Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Lassen Volcanic National Park - Bald Eagle

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a great place to look for birds!

Lassen Volcanic National Park
When you walk down the trail and the first bird you see is a Bald Eagle, you know you're going to have a good birding day!
Lassen Volcanic National Park California

Bald Eagle

Lassen Volcanic National Park


Lassen Volcanic National Park

Bald Eagle

In case you're wondering, this was what he was looking down at... 
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Manzanita Creek


Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Cormorant Sighting

We always see some kind of bird hanging around at Ed's Pond on the way to the Llano Seco Unit of the North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area. This time a cormorant was posing for his photo op!
Ed's Pond Llano Seco Unit of the North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area

Did you know the inside of a cormorant's mouth is blue? You'll see what I'm talking about in a second...

 Wow! I had no idea! You learn something new every day.






Monday, May 29, 2017

Weeds and Wings

These photos are from our visit to the Packer Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge:


Packer Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Female Brown-headed Cowbird

female brown-headed cowbird

Packer Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Male Brown-headed Cowbird

Packer Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Western Kingbird


Packer Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Lesser Goldfinch

We didn't see any!

I love seeing these beautiful purple blooms, but I wouldn't want to get tangled up in the rest of the plant!



Sunday, May 28, 2017

Songbird Heaven

We ventured out to the Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge and it was lovely! The sound of songbirds singing their cheery songs high up in the trees was simply magical.

There are lots of trails, but you don't have to walk far to see birds. These birds were hanging out in the parking area...
Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Black Phoebe

Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Western Kingbird

Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
American Robin

Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
California Towhee
One bird's song stood out among the others and we took some video so we could identify the bird later at home. Turns out it's a Black-headed Grosbeak! This bird was never even on my radar and I was so excited to get to add a new bird to my Big Year and lifelist.
Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge

Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Waxwings


Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Western Kingbird

Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Black Phoebe




Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
House Wren






Saturday, May 27, 2017

Oasis in the Valley Part 3

Auto Tour
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge



Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Western Kingbird


Colusa National Wildlife Refuge


Colusa National Wildlife Refuge