Peanuts In My Pocket

On a recent trip to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, I had the unexpected pleasure of spotting a Rock Wren, with help from two older birders. They pointed to a small bird perched on the rocks lining a nearby river channel. I was delighted and surprised. The Rock Wren was a lifer for me and totally unexpected in that location. As I approached the birders, the wren hopped to a rock within ten feet of me and posed, allowing me to take several photos.

One of the things I’ve come to love about birding is that, while it’s mostly a solitary endeavor for me, it’s filled with small but meaningful social interactions. Every birder I’ve met so far has been a pleasure to talk with. They are kind, curious, and deeply connected to the beauty of nature. There’s a shared joy that seems to break down barriers.

The Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) is a pale, fairly small bird, about the size of a sparrow. It has a slender bill that curves slightly downward and is typically found in rocky arid areas across the western U.S. I’ve looked for them before in canyonlands and desert scrub, but never expected to find one near the beach. These birds feed on insects and spiders and get most of the water they need from their food.

I took a short break from writing this past week to spend more time in the field. These photos feel like a reward for doing so. They’re some of my best bird shots to date.