Niland Mudpots and Sonny Bono WLR

March 9...A warm, sunny day leading us down the road again for adventure.  The agricultural land here is from brown plowed earth to vineyards, and hundreds of greenhouses.

 I have never seen so many acres of farmland with migrant workers.  This area is something to see.  We are enjoying the arid climate with little to no humidity.  The dippy roads are mostly straight as an arrow.  Lots of dirt roads to travel thru the farm land.

Green alfalfa fields and stacks of baled hay...with a variety of vegetable crops.  They have an incredible irrigation system with canals that carry water to either flood the fields to water or to use irrigation pipes.

We decided to drive the northeastern side of the Salton Sea here in the Colorado Desert section of the Sonoran Desert.  Our first stop was the Salton Sea Recreational Area checking out camping sites and fees.

Our favorite camping area was Salt Creek Beach primitive camping with the birds.  One can pull out here...have a picnic table and burning pit for a campfire.  There are portalets and water for the campers.  Would be dry camping for sure.  But, the tranquility would be worth every moment.

Near the Mexican border the Southern Pacific RR was laying new cross ties.  Had a huge work train.




    Check out the salt flat below..........

We crossed the Alamo River seeing a unique way to cross on foot when the area is too muddy/sticky to travel by vehicle.

Below is one of the Morton Bay Mud Pots...a dormant geothermal about the size of a football field.  In chatting with another visiting couple from a nearby town...we discovered this may not be the right time of year to see them active.  When active, the hot mud bubbles and boils out erupting at the surface.  They vary from muddy/soapy areas to almost hard-baked mud with a lingering smell of rotten eggs.  The Ranger at the Salton Sea Recreation Visitor's Center cautioned that the areas around these mud pots can be sticky and slippery like clay...especially after a rain.  When it rains, they caution folk not to drive near them for at least 2 weeks to give the mud time to dry.

We walked this dike listening to a barrage of bird calls and whistles while watching variety of birds.


                             Above is a small bird nest in the tule.



Tule (bulrush) is a multipurpose plant that grows along marshes.  The CA Indians used it to make shelters, boats, and sleeping mats.  The roots were used for flour and some used the burned leaves for medicine as a plaster to cure poison oak rash, heal burns and wounds.

 These white pelicans are huge.  They are one of the largest North American birds.  Its 9 foot wing span allows it to soar thermals during migration.  They often work in groups to herd fish for their next meal.





Below a nearby hawk spooked the variety flock of birds causing them to burst into flight with an awesome flapping noise.

J and I love checking out varmint tracks. Here is a huge raccoon track. We also found its active den.

Below are cone shaped mud volcanoes near the Salton Sea created by water, gas, and mud pushing to the surface thru geothermal activity below the earth's crust.  No, they do not spew lava.

There were several CalEnergy plants at the southern end of the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea is on the San Andreas Fault where about 1.5 miles below your feet the temperature reaches more than 650 degrees Fahrenheit. These geothermal plants tap into this heat to provide electricity.  Above...Distribution of CalEnergy.

The Sonny Bono WLR was established in 1930.  This refuge is for the birds.  Once 37,600 acres, it today has shrunk (because of the flooding by the Salton Sea) to only about 2,200 manageable acres. Dikes have been created to keep the sea from further encroachment on the refuge.  Located along the course of the Pacific Flyway in the Imperial Valley of CA, its main purpose is to provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl and endangered species.  Farmers plant ryegrass, wheat, and barley for the birds.
Our first bird encounter was a Gambel Quail who decided to perch atop this sawed off sapling to whistle to its mate.  They are noted for their teardrop shaped head plume.

We walked the 2 mile Rock Hill Trail to the Salton Sea where we saw more quail, bunnies, and birds including a Roadrunner.  The Roadrunner was just like its name....running like mad along the brush edge.  Any photo shoot would have been a blur.  LOL



Cinnamon Teal ducks below.......................................................

There are 5 man made nursery islands created as nesting areas to protect the young birds from preditors such as coyote, raccoon, skunks, and snakes.







Below is another dormant mud pot.    Their colors vary due to minerals involved.

                        We made it to Rock Hill...a small inactive volcano on the Salton Sea.

                                                   All the little bumps below are mud pots.

 As we returned to the Visitor's Center, a couple bunnies were playing and jumping 2-3 feet in the air as they played.








This one stopped to take a break and check out its foot.  LOL

           I bet you have never seen a bunny hanging from a branch as it gnaws on a limb for dinner.

                        After playing....these two Jackrabbits decided to take an afternoon siesta.

                     Here is the tiny Burrowing Owl.  Quite a few in this area of the Salton Sea.

Now mid afternoon, we headed for a couple more roads to view the Burrowing Owl in its natural habitat on the farmlands.  Each picture is a different owl or pair of owls at different burrows.

Look closely below as to the right of the large owl is one (maybe Mrs.) with its head peeking out the burrow.  Too cute!

Another awesome day of adventure coming to a close as we rest our uncles before hitting the road back to our RV and Resort Spa.  Going to have a down day on Thursday.  Until next time...take care...be safe.  See you by the campfire.