Yosemite and More

 On my way up and back to Northern California I stopped at the Wildlife Refuge, wasn't expecting much but still came away with a few photos I like and one bucket list bird. Except for one photo, no geese or ducks this time. This is actually the first bird I saw. Hadn't even gotten my camera out and it waited for me. A second before it flew away While not that unusual, I was surprised to see them. I see a lot of Red Winged Blackbirds but they usually fly off before I can get a decent shot. My only goose shot this time. Saw a large bird fly behind some trees, hoping for an eagle or hawk, Nope, Turkey Vulture This is a first for me. I've seen pheasants many times but they usually run into the underbrush before I can get a photo of them. Go, See, Enjoy, Stay Safe and Photograph. Dave

Visited the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and the Merced Wildlife Refuge on VERY different days. One very sunny, the other fog bound. The Sacramento NWR, was a clear day with a lot of visitors that limited the  birds near the auto route. The fog and few visitors actually allowed for more opportunities at the Merced NWR. Case in point First the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Blue Morph Ross Geese White Faced Ibis, Hunting and Hiding Small Bufflehead Duck, these swim fast and don't like  cars, people, or cameras. This is taken through the reeds and heavily cropped. I thought this hawk was going to take off but instead it just fluffed it's feathers and settled back down. Merced National Wildlife Refuge seemed to have a wider and more easily photographable subjects. Thought this was an interesting juxtaposition. Each section of the refuge is flooded to to certain depth depending on what species they want to accommodate. I find it interesting that in the wild the male al...

 A while ago I went to the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge and the Merced Wildlife Refuge, here's a mixture of both. Unfortunately many of the wading birds preferred the stubble instead of nice reflective  water. Mom and Dad taking a break.  I really liked the late evening background. I tried to identify this  specific one but there are just so many of them. I think he was trying to hide from me. Two for One. I've taken a lot of photo of Great Egrets but seldom get a decent photo of them in flight. I think this is a Red Tailed hawk, but not sure. This Bald Eagle was very accommodating, I stuck around hoping  to get it's takeoff but it seemed very comfortable right there.    When I first saw this huge flock of birds in the distance I thought they were probably Snowy or Ross geese. Nope they were actually seagulls. Another car went by and spooked them. Go, See, Enjoy, Stay Safe and Photograph. Dave

 I recently went to Northern California to see my brother and do a little photography. These images are from the beginning and end of the trip . These first few are from the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge, It's mostly drained but I got a few photos I liked. I like the contrast of the Red Winged Blackbird behind the Wild Mustard. Who doesn't like a good reflection I'm not good with naming birds but this one stretching it's wing I believe to be a Western Kingbird Next up a little farther north. The wildflowers weren't very abundant but these small yellow ones with  Mt. Lassen (peak to the left) in the background made me turn around and take a few photos. Then came Burney Falls State Park. I used an ND filter on the shots of the Falls One of the unique features of Burney Falls is that some of the water  comes out of the hillside and not over the top. This continues in the summer even when the water over the top stops. As I grew up in this area we always thought of Manzanit...