Lighthawk
Weekend warrior
Springtime is one of our favorite times to visit nearby Sierra Valley. The valley contains the largest freshwater marsh in the Sierra and is habitat for many migrating avian species. We visit the area frequently, for it's natural beauty and birding opportunities. I've been photographing
the wildlife and landscapes there for the last dozen years or so. I have a relationship as a contributing photographer with
the Feather River Land Trust. They and other partners including the Tahoe Truckee Land Trust and the Nature Conservancy of California
have formed the Northern Sierra Partnership and have worked in concert to conserve thousands of acres of habitat, working with local ranchers.
I was invited to participate with the NSP in their annual of tour of Sierra Valley.
We planned to join the group on Sunday at the Noble Ranch, where we would launch a
canoe tour of the wetlands, and walk the grounds for a botany tour. We've visited the abandoned
1870's ranch house before and were excited to return.
We arrived Saturday morning and spent the day touring some of our favorite birding locations.
We checked out Antelope Valley, west of Loyalton. A meadowlark sang it's song to the world.
We were looking for camas lily but they were already past floral stage there.
I spotted a large flock of American Pelican, circling over a nearby ridgeline. They came right overhead. I hoped to photograph them again, but we never saw any others.
Herriot/Harriet Lane has a series of single lane bridges, but can have excellent birdlife. We found avocets and a few ducks.
We drove past a well kept ranch house, when I spotted a pair of bald eagles in the distance sitting on a telephone pole.
Then less than 200 yds up the road, we spotted a female pronghorn browsing a farmer's field.
Susan thought she looked like she might be pregnant.
We went to the old steel bridge, a popular overlook and I tried out my new 16-35mm WA lens. I've taken this shot many years, and have
published the shot. It was blustery conditions and midday, but I like the sharp corners and wide perspective.
There were also the tri-colored blackbirds.
Dramatic skies over the Sierra crest brought snow squalls to the west of us.
This year the buttercup is rampant, and local botanists theorize the cattle overgrazing has diminished their competitors, since buttercup is a less preferred feed for cattle.
Springtime brings the yellow headed blackbird with their gregarious ways and vociferous vocals.
One of the most exciting birds in SV is the sandhill crane. We had heard them calling in the fields, but had trouble finding any that were very close to the vehicle.
It had been an excellent day touring the valley. We had a big day in front of us on Sunday, so we took the afternoon and went to Campbell
Hot Springs and decompressed and got showers. On the way there we scouted Lemon Canyon Ranch and the old Noble Ranch,
where we would meet with our group in the morning.
We settled into the backside of a secluded meadow and took a walk, enjoying the late spring sunshine.
I noted several large bear scat in the nearby woods. The meadow flowers were in great form and we found our
camas lily. The deep mud ruts of the last few weeks had dried up. It was a perfect time to visit.
Stay tuned for Part II
the wildlife and landscapes there for the last dozen years or so. I have a relationship as a contributing photographer with
the Feather River Land Trust. They and other partners including the Tahoe Truckee Land Trust and the Nature Conservancy of California
have formed the Northern Sierra Partnership and have worked in concert to conserve thousands of acres of habitat, working with local ranchers.
I was invited to participate with the NSP in their annual of tour of Sierra Valley.
We planned to join the group on Sunday at the Noble Ranch, where we would launch a
canoe tour of the wetlands, and walk the grounds for a botany tour. We've visited the abandoned
1870's ranch house before and were excited to return.
We arrived Saturday morning and spent the day touring some of our favorite birding locations.
We checked out Antelope Valley, west of Loyalton. A meadowlark sang it's song to the world.
We were looking for camas lily but they were already past floral stage there.
I spotted a large flock of American Pelican, circling over a nearby ridgeline. They came right overhead. I hoped to photograph them again, but we never saw any others.
Herriot/Harriet Lane has a series of single lane bridges, but can have excellent birdlife. We found avocets and a few ducks.
We drove past a well kept ranch house, when I spotted a pair of bald eagles in the distance sitting on a telephone pole.
Then less than 200 yds up the road, we spotted a female pronghorn browsing a farmer's field.
Susan thought she looked like she might be pregnant.
We went to the old steel bridge, a popular overlook and I tried out my new 16-35mm WA lens. I've taken this shot many years, and have
published the shot. It was blustery conditions and midday, but I like the sharp corners and wide perspective.
There were also the tri-colored blackbirds.
Dramatic skies over the Sierra crest brought snow squalls to the west of us.
This year the buttercup is rampant, and local botanists theorize the cattle overgrazing has diminished their competitors, since buttercup is a less preferred feed for cattle.
Springtime brings the yellow headed blackbird with their gregarious ways and vociferous vocals.
One of the most exciting birds in SV is the sandhill crane. We had heard them calling in the fields, but had trouble finding any that were very close to the vehicle.
It had been an excellent day touring the valley. We had a big day in front of us on Sunday, so we took the afternoon and went to Campbell
Hot Springs and decompressed and got showers. On the way there we scouted Lemon Canyon Ranch and the old Noble Ranch,
where we would meet with our group in the morning.
We settled into the backside of a secluded meadow and took a walk, enjoying the late spring sunshine.
I noted several large bear scat in the nearby woods. The meadow flowers were in great form and we found our
camas lily. The deep mud ruts of the last few weeks had dried up. It was a perfect time to visit.
Stay tuned for Part II
(yep it's a chick flick..lol)
