Hello to all,
This spring we saw and welcomed the early return of two Swainson's Hawk (SWHA) couples to Sutters Landing Park and right away they started nest building, which is an ongoing process! As you can see below, one couple built in a Black Locus tree while it still had fragrant spring flowers on it. That’s the first nest I’ve ever see built in this species of tree and also this far down river!
The other couple choose to build in a tall riverside Cottonwood tree, as all other Swainson's Hawks have.
This spring we saw and welcomed the early return of two Swainson's Hawk (SWHA) couples to Sutters Landing Park and right away they started nest building, which is an ongoing process! As you can see below, one couple built in a Black Locus tree while it still had fragrant spring flowers on it. That’s the first nest I’ve ever see built in this species of tree and also this far down river!
The other couple choose to build in a tall riverside Cottonwood tree, as all other Swainson's Hawks have.
Black Locus tree nest
Cottonwood tree nest
Nest building contractor specialist!
A large patch of Native Wild Roses bloom each spring! They line the left side of the canoe trail down to where the sand begins.
We think this is a Sweat Bee.
Honey Bees are also attracted to the Wild Rose.
A lovely sunset on the river.
Cottonwood seeds fill the air.
SWHA in flight.
A Tree Swallow chick is dependent on insect food delivered by mom & dad.
This Sea Lion swam by on its way upriver. Large fish can still be seen when the river is low
A SWHA in a swift diving flight mode!
Colorful Barn Swallows gathering nesting materials
This SWHA has a catch! It caught as the mower cut the dry grass on the mound.
This Common Merganser mom's chicks have already learned to help her hunt for small fish!
They look as if they are running on the water!
She has a large clutch of eight chicks!
Pacific Gopher Snakes mating on the river banks are native to the western coast of North America. They range in size from 5 to 7 feet long. Their eggs are laid from June to August and will hatch in 2 to 2.5 months and the clutch is from 12 to 14 eggs. They are nonvenomous.
Look closely and you’ll see this is a Nursing Coyote Mom on top of the mound where her young pups have been seen this summer.
RSS Feed
