[SBB] Merced NWR

["Chuq Von Rospach" <[[email protected]]>]

Saturday I finally had a chance to do something I've been meaning to
do for a while -- take an organized birding trip with the Silicon
Valley Audobon Society. I went with a small group to the Merced
National Wildlife Refuge in the central valley, one of the key areas
supporting bird  migration up and down the coast and a wintering point
for sandhill cranes, geese and many other birds

We birded the refuge via the driving tour path, and then worked our
way back west to O'neill forebay and up into Pacheco pass over about
six hours. The total species count was over 70, of which at least 20
were lifers for this relatively new birder -- at one point, we were
sitting there watching a Wilson's Snipe, Great Tailed Grackle, and an
Ibis, all within about 6' of each other (and all lifers).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chuqui/410120004/

A great time was had by all. I have more photos coming, but I went
looking for one photo that really defined the day and the location,
and this is it. That cloud you see in the picture isn't a cloud. It's
sandhill cranes. You really need to see this one in a large size to
appreciate it.

Many thanks to all of you who made the day so much fun!

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