As we near the end of November the weather has taken on a more late fall feel with cool temps and some much needed rain and the prospect of some snow on the horizon (the mountains have already gotten some of the white death). We really needed the recent couple inches of rain as we have not had much rain since August (the last time we had an inch plus of rain in a day). In fact since the day in mid August we had only gotten about 1.7" of total rain since that point until our rain storm last week. I have been trying to acclimate after a recent getaway to Florida but I'm afraid it is a lost cause. I belong in the tropics and that is where I'm heading soon. For now I have tried to catch up with some late species here as well as the arrival of later season migrants. Waterfowl continues to show and I have had some of the expected species. I had a very interesting buteo at Winsor Dam on the 23rd that I'm fairly certain was a Swainson's Hawk...views were distant but nothing else really fits. Both species of vultures continue to show in great numbers. I have been on the lookout for some other rarities as now is prime time for something from the west to show up.
I finally closed up the water feature for the season today and the last species caught on the camera was a Dark eyed Junco. I usually close it up weeks before now but with the drought I figured I would leave it open as long as I could. I wish I could have left it open even longer but with the upcoming cold weather and my temporary departure to warmer climes now was a good time to close it up. It was a good year with loads of species over the course of the year (I'll add it all up at some point).
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