Northern House Wren #27, Sacramento County California 28 March 2025
Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber)
Nearly every winter the almond tree in my yard attracts a sapsucker, most often a Red-breasted x Red-naped Sapsucker hybrid. The 2024-2025 bird appears to be mostly Red-breasted Sapsucker. I've set up a blind nearby to the woodpecker can feed undisturbed.
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Red-breasted Sapsucker #25, Sacramento County California 07 February 2025
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
The light-colored iris and barred tail lacking red color identifies this as an immature bird. Immature birds are less likely to be wary of humans so this bird allowed me several minutes to make numerous photographs.
Red-tailed Hawk #32, Placer County California 03 February 2025
Common Goldeneyes regularly winter in the open waters of Sacramento County's American River. By concealing myself with a piece of camo-print bug net I became part of the background scenery and this adult male came within camera range.
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Common Goldeneye #35, Sacramento County California 27 January 2025
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
Seasonally flooded wetlands at Cosumnes River Preserve provide habitat for numerous shorebirds. Black-necked Stilts are very vocal, seeming to serve as the wetlands' intruder alert.
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Black-necked Stilt #14, Sacramento County California 15 January 2025
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
Seasonally flooded wetlands at Cosumnes River Preserve provide habitat for numerous shorebirds. The very similar Greater Yellowlegs can also be found here, occasionally feeding near each other which is a good opportunity for comparisons of the two species.
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Lesser Yellowlegs #11, Sacramento County California 15 January 2025
all photographs Copyright © Douglas Herr
last updated 01 April 2025