NBWW: Isenberg Crane Reserve Tour
1/11/04
Home |
FAQ |
Bulletin Board |
Pix Main |
|
Fifteen women made it out to Lodi on a dry Sunday to see Greater Sandhill Cranes and other birds living in the wetlands there. We signed up for a docent led tour put on by the Department of Fish and Game. The three docents were very knowledgable about their Cranes. The weather was gloomy and somewhat chilly, but dry and with good visibility, considering the fog prone area we were in. Other birds of mention we saw were lots of Tundra Swans, two White Faced Ibis, two Black Capped Night Herons and two amorous Great Horned Owls (Very cool through Donna's spotting scope) These were among many other water fowl, Kites, Red Tail Hawks and Northern Harriers. After sundown we all ended up at the same restaurant quite by accident, although it was really the only logical place to go...... We had a great time yacking away before the long drive back home. |
|
Everyone was eager for the "games to begin".
We met up before the tour and checked out the birds.
|
 |
 |
When the docents arrived we listened intently
to every word.... Well, maybe not every word!
|
|
Here is the last we saw of Chris before the helicopter
slammed into the back of her head!......Just kiddin'!! Actually
it was crop dusting the vineyard across the street. It was about
the most exciting thing we'd seen up until that point. The Cranes
hadn't made much of an appearence yet.
|
 |
 |
Finally after waiting at the meeting place and then caravaning down Woodbridge Road, we ended up at a blind set up behind a locked gate. The sun was going down, or at least it was getting darker..... We couldn't see the sun. The Cranes started to come in for the night in groups of "5-100". Although I'd say the largest group I saw might have had about 30 Cranes in it. This image was taken with my video camera, so the quality isn't the best! |
|
The docents admitted we were having a leaner than usual day for the Cranes, but we did see a few hundred, I'd say. They were quite spectacular to watch. We all had a great time even though there were less birds than we'd hoped. It was great to see old friends and new! For more information on the Isenberg Crane Reserve docent led tours call (916) 358-2869. |
|
Home |
FAQ |
Bulletin Board |
Pix Main |
This page updated on 10/6/05