Egret Convention and More at Lake Los Carneros

By Robert Bernstein

I recently posted about the Egret convention at Devereux Slough at Coal Oil Point Reserve near Isla Vista. This week I discovered a similar convention at Lake Los Carneros!

Here are some of my recent photos there!

The egrets are in two main clusters. At the western end of the lake they are gathered in one clump of trees, similar to the Devereux cluster

But there is another gathering near the eastern end of the lake, close to the paved walkway and dam. Here they are not in a cluster. Rather a glorious, graceful arc. Arrayed around the edge of the shoreline!

This one was hanging out among the ducks right at the shore and easy to see up close!

Here was the eastern end of the arc viewed from the far eastern end of the lake

As I watched, some of them began to fly across the lake

This one seemed to be racing a duck on the water

I like how they pose with their reflection in the water!

In addition to the egrets were the closely related great blue herons. This one rested close to the fence with its mouth open. Not sure what that was about.

This one was coming in for a landing, looking a bit like a pterodactyl!

This one was in a more natural setting among the reeds

And the one at the right edge of this photo is fanning his wings out in a magnificent pose

Plenty of other birds out there as well. These birds were also doing the open mouth thing.

And this turkey vulture scanned for carrion

Even if you are not interested in the birds, the lake and park vistas are a joy to behold

And these young people were using the area as a running track

And don’t miss the nearby Stow House while you are there

I visited Lake Los Carneros Park three times this week and there was something new to see each time!