Only natural oasis in the valley

Went on an early morning bird watching walk at the Coachella Nature Preserve. Surprisingly there were very few birds or mammals out today in the valley's only natural spring fed oasis. I did score on a bird of prey I thought might be difficult to see unless I went out at night..Great Horned Owl
 
                                First up is a Black Phoebe flycatcher who stayed near the oasis while skimming back and forth across the water.

The oasis had nearly 200 of the Washingtonia palms that I found out have sharp thorny branches until they are 20 or more feet tall, then there is no need for the thorns so new branches are without.

This Great Horned Owl was spied sitting within the  branches of three palm trees. Because he was so deep in the branches it was a dark shot lightened up a little with Picasa.