Cosumnes River Preserve and Sandhill Cranes

Hi there! Well the skies cleared up just enough on Sunday for me to be able to head down to the Cosumnes River Preserve and checkout the sandhill cranes. I love these big birds. Every year they migrate here to Sacramento to winter over and breed.

I had the dog with me, so I could not get out and walk the preserve. All photo's were shot from the cab of the truck today.




































Have a great week!!!

The American River

Another B-E-A-Utiful weekend here in Northern California. #Chloe_dog and I tried to take full advantage by heading down to the American River. The salmon are just starting to run. Lot's of fisherman, from the bridge's, the bank's and guided drift boats. I got a few photo's, thought I'd share them with you.

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area 10-16-11

It's always nice when you wanna get away and spend a little time to yourself, to have somewhere to go that's not so far away. One of my favorites is the Vic Fazio Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. About 20 minutes from my house, it's locate along the Pacific flyway and along Highway 80. After a long dry summer there is much water in it yet, but in another couple of months the entire area will be flooded.

I wasn't sure what, if any birds I would see today, but the Causeway never disappoints. There were a variety of raptors and shorebirds on hand. I also took the dog with me so she could run on the levee surrounding the Bypass.

Remember - if you click on the pic, you can see it full size

It was a great day with just a few high thin clouds. 80 degrees.

What?



Must have been a couple thousand of these guys, they were every where



Still dry is the Bypass, but give it a couple months





A pair of Kites



I guess Mr Redtail Hawk is not allowed in Mr Kite's territory



Mr Redtail hiding out




In the summer, they grow rice in the Bypass. Looks like these guys are parked until next year

Egret





White Faced Ibis



Guess I spooked them



Mr and Mrs Kite moved to a better tree



Great Heron





Harrier - taken through the windshield - cruising over the wetlands looking for lunch



Coots and Mallards are always in the Bypass



Pied-Billed Griebe



Black Pheobe



Cattails are blooming



Coot

Lodi Grape Festival

Made it down to the Lodi Grape Festival on Saturday. My friends Houses of the Holy were playing the Budweiser stage there. They put on another fantastic show. These guys just keep getting better and better. If you love Led Zeppelin, these guys are the best Led Zeppelin tribute band in Northern California. I highly recommend checking them out if you get a chance. Check out their website Housesoftheholy.com for upcoming shows.

After the show, my daughter and I headed over to the rides and had some fun. 3 ferris wheels and the Zipper! Nice!!