I have not been out there in years — used to be one of my regular stops. I am going to have to head out that way next week sometimes. What time of day is best to be there lighting wise. Its hard to remember are you looking south of the road into the ponds?
Oh wow! There is that much water? And up to the road? Strikes me as being a long time since there was water like that in the playa. I’ve not been there since the place was closed down to birders. Will have to take a little trip over.
Oops! Accidentally deleted the wrong message that I wanted to reply to, so this will have to do.
The fields that drain into Dry Lakes, the big playa part, used to have much water in them as soon as the irrigation season started. Reason being that the irrigation was regular old fashioned pipe-into-furrow, so there was much run-off. I believe the playa was put in so the farmer could recycle the water he was losing, hence the pump pond.
The place started drying up when the local farmer converted to sprinkler. More efficient, also much less run off. He may be into a high water necessary crop this year making for more water in the playa.
My incoherently worded thoughts.
Those are super photos. Would not have expected such quality from a, as you say, point-and-shoot.
In previous years that area is dry during the summer; there isn’t water except for the spring rains and then again when it rains in the fall. I don’t know why there is water now. Possibly irrigation water?
Birding from the road 10AM saw a good variety avocet blk necks. dowitchers 3 white face ibis flock w.sand pipers a few yellow legs and saw the yellow throat that denise reported.the migration must be started . Does any one know why there is so much water there?
