Fluffy Red Shouldered Hawk

Great Egret Reflection

Osprey & Turkey Vulture...

This Osprey had been perched on this tree for sometime today.  It was not happy to be sharing it with a Turkey Vulture!

Wading, Hunting & Reflecting

Afternoon Reflection

Consumnes River Preserve

Sandhill Cranes flying in to their wintering grounds.

Warming at 11:30am

As I was walking south along the American River, I heard a swoop.  I turned and looked back and saw that this Turkey Vulture had landed on a branch not far from me and opened it's wings to warm itself:

Black & Tan Shepherd

I was on the levee trail near the Cal Expo Racetrack watching all the sheep grazing.  I saw this Shepherd off leash with his owner walking about twenty feet behind holding a leash.  As this guy was trotting toward me at a good pace, I recalled most of the liability claims I handled where off leash dogs had attacked people and froze.  Thank God, this dog ran past me to go and sniff a small dog (who was on a leash).  Whew!

Bridge Reflection

Bike Trail Near Bushy Lake

I was riding up on a levee with Bushy Lake on one side and Cal Expo on the other.  I noticed about four Turkey Vultures sitting up in a tree and two on the ground with one of them eating something.  I decided to park my bike and go down to see what was on the menu.  The dominant Turkey Vulture took a few more bites and flew up into the trees.  Now I know TV's aren't the most beautiful of birds but I've got to say, with the lighting, trees and the close proximity of the bird, this turned out pretty well.  Oh, it was dining on small raccoon.

Osprey With Salmon

Cal Expo Sheep

  Ah, the faithful guard dog must have had a busy night keeping coyotes away from his sheep.

Great Egret

This Great Egret had just missed catching a fish in the Turtle Pond.  He walked around for a while and then decided to do some preening.  Absolutely beautiful!

Chinook & Egret

Red Shouldered Hawk and...

It's a good thing I do not ride very fast on my bike as I would have missed this hawk who seemed to blend into the tree.  I may have taken three glances just to make sure I was seeing this hawk.  I took several pictures but this one kind of stood out for me.  I did not notice the Cedar Waxwings (a migratory bird that arrives here in the fall) until I loaded this onto my computer.  I will definitely try to get more shots of them. 

Squirrel in The Hole!

Panting Green Heron

I came upon this Great Blue Heron while riding my bike.  It had it's beak open and was panting.  I'd say the time was around 11:30am and the temperature was in the mid 70's.  I know it was not hot so I guess it must have just eaten and whatever it caught was not quite going down fast enough.  Notice, it is standing on one leg.