Category: Fair Oaks

Ring-billed Gulls

by Earthwatcher, posted in American River, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Fair Oaks, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Pacific Flyway, Sacramento, Salmon, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Ring-billed Gull
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; JAN 2021

The Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) is a common gull throughout North America. During breeding season, they live in Canada and far Northern United States while in Non-breeding season they live along the coastal regions of the United States. Here in California’s central valley, we see them during the Salmon and Steelhead run where they migrate to feed on the plentiful supply of fish carcasses.

I had the privilege of photographing a small flock of them along the American River a few weeks ago.

Please click on caption to see images at higher resolution.

Ring-billed Gull, Spotted Sandpiper
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; JAN 2021
Ring-billed Gull with Ruffled Head Feathers
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; JAN 2021
Ring-billed Gull
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; JAN 2021

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.

Irruption

by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Fair Oaks, Fujifilm Cameras, left brained, nature, Nature Photography, Orangevale, Sacramento, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Our Pine Siskin Mini Irruption
Pine Siskins and a White Crowned Sparrow
Orangevale, CA; JAN 2021

I spoke with a friend who is a birding expert, about seeing Pine Siskins (Carduelis pinus) at our feeder. In that context, he introduced me to term “irruption”. In general terms, an irruption is a sudden, violent invasion. In ecological terms, an irruption is “a sudden sharp increase in the relative numbers of a natural population usually associated with favorable alteration of the environment”[1]. I.e.: there isn’t enough food at home, so they go somewhere else to find some.

Pine Siskins spend most of their time in Canada and in the mountains of the Western US. But every other year, they irrupt, erratically, in places throughout the rest of the US., apparently driven by the availability of conifer seeds in their normal range.[2]  So, I feel lucky that our feeder has been chosen as one of their alternate food sources this year.

Red-breasted Nuthatches, Red Crossbills, Evening Grosbeak, and Bohemian Waxwings also exhibit irruptive behavior.

[1] Irruption | Definition of Irruption by Merriam-Webster (merriam-webster.com)

[2] Pine Siskin Range Map, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Pine Siskin
Orangevale, CA; DEC 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.

Two Sapsuckers

by Earthwatcher, posted in American River Parkway, Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Fair Oaks, Florida, Fujifilm Cameras, nature, Nature Photography, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; JAN 2021

In recent weeks, a Red-breasted Sapsucker has allowed me to photograph it. I have wanted this opportunity for a couple of years. Two years ago, I saw one but had already packed up my camera gear and lost the opportunity. So, I was excited to finally see one.

A year ago, I was in Florida and was given the opportunity to photograph a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. That was special also.

The images I captured shows a signature behavior of sapsuckers. They peck to create a round hole from which the suck the sap. They get the sap from one hole then create another. In doing so they create horizontal ring around the tree. They may create many of these rings. If you see a tree with rows of holes, in horizontal rings, you may have a favorite tree to watch for sapsuckers.

According to All About Birds from Cornell Labs, the Rufous Hummingbird may follow a sapsucker and finish any sap left in a fresh hole.

Please click on caption to see image at higher resolution.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Six Mile Cypress Preserve, Fort Meyers, FL; FEB 2020
Red-breasted Sapsucker; Sailor Bar
American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; JAN 2021

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 Songbirds

by Earthwatcher, posted in Bird Photography, bird watching, birding, Birds, California, Earthwatcher, Fair Oaks, Fujifilm Cameras, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, nature, Nature Photography, Orangevale, Photography, photography for sale, Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
Orange-crowned Warbler
Orangevale, Ca; OCT 2020

I am sharing a few songbirds that I have photographed over the past few months.

Please click on caption to see images at higher resolution.

Savannah Sparrow
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Willows, CA; NOV 2020
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Rollingwood Bluffs, Orangevale, CA; NOV 2020
Oak Titmouse
Sailor Bar American River Parkway, Fair Oaks, CA; NOV 2020
Lesser Goldfinch
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Willows, CA; NOV 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

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.