This Bell's Sparrow was photographed at the Salt Creek State Park at Salton Sea. When it sings, it perches up on the top of a bush, but otherwise mostly runs on the ground with its tail raised. It used to be named Sage Sparrow, but a few years ago the species was "split" into two species, the Bell's Sparrow and the Sagebrush Sparrow. I wasn't sure which this was, because they are so similar, but its song confirmed it was Bell's. 1/14/19 Judith Sparhawk
This shrike was photographed at Salton Sea on January 1st of this year.
While birding at Salton Sea I spotted a few of these very tiny flitty birds. I've never gotten good photos of them before (most of those I took were terrible, hidden in the bushes) but this one showed just how perky and cute they are. 1/5/19 Judith Sparhawk