Intenational Vulture Awareness Day, (each year, the first Saturday in September) AND more Grebe Chicks??!!
Just when I thought the season was completely over, I spotted yet another grebe chick riding on it’s parent’s back, yesterday! It’s already pretty big, so I imagine it will be swimming on its own any day now.
We also caught some of this action yesterday: “The Weed Dance.” This courtship ritual is usually a precursor to nest building and a new batch of chicks. It looks like this particular pair might be attempting a late brood, so I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on them over the coming weeks.
Whenever I’m out on the boat looking for grebes, I’m always scanning the shoreline for other interesting wildlife. Having already spotted a Green Heron earlier, I assumed that’s what we were motoring past at first. But on closer inspection, we realized we were looking at the elusive Least Bittern. I’ve heard its distinctive call echoing from the tule thickets several times before, so it was a real treat to finally see one out in the open, neck fully extended and all.
The majority of the oak trees around the lake are now heavy with acorns, and the Acorn Woodpeckers and Scrub Jays are already hard at work. While both species cache their harvest, woodpeckers famously use a single “granary” tree or wooden structure. Back when I ran the concession at Lake Hodges, we witnessed this firsthand over several seasons. Woodpeckers selected the concession building’s front overhanging support beams to store their acorns, riddling them with holes, and eventually attracting termites. The insects so severely undermined the wood that the whole structure ultimately had to be replaced with metal beams!
Why stop at just one? With so many acorns carpeted across the ground, a single-item return trip is just inefficient. This industrious Scrub Jay was doing its absolute best to maximize its foraging run, packing in as much as it could carry.
Even though early sign-ups have closed, it’s definitely not too late to secure your tickets!
If you care about the future of Lake Hodges, please join me at our annual Friends of Lake Hodges fundraiser. It’s going to be a fantastic evening featuring wines from several of the best local vineyards, great conversation with your neighbors and local representatives, and live music by yours truly alongside Paul from Highland Way. We will also be hosting a silent auction with two of my custom photo prints up for grabs. I’m keeping the images a surprise—you’ll have to attend to see them—but I will tell you that one is printed on canvas and the other on metal.
Again, details regarding the date and location for our European adventure presentation are coming together. We’ll likely wait until the summer heat lets up a little before we gather. Stay tuned!
Here’s a reminder of my Website for purchasing my ART. Every print tells a story — Visit my website to see the full collection and find the perfect piece for yourself or someone special this season.
One of my favorite features of my online gallery is the room mockup tool. I know how important it is to feel confident that a piece of art will truly fit your space. With this tool, you can preview any print on a variety of room backgrounds, change the wall color, and even upload a photo of your actual room. It’s a simple way to see how a print will complement your décor before you buy—so you can bring a piece of Lake Hodges home with complete confidence.
If there’s a particular image you’ve seen on my social media or during a tour that isn’t yet available on the site, just let me know. I’m always happy to upload high-resolution versions and help you find the perfect print for your space.
https://www.lakehodgesphototours.art/shop-art.
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if you’re interested in heading out on the lake or walking the area for photography or videography, I’d love to connect. Please contact me directly by email at Brian@LakeHodgesPhotoTours.com to discuss your interests or to set up a session.
Feel free to share this invitation on your preferred social media platform, and don’t forget to subscribe at the bottom of this page for updates, tips, and the latest wildlife stories from Lake Hodges.
Looking forward to sharing the beauty of Lake Hodges with you!
Until next time
