Living under the persistent blanket of marine layer in summertime Pacific Grove, it is always nice to escape to the blue skies and sunshine of Carmel Valley. Even more so when birding is involved! Trip leaders Claudia Sawyer and Freya Sommer shared their love of nature on a field trip to Garland Park in Carmel Valley for Monterey Audubon Society.

Monterey County participation for the California Bird Atlas Big Weekend included four events led by Monterey Audubon Society

We had a fantastic trip with 17 guests to Rana Creek Preserve, managed by Wildlands Conservancy. Natural Resource Manager Kat Hardisty-Cranstone and Docent Ernie. With Trip Leaders Kai Russell and Karen Kreiger, we were astounded by the beauty and biodiversity of this area, from 56 bird species seen over the course of 3 hours to a hillside of California bunch grasses, a wolf spider and some late blooming Elegant Clarkia.