Peregrine Falcon
I stopped off at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on my way up to Red Bluff this last time around. I had never been there before, but it is a very interesting area. Thousands of different birds winter in this area along what is called the Pacific Flyway. These refuges were created for the birds after almost all of California’s wetlands were destroyed in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. There is an auto tour route that allows you to drive around the marshy areas. Interestingly, when you are in your vehicle, the birds don’t really bother with you, and you can actually get closer to them than if you were out on foot. Still though, the road doesn’t get as close to some areas that I would like. By far the best shot I got was of this peregrine falcon taking off.
