Looks like the end of the road — and it is actually an extremely short section of paved bike path that comes from nowhere and leads nowhere, at least for now. But I had searched out this spot after noticing what looked like a couple of old quarries on Google Maps, and when I arrived, I wasn’t disappointed. Well, maybe […]
Getting up in the morning when it’s still dark outside isn’t easy (and I’ve got plenty of respect for those folks who manage to do it day after day), but when the payoff is standing on an empty bike trail, enjoying sights like this, I’m very glad I made the effort.
Not too far from the beach at Negro Bar State Park there’s a certain spot along the bike trail that always catches my eye, especially when the morning light is just right. Standing at the base of the Orangevale Palisades, this old oak creates a sort of dark grotto with its limbs and catches the reflection of the waters of […]
As I’ve mentioned before, the local hummingbirds have been a big draw for me on my morning walks, but there are plenty of other small birds which are active along the lake shore in the mornings. Some are easier to photograph than others; for example, the rufous-crowned sparrows are fairly common sights, and sometimes I’d almost swear they are showing […]
I noticed this ground squirrel eyeing me this morning as I was standing under the tree tobacco plants, looking for hummingbirds. This guy was either curious or perhaps suspicious, but he didn’t seem afraid of me — he probably realized I wasn’t likely to vault over the huge pile of rocks and boulders that separated us. I’m not sure how […]
Photographing the hummingbirds at Lake Natoma is starting to become a bit of an addiction lately! It’s partly because I’m sure to find them hanging around the tree tobacco, and also because I know that in a few short months repair work is due to begin along this stretch of the bike trail, and this perfect hummer habitat will cease […]
It used to be when I thought of the birds of Lake Natoma, Canada geese and various types of ducks sprang to mind. Then of course bald eagles were added to the list! But lately I’m finding that early morning weekdays seem to be my best time for photographing some of the many smaller species I never paid much attention […]