AFAIK, the only naturally occurring W. filiferas in what would commonly be considered the *Mojave* Desert are at Twentynine Palms, which is near the southern end of that desert. Possibly the ones at Cottonwood Springs could be included. Groves further south in Calif. are in the Colorado Desert (a subdivision of the Sonoran Desert). My favorite group is at Mountain Palm Springs, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. All that aside, I haven't made a point of looking for exceptionally tall Washingtonias, but you've certainly caught my attention, and I'll be on the lookout for them. The three in your photo are exceptional in every way, and I thank you for sharing it. I'd think there might be some particularly tall ones (both species) in places like the San Gabriel Valley, or maybe Riverside or Redlands. I'll be looking for them.

It is an American Tree Sparrow. The two white wing bars, yellowish beak, gray face, and location point to tree sparrow. A Chipping Sparrow in winter in eastern Canada would be an exceptional sighting. See link below for another pic of this great winter sparrow for comparison. BN Here is a link that might be useful: American Tree Sparrow

Thanks a lot, Esther and gyr_falcon! I found a couple of better pics of the smaller bird but seems I can't post it on this thread (it refuses to attach the pic). I will post them in a new thread.

Actually, this is an easy one compared to the shorebirds, so don't be impressed. ;) There aren't many birds with a bill that size, and the white pelican and stork are white, so they are quickly ruled out.