A Migrant & a Regular Resident

Cedar Waxwings are one of many Migratory Birds we look forward to seeing this time of year.  They have a very high pitch call (almost like a soft whistle) as they flit from tree to tree.  Their coloring is amazing with bright yellow tips on their tails and a waxy red coloring on the back of their wings.  They are sometimes called Batman Birds because of the mask on their face.  

This Downy Woodpecker is a regular in our valley and are quite acrobatic when it comes to getting small bugs off of tree trunks, etc.  I think they are very cute!

A Variety of Migratory Birds and....

Black Necked Stilt grabbing a tasty morsel from a flooded rice field.  I love the reflection!

The Western Meadowlark not only has striking colors but it's song is beautiful as well.  I always look forward to seeing and hearing them every fall and winter.

This time of year, there are lots of flocks of Sandhill Cranes flying into the Preserve.  You hear them before you see them!

Feeding Sandhill Cranes in a flooded corn field.

I watched this Kestrel for quite a while.  He landed and perched on a cut cornstalk in hopes of obtaining a meal.  

I had to include this picture as it resonates peace and tranquility.   I wish peace and tranquility for everyone in the coming New Year.

Very Colorful Friend

There is one Hummingbird that loves to come to the feeder in my backyard.  When I took these pictures, he chose to flash some interesting colors:

Wood Ducks and a Heron!

During my weekly visit to Southside Park, I always see the usual suspects.  Lot's of Wood Ducks, Canada Geese, the lone Commorant fishing for Catfish and hybrid Ducks.  I did not expect to see a Green Heron...They usually like to frequent the sloughs and river along the American River Parkway.  Based on my visit last week, there is more than enough Catfish to go around and I assume from it's perch, the Heron could just quickly dive and grab one at anytime.  Nice!

A Cold, Cold Day at the Preserve

This beautiful female Finch was kind enough to pose by raising her tail slightly for the camera.

Female and Male Green Winged Teals.  The male keeps an eye out while his mate grabs a bite to eat.

A Red Shouldered Hawk and a Male Finch fluffed up to keep warm.  

Red Tailed Hawk fluffing it's feathers so they will lay just right to keep her warm. 

Cute Little Raptors!

This picture was taken just outside of the Sacramento International Airport on a very windy Friday.  Normally, this Kestrel would bow into the wind.  It decided to stand up in between wind gusts.  

This is Sophia, a Saw Whet Owl.  She was hit by a truck and deemed unable to fly and hunt for herself so she was brought to Effie Yeaw Nature Center where she is well cared for.  She is so loved by everyone - especially the children that come to visit the Center. 

Frolicking River Otters

These pictures were taken last month at a pond off the American River Bike Trail.  These River Otters just showed up and were running across the pond (that did not have a lot of water in it). 

Mama Otter at the top and two of her three offspring running and enjoying themselves!

Great Blue Heron, A Great Egret and a Rainbow

I recently drove to The Vic Fazio Wildlife Preserve.  It was my first time doing the auto tour.  Some kind strangers allowed me to look through their spotting scope to see Canvas Back Ducks and one lone Trumpeter Swan. 

Though most of the waterfowl were maintaining a distance, I was able to photo a few birds and a fun shot of a rainbow near I-80. 

Sunday's Pre-Super Moon & Sunset

Raptor's of Fall

Normally, Swainson's Hawks migrate in late August and early September south to Mexico and some fly as far as South America.  When I was at the Sacramento International Airport recently, I spotted this juvenile Swainson's Hawk flying off to a nearby field at sunset.  Maybe a few stay here for the winter? 

I know the picture of the Red Shouldered Hawk is hard to see but I love how the bird came out as it was flying from tree to tree on the American River Parkway.  Such a beautiful bird!

Hibiscus Love

Wood Ducks on a Cloudy Day

Elusive Creatures On The Northside

Everytime I ride over to the Northside of the American River, I always aspire to catch at resident Red Shouldered Hawk that loves to perch just over the river on snag trees.  He always sees me before I see him and flies away before I can photo him.  That all changed last Friday.  A boat was motoring up river which caught the hawk's attention and allowed me to keep an eye on him so I could get set to take his picture.  He flew away from the river's edge and landed on a perch which gave me a clear shot of him while using the hanging branches to frame the shot. 

I then left the river's edge and rode out to a clearing to look for Great Horned Owls.  I was distracted by the noise and sight of a Grasshopper on an old dried up stalk of grass.  It was trying it's very best to hide from me.  I would walk around and it would go around the stalk as if to say, "you can't see me".  I liked shot of half of it's body being exposed and the other half hidden. 

Warm Dayz By The River

The past few days have been very warm.  It allows creatures to take advantage of the warmth to float, hunt and just hang around the river's edge.  The Beautiful Belted Kingfisher is always a welcome sight but it is also very hard to photo.  Damselflies should be done with mating but the warmth has allowed them to extend their love for a little bit.  Notice the heart shape they form when they mate.  A Hover Fly pollinates a Wild Rose that grows all along the Parkway and I believe another Hover Fly can be seen floating on top of the river. 

Sea Lion Dining on Salmon

The American River Parkway is rich with life this time of year.  The Salmon are coming in from the ocean to breed and to greet them are the Sea Lions who patrol the American River. 

In order to eat the Salmon, the Sea Lion can be seen throwing the fish out the water or slamming it against the water to break it apart.  The neck muscles on the Sea Lion are incredibly strong.  Watching this Sea Lion in action is absolutely amazing. 

Rainy Day Feeding

My sweet friends do enjoy their nectar...especially on a rainy day!