North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body. It’s one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male’s slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. Hunting for insects and other small prey in […]
The day after the rainstorm, the ocean off the Mendocino County coast looked calm and the sky was a serene blue, but the waves still pounded the shoreline, throwing foam high up onto the cliffs. We stood back and admired the sea from a safe distance!
High tide, Mendocino County.
With the Folsom Lake water levels so low at this time of year, it’s not uncommon to see more old structures appearing along the shore. At Sweetwater Creek the difference between now and my previous visit last spring is pretty dramatic. I was pleased to find evidence of historic water diversion during my hike, but it was also fun comparing […]
Winter has barely begun, and I’m already looking forward to spring! I shot these photos in 2017 and 2019.
A slightly different version of this post was originally published on June 10, 2018. The Crown of Thorns is a real eye-catcher, a hardy succulent that grows well both in the wild and as a favorite garden hybrid. I’m honestly not sure what appeals to me more about this plant — the vivid blooms or the aggressive spines jutting from […]
The old Salmon Falls Bridge, on the South Fork of the American River, is visible only during the winter and when Folsom Lake water levels drop.
Two miles above Rio Vista on the Sacramento River you’ll find the entrance to Steamboat Slough. This 11-mile-long waterway was originally called the Middle Fork of the Sacramento River; but by the 1860s it had become the preferred route of impatient steamship captains because it was shorter and easier to navigate than the main river course. I’ve written before about […]
Capturing a few morning faces at the Sacramento Zoo.