Saturday was a bright sunny day in the mid-60s, a classic California winter day. So, I grabbed my camera and headed out to a local preserve. Unfortunately, so did most of the bird watching population of Sacramento. I couldn’t get near my favorite trail through the ponds but after a little looking I found the last spot in the parking lot at the visitor’s center.
Most folks disappeared on one of several trails leading out of the visitors center. I headed to a spot behind the center, a grassy open picnic area surrounded by riparian oak forest. Lots of birds!! No people!!
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I sat down at one of the picnic benches and scanned the surrounding oaks. It only took a minute or two for me to hear rustling in the trees. In about a half hour, I saw the following including the Western Bluebird in the title shot:
American Robin
Northern Flicker
Yellow Rumped Warbler
California Scrub Jay
House Finch
Black Phoebe and Say’s Phoebe in the same tree.
Say’s Phoebe
It was difficult getting shots as most of the time the birds were well shielded by the vast tangle of branches. In the summer, the forest is fully leafed out and you clearly hear them singing and moving but you rarely see a feather.
Since it was getting late, I headed back to the pond trail and snagged a parking spot. I had about a half hour of light and decided to make the most of it, catching a glimpse of some local residents.
Pine Siskins sitting in a tree next to the parking lot.
White Fronted Geese, Northern Pintails and Green-Wing Teals rest on a dry spot.
Coots head away from the bank as I walked by.
Green-Wing Teal feeding on the water plants
Blue-Wing Teals feeding in the same spot a couple of minutes later.
Great Egret
Killdeer Pair
Black-Necked Stilt
Red-Wing Blackbirds singing.
White-Crowned Sparrow
As I was leaving the Preserve, the Sandhill Cranes finally showed up.
Sandhill Cranes flying in as the sun sets.
We have a high pressure spot, keeping our area clear and dry for now but later this week clouds and rain are expected for the holiday weekend.
What’s up in your neck of the woods.
