I recently visited Mather Lake Regional Park, a county park in the Sacramento Area, where I received a wonderful surprise. A North American Beaver allowed me to photograph it. Beavers are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, out in the dawn or dusk hours. So, I was surprised to see this one in daylight.
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We visited the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in Davis, CA. Like many of the wildlife refuges in the Sacramento Valley, it is agricultural land where rice is grown. The fields are flooded over the winter to help decompose the stubble before planting the next spring. Waterfowl and shorebirds migrate to these wetlands to feed over the winter.
Here are a few examples.
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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.
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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.
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
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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.
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.
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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.
I am sharing a few songbirds that we see here in the Sacramento area. I’m especially excited about the Pine Siskin. This winter is the first we’ve had them visit our feeder, or at least the first time I’ve recognized one.
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.
Today’s post features some birds that I found along the edge of the American River. The Kingfisher and Sandpipers are here, in the Sacramento area, much of the year but not always easy to find. The Herring Gull is a migrater found in large numbers during the Salmon Run.
The Herring Gull was fun to watch. I picked him up right after he caught the crayfish and got to watch as it positioned and swallowed the crayfish. It swallowed the crayfish whole, claw, and all. I think that is amazing.
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.
I am a volunteer at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center (sacnaturecenter.net) in the Carmichael section of Sacramento, CA. The center is a nature study area along the American River Parkway that provides nature classes for children and adults alike. It was named for Effie Yeaw, a teacher, conservationist and environmental educator who led natural and cultural history walks in an area known as Deterding Woods, located along the American River in Carmichael. It spans 100 acres replete with trails through a riparian woodland and along the American River. Black-tailed Mule Deer, Wild Turkeys, Acorn Woodpeckers, Fox Squirrels and California Ground Squirrels are often an attraction when wandering through the center. But watching closely, you’ll see many species of birds and sometimes a coyote.
I am a Trail Steward. My job is to walk the trails, report any issues, pick up litter and answer questions from visitors. But, most of all, I get to hike and to photograph what I see, while providing this labor of love. I even get to write a blog and share my photography. It is a dream job.
This blog is based on one I wrote for the Nature center. I am sharing it so all my friends and followers can see one of my favorite places. This will be the first. I will share more over the next few months. Meanwhile, you can see many more photos of Effie Yeaw Nature Center at https://larryklink.smugmug.com/EYNC/. Better yet, if you live in the Sacramento Region, make a visit, bring the kids and grandkids.
This is an Acorn Woodpecker. The Acorn Woodpecker uses its beak to drill holes where it stores acorns. Once the hole is ready, it will pound in an acorn for later use. In this picture, the woodpecker was drilling a hole. If you look closely, you can see wood chips in the air. Also note that some of the existing holes are empty and others have acorns.
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.
I am sharing images of 3 raptors, i.e., birds of prey. Take note of the image of the White-tailed Kite in the air. It was kiting, its characteristic behavior of hovering over potential prey before it drops down to catch it.
Please click on caption to see images 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.
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.
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.
