Birds of the California Delta
Great Egret showing off it's strong, beautiful wings at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park
About Birds of the California Delta; Photography by Tim Seay
About Tim Seay
Beauty is Everywhere
Beauty is Everywhere
I have been passionate about photography ever since my high school days in Hillsboro, Oregon. Back then, it was all about sports and news events. These days, I love photographing birds in their environment. It's my passion in life.
Beauty is Everywhere
Beauty is Everywhere
Beauty is Everywhere
Wildlife photography has helped me reconnect with nature. It has also made me appreciate life and all the beauty it has to offer. (Anna's Hummingbird)
My Mission
Beauty is Everywhere
My Mission
Over the next year, I will be traveling around the California Delta to photograph birds of all kinds. From Red-tailed Hawks, to Song Sparrows. From Sandhill Cranes to Osprey and everything in between. (Mockingbird)
Picture of the Day; 10/6
Mute Swan
Mute Swan coming in for a landing at McNabney Marsh in Martinez. Usually, swans fly away from photographers, but today they headed right for me. Very cool :)
Picture of the Day; 10/5
Rock Pigeons
Rock Pigeons on the Pickleweed Trail at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. Pigeons love posing for pictures :)
Picture of the Day; 10/4
California Scrub Jay
California Scrub Jay foraging for seeds and insects at Granger's Wharf in Martinez. Busy bird :)
Sandhill Cranes At Woodbridge Ecological Reserve in Lodi, CA
It's almost that time again: Sandhill Crane Migration 2024
Early Monday morning, on the 16th of October, 2023 I had the privilege of photographing Sandhill Cranes at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve in Lodi, CA. This was actually the second time I have been at the reserve at sunrise to capture their beauty on the freshwater marsh. They are magical.
I also got a chance to photograph other birds as well, including a Barred Rock Rooster, Black Phoebes, Song Sparrows and a variety of migrating geese and ducks. It is an amazing place for photography, both early in the morning and at dusk. A must see indeed. I'll be heading back later this month and in November as well.
Fun Fact: Sandhill Cranes
Scientific name: Grus canadensis. Sandhill Cranes are omnivorous. Diet varies widely with location and season. Major food items include insects and roots of aquatic plants. Also eats rodents, snails, frogs, lizards, snakes, nestling birds, berries, seeds. May eat large quantities of cultivated grains when available.(Audubon.org)
This week's featured birds
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Great Egret taking flight at McNabney Marsh, with Snowy egrets below. The Great Egret is a long-legged wading bird with a long S-curved neck and dagger-like bill. They are extremely patient and persistent when hunting for fish and small rodents. The wing-span of an adult is between 51.6 - 57.1 inches.
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Great-tailed Grackle clinging to a barbed-wire fence at McNabney Marsh. The great-tailed grackle or Mexican grackle is a medium-sized, highly social passerine bird native to North and South America. My favorite Grackle story is when I had one sing along with me while I was playing my guitar on the back of my boat at the Martinez Marina. They have a beautiful and unique bird-call. One of my sentimental favorites.
Green Heron (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Green Heron fishing from the docks at the Martinez Marina. This small, stocky heron has a dagger-like bill and a thick neck that is drawn into it’s body. They can easily fish from the docks, due to the ability of extending their necks while striking or looking for prey. On hot days, they cool themselves down by opening their mouth and "fluttering" their neck muscles. The term used is gulag fluttering and is the avian version of panting.
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)
Western Grebe (pronounced "greeb") doing a little fishing at the Martinez Marina. These graceful birds are a species of the grebe family of water birds. This large, slender bird has a long neck and slender pointed bill. They dive under water to catch fish and have nicknames, such as "dabchick", "swan grebe" and "swan-necked grebe".
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Mourning Dove foraging for seeds at McNabney Marsh in Martinez. You'll find these graceful, slender birds all across the California Delta and are a common sight across the continent. Their habitat is the open woodlands. Mourning doves feed on seeds, nest in trees and are considered a universal symbol of peace, hope, love and freedom.