Flowers, Sunflowers, and More Flowers! Davis, California & Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area

In my previous post, I showed you some of the amazing birds to be found in the fields and rice paddies in Yolo County near Davis, California.  And, even though it is full on, hot summer here, there are flowers growing both wild and cultivated. 

And we'll start with the sunflowers! During the summer months there are many, many cultivated sunflower fields in Yolo County.  Farms with sunflowers and big, red barns!  

This moth was having fun in the pollen too!

And there were many, many bees buzzing about as well!

I confess I did spend a bit too long driving around and visiting this sunflower farm.  That's why I ended up getting the car locked in Vic Fazio at sunset!  But it's so beautiful and peaceful among the tall flowers. 

But when I got to Vic Fazio Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, I was very happy to see many wildflowers were blooming there as well!

I love the top edit but wanted to show what it actually looked like.  These flowers were TALL!  They actually towered over the car by about a foot. The bottom is a slightly different photo. 

The sun was starting (STARTING!) to set at this point, turning banks of flowers golden and bright.  

The play of light on different areas was so captivating.  And created some gorgeous bokeh too. 

This is one of my most favorite shots.  Possibly in my top 10(0) of all time.  A single daisy (?) in front of a gray, plowed field.  But the light turned the gray to soft purple. 

And I'm kind of particular about this lone flower peaking out of tall reeds too. 

Another one that I love love love.  

And another one!  What a magical sunset!

Such a beautiful ending to a wonderful day.  Except for getting locked in!!  hahaha  Well, all's well that ends well, and (spoiler alert)  I didn't end up sleeping in the car.  The Davis police were quite helpful in tracking down a maintenance man who came back back to let me (and the other car that came up after me) out.  

Thank you!!! 

xoxo

Sony A350

Birdwatching at Vic Fazio Wildlife Area - My First Bittern!!!

On a beautiful Saturday evening, I decided to go out to the Vic Fazio/Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area to see what birds may be out and about.  I was tempted to go because my co-worker got some great phone pics of a bird that may have been a Bittern although we both weren't quite sure.  

I've always wanted to see a Bittern and have stared at many a bunch of reeds hoping to spot the elusive creatures.  

So off I headed.  First I did a little wandering around Plainfield and came across a hawk standing guard over some beautiful farm fields.  It's a little blurry, but I had to include it.  

I headed out on the auto tour, totally bemused by all the beautiful flowers which shall be in another post. :)  I was happy to spot birds right away, but a little surprised to see this gorgeous Gull near one of the first rice paddies.  It looked almost like it was sitting on a nest!

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Just past it on the other side of the road was a beautiful egret stretched out in a towering pose.  

And on the next paddy was a gorgeous juvenile gull of some sort.  Perhaps a Herring Gull?  I'm not sure, but he was pretty big and definitely a looker. 

And then, right near where Yvonne had told me she saw her possible Bittern, I rounded a corner of and there it was!!  Not at all where I normally keep my eyes peeled.  He wanted me to see him!

Hi Hooman!

Amazing!  And so were the 7 or so Cattle Egrets that were hanging out just down the road as well.  

Along with a much bigger cousin! 

There were a couple brave birds in the water of the irrigation ditch along side the road and they were happy to pose for me!

On the other side of the road, another Egret and a Great Blue Heron were hanging out!

Golden hour was in full effect and this hawk was enjoying the sunset.

And OMG, this little Killdeer hanging out in the middle of the road made for a perfect photo op!

The sun was setting and (little did I know) that the gates were about to close.  I was so happy to see and hear a flock of blackbirds in the reeds and capture this beautiful silhouette in the sunset!

Then I headed for the exit.  I was startled to see many people sitting and standing on the hill around the entrance.  I literally thought I was about to be murdered and hesitated before proceeding.  

As I drove up the hill, I asked some of the people who were now walking up to the parking area what they were all looking at and was told that there is a colony of bats there that had just flown out in a magnificent cloud.

So cool!  I definitely have to go back to watch that!

And then they mentioned, that they believed the gate at the top of the hill was locked. 

Ummm, WHAT????  Sure enough.  Me and my daughter's car were locked in.  Holy shit.  When they say sunset apparently they mean as the sun dips below the horizon because that had just happened.

Another lady told me that the maintenance person had literally just driven away a minute before and pointed out a vehicle about a 1/2 mile away.  Which of course did me no good as I was LOCKED INSIDE THE GATE!

More on that in the next post!  =D

xoxo

Sony A350