2018 10-11 Woodland & Yolo

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We ran up to Woodland to photograph hawks. Loads of red-tailed hawks and a few harriers were around. Red-tails probably numbered in the several dozens. Many of the RTHs were resting on the ground, the same expanse of farmland that most recently had alfalfa. From time to time a single hawk would take flight and start to soar upwards. It would immediately be joined by others and soon climb out of view in the stratosphere. We did not see any ferruginous hawks or Swainson's this time.

After Woodland we worked the Yolo By Pass which was largely dry and didn't have much going on. The southern parts are now closed for duck hunting season. We did watch and photograph several thousand blackbirds, mostly red-wings, taking flight up and then back down to the ground (to feed on left over rice?). Some of the murmurations were awesome.

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A pair of red-tailed hawks keep and eye on the photographer. One has its nictating membranes covering the eyes.
Buteo jamaicensis TWO 2018 10-11 Woodland--004
Buteo jamaicensis TWO 2018 Woodland 004
Two red-tails survey the situation
Buteo jamaicensis TWO 2018 10-11 Woodland--005
Buteo jamaicensis TWO 2018 Woodland 005
Red tail in flight
Buteo jamaicensis in flight 2018 10-11 Woodland--024
Buteo jamaicensis flight 2018 Woodland 024
Northern harrier
Circus cyaneus in flight 2018 10-11 Woodland--005
Circus cyaneus flight 2018 Woodland 005
Northern harrier
Circus cyaneus in flight 2018 10-11 Woodland--022
Circus cyaneus flight 2018 Woodland 022
Nice wing coloration - red tail in flight
Buteo jamaicensis CLOSE vertical format 2018 10-11 Woodland-b-053
Buteo jamaicensis CLOSE vertical format 2018 Woodland 053
Close look at a red tail
Buteo jamaicensis in flight CLOSE 2018 10-11 Woodland-b-241
Buteo jamaicensis flight CLOSE 2018 Woodland 241
Great white egret reflecting
Ardea alba reflected in pond 2018 10-11 Yolo by Pass--021
Ardea alba reflected pond 2018 Yolo Pass 021
Greater yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleuca wading 2018 10-11 Yolo By Pass--005
Tringa melanoleuca wading 2018 Yolo Pass 005
Estuarine vegetation
Phragmites australis marsh reeds 2018 10-11 Yolo By Pass--004
Phragmites australis marsh reeds 2018 Yolo Pass 004
Blackbird masses
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 10-11 Yolo By Pass--003
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 Yolo Pass 003
Blackbird masses
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 10-11 Yolo By Pass--024
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 Yolo Pass 024
Blackbird masses
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 10-11 Yolo By Pass--027
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 Yolo Pass 027
Blackbirds
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 10-11 Yolo By Pass--034
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 Yolo Pass 034
Blackbirds
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 10-11 Yolo By Pass--068
Agelaius phoeniceus massive flock CLOSE 2018 Yolo Pass 068

CONDOR EXPRESS TRIPS

Click on the gray whale above and be transported to my Condor Express trip photos

2018 10-11 Woodland & Yolo