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I got up early and beat the already virus-reduced traffic to Yolo ByPass. I was parked near the front gate and waited until it was opened around 630am. Sunrise was not until 710am or so, but the dawn sky was magnificent. The cool blues, reds, orange and gold tones provided an interesting photographic opportunity to capture the Sacramento skyline and reflections in the wetlands. Dawn is such a spiritual time to be in the wetlands. Long lines of geese flew northward high over my head. Ducks were vocalizing, and the blackbirds were just starting their morning songs. I drove out towards Rice Point and as far south as the roadway goes just as the sun peaked over the Sierras. I searched for otters without luck.

Later, just after the sun came up, the target species, yellow-headed blackbirds, were clustered in the tule reeds adjacent to lot A. There were two medium-small tule islands that harbored yellow-heads. The smaller island nearest the road had around a dozen, while a larger island behind the first and to the west had over 50. Other islands had red-winged blackbirds, but nothing yellow. The birds all kept a cautious eye on me and my slowly moving truck. When I opened the door and hitched up my monopod, the roadside birds took flight and eventually joined their pals in the larger tule cluster. This distance was apparently sufficient to not cause any flushing. It was a magical moment with early morning sunlight and absolute mirror glass water.

Later a few red-winged blackbirds were clinging to weeds close to the road and I captured a few nice images. A small red-tailed hawk and a Cooper’s hawk were photographed. A few harriers were up and hunting early, but none approached within camera range.

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