Our first time doing Panoche Valley on our own. We did pretty well, adding some raptors and passerines to our year list. We also made our pilgrimmage to the famous Long-eared Owls of Mercey Hot Springs. At one point I ducked under some branches and found my binocular view full of four owls looking fiercely right at me. I had to back out, regain my composure, and start over again.