial as a container for the Tooth Fairy to find. Very bling. The next morning, we celebrated with huge doughnuts from an upscale doughnut bar. Grant rescued another turtle, returning it to the artificial pond running along side the chichi shops.

We didn’t get to see much of Ryan because he had 2 on-calls, one normal, one holiday, however the next morning he joined us at Hilltop Park, where Bella practiced with her her Razr scooter and Remi rode his push bicycle. I saw more Cassie’s kingbirds, several humming birds, and 2 Bewick’s wrens, new to me.

As usual, no matter how long we visit, it’s too short. I’ve made reservations to come back in October.