Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Evening birds at San Luis Rey River mouth

Lagoon: an area of shallow water separated from the sea by low sandy dunes.

The San Luis Rey River mouth is a lagoon. Water from the river approaches the ocean but is blocked by a sandy beach. Even so, at high tide the river mouth behind the beach fills with water, and at low tide it is much shallower with extensive mudflats. (Site guide here)

Oceanside

This is the closest marine environment to my home. Besides the small lagoon there are open beaches, and the nearby marina with their eateries. So, during Daylight Savings time, Marlene and I can hurry here after work and enjoy watching the beach, surfers, and setting sun, look around the lagoon for birds, and grab something to eat to try to sooth the stresses of the day. (We don't do this nearly often enough!)

American Coot
American Coot. Oceanside, California. October 1, 2015. Greg Gillson.
Eared Grebe
Eared Grebe
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
Common Gallinule
Juvenile Common Gallinule
Common Gallinule
Common Gallinule
Sora
Sora out in the open!
Sora
Sora
Virginia Rail
Virginia Rail crossing an open patch between the cattails.
Greater White-fronted Goose
A rather rare Greater White-fronted Goose hiding in the grass at the edge of the lagoon.

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