Wildflower Super Bloom on a Super Windy Day ☼ Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge 2019

We ventured out in the wind to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and it turned out to be one of our best visits yet. This time was also different because we went in the afternoon instead of our usual sunrise adventure. Let me tell you, the refuge does not disappoint at any hour of the day!

We saw Double-crested Cormorants, Western Kingbirds, Northern Shovelers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black Phoebe, Cinnamon Teal, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets and a whole bunch of other "great" birds. They were all battling against the gusting wind, hanging onto their perches for dear life, and looking extra spectacular with their breeding plumage blowing all around.

This video might be my favorite one yet!

Let's go birding!

 

Springtime at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

It feels weird not posting the photos from our spring visit to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, but I added them into the video below along with all the footage we took and I'm really happy with how it turned out. (I'll be posting the photos on social media, so you can see them on Twitter and Instagram, too.) It was easy to take fantastic photos when the rising sun and full moon seemed to make everything glow at the refuge.

We saw a variety of different birds, including Black-necked Stilts, Snowy Egret, Black Phoebe, Tree Swallow and Marsh Wren, just to name a few. Ducks were out in abundance with plenty of Bufflehead, Rind-necked and Northern Shovelers. And not everything at the refuge has wings! There were also black-tailed deer, western pond turtle, and black-tailed jackrabbits.

I only hope that my video does justice to the natural beauty of the refuge...

Let's go birding!

Springtime is Blooming at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Spring has sprung and we're driving through the auto tour at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, looking for birds and wildflowers. And I'm happy to report that we found both!

Birds in the video include Great Egret, Western Meadowlark, Northern Shoveler, Black Phoebe, Cinnamon Teal, and the Snowy Egrets were the real showstoppers! Be sure to watch to the end of the video for a sample of the crazy song of the Great-tailed Grackle...

Let's go birding!

Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge ☼ Pine Creek Unit

The Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to hear songbirds while you walk the beautiful trail loop. We spotted a pair of Western Bluebirds, California Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrows, an Osprey in its nest and much more!

Let's go birding!

🚨 Awesome Bird Sighting Alert!

I always try to post my best photos, but I had to make an exception with this Green Heron we spotted at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area.

This is only the third time we've ever seen a Green Heron and I went to Gray Lodge specifically to see one because I know they live in the canal next to the nature trail. Sure enough, we saw one and tried to creep up on it, but it didn't want to cooperate and flew off.

Oh well. There's always next time. I just think these herons are one of the coolest birds I've ever seen and I'll take a fuzzy photo over none at all!

Birder's Paradise ☼ Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

Here is a video of just a few of the birds you can see at the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in northern California...

Let's go birding!

Logan Creek Trail ☼ Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

We walked the Logan Creek Trail at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge at sunrise and it was pretty spectacular!

The wildflowers were just starting to bloom and we saw so many different birds. The second we got out of the car, we heard American Bitterns in the marsh, accompanied by Black Phoebes, Red-winged Blackbirds and Ring-necked Pheasants. During the three mile walk, we had several Bitterns fly out from the reeds that we didn't even know were there.

The peacefulness of the sun rising up and the clouds blowing across the sky was beautiful even without the lovely sounds of the birds and geese.

This part of the refuge is only open from February 15th - June 30th, so we will definitely be returning in a couple weeks once the weather clears up again!

I put together a video from our visit to show you just how picturesque this area is...

Here's the link to the brochure and map for this trail. We took Loop A, but you can also take Loop B which adds on two more miles to the walk.

Let's go birding!

Male American Kestrel ☼ Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

We were on our way home from the Lower Klamath NWR and pulled into the auto tour for one last look...and guess what we saw! A kestrel having a snack!

 Gosh, this guy's beautiful coloring sure was putting on a show!

(Don't watch the video if you're squeamish!)

Relaxing Birds Video ☼ Over an Hour of Birds in Nature ☼ Ambient Music

Sit back and relax...

Enjoy this collection of beautiful birds filmed at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges set to relaxing music...

Let's go birding!

Discovery Marsh Trail ☼ Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge Complex

We didn't see many birds on the trail across from the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge visitor center during our visit last month, but the wintry landscape sure was beautiful...

We did get to enjoy the serenade of a Tricolored Blackbird though...

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex ☼ Sheepy Ridge Wildlife Trail

A couple of years ago, we hiked up the Sheepy Ridge Wildlife Trail behind the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge visitor center in the summertime. (You can read that post here.)

Well, when we were there in March, we decided to do it again. The climb is incredibly steep, but it's a rather short trail and the views from the blind are absolutely spectacular!

This is definitely something we need to make time for every time we visit this refuge!

More Bald Eagles ☼ Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Since I've already given some love to the Bald Eagles over at the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, it's time to feature the eagles we spotted on the auto tour at nearby Tule Lake NWR...

There was tons of carcass carnage on the road, no doubt the remnants of these fierce birds' hunting all those Snow Geese gathered in the lake.

 And here's a bonus Red-tailed Hawk...

Plus, four American White Pelicans!

Let's go birding!