Spring on the Parkway

Black Phoebe (expert fly catcher) with a morsel to feed it's young.

There are a lot of small lizards on the Parkway.  During this time of year, the males flash their beautiful breeding colors.  

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Snowy Egret.  Is he looking at his reflection in the still water? 

Interesting Sights on the Trail

These cute little ducklings are Mallards.  Both Mama and Papa were near by and did not show any apprehension as I was taking their babies pictures.  

Spotted Towhee's are usually found in bushes.  This one decided to fly up to a very old snag tree and survey the property.  

I was totally intrigued with these two.  Corvid's and Raptors do not like to be in each others company. In fact, Crows will dive bomb hawks and chase them away.  Here, this Red Shouldered Hawk stood on one leg and occasionally would vocalize.  The Crow, would make low high pitched honking noises and soft crackling sounds.  It would bow it's head, wipe it's beak on the branch and softly "talk" to the Hawk.  I usually hear these sounds during the fall when our crows briefly stop over in our elm trees to converse with each other.  This Crow would softly talk and the Hawk would vocalize for about seven minutes.  I had to video this as I had never seen or heard this before.

Damselflies are out and about now.  This one stayed still long enough to get a shot of it.  

Ah, the wild Blackberry flower and it's protector thorns.  They are beautiful and will be food for many a Mule Deer or any person who just so happens by during the summer. 

Interesting Characters @ The Sacramento Zoo

This Flamingo provided a good reflection shot.

I noticed these American White Pelicans being a little more animated today and thought it was because of all the children getting too close to them.  These guys were just waddling around their pond until their keepers came in and brought out fish to feed them.  Aha!  They knew lunch was being served soon!  I learned these two are rescue Pelicans from Montana...in fact the female with two good wings is named Montana.  She was shot by someone.  After her recovery, she was brought to the Sacramento Zoo to live out the rest of her life as has ongoing problems.  The male, I did not get his name, lost a wing when it was tangled up in fishing line.  He too will live out the rest of his life as this zoo.  

This male Wood Duck is so handsome in his breeding colors!

Ok, this crow was not in the zoo.  I saw him dining on a squirrel that had been run over.  I cropped out the squirrel as the focus is on the this guys head and his eye. 

Swainson's Hawks in our Neighborhood

This beautiful pair of Swainson's Hawks have decided to take up temporary residence just blocks from where I live.   They have a nest in a large Redwood tree and soon (hopefully) will raise a family before they migrate back to South America for the fall and winter months. 

Residents of Yosemite

This Mule Deer had been grazing near a road.  

The Raven Strut!

This Coyote looks so beautiful in it's winter coat.

I love the blue in this Stellar Jay!

Banana Flowers in Midtown?

As I was riding over to check on a Swainson's Hawk nest yesterday, something caught my eye.  Who would have known there would be Banana Flowers growing in the heart of Midtown Sacramento?  I have never seen a flower like this.  What an awesome find!

Climbing Perspective

Our Tour Guide, Bill Fontana, stopped near El Capitan and told us to look up.  "Can you see the climbers?"  No, was the collective answer from our group.  He then let some people use his binoculars to try to locate the climbers.  I used my camera.  Keep in mind, we are on the valley floor looking up.  We were told these two climbers had started the day before and more than likely camped overnight on El Cap.

My first picture is a shot of El Cap with a circle showing where the two climbers were when I took the shot. The second shot is of the two climbers getting ready to continue their climb.  Amazing!

Dining room @ the majestic yosemite hotel

iPad photo. 

Sun kissing Half Dome Good Night.

iPad photo taken @The Awahnee Hotel (now called the majestic yosemite). 

The Eyes Say It All

All photos were taken at the Sacramento Zoo.

This American White Pelican is not only one of the largest birds in America but it is the only pelican that grows bumps on it's bill during breeding season.  The bumps fall off after the season is done.  

This is a Fulvus Whistling Duck.  I do not recall hearing whistle while I was photographing them.

This Great Horned Owl is a Zoo Ambassador and was so happy to be outdoors in the mild weather.

Funny.  While I was photographing this female Giraffe, a new 6' tall baby Giraffe was being born and getting ready to stand for the first time.  The public will not see this baby for a week or so.  

The beautiful Snow Leopard was no where to be found earlier in the morning.  It eventually came out and gave quite the look.  

This Jaguar was the first animal I photographed.  I told him he was so beautiful and that I truly understand how he feels.  

The King of the Jungle or at least this exhibit, had just jumped up on this rock.  When he gave me that look, I took this shot.  I love the intensity of this shot. 

I do not recall ever seeing a Crested Coua at the zoo before.  The color around it's eye is so pretty.

I normally like to take pictures of birds and other creatures in the wild.  When the opportunity came up to take a Safari Photo Class at the zoo, I decided to go as I am most certain, I will not travel to the countries where these animals live wild and free.  Even though the American White Pelican winters not far from where I live, I could never get close enough to them to take a picture of them. 

I am grateful for the chance to get up close (as possible) to these creatures. 

Hummingbird in the Garden

This gentle bird was so sweet and trusting.  I was honored to take it's photo. 

C Street White Tailed Kites & Nest

Spring!

These are beautiful Great Horned Owlets.  From the left, #3, #2 and #1.  They will be out of this nest in early May.  Mama & Papa raised three successfully last year and are doing a good job on raising these three.   

The weather has been in the lower 70's.  This little guy is enjoying the sun on his back.  

With the warmer days, the lizards are making their appearances everywhere on the parkway.

This is a male Goldfinch with his awesome breeding colors.