Northern California Wildlife

We are visiting our folks today down in Northern California. My Dad and I went out to the Yolo Causeway located between Sacramento and Davis to view wildlife. The lighting was not the best but the wildlife was amazing! Here are some shots…



Pintail in flight


White Egret taking off

Cinnamon Teal feeding

Red Wing Blackbirds

American Kestrel Falcon

Swimmers Itch

I did not have much time today to go out and about and take pictures. I did happen though to snap a couple of shots that I thought were kind of fun.

I spotted this drake Bufflehead itching his ear with his foot. It looked pretty funny to me... so I decided to see if I could capture the itching with my camera.

Here you go....

Design and Purpose

One of my favorite ducks of all time showed up yesterday off Ray Nash Drive. A pair of Beautiful Harlequin Ducks decided to hang out on a small dock taking in the sunshine. The colors on the male Harlequin are amazing. One web-site explains the male like this….. “Males in breeding plumage are unmistakable with their dark blue color, rufous sides and crown, and striking white patterning on the face, neck, sides, and back”….



After viewing these birds, I noticed some big splashes in Ray Nash Bay directly behind our house. Much to my surprise, it turned out to be a large Chum Salmon. This fish had made a right turn into Ray Nash Bay instead of a left. If he had gone left he would of found the small creek that hundreds of other Chum were heading up…



As some of you may know, I am a Christian. This blog in no way is a “Christian blog”… but, I got to tell you, the more I get out and take pictures on this amazing planet, the more I am convinced this earth did not come about by an “accident” as Evolutionists would teach. I am in no way antagonistic to those who do not believe in a Creator…I am just thankful that I have been introduced to the God that created this world with design and purpose…..



I am also hoping to see more of the rufous colors soon!

Chum Salmon video

The Chum Salmon are making their annual migration up several of the creeks around Gig Harbor. These pictures and short video were taken yesterday at Donkey Creek located on the West end of Gig Harbor.

Ray Nash Valley

Cindi and I took a good walk this morning down in Ray Nash Valley. Lot's of amazing sights and sounds. I look forward to many more walks with more pictures.

Enjoy!

Bufflehead Monday

It was a good day for Bufflehead viewing today in Ray Nash Bay. Bufflehead are fun ducks to watch and the males are beautiful. If the sun is out you can actually see iridescent dark purple, dark green and black all on their head.

My hand dandy “Birds of the Puget Sound” book says this about these birds….13” long, wingspan 20”, small plump diving ducks with small gray bill…

Tough Dog Life

Here is a Sunday morning wake up of our Dog George.... (the things I do for my wife.....)

Waterfowl in my midst....

The ducks are back!

Great day today looking over Ray Nash Bay (my new name for the body of water that runs along Ray Nash Drive).. The Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser and Barrows Goldeneye are back in full force. They will end up staying through April of next year before they head back to Canada… Here are some shots from today and yesterday… Enjoy!

Barrows Goldeneye yoga


Barrows Goldeneye stretching


Hooded Mergansers hanging out


Hooded Merganser chomping on a fish

Bufflehead pondering the approaching winter..

Disneyland!

Ok, it has been quite the hiatus from my blog….. I have been travelling too much. I am now on my way home from beautiful El Dorado Arkansas as I write this blog update.

Earlier in the week we celebrated Cindi’s parent’s 50th wedding anniversary in Disneyland. We also were able to spend time with our kidos at Disneyland who both live in Costa Mesa California. We had a blast and wanted to share some of the pictures…enjoy…

Finishing dry after the Raft Ride....

Log Ride laugh...

Buzz Light Year dream ride.......

Mom and Ashley....

Matt screaming like a girl on California Scream


Cindi's Mom & Dad celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary..


Space Mountain Drop

Two Long Hairs...

Why I LOVE Gig Harbor