Cold, Windy, Rainy Days Are for the Birds in California

With a recent rash of very cold, windy, rainy weather, beaches in California have been mostly vacant. At the same time, these same destinations have become a paradise for birds.

On Mission Bay in San Diego, seagulls can be seen quietly swooping, picking and choosing their preferred fish, unchallenged by the usual bunch of motorboats, sailors and water skiers competing for space.

Birds from many families are the only sunbathers on a totally isolated beach near Santa Cruz. Over on a nearby lawn where football, soccer, Frisbee exercises usually occur, the same birds are resting in the center of the field, unchallenged by any human activity.

Some have three inch long beaks, poking here and there; taking an occasional peak over their shoulders as if to wonder, "Where is everybody?" Other birds, very young, choose to follow their mothers around, imitating them like a game of "Simple Simon."

Most of the birds seem unconcerned as they wobble about for they know this is a cold, wet winter day and the beach area is reserved for their pleasure.

There aren't even any dogs or horses around; no joggers or noisy motorboats. The inclement weather has even discouraged bicyclists and hikers from taking their usual trails.

In Laguna Beach, the tide is out and the popular basketball courts are bare, with their nets dangling in the wind. Perched atop one hoop is a seagull; perhaps a lone sentry over the birds' paradise. Below, another feathered friend bathes in a small puddle.

It's fun to watch a pelican, using its aeronautical-prowess to glide with ease through stiff wind and rain, doing what only it knows how to do, going up and down and sometimes literally staying motionless in mid-air before navigating for joy and food.

I'm amazed at how these birds can fly an inch above the water, gliding so gracefully with no apparent care in the world. They show expert timing, "air surfing" just above the water and ahead of the crashing waves, as only they can do.

Yes, frigid, windy, rainy beach days are definitely for many of California's birds and they know and appreciate it.