* Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

On the way home from our Lakes Basin trip, we stopped by the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Princeton, CA. 

We picked up our season pass and were delightfully surprised when we drove the auto tour and saw so many geese and waterfowl this early. Hopefully that's a sign of a great Winter birding season in the Sacramento Valley.

More Info: http://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/index.html

* Return To the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Back to the Sacramento National wildlife Refuge with my hiking partners from the Chico/Oroville Outdoor Adventurers (COOA).

There weren't as many geese and waterfowl present, but there seemed to be a lot more raptors, so it was still a great trip. I also noticed a lot more Canada Geese in the refuge then the week before.

Early morning fly-by.

Sun raises over a layer of fog.

A Great Egret.

Another Great Egret not far from the viewing platform.

Not a good picture, but one of only a couple fly-outs on this trip.

Please stay in your vehicle! Haha!

I believe this is a cross-beaked juvenile eagle that lives on the refuge.

Snow and Roos geese with a few Canada.

A hunting Redtail.

Snow and Ross Geese landing.

Closed means CLOSED! Beth and Gary taunting authority.