Birds

Migrating birds head for home; song, perching birds put on a show

By Dave Henry - Updated: Friday, March 16 2012 - 6:52 pm

The bird migration season in the Sacramento region is coming to a close. The large population of cranes is heading back to their summer nesting grounds.

Northern California refuges a delight for bird watchers, photographers

By Dave Henry - Updated: Friday, February 24 2012 - 5:31 pm

North of Sacramento is a wonderful network of refuges and wildlife areas that offers birders and photographers year-round opportunities.

Want to see the sandhill cranes? Woodbridge reserve is prime spot

By Dave Henry - Updated: Monday, February 20 2012 - 5:39 pm

Everyone wants to see the sandhill cranes, a direct descendant from pre-historic times. Woodbridge Ecological Reserve, the best place to see the cranes in our area, is only about 30 miles south of Sacramento off Interstate 5.

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area offers don't-miss bird viewing

By Dave Henry - Updated: Tuesday, February 7 2012 - 6:28 pm

Only a quick 10-mile drive from Sacramento is one of the region's best spots for viewing birds and other wildlife, the Vic Fazio Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. It offers something most preserves can't: the ability to drive the preserve.

Backyard Bird Count starts Feb. 17

By Sam McManis - Published: Tuesday, February 7 2012 - 6:27 pm

Dig out the binoculars and dust off that ornithology guidebook, because the 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is fast approaching.

Galt bird festival a prime destination for photographers

By Dave Henry - Updated: Wednesday, January 25 2012 - 10:02 am

Bird watching and bird photography are popular in Central California, not just because they're fun but because our valleys are one of the nation's largest wintering grounds for migratory and resident birds.

This Week: Bird-watching bus tours on tap Saturday in Galt

Bee/Dave Henry / Â©Davehenryphoto.com

This immature White-crowned Sparrow pauses astride two branches to pose for my lens. This photo was made with a Canon 1D MkIV camera using a Canon 800mm lens. The exposure was 1/3,000 sec. at f/8 using ISO 800. 045
Bee/Dave Henry / Â©Davehenryphoto.com

This White-crowned Sparrow lands briefly on a stalk to scan for food and watch me fumble with a long lens in time to make a good shot. This photo was made with a Canon 1D MkIV camera using a Canon 800mm lens. The exposure was 1/1,500 sec. at f/8 using ISO 800. 044
Bee/Dave Henry

This immature White-crowned Sparrow is feasting on a grasshopper. This photo was made with a Canon 1D MkIV camera using a Canon 800mm lens. The exposure was 1/180 sec. at f/6.7 using ISO 1,600. 043
b / Â©Davehenryphoto.com

The Red-winged Blackbird is probably the most plentiful of the passerines this winter. Everywhere I look the trees and brush are full of them. This one is watching me from 70 feet away. This photo was made with a Canon 1D MkIII camera using a Canon 800mm lens. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/11 using ISO 800. 042
Bee/Dave Henry

This female Red-winged Blackbird sits patiently for me as I try to adjust the camera for very low light. This photo was made with a Canon 1D MkIII camera using a Canon 500mm lens. The exposure was 1/60 sec. at f/5.6 using ISO 400. 041