A Trio of Eastern Vagrants

Matt Brady, Dan Maxwell and I birded Butterbredt Springs and Galileo Hill in Kern County, two legendary migrant traps in the Mojave. I wasn't expecting it to be so cold and windy! We were underdressed for the most part. Dan and I managed to keep warm on beans, while Matt avoided freezing by using the heat stored in his moustache. On the first day, we had Ovenbird at Butterbredt and Kentucky at Galileo. I spotted a male Hooded warbler at dusk, but Dan and Matt couldn't get on it cause it just poked its head out of a black hole for a couple of seconds.

We twitched the Kentucky at Galileo Hill, who you may notice is missing his rudder:

Who is more free, someone who is free to carry a gun in the streets, or someone who is free to walk the streets without worrying about getting shot? The general concensus: freedom isn't free.

The next day we were drinking coffee in the car when Matt spotted the Hoodie fly by, so we got out and had awesome looks! I got three lifers that weekend: Sage Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee and 3 LeConte's Thrashers (all at Butterbredt or on the road up).

While getting lost in the Mojave, we happened across a glossy snake on the road. Unfortunately my grab was an epic fail, as a sprawled on the dirt and it went down a burrow. Next time...

It was a fantastic weekend with two awesome dudes, hope we can do it again sometime boys!

Now here is a great recipe to help you break wind on those cold mornings in California:

Chili Bean Quesadillas:

One pack tortillas
One can chili beans
One brick aged cheddar cheese
One bottle cock sauce

Smash cheese, chili beans between two tortillas on a hot pan. Dribble contents with cock sauce as needed.