August morning
Morning dancers
Just passing through?
I noticed this small butterfly along the bike trail a couple of days ago, and I’ve been trying to identify it ever since. I’m certainly no butterfly expert, but clearly it’s not a swallowtail. After searching Google, the nearest match seems to be Colias alfacariensis, also known as Berger’s clouded yellow. The problem is that this species seems to be […]
Western Kingbirds
I apologize for the blurry images, but these energetic little birds are always so busy when I see them in the morning, flying high, swooping to catch insects, and landing on tree branches up near the top of the Palisades. Occasionally I’ll spot one perched on a shrub beside the lake, and although they do have a very fine profile, […]
Daybreak
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.
Under the tree
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 […]
Wild pink
I found these beauties growing along the shore of Lake Natoma, their faces turned east to catch the morning sunlight.
Golden dragons
The Variegated Meadowhawks are practically swarming along the shores of Lake Natoma right now. They’re especially eye-catching during the morning golden hour(s), if you feel like braving the sun’s heat (local temperature reached 70° Fahrenheit before 8 o’clock this morning).
For the birds
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 […]