Wildlife at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge - Part 1

It has become a tradition that in late December or early January I head out to the local wildlife refuges to do a bit of wildlife photography.

This year was no different. The weather has been unseasonably warm, dry and windy, so I didn't have to worry about rain or fog ruining the shoot.

On the first day, winds were calm and wildlife was abundant. Geese, ducks, hawks - all were easily seen and photographed. Missing on this day were the pheasants, herons, and egrets that usually lurk around the edges of the wetlands.

Redtail hawk on the hunt.

Snow goose

Snow goose

A Ross's goose comes in for a landing.

Two snow geese prepare to land.

Late afternoon at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Hallmarks of the Sacramento Valley: Winter Waterfowl

The Sacramento Valley is one of the premiere wintering sites for birds on the Pacific Flyway. According to Ducks Unlimited, between 1 and 3 million ducks, geese and swans winter in the Sacramento Valley. But more than just ducks and geese winter in the Sacramento Valley. Everything from egrets and herons to ibises, stilts, and pheasants winter in the valley. There are times when the sky is literally dark with birds.

Starting in October, and continuing through March, the flocks of birds that inhabit the refuges and rice fields are a hallmark of the Sacramento Valley - and can be used to great effect in publications and Websites to communicate the unspoiled natural environment of the Sacramento Valley.

I made a recent trip to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge to record some of the wildlife. It wasn't my most successful trip, but here are a few of the more interesting images:

Female green heron

Ducks at Sunset

Snow geese in Flight

See my full selection of wildlife photos on my main Website. Here are some images from other visits to the refuge:

Snow Geese in Flight

White-faced Ibis

Snowy Egret

Great Blue Heron

Snow Geese at Sunrise

Though the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows is one of my favorite places to go, there are many other refuges, both federal  and state, in the valley to visit.