Consumnes River Preserve

We've been getting a lot of rain here in Northern California (at last!) but Saturday was dry with some lovely but non threatening clouds.  Since we had family visiting from the southern part of the state we decided to visit the Consumnes River Preserve.

There were picnic tables at the visitor center and a boardwalk that made the wetlands accessible. We started our visit with a picnic and then checked out the visitor center which is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers.  We then strolled along the boardwalk to see how many birds we could find.  There were a lot, both in number and variety.

Cinnamon Teal

 Gadwall

 Green Winged Teal

 Northern Pintail

 Northern Shoveler

 Common Snipe?
(not sure about this one)

American Kestrel

 For more information about the preserve check out their website http://www.cosumnes.org/
You can find more views of our amazing world at Our World Tuesday.

More birds can be spotted at Wild Bird Wednesday found on Stewart's blog "Paying Ready Attention"

Egret

I love the variety of bird found here in Lincoln hills in the winter.  When the hawks, egrets and herons return we know that summer is over.

The most frequent of our daily walks takes us to a pond full of mallards.  It is a favorite breeding spot for these ducks.  Mallards aren't the only birds to be found here, though.

A few days ago I brought my camera hoping to get a shot of an owl that has been hanging out in the area.

The owl was nowhere to be seen on this afternoon but a little snowy egret could be seen hunting at the edge of the pond.

It took little notice of me as I clicked away, hoping for a great shot.  The one at the right is the sharpest but the one at the top may be my favorite.








Check out Wild Bird Wednesday at Paying Ready Attention to see more of our avian friends.

Down to Earth

We spent the Christmas Holiday in Southern California with the family.  While there we all went to the California Science Center to view the space shuttle Endeavour.  Of course, I left my camera at the house and had to use my camera to get a few not too good shots.  It was impossible to get far enough away to get the entire vehicle in one image.

I was impressed by the quality of exhibits about the shuttle program that visitors passed on the way to view the Endeavour.  The galley and "potty" had been removed so that visitors could get a closeup view.  

This spacehab, where astronauts could do experiments, store tools and live was also on view. I had no idea it was so small!  My closet is bigger.

Docents, many of whom had worked on the shuttle program, were available to answer questions.

 The plan is to build a building where the shuttle could be placed upright with ramps allowing visitors to get a better view.

For more information visit

the California Science Center website

If you are interested in this part of the NASA program I encourage you to visit the California Science Center if you are in Los Angeles.  In addition to the Endeavour there are many exhibits especially designed for children.  It even has a walk through aquarium.  

It is a far cry from the old Museum of Science an Industry that occupied the site in my youth.  That one I never found very interesting when I was taken there by my parents. This museum would have had me begging for return visits.

Find more views or our world at Our World, Tuesday.