American River Parkway – Earthwatcher

Not Just A Duck

September 8, 2020September 9, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Duck, Earthwatcher, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Sacramento, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

Four images of various specise of ducks. — Female Mallard Duck
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; SEP 2019

In a blog I follow and enjoy, Peace of Life Today, the author shared the post “Just A Duck” which contained some beautiful photos of a female Mallard. Until a few years ago, that is what they were to me. I could identify a white domestic duck and a male Mallard. I have heard people talk about a variety of ducks, but they were just some abstract concept. Then I met some new friends who were wildlife photographers. They taught me that we live in the Pacific Flyway, a migration route and wintering ground for many species of waterfowl. They, along with other birding friends, taught me about Mergansers, Golden Eye’s, Teals, and many more. The diversity and beauty of these creatures is astounding. For me, there is no such thing as just a duck anymore and I am better for it.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Wood Duck Inspecting Possible Nest
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAR 2019

Common Merganser
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; JUL 2020 #Photography

Female and 2 Male Barrows Goldeneyes
Lake Natomas, American River Parkway, Gold River, CA; NOV 2019

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Errata: In my original post, I misidentified the Goldeneyes. They are Barrows Goldeneyes, not Common Goldeneyes.

Great Blue Heron

September 5, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, nature, Nature Photography, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

I am sharing some images of Great Blue Herons (Ardea Herodias) that I’ve taken over this summer.

The heron in a tree looks out of place. I normally see them foraging along the water’s edge. But they are comfortable in trees. In fact, they nest high up in trees.

Great Blue Heron and Canada Geese
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; JUN 2020

Great Blue Heron with Prey
Mississippi Bar, American River Parkway, Orangevale, CA; JUL 2020

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Summer Vignettes Along the American River Parkway

August 23, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River, American River Parkway, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Folsom State Recreation Area, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, nature, Nature Photography, Orangevale, Photography, Sacramento, Uncategorized

Landscape with Canada Geese
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; JUN 2020

I am sharing a few early morning scenes from the banks of the American River. I walk the trails along the river several times each week for several hours at a time. I am grateful that the people of the Sacramento area cared enough to build a buffer area against flooding and to turn that almost 40 miles of buffer into urban green space available to all.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Summer Scene on the American River Parkway
Willow Creek State Recreation Area, Folsom, CA; JUL 2020

Summer Morning Scene on the American River
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; JUL 2020

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

California Scrub Jay

August 18, 2020August 18, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Sacramento, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

I was fortunate enough to observe a California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) in the process of eating a dragonfly. It used its beak and talons to position the insect, then picked it up with its beak and swallowed it.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

River Otters

August 15, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River, American River Parkway, California, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Otter, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

Today I am sharing 2 images I took last week. A group of 5 River Otters were foraging in the American River at Sailor Bar. I watched their bodies slither as they dove into the water then came up with their head held high, swallowing their prey. It was great fun.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

River Otters
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; AUG 2020
The Otters were feeding. Its likely that the one with its head up is swallowing its prey.

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Breakfast Time

August 9, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River, American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Otter, Sacramento, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

Downy Woodpecker on Oak Gall
Willow Creek State Recreation Area, American River Parkway, Folsom, CA; AUG 2020

I am sharing images of birds and of an otter that are enjoying breakfast time. I watched as they worked hard to get their meal.

This year, I have had many opportunities to see animals hunt and eat. I am truly grateful to have had those opportunities and thankful that I only had to pull mine from a cupboard.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Acorn Woodpecker
Mississippi Bar, American River Parkway, Orangevale, CA; AUG 2020

Female Belted Kingfisher
Mississippi Bar, American River Parkway, Orangevale, CA; JUL 2020

House Finch on Blue Elderberry
Mississippi Bar, American River Parkway, Orangevale, CA; JUL 2020

Juvenile American Robins
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; JUL 2020

River Otter with Prey
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; AUG 2020

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

A Few California Landscapes

August 2, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, California, Earthwatcher, Eastern Sierra, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, nature, Nature Photography, Uncategorized

Old Barn
On Rt 20 Between Sacramento and Ft Bragg CA

Todays post contains some images from various spots around California.

Please click on caption to see images in higher resolution!

A Windy Autumn Day on Convict Lake
Convict Lake, CA; OCT 2019

Cherry Blossoms
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAR 2019

Sunrise on the American River
William Pond Park, Sacramento, CA. FEB 2016

Autumn at the edge of the Desert
Route 395, Near Rovana, CA; OCT 2019

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Green Heron Hunting

July 26, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – 1
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; JUL 2020

There are a lot of pictures in this post that, at first glance, appear nearly the same but, they are not the same; they are a sequence of a Green Heron stalking, capturing, and devouring it prey. I see Green Herons from time to time but mostly they are perched. On this day one gave me the opportunity to watch it hunt and eat. Though I see Egrets and other Herons stalk frequently, this is only the second time I saw one stalk and the first I saw one catch and eat. So, please step through these images, in order, one at time and enjoy this opportunity with me.

Please click on caption to see images in higher resolution.

The entire sequence can be seen in higher resolution at: https://larryklink.smugmug.com/Birds/Shore-Birds/Herons-1/

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Egrets and Lizardicide

June 20, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area

Great Egret (Ardea Alba)
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Davis, CA; MAY 2020

In this post, I am presenting 2 perspectives on the egret: the graceful, beautiful side and the visceral side.

A few weeks ago, we were at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Refuge in Davis, CA. In one of the sloughs, there were perhaps a dozen Egrets, both Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets. It turned out to be a great day for capturing them in flight.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Davis, CA; MAY 2020

*Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula)*
*Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Davis, CA; MAY 2020*

The lizardicide, killing of a western fence lizard for food, happened at Effie Yeaw Nature Center. It was fascinating to watch. The actual capture was done in tall grass under the shade of a tree. After capture, the Great Egret made a short hop/flight out to the trail then prepared to devour his prey. The intrepid little lizard put up a strong fight but, in the end, it succumbed.

Stalking
Great Egret (Ardea Alba)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; JUN 2020

The Lizard’s Gambit
Great Egret (Ardea Alba) with Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; JUN 2020

Please visit my website, www.earthwatcher.us to see my collection of landscapes and wildlife.

These and other images are available to purchase by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Local Birds – Special Time

May 13, 2020May 12, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, Earthwatcher, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) with Goslings
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAY 2020

In the past 2 weeks, I have been able to get back to some of my familiar trails along the American River. It was a great time to get out because there are baby birds and there are males in their breeding plumage, all of which make this time of year special.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.