Memories of Sacramento NWR | shadeTreeImaging

My first visit to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge was December 2002. Winter is an interesting time of the year to visit any of the reserves in the Sacramento or San Joaquin River valleys. For this is the season when waterfowl by the millions come to stay until spring calls them back north. Since that introductory meeting, I’ve spent time there in January 2003, May 2011, December 2011, September 2017, and most recently January 2019.

Water management seems to be a challenge for the reserves in California. Fields here are dry and weedy all summer, but are transformed into shallow, open water lakes in late Autumn to host migrating ducks and geese. Water supplies in the state are limited by the demands of industry and overpopulation. This dynamic was made clear to me when I visited in September of 2017, and the ponds I expected to find were only fields of dry weeds. What little water there was, had been occupied by hundreds of Northern Pintails and not the thousands of white geese I’d hoped for. I visited three reserves that day. Sacramento and Colusa NWRs (both federally run) were mostly void of water and the waterfowl I’d hoped to find. It wasn’t until I reached Gray Lodge, a state run reserve, that I found ample water and a good supply of ducks and geese to enjoy.

In December 2011, I was touring the National Wildlife Refuges of California’s Central Valley. The trip was memorable because it was then that I met my first American Bittern. To be fair, my first meeting was at Merced NWR on December 27, and I returned two days later to spend more time with the bird. But on December 31, I found the bittern again at Sacramento NWR. What can I say? When it rains it pours.

The gallery below shows some of the favorite moments I had visiting this location.

Golden-Crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia atricapilla — **Golden-Crowned Sparrow**
*(Zonotrichia atricapilla)*

**Description:**
My first encounter with this species was at Sacramento NWR. Between Williams and Sacramento, California.
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**Date Taken:** 2002:12:27 8:51

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
72.18 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**

**File Name:** A2L27d07-GoldenCrownedSparrow

© 2002 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com)

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Pin It — **Golden-Crowned Sparrow**
*(Zonotrichia atricapilla)*

**Description:**
My first encounter with this species was at Sacramento NWR. Between Williams and Sacramento, California.
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**Date Taken:** 2002:12:27 8:51

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
72.18 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**

**File Name:** A2L27d07-GoldenCrownedSparrow

© 2002 Jack Daynes, (shadetree-Imaging.com)

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Black-tailed Jackrabbit - Lepus californicus — **Black-tailed Jackrabbit**
*(Lepus californicus)*

**Description:**
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, near Willows in Northern California.
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**Date Taken:** 2003:01:01 15:24

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
88.00 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 4000 ED,

**File Name:** A3A01d06-BlackTailedJackRabbit

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

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Phasianus colchicus - Phasianus colchicus — **Phasianus colchicus**
*(Phasianus colchicus)*

**Description:**
Sacramento NWR, near Willows, Northern California.
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**Date Taken:** 2003:12:17 15:00

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
72.18 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/7.6, 1/250

**File Name:** JCD_5078RingNeckPheasant

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com

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Red-Tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis — **Red-Tailed Hawk**
*(Buteo jamaicensis)*

**Description:**
This individual appears to be a 'Light Morph Adult" at Sacramento NWR, near Willows, Northern California.
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**Date Taken:** 2003:12:17 15:44

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
72.18 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500

**File Name:** JCD_5102RedTailedHawk

© 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

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American Bittern - Botaurus lentiginosus — **American Bittern**
*(Botaurus lentiginosus)*

**Description:**
Ambush predatory behaviour at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, in the northern section of California's Central Valley USA 2011-12-31.
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**Date Taken:** 2011:12:31 10:14

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
95.15 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000

**File Name:** D3X6137-AmericanBittern

© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

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Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos — **Mallard**
*(Anas platyrhynchos)*

**Description:**
In flight pair at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.
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**Date Taken:** 2011:12:31 10:25

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
91.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200

**File Name:** D3X6184-Mallard

© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Shoveler - Spatula clypeata — **Northern Shoveler**
*(Spatula clypeata)*

**Description:**
Swimming pair at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.
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**Date Taken:** 2011:12:31 11:00

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
91.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600

**File Name:** D3X6250-NorthernShoveler

© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Gadwall - Mareca strepera — **Gadwall**
*(Mareca strepera)*

**Description:**
Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.
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**Date Taken:** 2011:12:31 11:04

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
91.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000

**File Name:** D3X6282-Gadwall

© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Snow Goose - Anser caerulescens — **Snow Goose**
*(Anser caerulescens)*

**Description:**
Swimming trio at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.
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**Date Taken:** 2011:12:31 11:36

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
4531.06 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500

**File Name:** D3X6390-SnowGoose

© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Greater White-Fronted Goose - Anser albifrons — **Greater White-Fronted Goose**
*(Anser albifrons)*

