Birdwatching in Your Car

Crank up your favorite tunes and let's go on a road trip!

One of the greatest things about birding--besides the beautiful birds, wonderful birdsong, and the fact that it's one giant scavenger hunt--is that you can do it from your car! Taking a drive through the auto tour at your local wildlife refuge is fun and easy. Plus, using your vehicle as a blind means you get to see even more birds that would normally be scared away if you were on a walking trail.

Some of our best bird sightings have been on the auto tour. This time, we saw our first-ever Horned Lark! It's always exciting to add another bird to the lifelist...

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Red-winged Blackbirds Singing

Red-winged Blackbirds have so much personality! And when they sing, they put their whole heart, soul, and red shoulder pads into each and every song.

Over the years, we've been delighted to find them in the grasslands, marshes, and even in the mountains, singing their lively songs and adding a flash of brilliant color across the landscape.

Isn't it interesting how each of them customize their own call?

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Bird Viewing Platforms

The viewing platforms on the auto tour at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in Northern California are the perfect place to--you guessed it!--view all of the wonderful birds and wildlife of these beautiful wetlands.

Depending on the season, the view is always changing. Migration brings geese and ducks through this area of the Pacific Flyway, creating a birders delight.

So, take a deep breath of fresh air, open your ears to the lively birdsong, and enjoy the rolling hills surrounding the valley and the ripples in the water as ducks and grebes paddle their way across the pond...

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Snowy Egret Plumes

Pic of the day!

Some birds don't even have to try to sparkle for the camera, it just comes naturally...

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Horned Lark

I couldn't pick a favorite photo, so I'm posting them all!

We've had a Horned Lark on our wishlist forever and it's so wonderful to finally see (and hear!) one.

Our first sighting was a few weeks ago, but all we managed to get was some shaky video that wasn't fit to post. This time, this little guy really put on a show for us!

Maybe, fingers crossed, we'll start seeing them all the time now :)

I'll be posting the video of this male singing on my YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss his lovely, sweet song...

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Birds and Blooms

Aaah, springtime in rural Northern California...

What's better than a field full of vibrant and beautiful wildflowers? How about some wonderful bird sightings among the yellow blooms and purple lupine? Check and check!

You can see all of my wildflower photography at Wildflower Wednesday. Happy spring!

 

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Lark Sparrow Sighting

The sweetest little Lark Sparrow (only our 2nd time to ever see one) hopped along the trail in front of us at the Sutter National Wildlife Refuge...

I'm sorting through all 225 photos and video of our first-ever walk through the Sutter NWR now, so look for that video on my YouTube channel in the coming months!

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Wildflower Wednesday

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Northern California in springtime is in full bloom!

You can find all of my wildflower photography at Wildflower Wednesday... 

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Osprey Nest

It's always a pleasure to see an Osprey nest!

This is the same nest that we saw 5 years ago in the same place.

(You can watch that video HERE.)

Hmmm...Wonder if this is the same Osprey...

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Morning Bird Sounds ☼ Birding at Sunrise

Mornings at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in Northern California are so peaceful. The lovely sounds of birdsong and the beautiful ripples in the water as ducks and coots begin their daily swims definitely recharge my batteries after a busy week...

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Birding During a Full Moon

Don't you just love a full moon during the daytime? We enjoyed a lovely morning at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in Northern California while the moon was full and glowing in the chilly morning sky.

When is your favorite time to go birding?

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Birds and Blooms

Accidentally found a wildflower superbloom while we were out birding!

You can see all of my wildflower photography at Wildflower Wednesday!

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