October 23rd, 2000, Oxnard Plain, southern California

Yellow green Vireo had long been a fantasy bird of mine. Unfortunately, they've never really hung around long enough for me or I've happened to be out of town when one turns up. This year was no exception and, as soon as I was out of town, a Yellow green Vireo delighted LA birders in Sycamore Canyon all weekend. Lightning does strike twice and the next weekend another Yellow green Vireo was found, this time on the Oxnard Plain. I was also out of town but when my plane landed I made a mad dash from the airport, racing against the setting sun.

Fortunately, within 5 minutes of arriving, I located the Vireo amongst a feeding flock of warblers. A very smart bird sporting bright yellowish undertail coverts and shoulders and a much heavier bill than its nearest congener Red-eyed Vireo. I watched it for a few minutes before it disappeared and the sun set on a very satisfying afternoon.

The promise of calm weather and the lure of pterodromas prompted me to down some Dramamine and board Mitch Heindel's deepwater 36 hour pelagic to the continental shelf. One of the highlights of the trip was when Mitch picked out this beautiful Sabine's Gull amongst the Western and Californian Gulls. The Sabine's flew around the boat and settled on the water allowing close study. A gentle gull that is almost phalarope-like on the water. Our attention from the gull only diverted by a Flesh-footed Shearwater that also made an appearance at the same time!