Birds of the Sierras - Part 3 South Lake Tahoe

Baldwin Beach, South Lake Tahoe, photo by Kelly Wohlwend

It was hard to leave the Sierras.  I wanted to spend as much time there as I possibly could, so after my class was over I decided to stop by Lake Tahoe and just relax.  I figured I'd end up birding and journaling...

Taylor Creek Visitor Center, photo by Kelly Wohlwend

Mount Tallac, photo by Kelly Wohlwend

I wanted to get away from the crowds, which can be tough around Lake Tahoe, especially if you stay in the immediate vicinity of the Lake.  But I found an amazing visitor center called the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.  I had never been here before so I was eager to explore.  If you get there early enough (before 10am) there aren't too many people. 

Forster's Tern, photo by Kelly Wohlwend

I walked down the short trail, "Lake of the Sky Trail" and wound up on the beach.  On my short, solitary journey I saw white birds flying in the sky to my left over the marsh.  I took a look at the information sign and got really excited when I found out they were Forster's Terns.  Terns are beautiful birds and it was a species I had never seen before.  I was eager to get closer.  Another beautiful sight along the way is Mount Tallac, which was still covered in fingers of white snow.

I got to the beach and was pleased to see it was rather empty, as beaches go.  That didn't last but an hour so I took advantage of the peace and quiet and did some journaling.  The entire time the terns were chirping and vocalizing their loud, sharp tern sounds so I couldn't ignore them any longer.  I grabbed my camera, found a shaded spot by a bush, sat and waited for one to come by, which didn't take long.  They were fishing over the stagnant marsh below, which as I learned from a young girl and her grandparents as they walked by, was teaming with tadpoles.

The terns had amazing behavior.  They flocked but individuals would break from the flock and kite, which is a hovering in flight technique.  As they hovered, they pointed their head downward searching for a snack.  I really enjoyed watching them.  I got lost in their acrobats, so much so, I didn't notice the beach filling up with people and off leash barking dogs.  I knew I had to go soon but first I got some pictures. 

Just before I left something amazing happened.  I noticed out of the corner of my eye one of the most amazing birds in the sky fly in front of Mount Tallac...a bald eagle.  It soared high at first, headed toward the marsh where the terns were and then it turned and dove.  The terns erupted in a frenzy.  I caught glimpses, my mouth wide open in awe, as the eagle glided only feet above the ground, meandering around large shrubs.  Terns were chasing it and screaming loud, ear shattering sounds to ward off the eagle.  The bald eagle turned and disappeared into the trees.  Moments later it left the trees, flew over the marsh, a blackbird hot on its tail, and perched in a pine along the trail I just walked down.  (Bald eagle photos by Kelly Wohlwend).  I quickly picked up my things and walked back up the trail, hoping to get a better view.  As I approached the eagle I noticed I was really close.  I could touch the tree it was perched in.  Unfortunately, the pine obstructed my view too much for a decent photo.

Even though it was getting later in the day and more people were piling into the Taylor Creek area, I decided to go on the other short hike through the marsh.  The trail is called "Rainbow Trail" and it is a relatively flat, paved trail that is easy to walk.  The birds were great, too, given the time of day and number of people.  There is a neat underwater viewing area where you can see the fish underwater (left).  I  felt like I was in a zoo or aquarium. 

(Common merganser photos by Kelly Wohlwend and sketch by Kelly Wohlwend)
After leaving the underwater world, I continued
down the looped trail.  I came to a bridge and saw the beaver dams I heard about but no beaver.  Instead I saw a common merganser female with some babies off in the distance.  It was adorable!  Baby ducks are always a welcome sight.  I kept walking, hoping to get a closer look.  A small, dirt path was available to the left that gave you a closer look at the river so I walked through and onto the cobbles.  I walked with anticipation along the river's edge and kept looking for the merganser.  Then I spotted her, hiding on the bank, her babies cuddled up at her side in the shade of the willows (left).  I sat down, not wanting to disturb her (I was also a good distance away as not to scare her away).  After getting some pictures I did a quick sketch (right).  Eventually, she ventured out from her protected hovel and started casually swimming on the water at the edge of the opposite bank.  I put down my sketch and started taking pictures.  She took a moment's refuge in a bundle of sticks, accessed the situation and then waded back onto the water, her babies hot on her tail.  She passed in front of me, keeping me at a safe distance from her small, vulnerable and incredibly puffy and cute six ducklings and swam on.  After she had moved on to a larger swimming area in the stream and away from people, I watched her babies plunk into the water from mom's back, dive under and then reappear a short distance away.  Mom flapped her wings and hopped up onto a log, her babies quickly followed.  Safe and sound, mom and babies rested in the sun, their eyes slowly closing.

Photo by Kelly Wohlwend

Photo by Kelly Wohlwend

This concludes our journey through the Sierras!  It was an amazing experience that I will never forget and the birds were incredible.  I highly recommend a trip through this beautiful place and remember to keep your eyes on the sky!