10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 4, 2015

As I always do on the way home, following a short visit to the San Francisco Bay Area, I take in at least one of the National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) found in the Sacramento Valley. There were not only Cattle Egrets and Great Egrets ( Ardea alba ) but Snowy Egrets ( Egretta thula ) as well.

Wildlife 159

Wildlife San Francisco Sacramento North Dakota 159

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

We rented a car and drove to Point Reyes from San Francisco early on a Saturday morning, stopping for a quick detour at Muir Woods (because who wouldn’t stop there?). We headed into Point Reyes with vague plans to meet up with one of my college buddies, which turned out to be a big mistake.

Seals 189

Seals Elephants Whales Whaling 189

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2021

My outing’s total count for water-dependent waterfowl, shorebirds, herons, gulls, and terns (I’m leaving land-loving Cattle Egrets out of this count) was around 120; the count for a similar date in 2018 was around 2000 individuals. They’re riding horses on my lake. I had never seen so little life at the lake.

San Francisco 264

San Francisco 2018 Mexico Ducks 264

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2021

Best of all, you can fly here direct from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. But these Cattle Egrets didn’t seem to mind. We’ve got a huge selection of local handicrafts, hotels, restaurants, night life. The climate is pleasant year-round (it’s 74º F as I write).

Los Angeles 198

Los Angeles San Francisco Costa Rica Birds 198