Sacramento and Colusa Wildlife Refuges

I am blessed to live in one of the greatest wildlife areas in the country. The Sacramento Valley is one of the prime wintering destinations for ducks, geese and other waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway. More than three million ducks and a million geese call the Sacramento Valley home during the winter.

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

As a result, we have incredible opportunities to photograph wildlife from November through February, and I try not to waste those opportunities!

Just before Christmas, I went out to the Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges on three consecutive days armed with a Canon 600mm f/4 lens, 1.4x teleconverter and my Canon 7D. 

This combination is ideal for wildlife photography, giving an effective focal length of 1344mm and unparalleled sharpness, allowing me to capture detailed close ups. The weather was perfect, and there was no shortage of birds and other wildlife. 

It was a wonderful three days. Here are just a few images for your enjoyment (click on the images to view at full size):

Mule deer, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Red Tail Hawk, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Northern Harrier on the hunt, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge 

Female Mallard, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Snow Goose, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Snow Goose, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

White-fronted Goose coming in for a landing, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

White-faced Ibis, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Great Egret, Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

American Bittern, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

All photos:

• Canon 7D 
• Canon 600mm f/4
• Canon 1.4x Teleconverter