Mustard Plants along N Guard Rd and Thornton Rd, California

I took these photos of mustard plant blooms along N Guard Road and Thornton Road on my way to Cosumnes Preserve. The last three photos shows some of the overflow of water from the Cosumnes River. It was a delightful spring sunny day.

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.

Fall Colors near me in California

I took these six photos on a walk in my neighborhood in Stockton, California. There are some beautiful and vivid fall colors to be spotted here. The weather is great: cool and sunny.

Stockton Rural Cemetery, California

I took these photos during an Olli Bird Safari guided by David Yee. The Bird Safari went to Stockton Rural Cemetery. I learned that birds like to live in the valley oaks there. The cemetery keeps and maintains the original valley oaks and natural landscape. There are many different styles of tombstones and markers. I imagine there are lots of interesting stories about the history of the City of Stockton. I also learned that birds and birders like cemeteries simply because they are public and quiet.

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.

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.

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.

July Flowers in the Neighborhood

I received a new Nikkor Z MC 105 f/2.8 last Friday. So I was curious to try it on my Nikon Z6 camera this morning. Here are some samples that I took with it of flowers in the neighborhood. For me, it seems to have great detail, nice color rendition, and good bokeh. The flowers include African lilies, society garlic, marigolds, day lily, and roses. Happy Fourth of July! Nature also puts on colorful fireworks too I believe.

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.