Mammal Spotlight! Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge - Pronghorn Antelope & Beautiful Coyotes!

Coyotes are so beautiful.  Saw this gorgeous mama on the refuge looking for an easy meal.  She loved to pose for me!

Smiling away! 

The first time I was driving to Klamath, I saw something trotting through a farmer's field and couldn't figure out what the hell it was.  A deer?  Nope...it really looked like some kind of antelope which, at the time, I thought were only in Africa (go ahead and call me stupid if you already knew we have antelope in America).  

And it was an antelope!  At least in name - the Pronghorn Antelope!  

That time I was driving, and this time, the Pronghorn was just really out of distance of my len getting a good focus.  I also saw a whole herd of these beautiful creatures at Carrizo National Monument, so I'll drop a link and a photo at the end. 

Last, but certainly not least was this young coyote pup who I found wandering down the roadway.  

I'm not going to lie...this little guy has cost me some sleep.  He looked weary for lack of a better word and looked like he was a little on the skinny side.   I think he was just over the age to leave the den (about 6 months) and maybe was having a heard time hunting for himself.  I've said quite a few prayers for him and I really hope this little guy made it.  Walking straight down the highway was possibly not a good indication of his survival. 

And since I can't leave it on that potentially sad note, here is the link to the stunning Carizzo National Monument during the Super Bloom a couple years ago!

And the Pronghorn Antelope!

Still taken at a distance and a bit blurry, but just to give an idea of what these cool critters look like!

xoxo

Nikon D600

Bird Spotlight! - Sandhill Cranes, Pelicans, Cormorants, Cinnamon Teal, & Juvenile American Coots

On this episode (?) of Bird Spotlight!

Let's take a look at four more species of birds that are found on the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in the Summer months.  

We start with some big birds!  These beauties are Sandhill Cranes. 

A Pod of Pelicans with some Cormorants thrown in for good measure!

Beautiful Cinnamon Teal Ducks!  Love these vibrant red birds with their blue stripes on the wing.

I believe this next little family are juvenile American Coots.  And they sure are cute!

Next post will focus on the mammals I encountered on this trip.  It was happy and beautiful, yet sad at the same time.  

xoxo

Nikon D600

Bird Spotlight - Red-Tailed Hawk, Black-Crowned Night Heron & Barn Swallow

In my last "Bird Spotlight" I posted some gorgeous Red-tailed Hawks and White-faced Ibis. And then I promptly found two more photos of a beautiful Red-tail, so I'm going to start this post of with them! 

And I'll follow up with another bird on a post.  This time an adorable and colorful Barn Swallow.  I love these vibrant little caped crusaders with their purple-blue capes and helmets and orange bodies.  Notice that these plentiful little birds have a forked tail which adds to their air of mystique. 

Our last spotlight for the day with be this Black-crowned Night Heron.  Everyone is familiar with the Great Blue Heron which is gigantic compared to these birds.  Chances are you've driven or hiked right past these little guys.  I spotted about 15 on this particular trip and one of my best memories was finding a Night Heron rookery where there were about 30 flitting from tree to tree. 

This guy was patiently waiting for some dinner to swim by. He had that vibrant red eye looking out!

Closeup 

xoxo

Nikon D600

Bird Spotlight - Red-Tailed Hawk & White-Faced Ibis - 6/30/19 Lower Klamath NWR

Photos taken June 30, 2019

Three Red-tailed Hawks sitting in a tree.  K.I.S.S.I.N.G.  Actually, they looked pretty ferocious, so the opposite of kissing.  Feathered murder machines. 

White-faced Ibis

xoxo

Nikon D600

Summertime at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

In the shadows of stunning Mt. Shasta lies a beautiful National Wildlife Refuge known as the Lower Klamath NWR.  It's an amazing, amazing place to see wildlife and beautiful scenery along with its sister NWR, Tule Lake.  

Before we get started, you can check out my previous posts from Lower Klamath during the Pacific Migration in the Winter and Spring Here and Here!

But in this post, we'll focus on the vistas of the sweeping landscapes that make up this Northern California area and some of the birds that live here.

Such as Great Egret

Every time I'm out here I'm struck by how artful nature is.  Is that a word?  You turn a corner and there's a watercolor painting right in front of you.

Another amazing and eventful day in Northern California.  Be sure to read my next few posts for some "animal closeups" including a beautiful coyote that just loved posing for me!

xoxo

Nikon D600