Category: American River Parkway

Summer Vignettes Along the American River Parkway

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

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
California Scrub Jay Eating Dragonfly
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; SEP 2019

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.

California Scrub Jay Eating Dragonfly
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; SEP 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.

River Otters

by Earthwatcher, posted in American River, American River Parkway, California, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Otter, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
River Otters
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; AUG 2020

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

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
Great Blue Heron with Prey
Mississippi Bar, American River Parkway, Orangevale, 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

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

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/

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – 2
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – 3
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – 4
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – 5
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – 6
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – 7
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – 8
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – 9

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

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
The Struggle
Positioning
The Swallow

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

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.

Snowy Egret (Egretta Thula)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAY 2020
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) with Ducklings
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAY 2020
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; MAY 2020
Female Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAY 2020
Male Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAY 2020
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; MAY 2020
Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAY 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.

Folsom and Sierra Foothills

by Earthwatcher, posted in American River, American River Parkway, California, Earthwatcher, Folsom, Fujifilm Cameras, Photography, river
American River Gorge, Folsom, CA
Looking downstream on the American River toward footbridge in Folsom, CA after heavy rains. JAN 2017

Today I decided to share a few scenes from the area around Folsom, CA. Folsom is the site of the Folsom Prison that Johnny Cash put on the map. But there is more. It sits along the American River near the western end of the Sierra Nevada foothills. The small section of old town Folsom is still very nice. The outskirts are surrounded by oak woodlands primarily used for ranching.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution

Lighting the Path
Historic Footbridge across American River, Folsom, CA. JAN 2
Reawakening
Auburn State Recreation Area, Auburn, CA, FEB 2015
Sierra Foothills, P2
Scott Rd, Folsom, CA. AUG 2014
Thunderclouds over the Sierra bring rain but not to the drought ridden foothills.
Sierra Foothiils, Moonrise Over the Foothills
Scott Rd, Folsom, CA, JAN 2015
Early Morning at Folsom Lake
Doton’s Point, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, Folsom, CA; MAR 2019
Sunset Over the Foothills
Scott Rd, Folsom, CA, JAN 2015
American River Gorge in Fog
American River Gorge, Folsom, CA; JAN 2017
Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow Bridge arch after heavy rains
Folsom, CA. JAN 2017

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.

Two Raptors

by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on Nest
It is possible there are chicks in the nest. I watched the adult and saw it bent over with food in its mouth. I can’t be certain. I didn’t see tiny heads.
Rollingwood Bluffs, American River Parkway, Orangevale, CA; MAR 2020

Today, I am going to take a short break from sharing the amazing birds I saw in Florida so that I can share 2 images I took this past week. I am sharing these 2 beautiful raptors.

The eagle is on a nest. I suspect that at least one of its chicks has hatched. I did not see any tiny heads. But I did see the adult, bent over, with food in its mouth. I did not see it eat that food.  So, I think it is possible there is a chick in the nest.

The Red-shouldered hawk had just leapt from its perch to fly away.

Note: Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo virginianus)
Image captured as hawk left its perch in the tree.
Mississippi Bar, American River Parkway, Orangevale, CA; MAR 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.