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Rock Wren
14 Aug 2006 in Diamond Valley |
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 Alpine
County is a small gem of a county in the High Sierra. It was created
in 1854 out of eastern bits of pre-existing El Dorado, Amador, and Calaveras
counties. It includes alpine habitat on both sides of the Sierran crest,
but most accessible areas are east of the divide. It is mostly coniferous
forests, rocky canyons, montane meadows, and (to the east) sagebrush plains.
There is some ranch land in the east but much of the county is National
Forest land; the only significant town is Markleeville -- and it is quite
small. Grover Hot Springs is a nice resort, Indian Creek Reservoir can
be good for waterbirds, and there is spectacular scenery along the Carson
River canyon. One reaches the county from the west via one of two high
passes (Luther Pass on Hwy 89, Ebbetts Pass on Hwy 4); both are often closed
in winter (Ebbetts Pass is always closed in winter). Most year-round access
is through the State of Nevada to the east.
County birding statistics and links are on Joe Morlan's site. |
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For Alpine County the prime photo is of a
young Rock Wren perched atop a volcanic boulder. Beyond is nothing but
the open range — typical of the 'open sky' eastern portions of the county.
Two shorebirds are featured below. The juvenal Solitary Sandpiper (left)
is a rare migrant here (photo'd 14 Aug 2006 at Mud Lake Road wastewater
ponds). The other (right) is a Wilson's Snipe on territory (20 June 1999).
As snipe are very secretive in winter and on migration, it is always astonishing
to me to find them standing out in the open during the breeding season.
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| I have one habitat shot (below) shows a meadow and forest near Markleeville (14 Oct 1982): | ||
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| All photos & text © 2006 Don Roberson; all rights reserved. | ||
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