10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

We all birded the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge after leaving the cemetery. There we passed on our vermilion experience with a group of novice young birders being led by a school group from Sacramento. They were very excited about spotting this guy on the way back to Sacramento.

California 108

California Sacramento Wildlife Groups 108

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2018

The featured image above was taken from photo blind #1 at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR). There are many raptors found at the refuges in the Sacramento Valley of California. Recently there has been a Northern Shrike ( Lanius borealis ) hanging out on the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge auto tour route.

Wildlife 101

Wildlife Sacramento Bald Eagle Falcons 101

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2012

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in California’s Central Valley. There are also two photography blinds on Sacramento NWR, one blind on Colusa NWR, and one blind on Delevan NWR. I was not disappointed! Great birding!

Geese 169

Geese Wildlife Sacramento South Dakota 169

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 4, 2015

As I always do on the way home, following a short visit to the San Francisco Bay Area, I take in at least one of the National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) found in the Sacramento Valley. I usually stop at the two refuges that have easily accessed auto tour routes, the Sacramento NWR and Colusa NWR.

Wildlife 158

Wildlife San Francisco Sacramento North Dakota 158

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 9, 2018

This past March I helped a Girl Scout troupe build and install 15 Bluebird nest boxes on the Sacramento River Trail. The Carr Fire jumped the Sacramento River within a few days after it began, at the very location we had installed the nestboxes. Here’s a photo of the troupe and myself after the install.

Wildlife 102

Wildlife Sacramento Shelters Connecticut 102

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Not living on the coast is the most obvious reason that I don’t see many gulls or shorebirds but it helps having the Sacramento River, the largest river in California, running through the central valley. Click on photos for full sized images.

California 160

California Sacramento Turtles Breeding 160

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 29, 2014

The video above showing the pair bonding and precopulatory behavior of the Northern Shoveler ( Anas clypeata ) was shot from the photography bind at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge , one of the refuges of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Northern California.

Sacramento 169

Sacramento Defenders Of Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation Ducks 169

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2011

Every autumn, tens of thousands of Snow Geese arrive in California’s Sacramento Valley following their long journey from the Canadian Arctic (click on photos for full sized images).

South Dakota 152

South Dakota Sacramento Geese Arkansas 152

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 27, 2013

The male shown in the video above, filmed at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, was in the process of gathering nesting material for what usually adds up to a dozen to two dozen nests! It is obvious to me that the male Marsh Wrens at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge are getting ready for the females to visit their breeding territories.

Sacramento 161

Sacramento North America Wildlife Defenders Of Wildlife 161

10,000 Birds

JULY 15, 2015

One of the best things about our annual Audubon chapter’s Lassen Park campout is that we get to see several species of mountain birds that we don’t normally see in the Sacramento Valley. I call this bird the Water Ouzel because I like saying it – Water Ouzel.

Sacramento 160

Sacramento Fish Eggs Species 160

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

Peregrine Falcon from Sacramento NWR auto loop. This may be the method this Peregrine had used before I spotted it from the Sacramento NWR auto loop. Just recently I spotted two Peregrine Falcons at Sacramento NWR while traveling the six mile auto loop. Don’t miss it! Love those talons!

Falcons 133

Falcons Wildlife Sacramento Endangered Species 133

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 12, 2011

I found these beauties at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, one of the many locations the Black-necked Stilt breeds in the California Central Valley (map courtesy of Terry Sohl at South Dakota Birds ). www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfSk54WICQ8 Black-necked Stilts will wade in water of any depth up to the height of their breast.

South Dakota 183

South Dakota Sacramento Jordan North America 183

10,000 Birds

APRIL 11, 2012

Not to disappoint, Patriot flies in a fresh fish from the Sacramento River. During the first few weeks of the young eaglet’s life, the male provides most of the food and the female spends more time tending the young in the nest. Here you can see Liberty waiting in anticipation for her mate to bring something to eat.

Bald Eagle 187

Bald Eagle Turtles Eagles Sacramento 187

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2011

I found this beauty hiking a not well known area next to the Sacramento River called Reading Island. You can hear one of their varied songs here (Courtesy of Xeno-canto, recorded by Steve Hampton, file XC70739 ). It’s a small sliver of land with the river on one side and an inlet on the other.

California 157

California Sacramento Birds 157

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2018

Their 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is made from grapes from the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA), an appellation reserved for the northern San Joaquin Valley of California (Sand Point also makes a Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes from the Clarksburg AVA, which is further north in Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo Counties).

2015 113

2015 San Diego California Condor Family 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 23, 2013

Although not unusual to see these species in this location, considering the Sacramento River borders the East side of the plant, it seemed rather early to see the Snow Goose. The banks along the river are covered with pretty dense vegetation which this spunky Lincoln Sparrow ( Melospiza lincolnii ) seemed to enjoy.

Sacramento 166

Sacramento Sparrows Sanctuary Geese 166

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2017

He lives in Sacramento with his wife and daughter, and enjoys county birding throughout the state. In this heat, the spoils randomly fell to Clifford Hawley. Cliff was raised in the Central Valley of California and discovered a love of birds at 14 when he found a male Vermilion Flycatcher in his yard.

Alabama 107

Alabama Sacramento Florida California 107

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2012

Living near the Sacramento River and its many lakes and tributaries makes it even more likely to see the incredible fish hawk or sea eagle we call the Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ). Living in Northern California offers nature lovers many opportunities to view wildlife in there native habitat. Click on photos for full sized images.

