2017 11-24 Yolo & ByPass
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After a run to Woodland, and coordinates given for a kite roosting area that turned up empty, we moved over to one of the Yolo burrowing owl sites. There were 4 owls today: a single hole with a pair (found after the road turns to the east), and two more owls in separate but close together holes (found on the way out on the main north south portion of the road, right side, just past the owl sign).
Next we moved over to Yolo ByPass where we found many more cars along the loop than we ever have before. Today is a holiday for many working people. There were two kites, one on the right side of the main road heading south, and the second one in the usual tree in the far southeastern corner.
Several harriers were seen in flight including a large gray ghost Suellen spotted in the rear-view mirror. It is hard to photograph birds in flight, but nevertheless I try.
Near the junction of the main road south, and the first turn to the east, a small red shouldered hawk was perched on a bare tree branch. It took flight and I worried I might have flushed it. It came back up into the air right away carrying a snake off into the thick trees and bushes.
Sue located a great blue heron in the only stretch of water visible from the main road heading south. It was in the shadows of the reeds, and I shot with my fingers crossed.
Lots of snowy egrets, coots, red-winged blackbirds and ducks were everywhere.
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Read MoreAfter a run to Woodland, and coordinates given for a kite roosting area that turned up empty, we moved over to one of the Yolo burrowing owl sites. There were 4 owls today: a single hole with a pair (found after the road turns to the east), and two more owls in separate but close together holes (found on the way out on the main north south portion of the road, right side, just past the owl sign).
Next we moved over to Yolo ByPass where we found many more cars along the loop than we ever have before. Today is a holiday for many working people. There were two kites, one on the right side of the main road heading south, and the second one in the usual tree in the far southeastern corner.
Several harriers were seen in flight including a large gray ghost Suellen spotted in the rear-view mirror. It is hard to photograph birds in flight, but nevertheless I try.
Near the junction of the main road south, and the first turn to the east, a small red shouldered hawk was perched on a bare tree branch. It took flight and I worried I might have flushed it. It came back up into the air right away carrying a snake off into the thick trees and bushes.
Sue located a great blue heron in the only stretch of water visible from the main road heading south. It was in the shadows of the reeds, and I shot with my fingers crossed.
Lots of snowy egrets, coots, red-winged blackbirds and ducks were everywhere.
----- ---- --- -- - >< //o>
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