California – Page 7 – Earthwatcher

Snowy Egret

April 17, 2020April 16, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Florida, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

The Snowy Egret is an elegant bird with bright white plumage, black beak and legs and bright yellow feet. When it displays its long, curved plumage, it is gorgeous. They can be found, year around, along the coastal waters of the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. But its migration and breeding periods takes it into much of the interior of the US.

Like other egrets and herons, they nest high in trees, in colonies, with other similar birds. They forage on frogs, worms, crustaceans, and insects. I find watching Egrets and Herons stalk fascinating.

The Snowy Egret is noticeably smaller than its cousin the great egret; the one that is tall and has a yellow beak. When you see an egret, look closely; it might be a Snowy or, it might be a Great.

In this set, I mixed a few pictures from our recent trip to Florida as well as some I have taken locally.

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

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; MAR 2020

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) with Prey
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; SEP 2019

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Sanibel Island, FL; FEB 2020

Snowy Egret (egretta thula)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael, CA; MAR 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.

Folsom and Sierra Foothills

April 15, 2020April 14, 2020 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.

California Seascapes

April 11, 2020April 11, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in California, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, nature, Nature Photography, Seascape, Travel

Ultima Luz
Sunset Over Bodega Bay, CA, JUN 2013

Today I am sharing a few seascapes from various California beaches.

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

Black Sands Beach
Bonita Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County; CA, FEB 2015

Sun Setting at the Marin Headlands
Marin Headlands, San Francisco, CA; SEP 2013

Firey Calm
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA; OCT 2012

Sunrise at Fort Bragg, CA
Fort Bragg, CA; SEP 2013

Gull Wing and Tempest
Marina State Beach, Marina, CA. OCT 2012

O Solo Mio
Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
Piedra Blancas Rookery, San Simeon, CA; FEB 2014

El Morro Veiled
The rock at Morro Bay, CA shrouded in rain and fog. The ocean teems with activity despite the weather conditions. If you look closely, you’ll see a sea lion with his head jutting out of the water and a surfer swimming his board out into the waves.

Parasailing in San Diego
Black’s Beach, San Diego, CA; MAR 2016

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.

Yosemite – Small Vignettes of Spring and Summer

April 3, 2020April 2, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in California, Earthwatcher, landscape, landscape photos, nature, Nature Photography, Photography, Seirra Nevada, Yosemite, Yosemite National Park

Reflections in a Pond
Glacier Point Road, Yosemite National Park, CA; MAY 2017

Following with my small vignettes of Yosemite, here are a few from the spring and summer seasons.

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

Cascade on Yosemite Creek
Yosemite National Park; APR 2016

A Spirit Within the Mountain
El Capitan, El Capitan Meadow, Yosemite National Park, JAN 2018

A Deceiving Role
Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park; APR 2016

View from the Merced River Near El Capitan Bridge
Yosemite National Park, CA; FEB 2018

Tioga Pass Road
Yosemite National Park; May 2013

Tree at Base of Cascade Falls
Yosemite National Park; MAR 2019

Roiling and Thundering
Tioga Pass Road, Yosemite National Park, APR 2016

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.

Yosemite – Small Vignettes of Autumn and Winter

April 1, 2020 by Earthwatcher, posted in California, Eastern Sierra, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, nature, Nature Photography, Photography

Gentle Flume
Yosemite National Park, OCT 2014

There is a request floating around Facebook asking people to share landscapes. So, I decided to gather my favorite images from places we visited and share them.

Yosemite is full of amazing vistas. I am in awe struck every time I see them. But for this post, I thought I’d share some of the small vignettes that are easily missed on the way to see and enjoy those amazing icons of nature.

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

Ice Crystals on the Merced River
Yosemite National Park, Dec 2013

It’s Reflection Disturbed
Yosemite National Park, Merced River. OCT 2014

A Quiet Pool
Yosemite National Park, Merced River. OCT 2014

An Autumn Vignette
Yosemite National Park, CA; OCT 2014

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

March 28, 2020March 28, 2020 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.

Raptors

November 3, 2019 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Fujifilm Cameras, Nature Photography, raptor, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography, Wm Pond Park

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Wm Pond Park, Sacramento, CA; Mar 2019

Here are a few raptors, birds of prey, I’ve photographed over the past year.

The Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks are members of the Buteo family. They forage in more open areas and prefer small rodents. The Goshawk and Sharp-shinned Hawks are members of the Acipiter family. They are built to forage in in forested areas and prefer birds. The Merlin is a small falcon. Though they have there preferences, they’ll eat whatever they can catch.

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

Northern Goshawk (Acipiter Gentilis)
Owens River Road, Lee Vining, CA; OCT 2019

Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; OCT 2019

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramneto, CA; OCT 2019

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) on Nest
Battle Mountain, NV; MAY 2019

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; JUL 2019

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) – P2
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael, CA; OCT 2019

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
Hawk swooped down over my shoulder, picked-up a rodent and carried it to this tree. Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael, CA; OCT 2019

These and other images are available to purchase on my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Some More Birds from This Year

September 29, 2019 by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Fujifilm Cameras, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

American Robin (Turdus Migratorius)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; NOV 2018

Here are some more bird photos that I have taken in the past year. Take a close look at Hutton’s Vireo with Chick. Though it is well camouflaged, there is a baby in the nest with mom. The Bewick’s Wren is also attending a nest deep in the cavity of the tree.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution!

Hutton’s Vireo (Vireo huttonii) with Chick;
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; APR 2019

Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii);
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; JUN 2019

Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis);
William Pond Park, Sacramento, CA; SEP 2019

Hutton’s Vireo (Vireo huttonii);
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; SEP 2019

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura);
Willow Creek Recreation Area, American RIver Parkway, Folsom, CA; APR 2019

Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus);
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento, CA; APR 2019

These and other images are available to purchase on my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry.klink@earthwatcher.us.

Some Interesting Wildlife from San Diego

August 28, 2019 by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, flower, Fujifilm Cameras, left brained, Marine Mammals, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)
Seal Cove, La Jolla, CA; MAY 2019

Last May, we visited some family in the San Diego area. On one of those days, we visited some spots along the shore that teemed with wildlife. It was a great time.

Please note that the wild Red-crowned Parrot is a wild bird. Pet releases and other incidents have allowed a colony of these birds to establish themselves in the San Diego area.

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