California 199

California North America Sacramento Breeders 199

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 30, 2013

That is where I found this group of nearly 100 Tundra Swans northeast of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge as they flew in to the flooded agricultural fields.

South Dakota 106

South Dakota California Sacramento North America 106

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

I didn’t really have time to stop, but as I was passing by, I saw hundreds of American White Pelicans fly up and thought I’d better take a drive through and see what else was there.

Wildlife 155

Wildlife Sacramento Jordan 2011 155

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge : Expand big game hunting. The Sacramento River NWR was established 1989 by the authority provided under the Endangered Species Act, Emergency Wetlands Resources Act, and the Fish and Wildlife Act. References: 1 Tualatin River NWR , 2 Sacramento River NWR , 3 Prime Hook NWR , 4 St.

Fish 143

Fish Wildlife Hunting Louisiana 143

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 13, 2014

” The report continues: “Following the breeding season, most tricolors are found in the Sacramento Valley where they aggregate with red-winged and other blackbird species and feed, often in large flocks, on ripening rice.

Blackbirds 186

Blackbirds California 2014 Sacramento 186

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2011

I was lucky enough to catch this photo of an adult in flight at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge back in February showing the horn and their distinctive black and white plumage. In breeding plumage, adult American White Pelicans have a distinct “centerboard&# or “horn&# on the ridge of their bill.

Pelicans 165

Pelicans Fish California Condor North America 165

Critter News

MAY 31, 2009

From the Sacramento Bee: When the animal cruelty investigator attempted to grab the bandoleras, he was put in a chokehold by Darren Nunes, 24, and almost lost consciousness, according to a Sheriff's Department news release. Though the bulls were supposed to be hit with velcro darts, these ones were allegedly stabbed with nails.

Animal Cruelty 100

Animal Cruelty Sacramento Cruelty Investigation 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 13, 2017

One of the best things about our annual Lassen Park campout is that we get to see several species of birds that are rarely, if ever, seen in the Sacramento Valley. Many of those species also nest in the park.

Woodpeckers 101

Woodpeckers Sacramento Squirrels Raised 101

Critter News

OCTOBER 23, 2008

employee, claims the defendants inhumanely and illegally mistreat their Asian elephants and have done so for decades. On Monday, Federal Court Judge Emmet Sullivan will begin hearing testimony in the case.

Ringling Bros 100

Ringling Bros Ringling Brothers Circus Elephant Elephants 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 26, 2013

This stoked Great Egret was at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA. If there is not much traffic to worry about, I get no less enjoyment birding from a car than I do from foot or on a boat…in moderation, of course. Many of you have driven the auto tour loops that are at many National Wildlife Refuges.

LACS 134

LACS North Dakota Costa Rica Idaho 134

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 14, 2018

The 10 th of February, After a nearly 300 mile run, we pushed on thru some extremely heavy winds, 20-30 MPH crosswinds which made out drive a bit difficult, but I really wanted to get to the Sacramento area, and check out the reported waterfowl to found here.

Woodpeckers 100

Woodpeckers Oregon Geese California 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2018

For example, not much can beat the experience of seeing a Bald Eagle scare up thousands of Snow Geese at Sacramento NWR. After years of birding, I now have a good sense of what I enjoy as a birder. The morning fly-off of Sandhill Cranes from a frozen wetland at Bosque del Apache NWR is a spectacle, well worth frigid temperatures.

San Francisco 100

San Francisco Portland United States Puerto Rico 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

I have had similar experiences at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and you are so right on when you say “am I ever glad that I am a birder!&# Just think, if no one was there to document this, would it really have happened? Larry Jordan Mar 17th, 2011 at 12:13 am Wow Corey, that must have been some sight to behold, and sound too!

Ducks 169

Ducks 2011 Jamaica Deer 169

4 The Love Of Animals

MAY 8, 2011

School children in Sacramento and conference attendees in San Diego who met the dog quickly got the message, and the excitement, that no one needs to be defined by their circumstances when Tink raced toward them. Tink sometimes accompanies Conheim on trips and speaking engagements.

San Diego 100

San Diego Kittens Emotional Cats 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2019

Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Cerro Lodge. 15 Aug 2019.

2019 117

2019 Arizona Ghana Tucson 117

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2020

Sacramento River Trail North. Sacramento River Trail North. Sacramento River Trail North. Sacramento River Trail North. Sacramento River Trail North. Sacramento River Trail North. Cinchona – Cafe Colibri. 29 Jan 2020. Great Curassow – Crax rubra. La Selva (OTS Reserve). 28 Jan 2020. 11 Jan 2020.

2020 157

2020 Wildlife Reserve Tigers Wildlife 157

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 9, 2017

I spent a few hours in the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge blind #1 last weekend and filmed the following video of Gadwalls ( Anus strepera ) engaged in courtship displays. According to Birds of North America Online , 97% of female Gadwall are paired by November.

Sacramento 100

Sacramento Raised North America Ducks 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2011

I concluded that this must be pair bonding behavior, after all, Spring is in the air! Does anyone know for sure? Here is another photo of this beautiful species.

2011 195

2011 Jordan Deer New York 195

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2018

Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento Expo Center, RV site, on the American River. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Clifford Park. 01 Jan 2018. 17 Jan 2018. 12 Jan 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 3, 2018

Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Sacramento NWR–Auto Tour Route. Clifford Park. 01 Jan 2018. Roxanne’s house: Palmetto Bay, FL. 17 Jan 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Sacramento 100