Knights Ferry Covered Bridge, California

I took these photos of the covered bridge over the Stanislaus at Knights Ferry near Oakdale, California on Highway 120. It was a beautiful, sunny day there.

Staten Island Preserve on January 5, 2023 in California

I took these photos of some sandhill cranes and an egret on the first dry day after an atmospheric river had just passed by the area. The wildlife seemed to be enjoying and to be taking advantage of a sunny day. For me, it’s always a pleasure to watch the cranes, geese, and egret in the Preserve.

Dogwoods in Big Trees State Park, California

Above are seven photos that I took in Calaveras Big Trees State Park, California. There were only a few remaining dogwood blooms left there when I arrived. For me it’s always a delight and restful to wander around the North Trail in the park.

Caswell State Park, California

Last Friday morning, I joined the Olli Bird Safari at Caswell State Park, South Austin Road, Ripon, California. The bird safari was led by David Lee. The state park is on a winding bend of the Stanislaus River in the middle of the Central Valley. It’s a rare example of an oak mature riparian forest in California. I took these seven photos mostly of the oaks here and of the the birders looking at diverse bird species in those valley oaks.

Photo Trek in Northern California

I began on Suisun Valley Road, Suisun Valley, California where I took a photo of a vineyard. Then I drove along Shiloh Road to take two photos of mustards with Mount Diablo in the background and some wind towers. Again I took another group of wind towers along Birds Landing Road. The next day I took three photos of snow geese and seagulls along Desmond Road in Cosumnes River Preserve. The last photo I took of swans and ducks along Woodbridge Road near the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve. It was a pleasant winter outing with signs of early spring.

Returning Cranes and more on The Delta, California

Here are two groups of photos that I took of returning Sandhill Cranes and other wildbirds on the Pacific Flyway in the Sacramento River Delta Region in California. All the photos were taken along Woodbridge Road and Staten Island Road in The Delta. There were some Sandhill Cranes, a blue heron, some snow geese, an egret, and a snowy egret that I found in nearby ecological preserves. For me, it’s always a joy to see the migratory birds return in the fall and winter months.

Florida Trip 2021

On a recent visit to Florida, I took these 14 photos in Central Florida. I started taking some photos in Oldsmar, Florida. As well, I took more photos in nearby parks as John Chestnut Sr. Park in Palm Harbor, Florida; Upper Tampa Bay Park in Tampa, Florida; Philippe Park in Safety Harbor, Florida. I took the sunset photos at Howard Park Beach in Tarpon Springs, Florida. I had a wonderful time visiting and taking photos in Central Florida.

Amador County Golden Landscape, California

I took these landscape photos in Amador County in the Gold Country. I mostly took these photos along Latrobe and Greilich Roads in Amador County in California. These roads mostly parallel California Highway 49 in the Gold Country. The grass on the hillsides is mostly dry with a golden yellow color contrasted with the green oak trees and the blue sky. This scenery is typical of the foothills in the middle of summer here.

Lupins and Poppies Along Electra Road, California

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Here are seven photos that I took of wildflowers in the Mokelumne River Canyon, along Electra Road, off of Highway 49 near Jackson, California.

Japanese Garden in Micke Grove Regional Park, California

Here are seven images that I took with a Nikon Z 6 using a Nikon Z 85 mm lens of scenes within the Japanese Garden located in Micke Grove Regional Park near Lodi, California. It’s a quiet tranquil colorful place nestled under huge valley oaks. This beautiful spot is almost hidden from view in the Central Valley. For me it’s a delight to discover in the early morning light. The garden is only opened in the morning from 9 am to 1 pm.