Friends of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

I can see you down there! Harrier checking out the tule..March 2021

She made it back to the nest...note the dilated eye in the sun relative to the other one...very sensitive eyes!

Just got word...the Auto Tour at Sac NWR is likely going to be closed for a couple of hours today (Monday April 5), targeting 10am to noon. They are doing a proscribed burn on the refuge. This notice is coming from the Refuge Manager. Please plan accordingly.

The prize....feeding frenzy last week in the shallows by dozens of white faced ibis. I don't know how anything survives this hunt, but clearly some do...but not this one.

Don't they look like they are up to no good?

Not related to the refuges...But I know a lot of you are big bald eagle fans. Some of you are aware that there is (was) a bald eagle nest at an elementary schoo...l in Milpitas in the bay area. They have been there for three years now and were about ready to mate again. Last night in the winds their nest blew down. Very sad to hear. I don't know what eagles do in situations like this, whether they stay and rebuild or find another location...but either way it is a reminder that even at the top of the food chain, life can be difficult for wildlife. Here's a picture of mom from last autumn when they were rebuilding/adding to the nest.....Very sad, I hope they rebuild somewhere and continue to have kids!

One of my wife's favorites, the meadowlark...

Grey ghost at Merced NWR...

Ringneck pheasant...they usually run/fly away from me, this one seemed more comfortable around the wildlife paparazzi....

Next up...waterfowl of all sorts...A pair of cranes yapping, some really good looking ducks, and a snow goose that should get his head out of the mud...

I know you all like eagle pics...Here are some from yesterday. I was driving on a country road to get to Llano Seco NWR and always pay close attention as the... fields are sometimes used as hunting grounds...In this case there were two eagles checking out the merchandise in the fields. One stayed very far away, the other flew right up and over me. I saw it coming and had pulled over...and was able to get off a couple of shots before he/she got too close for my long lens. The others are of a juvenile eagle hunting at the refuge...these were unfortunately at long range. See more