2022 03-06 Sacramento NWR
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Oh, what a brilliant, crisp early spring day! Skies were sunny and the air temperature in the refuge was 60°F during our 2-hour drive around the auto loop. There was a light breeze from the north. Most of the geese are now gone, as expected, but the panoramic vistas were gorgeous and we saw quite a lot of wildlife, as we always do here.
Before I climbed into the truck for loop departure in the main lot, Suellen (and a few nearby birders) called out a pair of otters crossing the road just past the main gates. They were gone before I could get the camera on target. We drove over and searched but the reeds were too thick.
A new species for my camera! A few dozen yards from the otters we photographed a young/female merlin in a small tree that was still devoid of leaves. It was a patient bird and we had great looks. Another falcon for my “collection!”
At the start, and again at the end of the loop, there were lots of jackrabbits. We did not see any the last time we visited (2022 02-09).
Passing raptors include a couple of turkey vultures, a low-flying and back-lit harrier, and another backlit raptor…a red-tailed hawk. All were on the wrong side of the road with terrible light. Later we’d encounter and capture another harrier (part of a pair), and a red-tailed hawk perched in a tree.
Looking down a muddy irrigation channel without much water, we found a cute trio of feeding raccoons seemingly “walking” on top of the water hyacinths and foraging. They were at the limit of my lens’ ability to focus and capture, but it happened.
A comparatively low population of ducks and geese were still feeding in the last remaining ponds. I caught a nice female pintail. Groups of both white-fronted and snow geese were out on the road and along the edges. They were relatively tame and photographable.
Nine pond turtles were on logs near the viewing platform and 2 more pairs were seen on logs in other areas as the loop continued.
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Read MoreOh, what a brilliant, crisp early spring day! Skies were sunny and the air temperature in the refuge was 60°F during our 2-hour drive around the auto loop. There was a light breeze from the north. Most of the geese are now gone, as expected, but the panoramic vistas were gorgeous and we saw quite a lot of wildlife, as we always do here.
Before I climbed into the truck for loop departure in the main lot, Suellen (and a few nearby birders) called out a pair of otters crossing the road just past the main gates. They were gone before I could get the camera on target. We drove over and searched but the reeds were too thick.
A new species for my camera! A few dozen yards from the otters we photographed a young/female merlin in a small tree that was still devoid of leaves. It was a patient bird and we had great looks. Another falcon for my “collection!”
At the start, and again at the end of the loop, there were lots of jackrabbits. We did not see any the last time we visited (2022 02-09).
Passing raptors include a couple of turkey vultures, a low-flying and back-lit harrier, and another backlit raptor…a red-tailed hawk. All were on the wrong side of the road with terrible light. Later we’d encounter and capture another harrier (part of a pair), and a red-tailed hawk perched in a tree.
Looking down a muddy irrigation channel without much water, we found a cute trio of feeding raccoons seemingly “walking” on top of the water hyacinths and foraging. They were at the limit of my lens’ ability to focus and capture, but it happened.
A comparatively low population of ducks and geese were still feeding in the last remaining ponds. I caught a nice female pintail. Groups of both white-fronted and snow geese were out on the road and along the edges. They were relatively tame and photographable.
Nine pond turtles were on logs near the viewing platform and 2 more pairs were seen on logs in other areas as the loop continued.
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Haliaeetus leucocephalus on tree stump 2022 03-05 Sac NWR--050
