Fine art photography of nature & the environment

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, California

Located in the valley of the Sacramento River and in the overall basin known as California’s Central Valley – this Nat’l Wildlife refuge was created as a preserve to the millions of migrating birds that use the Central Valley as a flyway. As human populations grow and development increases in the Valley then it becomes necessary to save these precious few wetlands that are left. Birds that are migrating need “layovers” to rest up and add nourishment before they continue on their journeys. The Valley is rich in nourishing soil so agriculture is a dominant use of the land. It makes sense that most of the nation’s vegetables are grown here because of the climate and soil conditions but it also makes sense to preserve critical habitats so the overall environment is protected. We as well as everything else benefits. Wetlands are known to be vital to the restoration process of filtering out harmful contaminants in the soil and water. They are like a sponge with a filter process.  Definition of a wetland is a saturation component that is dominant enough so that the vegetation that occurs there is adapted for life in a saturated soil wether it be from surface or ground sources. Marshes, swamps and bogs (whether it be coastal or inland) fall into this category.

The upland riparian habitat characteristics of the topography of this refuge create shelter for many bird species along with fish, river otter, beaver, muscrat, raccoon, reptile, amphibian and plant species.

Great Horned Owl

Landscape

Great Horned Owl

American Bittern with Crayfish

Raccoon

Red Tail Hawk

Mallards

Cinnamon Teals

Mallard with her chicks

Jack Rabbit

Red-Tail Hawk

Red Tail Hawk

Marsh Wren

Wild flowers

Raccoon

Red Tail Hawk

Peregrine Falcon

Mallard with her Chicks

Mallards

Killdeer

Marsh Wren

Mule Deer

American Bittern

Red Tail Hawk

Two Egrets

Egret

Red-Tail Hawk

Duck

Egret

Mule Deer

Red-Tail Hawk

Beaver

Raccoon

Cinnamon Teal

Marsh Wren

Egret

Jack Rabbit

Killdeer (nesting)

Mule Deer

Robin

Killdeer

Red-Tail Hawk

Duck

Great Blue Heron

Red-Tail Hawk

Great Horned Owls

Oppossum

Mallard

Landscape

Two Egrets