A Cloudy Start to a Warm Morning

Indigo Bunting

Last weekend, we headed out for a morning hike on the Bernardo Bay Trail near Escondido, California. The 2.5-mile loop is rated easy and winds along the shoreline of Lake Hodges, offering peaceful views of the water and surrounding hills.

Overlook

The sky was overcast when we arrived, but the warmth in the air made it a comfortable and quiet start to the day.

Milk-thistle

Life Along the Water

Great Egrets

As we began our walk, the lake’s edge was calm and still. A pair of Great Egrets stood like statues near the reeds, scanning the shallows. A flock of White-faced Ibises flew overhead in tight formation, their long curved bills catching the light even through the clouds. It was a beautiful and graceful sight.

White-faced Ibises

Feathered Company

House Finch

The shrubs and open spaces along the trail were active with birdsong. We spotted a group of House Finches chattering from a bush, their red heads and chests standing out against the gray morning.

Mourning Dove

Nearby, a Mourning Dove cooed softly from a low branch, while an Anna’s Hummingbird zipped past us in a blur of green and pink.

Anna’s Hummingbird

A Splash of Blue

Blue Grosbeak (Male)

One of our favorite sightings came midway through the hike, when we saw a pair of Blue Grosbeaks perched together. The male’s deep blue plumage was striking, especially in the muted morning light. They lingered for a while, giving us a good look as they foraged near the trail.

Tamarisk

A Colorful Surprise

Indigo Bunting

Just when we thought the morning couldn’t get more memorable, we noticed a small bird flitting near the edge of a thicket. To our amazement, it was an Indigo Bunting—a bird we’d never seen before. Its vivid blue coloring was unmistakable, and we paused in silence, taking in the rare sight. Seeing it in California, where it’s an unusual visitor, made the moment feel even more special.

Overlook

More Trail Companions

California Scrub-jay

As we continued, we added more familiar birds to our list. A California Scrub-jay called loudly from an oak tree, and a California Towhee rustled in the brush below.

Brown-headed Cowbird

A Brown-headed Cowbird moved through the grasses nearby, and we also caught a glimpse of a Rufous-collared Sparrow, a neat addition to the morning’s sightings.

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Soft Sounds and Gentle Steps

Trail View

The trail was mostly quiet, with few other hikers in sight. The cloudy sky softened the light, creating a calm, almost still atmosphere as we made our way around the bay.

Anna’s Hummingbird

Bird calls filled the air, blending with the rustle of leaves and the crunch of our footsteps on the gravel path.

Overlook

Reflections and Highlights

California Towhee

As we neared the end of the loop, we talked about how lucky we were to spot the Indigo Bunting. It's not every day you come across such a rare visitor on a casual weekend hike. Paired with the ibis flyover and the Blue Grosbeaks, the trail had delivered more than we expected.

Trail View

A Hike to Remember

Overlook

The Bernardo Bay Trail might be short and easy, but it offered us a morning full of quiet beauty and birding surprises. We left feeling refreshed and happy, already talking about when we might return. This little loop near Escondido turned into one of our favorite recent outings.

Cucamonga manroot