On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Albatrossity
After a leisurely trip from Pebble Beach to Paso Robles, I made my way to the abode of my son and daughter-in-law, where I stayed for a few days. My youngest daughter flew in from Montana for a few days as well; we picked her up at the San Luis Obispo airport that evening. The next day we explored the sights around Paso Robles and Atascadero, so here are some images from that time.
Santa Margarita Lake is a scenic spot, with good bird watching potential, in the foothills southeast of Atascadero. We spent some time there, and although it was not prime birdwatching season for that lake, we had a great time. There were some interesting butterflies, including this Sachem (Atalopedes campestris), nectaring on the wildflowers near the lake. Click here for larger image.
Another butterfly there is this metalmark, which has not been identified down to the species level. Butterflies are trickier than birds, for sure! Click here for larger image.
A common bird of the American west, with a surprisingly large breeding range (up to Alaska!), this is a Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya). With Black Phoebes and Say’s Phoebes, I’d say that the western US has the eastern US outclassed in the phoebe race. Click here for larger image.
The lake had a decent-sized flock of large grebes, including both Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and the similar Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii). I got lucky and got one of each in this long-distance shot. Clark’s (on the right) has a straw-colored bill and white above the eye. Western (at left) has a more greenish-yellow bill and black all around the eye. Both are very handsome birds, IMHO. Click here for larger image.
Another abundant bird, both in urban areas and in the countryside, this California Towhee (Melozone fusca) posed very obligingly for a portrait. Click here for larger image.
I believe that this youngster is a Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis). That is a species-rich genus (over 100 species at present) with many taxonomic revisions both past and future. So I could be wrong about that. But I was in the west, and it was on a fence, so as far as I am concerned, that’s good enough. Click here for larger image.
A pretty butterfly with an unfortunate name, this is a Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia). The eponymous canine countenance is only visible from the top, although you can see faint hints of it from this angle as well. Click here for larger image.
The next day we scattered in the morning, and regathered for my daughter-in-law’s birthday celebration later in the day. I spent my time on the coast, in an Audubon sanctuary in Los Osos. It had an abundance of watery and terrestrial habitats, nice hiking trails, and some ponds. It was at the latter that I found this sleepy female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Ducks have intricate and interesting feather patterns, and this one is no exception. Click here for larger image.
Another denizen of the tree groves at the sanctuary, this is a Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii). Formerly found in the east as well as the west, it has been mostly extirpated in the eastern states, although we still have some in my part of Flyover Country. Like all wrens, they exude attitude. And this very individual also has a pinup page (August) in my 2025 Bird Butts Calendar, so it is very special. Click here for larger image.
Common Yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) are one of the most abundant warblers in North America, but they are fun to see and a challenge to photograph, since they are world-class skulkers. This handsome male posed briefly, and I was happy to get some shots of it. Click here for larger image.
War for Ukraine Day 1,005: A Brief Sunday Night Update
laura
What lovely birbs and butterflies!
SteveinPHX
Thank you for the wonderful photos. You’re certainly right about those Yellow-Throats!
zhena gogolia
Wow! That wren is as expressive as Maggie Smith.
HinTN
Beautiful photos and commentary. I fi love the California coast.
Don’t forget to submit your pictures for the Balloon Juice Calendar. It’s a tight deadline so do it now.
frosty
That’s the kind of critter ID I can manage!!
MCat
Thanks for the great photos.
JeanneT
Nice assortment of photos; my heart is taken by that saucy wren who definitely was observing YOU!
Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!)
All great photos. As usual!
WaterGirl
I felt like that wren was just for me.
WaterGirl
@WaterGirl: but I’m willing to share.
Chat Noir
The detail on all your pictures is extraordinary! I love the mallards. We had a couple that lived by our condo in Michigan and they’d waddle around the yard quietly quacking.
stinger
Love the shot of the Say’s Phoebe, and the patterns on the Western Fence-sitter and the Mallard!
pieceofpeace
Lovely patchwork quilt pattern on the mallard, and enjoying the others with their nod to autumnal colors…. Thanks for posting these.
Madeleine
The metalmark’s bright yellow eye is . . . um . . . striking (a bit disturbing?). Together, a nice collection of beasties.
BigJimSlade
And that’s not even counting our Phoebe! Lounging pose 1, lounging pose 2, photoshopped on top of Half Dome for one of the calendars. West coast Phoebes rule!
TheOtherHank
I’ll have to keep my eyes open as I drive through there on my way to Santa Barbara on Wednesday.
S Cerevisiae
Your photos are always so incredible, thanks again. I need to get out to California again.
Origuy
Thanks for the pictures. I was down around that area last summer in Atascadero and SLO. Also went to Morro Bay.
The Western Fence Lizard is interesting because its blood kills the Lyme disease bacteria. The infected tick bites the lizard, takes in its blood, and is no longer infected. That’s why California has a lower incidence of Lyme disease.
Poe Larity
Nice pics. Just leaving Morro Bay after weekend with a cuz. Weather was nice to hold until today. Bought some pottery in Cambria.
Elizabird
Southern dogface sounds like an insult straight out of Shakespeare…
StringOnAStick
I think we have those fence lizards here in central OR. I was sitting on the edge of a rock wall and something kept attacking my pant leg; it was one of many lizards in that wall. I was too close to his home as far as he was concerned.