Sunday, October 30, 2016

Sandhill Cranes - Part 2

California Wildlife Management Area
As promised, here are a few more photos from our trip to see the Sandhill Cranes at the Llano Seco Wildlife Management Area...
Llano Seco Unit

Llano Seco Unit

Llano Seco Unit
  I told you it was windy! Look how ruffled their feathers are!
Llano Seco Unit
More pics from our trip to still to come...

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Sandhill Cranes - Part 1

My hubby is the best birding partner I could ask for! Ever since I heard about Sandhill Cranes flocking to the Llano Seco Unit during their migration, I couldn't wait to see them with my very own eyes. Well, thanks to my hubby, I finally got to see them! It was his idea to drive over to the Wildlife Management Area to see if there was finally some water there.
Wildlife Management Area
When we arrived, it looked like they had just started filling it up and there was just enough water to attract exactly what I was looking for. At first glance, I thought there was a group of ostriches or emus in the field! Turns out, they were Sandhill Cranes and they were HUGE! Much bigger than I thought they would be.
Llano Seco Unit

Llano Seco Unit

Sandhill Cranes

Llano Seco Unit WMA
It was really windy and the cranes were a little far away for my camera to shoot clearly, but I managed to get a few decent photos.
Llano Seco Unit

Llano Seco viewing platform
I've never seen a Sandhill Crane before and was delighted to finally add them to my Big Year list. They make the coolest sound!
Llano Seco Unit
 More photos coming tomorrow...

Friday, October 28, 2016

Black Phoebe

We spotted this black phoebe at the Llano Seco Unit of the North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area...
Llano Seco Wildlife Area

Llano Seco Unit

Llano Seco viewing platform
I love these cute little birds because I can identify them so easily!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

I've Been Working on the Railroad

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
I spotted this brave Killdeer on the railroad tracks in front of the Sacramento NWR...
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Bunches of Birds

Whether they are alone or in a group, Great Egrets are stunning to look at...
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Great Egret in California
(Colusa National Wildlife Refuge)

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Creepin'

This blue heron must have seen something he liked in this flock of greater white-fronted geese...
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
(Colusa National Wildlife Refuge)

Monday, October 24, 2016

Winter Coat

Every time I go birding I learn something new about birds! At Colusa NWR we kept seeing these ducks with yellow eyes and wide bills. They looked like Shovelers to me, but I thought they might be something different because I'd never seen a (male) Shoveler without a green head and bold rufous and white coloring.
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge California
Sure enough, after doing some research, it turns out that they are Northern Shovelers! The males remain in a drab, female-like eclipse until early winter...
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
And 1st-winter males often show a whitish crescent on their face...
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Good to know!

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Are We There Yet?

Sometimes you don't have to go all the way to the SNWR to spot wildlife. These beauties were hanging out on the frontage road that runs parallel to I-5 on the way to the refuge.
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Snowy Egrets
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Great Blue Heron
 Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
 
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
White-faced Ibis

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
I "heart" you, too, Ibises!

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Letting it all hang out

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
I love how easy Egrets are to spot!
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
 Their all-white feathers are such a stark contrast to their green surroundings, making them easy to identify...
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
 
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Beautiful!