Wildlife enthusiasts in southern California have focused their binoculars on the skies since Nov. 1, when the first wild-born condor chick in 22 years officially fledged in the state.
Now, theyre turning their sights in other directions, with national wildlife refuges just a short holiday drive from some major southern California cities.
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
Located in the Imperial Valley about 120 miles east of San Diego, in one of the hottest and driest places in the U.S., the Salton Sea is 227 feet below sea level, but the refuge is a birdwatchers delight. As many as 30,000 snow, Rosss, and Canada geese spend the winter at this critical migration oasis. Visitors can see as many as 60,000 ducks from November through February.
The refuge has documented 407 bird species, including more than 100 species that breed on the refuge. Other delights await visitors:
