Thurs.-Sun. July 16-19

This has become our most popular weekend trip, and no wonder: a vast and ancient lake on the eastern slope of Yosemite, Mono is famous for its unique tufa formations that surround its waters. Snow-capped Sierra peaks, forests, high desert country and volcanic geological features all combine to give a feeling of a vast wilderness. The lake and Eastern Sierra woodlands are a magnet to several hundred bird species, including phalaropes, plovers, grebes, pelicans, swifts, raptors and several species of ducks. Local songbirds include warblers, nuthatches, thrushes, kinglets, woodpeckers, shrikes and flycatchers. Osprey, Mt. Bluebird, Sage Grouse, Black-billed Magpie, Clark’s Nutcracker, Audubon’s warblers, Red-breasted Sapsucker and Townsend’s Solitaire are among a total of 75-80 species usually observed. Our tour begins at Thurs. afternoon at June Lake, south of Lee Vining. Our lodging will be at Boulder Lodge, right on the shores of June Lake. The tour ends Sunday at 1pm. Among many locations we will explore are Mono Lake, the ghost town of Bodie, Bridgeport Reservoir and Lee Vining Canyon. Great opportunities for nature photography. Tour cost does not include accommodations, meals or transportation. Lodging, directions and birding information provided at registration.