10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2012

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in California’s Central Valley. There are also two photography blinds on Sacramento NWR, one blind on Colusa NWR, and one blind on Delevan NWR. Range map courtesy of South Dakota Birds and Birding. I was not disappointed!

Geese 170

Geese Wildlife Sacramento South Dakota 170

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 12, 2011

I found these beauties at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, one of the many locations the Black-necked Stilt breeds in the California Central Valley (map courtesy of Terry Sohl at South Dakota Birds ). Black-necked Stilts will wade in water of any depth up to the height of their breast.

South Dakota 191

South Dakota Jordan Sacramento North America 191

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2011

Every autumn, tens of thousands of Snow Geese arrive in California’s Sacramento Valley following their long journey from the Canadian Arctic (click on photos for full sized images). Map courtesy of Terry Sohl at South Dakota Birds and Birding.

Geese 153

Geese South Dakota Sacramento Arkansas 153

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 30, 2013

The North American Tundra Swan ( Cygnus columbianus columbianus ) migrates in flocks of family groups… leaving their Arctic breeding grounds in late September and arriving in their wintering grounds in November and December 1 (click on photos for full sized images). Range map courtesy of Terri Sohl of South Dakota Birds and Birding.

California 108

California South Dakota Sacramento North America 108