Last visit to Gray Lodge NWR and Sacramento SWR

Dec 23-25 2013
After attending the Dec FreeWheelers outing and spending some time back in the Grass Valley area to attend to some annual health tests I returned to the central valley and visited Gray Lodge State Wildlife Refuge and Sacramento NWR. This may be my last trip to these places as I will return to MO in the Spring and most likely establish a permanent residence there. I have visited these refuges at least once a year for many years. I will miss these wild places.

Snow Geese Gray Lodge SWR 12-13-13

Red-shouldered Hawk Gray Lodge SWR 12-13-13

Red-tailed Hawk Dark Phase Gray Lodge SWR 12-13-13

Great Blue Heron Gray Lodge SWR 12-13-13

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Gray Lodge SWR 12-13-13

Snow Geese - Sacramento NWR 12-25-13

Pintails in flight - Sacramento NWR 12-25-13

Ring-necked Duck - Sacramento NWR 12-25-13

Snow Geese - Sacramento NWR 12-25-13

Snow Geese - Sacramento NWR 12-25-13

Rock Wrens

During the visit with my friend Lolo this weekend she showed me an area where I could find a cute little bird called a Rock Wren. I went back today and sat for several hours before this little cutie came and posed for me. I thought that was awfully considerate of it.

I'm too cute for my feathers

This is my good side. Take this.

Rockn' Rock Wren

Can't fence ME in

Sacramento NWR and Gray Lodge SWR Thanksgiving Weekend

Nov 29 – 30 2013
My friend Lolo drove up from the bay area to join me in a trip to Gray Lodge SWR and the Sacramento NWR. We had a great time touring both areas over the weekend then it was back to work on Monday for her. I spent Monday morning photographing the Tundra Swans that spend their winters in the flooded fields here in the valley.

Sunset - Gray Lodge NWR

Red-shouldered Hawk Sacramento NWR

Red-tailed Hawk - Sacramento NWR

Western Meadowlark - Sacramanto NWR

Snow Geese - Gray Lodge SWR

Mallard Pair - Sacramento NWR

Greater White-fronted Goose - Sacramento NWR

Eared Grebe - Sacramento NWR

Black Phoebe - Sacramento NWR

American Pipit

Tundra Swans

Taking Off

My money is on the little guy on the left

Sandhill Cranes

Oct 26-30 2013
I moved over to Flag City RV Park because they have cable TV and I want to watch the world series. It hasn’t been pretty so far. St Louis is getting spanked in their own house.
There was no game today so I drove over to Consumnes River Preserve to check out the Sandhill Cranes.

Sandhill Crane Consomnes River Preserve near Lodi CA

Sandhill Crane Consomnes River Preserve near Lodi CA

Sandhill Crane Consomnes River Preserve near Lodi CA

Hey little friends

Clear the Runway

Here we come

It ain't pretty, but it's a landing

What a handsome pair

Now now, let's not loose our temper

Coming in for a landing

Sacramento NWR

Oct 20-25 2013
I stayed at the Canyon Creek Resort for a few days. This is a sister park to my RPI home park so I can stay here 5 days for $15. It’s a nice park nestled in a canyon along Putah Creek on CA highway 128 on the way to Lake Berryessa. While I was there I met a couple of friends at a nearby casino for lunch and a little gambling. I came out a looser this time. One afternoon I took a trip over to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. There were so many wasps I could hardly open my window long enough to take photos.

Lots of Geese

Greater White-fronted Geese

Great Egret

Ring-necked Pheasant peeking out of the grass

Savannah Sparrow

Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk)

Back to GV

Oct 15 -20 2013
I moved back up to the Nevada County Fairgrounds RV Park so I could do a couple follow up Doctor appointments and pick up my mail again. Still no health care info in the mail. 

RVW National Convention 2013

Oct 5 – 14 2013
I attended the annual RVW National Convention. This year it was held at the CAL EXPO Center in Sacramento CA. I performed with the “All Girl Band” and sat in with a couple other groups. I volunteered at the help desk on Friday and attended several workshops. I was on the “question/answer” panel at the workshop about full timing in your RV. It was good to visit with old friends and make new friends from all over the country. These photos were emailed to me by a friend.

 

Nancy, Cindy, and me on the tambourine

Thursa, Dottie, and me on the spoons

Thursa, Dottie, and me on the boomba

Marie and Dottie on accordian, Thursa on harmonica, and me on spoons