Yosemite NP

Feb 26, 2013 Tue
Since I’m staying here in Chowchilla CA waiting for the gang to show up for the weekend I took a trip up to Yosemite. The weather was perfect. Unfortunately perfect weather in Yosemite is BORING when it comes to photography. There were still patches of snow and the truck was a mess from all the melted snow and gravel on the road. I had it detailed today. It looks much better, but someone nailed me in the parking lot AGAIN. I have ANOTHER big ding in the side. Some people are soooooo rude. I did manage to catch a rainbow in Bridle Veil Falls.

Rainbow in Bridle Veil Falls - Yosemite NP CA

Bridle Veil Falls Rainbow - Yosemite NP CA

Half Dome - Yosemite NP CA

Valley Floor View - Yosemite NP CA

Raven - Yosemite NP CA

Raven - Yosemite NP CA

Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area near Sacramento CA

Feb 17, 2013 Sun
Today I drove over to the Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area just west of Sacramento. This is Presidents weekend and the driving tour was busy. I didn't get there till almost noon and the light was not optimum. I stayed till the light improved and most of the visitors had left and managed to grab a couple of shots.

Great Egret with Fish

Great Egret with Fish

Long-billed Dowitchers

Bufflehead

Ruddy Duck

Whimbrel

Greater Yellowlegs

Ring-billed Gull 

Consumnes Rever Preserve

Feb 12, 2013 Tue
After three visits to my doctor and learning I have gout, I finally convinced her to refer me to a podiatrist so I can find out if I have additional problems with my feet. Now I’m waiting to hear from the pod doc to make an appointment. I should be able to call and make an appointment, but noooooooo, I have to wait for them to call me. Sutter Medical is really going downhill.
While I’m waiting I stopped by the Consumnes River Preserve and found a few of the usual birdies.
For more information on the Preserve and directions go to http://www.cosumnes.org/

Red-tailed Hawk ready to go after prey

Lots-O-geese at Consumnes River Preserve

White-fronted Geese Landing

White-fronted Geese Landing

Greater White-fronted Goose

Sandhill Crane

Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Gadwall

American Kestrel

Lincoln's Sparrow

Feb 11, 2013 Mon
Today I took a trip to see the new visitor center at the San Luis NWR near Los Banos CA. They have a wonderful state of the art visitor center with class rooms and meeting rooms. There are displays and educational material in the visitor center that tell about the cultural, agricultural, wildlife, and environmental history of the area.

San Luis NWR Visitor Center

Visitor Center display at San Luis NWR CA