Surprise on Figueroa Mountain
As if it wasn’t difficult enough to choose from the many recreational activities available in the Valley, including the many options on Figueroa Mountain, Paradise Road, dozens of hiking trails throughout the Valley, bike rides, horseback riding, and the approaching wildflower season, I was recently told about yet another must see activity within Santa Ynez.
After being told about the combination wildlife / birding tours offered on Lake Cachuma, I was surprised that I had not previously heard about them. The tour quickly made it to the top of my list of things to do as I planned my future adventures. Although not my typical expedition lost among the maze of backcountry fire roads and trails, the two-hour boat tour sounded particularly interesting and I welcomed the idea of trying something new. I looked forward to an outing that involved little more planning than driving to Lake Cachuma, paying my entrance fee, and getting on a boat for a two-hour bird watching tour. Moreover, I figured the tour would provide some unique opportunities to explore parts of Lake Cachuma I would otherwise never see.
National Bird Nesting In the Valley
Known as the “Osprey,” the 45-seat pontoon boat leaves the marina five days a week from Wednesday through Sunday. From November through February, Bald Eagles are the main attraction. Yes, Bald Eagles, the national bird of the United States, a species unique to North America, a regal bird whose majesty is quite obvious when you actually see one in front of you. This is the same bird found etched on the quarter in your pocket, on any number of stamps and commemorative items, patriotic t-shirts, trucker’s hats, and formerly the endangered species list. Although officially still on the endangered species list, the eagles have been re-categorized as threatened rather than endangered, this according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website. The agency is currently contemplating a final decision regarding the permanent status of the eagles and their place on the endangered species list. The final decision was recently postponed until no later than June 29, 2007. After seeing a Bald Eagle here in the Santa Ynez Valley, I for one will vote to keep them permanently on the list. Due to the migratory patterns of the eagles, the focus of the boat tours changes from March through the end of October, concentrating more on wildlife, wildflowers, and the plethora of shoreline birds inhabiting the lake from spring through fall.
Although there is still a chance you’ll see an eagle during these months, it’s less likely than during the winter. Offsetting this fact is the dramatic and beautiful change in the scenery surrounding the lake during this time. There are few better places in the Valley to observe in person the subtle changes that take place as the seasons shift and the velvety green grass transitions to the golden, honey-colored hues of summer. I for one look forward to doing another tour this spring once the wildflowers have arrived.
We only saw a couple of eagles on this particular trip, and the young eagles we saw were not the mature, white-headed eagles for which this species is named. Apparently Cachuma is more popular with the younger set than it is with the mature, older eagles. Although not as common as the younger eagles, the mature, white-headed eagles can occasionally be seen there. Nonetheless, seeing one of these regal birds sitting in front of me, even through the distorted lenses of my binoculars, was surprisingly moving. Not a birder by any stretch of the imagination, I was immensely pleased with the tour, and to my surprise found myself progressively more interested as time passed. Due to my personal ineptitude handling binoculars, something I’ve been blessed with going back as long as I can remember, I had the unique experience of seeing twice as many eagles as the rest of the people on the tour.
Eventually though, with much twisting and turning of knobs, I was able to focus on each of the eagles, sometimes this meant closing one eye to make the two eagles focus into one; sometimes it meant a strange combination of adjustments I couldn’t repeat if my life depended on it. But I did manage to see them, regal as can be, impressive, intimidating and inspiring.
A Tour of Surprises
Visual obstacles aside, the two-hour tour was great. I have to admit, when my alarm went off on that Sunday morning I thought twice about whether I actually wanted to get out of bed and head out into the cold morning air. Granted, it was yet another sunny and beautiful Valley day, but it was a struggle for me to drag myself out of the sack earlier than normal. Much to my surprise, by the end of the tour I was actually a little sad to be heading back to shore, hoping to see one more interesting bird, or possibly get that one killer short of an eagle.
The tour starts at the Lake Cachuma Marina. Next to the marina is small tackle store where fishermen can stock up on last minute supplies. There is a picnic area near the store where a small group of people paced back and forth waiting for the tour to start, one couple struggling to contain their children while we waited for the naturalist. Once she arrived we gathered around her as she gave a quick speech then led us down the dock to the “Osprey,” a large boat with swiveling padded seats, half shaded under a canopy, half in the bright sun for optimal viewing.
The canopy covered the middle section of the boat, with uncovered viewing platforms on either end. Our group was small and took up very few seats. This allowed us to jump from seat to seat on either side of the boat, following the viewing opportunities as they appeared. From the marina we made a clockwise loop roughly halfway around the lake, first heading north towards the dam and continuing back to the marina. As my first time on the lake I was surprised by how big it actually is, especially as we ducked into several bays and inlets that otherwise would have been difficult to see.
Each nook and bay offered a new surprise and more birds than I thought could possibly inhabit one lake. Along the way we saw Great Blue Herons, Ospreys, Herring Gulls, Bald Eagles, Corn Wrens, Turkey Vultures, Canadian Geese, including two Snow Geese, Western Grebes, Red Tail Hawks, a floating outhouse (OK, not actually a bird, but a novelty nonetheless), and many more species I lost track of because of my growing obsession with the idea of getting that one incredible photo of an eagle. Alas the tour had to end, and the boat headed back to the marina after two hours quickly passed.
Having previously had virtually zero interest in bird watching, I was amazed by how interested I had become during the tour. Among the passengers were several obviously experienced and enthusiastic birders, who several times pointed out various species to the naturalist, there were also several children, whose interest seemingly would have been easier kept with a television, but to their credit did momentarily take interest in the distant eagles, and in between there was a wide spectrum ranging from curious Valley residents to tourists.
Plan a Visit
To get there from Santa Ynez, follow Highway 154 to the main entrance of the Lake Cachuma Recreation Area. Pay your fee at the kiosk and proceed to the Marina, $15 for adults $7 for children twelve and under. To make reservations by phone, call (805) 686- 5050 on weekdays, or (805) 686-5055 on weekends. This tour should be added to the list of phenomenal Valley treasures. Whether you’re a longtime Valley resident looking for a new adventure, or a tried and true outdoor enthusiast looking for a day off from training, this tour would be enjoyable for anyone. I think it would also be a great option for Valley residents interested in entertaining guests who may not be up for a hike or bike ride, but still want to get out and enjoy some fresh air while taking in the abundant natural beauty of the Valley.
Justin Marshall reports on his adventures, blazing trails and trekking around the world from his base in Santa Barabara. Justin can be reached at themarshall22@yahoo.com