**Description:**
Swimming pair at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.
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**Date Taken:** 2011:12:31 11:56

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
91.86 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000

**File Name:** D3X6490-GreaterWhiteFrontedGoose

© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Pintail - Anas acuta — **Northern Pintail**
*(Anas acuta)*

**Description:**
Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.
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**Date Taken:** 2011:12:31 13:58

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
101.71 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500

**File Name:** D3X6684-NorthernPintail

© 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

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White-Crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia leucophrys — **White-Crowned Sparrow**
*(Zonotrichia leucophrys)*

**Description:**
(Zonotrichia leucophrys) First Winter bird captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).
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**Date Taken:** 2019:01:21 11:40

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
53.69 ft below sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200

**File Name:** WhiteCrownedSparrow-Juvenile_D506296-Sacramento-NWR

© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis — **Savannah Sparrow**
*(Passerculus sandwichensis)*

**Description:**
(Passerculus sandwichensis) Captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).
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**Date Taken:** 2019:01:21 11:49

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
128.35 ft below sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250

**File Name:** SavannahSparrow_D506425-Sacramento-NWR

© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Great Egret - Ardea alba — **Great Egret**
*(Ardea alba)*

**Description:**
Closeup captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).
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**Date Taken:** 2019:01:21 11:55

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
33.40 ft below sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 500 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400

**File Name:** GreatEgret_D506469-Sacramento-NWR

© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

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American Coot - Fulica americana — **American Coot**
*(Fulica americana)*

**Description:**
(Fulica americana) Captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).
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**Date Taken:** 2019:01:21 12:15

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
10.26 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 500 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600

**File Name:** AmericanCoot_D506473-Sacramento-NWR

© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans — **Black Phoebe**
*(Sayornis nigricans)*

**Description:**
Captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).
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**Date Taken:** 2019:01:21 13:36

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
8.34 ft below sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** BlackPhoebe_D506813-Sacramento-NWR

© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Ross's Goose - Anser rossii — **Ross's Goose**
*(Anser rossii)*

**Description:**
(Chen rossii) Captured flying with Snow Geese on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).
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**Date Taken:** 2019:01:21 13:43

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
10.36 ft below sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 450 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000

**File Name:** RossGooseSnowGoose_D506916-Sacramento-NWR

© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Marsh Wren - Cistothorus palustris — **Marsh Wren**
*(Cistothorus palustris)*

**Description:**
At the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).
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**Date Taken:** 2019:01:21 13:55

**Location:**

Sacramento NWR
Willows, California
United States
45.76 ft below sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600

**File Name:** MarshWren_D507057-Sacramento-NWR

© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

Golden-Crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia atricapilla

My first encounter with this species was at Sacramento NWR. Between Williams and Sacramento, California.

Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Lepus californicus

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, near Willows in Northern California.

Phasianus colchicus

Sacramento NWR, near Willows, Northern California.

Red-Tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

This individual appears to be a 'Light Morph Adult" at Sacramento NWR, near Willows, Northern California.

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia atricapilla

Sacramento NWR, near Willows, Northern California.

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

Ambush predatory behaviour at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, in the northern section of California's Central Valley USA 2011-12-31.

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

Ambush predatory behaviour at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, in the northern section of California's Central Valley USA 2011-12-31.

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

Ambush predatory behaviour at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, in the northern section of California's Central Valley USA 2011-12-31.

Golden-Crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia atricapilla

Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

In flight pair at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

Swimming pair at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Gadwall

Mareca strepera

Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Swimming trio at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Until they take flight en masse, the number of birds does not seem impressive. Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Greater White-Fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

Swimming pair at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

Swimming pair at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

Foraging hens at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Coming in for a landing at Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California.

Red-Tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Seen from the "Auto Tour" at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows in Northern California.

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

Can you spot the two Cinnamon Teal? The "Auto Tour" at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows in Northern California.

Greater White-Fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

The "Auto Tour" at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows in Northern California.

White-Crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

(Zonotrichia leucophrys) First Winter bird captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

(Anas acuta) Airborn capture of mostly pintails and a few other 'dabblers' on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Savannah Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis

(Passerculus sandwichensis) Captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Great Egret

Ardea alba

Closeup captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

American Coot

Fulica americana

(Fulica americana) Captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

(Anser caerulescens) Captured grazing very near the tour road on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Loafing on the ponds on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

Captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

Captured on liftoff when a young Bald Eagle flew over the loafing pond. Look closely and you'll see a few Ross's Geese mixed in the flock. 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Greater White-Fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

Airborn capture on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

(Chen rossii) Captured flying with Snow Geese on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

Captured flying on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA)

Marsh Wren

Cistothorus palustris

At the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA).