2022 02-09 Sacramento NWR
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Skies were clear at the refuge with Diablo winds blowing 15 to 25 mph. Air temperatures in the low 80s. The vistas were fairly good: with snow on the Sierras and Mendocino mountain peaks. Most of the geese have moved out. Accordingly, the water levels various parts are beginning to drop. The good news is that there were plenty of raptors. We saw several harriers, several red-tailed hawks, one red shouldered hawk, and six bald eagles (including one that flew over us while we’re on the freeway).
We made two trips around the loop and all the eagle photography was done on the first trip. We took good shots of two juveniles that were in the same tree with an adult (that we also photographed). Shots of the adult were mostly straight up out of our sunroof and we had to patiently wait for the animal to look down at the camera once in a while.
I photographed a couple of snow geese that used to be in the roadway but hopped over the weeds and landed in a pond nearby. We found coots right next to the road and they were good for some close ups. No mammals were seen today. We skipped the viewing platform due to the strong winds. By the end of our time at the refuge things were pretty dusty inside and outside of the truck.
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Read MoreSkies were clear at the refuge with Diablo winds blowing 15 to 25 mph. Air temperatures in the low 80s. The vistas were fairly good: with snow on the Sierras and Mendocino mountain peaks. Most of the geese have moved out. Accordingly, the water levels various parts are beginning to drop. The good news is that there were plenty of raptors. We saw several harriers, several red-tailed hawks, one red shouldered hawk, and six bald eagles (including one that flew over us while we’re on the freeway).
We made two trips around the loop and all the eagle photography was done on the first trip. We took good shots of two juveniles that were in the same tree with an adult (that we also photographed). Shots of the adult were mostly straight up out of our sunroof and we had to patiently wait for the animal to look down at the camera once in a while.
I photographed a couple of snow geese that used to be in the roadway but hopped over the weeds and landed in a pond nearby. We found coots right next to the road and they were good for some close ups. No mammals were seen today. We skipped the viewing platform due to the strong winds. By the end of our time at the refuge things were pretty dusty inside and outside of the truck.
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Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle 2022 02-09 Sac NWR--032
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle nictitating membrane 2022 02-09 Sac NWR--145
HaliaeetusleucocephalusBaldeaglenictitatingmembrane2022SacNWR145
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle 2022 02-09 Sac NWR--191
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle 2022 02-09 Sac NWR--286
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle JUV on ground 2022 02-09 Sac NWR--052
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagles 2 JUV in tree 2022 02-09 Sac NWR--015
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle 2022 02-09 Sac NWR--321
