On the first day of March, 2009 OjaiLala, Summer818, Sara-Oh and Iggle trekked up to Lake Cachuma, just out of Santa Barbara, CA to see if they could spot some eagles. We did see one juvenile Bald Eagle and a lot of other wonderful things as well....

Sara, Linda & Vicki hanging out before we get on the boat to cruze around Lake Cachuma


A lovely big Blue Jay


Great Horned Owl on the nest

There be Great Blue Herons in that tree


One of the Herons


Grebes & Cormorants (I think)

Stretching his wings


Juvie Western Grebe crying "Feed me, feed me"


Due to recent rain, the scenery was gorgeous

Enter the Star Attraction - a juvenile Bald Eagle


Getting some of his adult plumage


More beautiful spring color

Courting Western Grebes


Who wouldn't find that alluring?


We saw several handsome Osprey

Osprey in flight

Unfortunately, at this point my camera battery evidently was too weak to store the rest of my pictures, so this is all I have. I'm hoping the rest of the group will fill in the blanks. It was a beautiful day with lots to see and lots of laughter. In other words - a perfect day...

Here are my photos from March 1, 2009 at Cachuma Lake with LaLa, Summer, and Kathie:

http://picasaweb.google.com/soberman8/CachumaMarch12009#

And some from last year (Feb. 2008) when Peppermint, Troth, LaLa and I went:

http://picasaweb.google.com/soberman8/CachumaFeb10200802

Peppermint and I went in January of 2008 and had a banner eagle watching cruise:

http://picasaweb.google.com/soberman8/Cach...ey=xz77Q_dsQkM#

And yet more photos of a Cachuma cruise Peppermint and I took in September of last year:

http://picasaweb.google.com/soberman8/Cach...CJDjm7LMhPWufA#

Oh my goodness Sara, I just can't believe all those awesome photos you have in your albums from previous Lake Cachuma trips. I hope I will be able to see just some of that awesome wildlife, not to mention spend time with some other Cruzers. :)^
The scenic shots are spectacular too. :><: :><: :><:

Kathie the first pic of the osprey in flight looks like you took it while flying right beside it. I feel like I am. I thought you said you were on a boat :D

Too bad about the camera battery but at least you have these. :)^

We were on a boat! :P Just dreaming of soaring along with him - the dual miracles of zoom lenses and cropping get the honors there, Penny!

I could have sworn I put the link to my Picasa album here when I posted these photos, but don't see it so here it is -
http://picasaweb.google.com/Kathier85/Lake...uma01March2009#

There are only a couple of shots that aren't here anyway, unfortunately... :unsure:

Sara: thank you for posting your wonderful pictures from Lake Cachuma....happy times and memories!!

You are welcome P'mint! We've had some great times on that cruise! I'm looking forward to more with you when tax season is over.