We had gone to Pinnacles many years ago, and since then the National Monument had been upgraded to a National Park, in part, I'm sure because of nesting California Condor. But we did not hold hopes of seeing this bird having been told that there was a young bird in the nest and the adults had not been viewable of late.
My hope was to see Lawrence's Goldfinch, a bird that I have only seen twice before but my planning went awry. We arrived at Pinnacles after noon in a temperature of 40C (104F) and the guaranteed stake out was devoid of birds! Our first attempt at a a hike - from the Old Pinnacles trail head - was soon abandoned. With no shade it was no different to hiking in Phoenix in August! Our last chance was at Bear Gulch and we took a lovely hike along a shaded creek and then for some distance through a cool cave to a reservoir. We saw 17 species en route with California and Spotted Towhees, California Scrub-Jays, Oak Titmice, Acorn Woodpeckers, Bewick's Wrens and Bushtits all being abundant and active despite the ambient temperature. Wilson's Warblers were my only FOY species.
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| Bewick's Wren |
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| California Towhee |
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| Wilson's Warbler |
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| Oak Titmouse |
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