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. I usually stop at the two refuges that have easily accessed auto tour routes, the Sacramento NWR and Colusa NWR.

Wildlife 158

Wildlife San Francisco Sacramento North Dakota 158

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe today announced as part of Great Outdoors Month the agency is proposing to expand fishing and hunting opportunities on 21 refuges throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System. National wildlife refuges provide premier outdoor recreational opportunities across the Nation.

Fish 142

Fish Wildlife Hunting Game 142

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

I had reserved the photo blind at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge last weekend and figured I would stop by the Maxwell Cemetery on the way back home to try to find the male Vermilion Flycatcher that had been hanging out there for more than the past week, hoping he was still there. Click on photos for full sized images.

California 107

California Sacramento Wildlife Groups 107

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

After several minutes of this deep water foraging behavior, this White-faced Ibis made its way toward me into more shallow water Posed for a little while, and then began to preen I’m glad I took the time to visit Colusa National Wildlife Refuge on this day. You never know what you might see! Get yours today! Beautiful bird.

Wildlife 155

Wildlife 2011 Sacramento Jordan 155

10,000 Birds

MARCH 26, 2013

Indeed, can you truly experience the wonder of nature from the confines of a vehicle? Barbed wire fences are terrible for wildlife, snaring large birds and mammals alike…but for smaller passerines, they sure make good perches. Many of you have driven the auto tour loops that are at many National Wildlife Refuges.

LACS 134

LACS North Dakota Costa Rica Birds 134

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2018

I haven’t even been to all of the best national wildlife refuges for birding. Given my west coast experience, I have made dedicated birding trips to several of the more predictable birding hotspots. For example, not much can beat the experience of seeing a Bald Eagle scare up thousands of Snow Geese at Sacramento NWR.

San Francisco 100

San Francisco Portland United States Puerto Rico 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

Either way, it was a heck of a sight and another example of why Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is the best place in New York City to see amazing wildlife spectacles. I have had similar experiences at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and you are so right on when you say “am I ever glad that I am a birder!&#

Ducks 168

Ducks 2011 Jamaica New York 168