Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

November 8, 2014

Soundtrack:

• Spoon -- They Want My Soul
• Cibo Matto -- Hotel Valentine

Pongo and I drove up to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday to spend the afternoon hanging out with the wildlife.  It was a warm, sunny day with enough clouds in the sky to keep the photos interesting.  It ended with a spectacular sunset as the ducks and geese took off in search of food in nearby fields.

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Mallard

Birds are the big attraction at all of the Central Valley wildlife refuges.  They flock to the refuges by the tens of thousands for the winter.  The largest massing of birds that I've seen has been at the Sacramento refuge, which is actually nowhere near the city of Sacramento.  Ducks and geese make up the majority of the population, although there are also plenty of hawks and smaller birds as well.

Greater White-fronted Goose -- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Birds aren't the only animals to call the Sacramento refuge home.  Turtles can often be seen.  We've seen deer and coyote as well, but nothing gets Pongo more worked up than a raccoon sighting.  Raccoons are common in our neighborhood, and they used to be common sight in our yard and even our attic.  We haven't seen a raccoon anywhere near our house since Pongo came along.  At least this time Pongo didn't try to jump out the window when we saw the family of raccoons.  He was plenty agitated, but apparently four raccoons are enough of a threat to keep him inside the car.

Raccoon -- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Personally, I'm torn about the critters.  They can be awfully cute and they are tremendously intelligent, but I don't like them living in our attic.  There are also claw marks on some of the doors inside our house.  They figured out a way in one time when we were on vacation.  So, while I miss seeing them in our yard, I'm grateful that Pongo has cleared them out of the house.  I wish the raccoons living in the refuge well, I have no mixed feelings there.

Red-tailed Hawk -- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Snow Goose -- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Ring-necked Pheasant -- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

The sunset was spectacular on Saturday night.  I don't ever go out of my way for sunset picture--and I'm rarely awake at sunrise--but this particular night would not be denied.  It topped off a very pleasant afternoon of wildlife viewing with one of my favorite partners in crime.

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA