Country at Conaway

Steve and I took Country to the Conaway Ranch last Thursday, where he kicked up his heels and frolicked in the marsh. We really laughed, watching him bolt into the water, then make his sweeping circle of perhaps 12-15 yards before returning to the shore. He must have done this 20 times, occasionally pausing to snatch up a mouthful of weeds, or to listen to ducks calling in the distance.

It was his first visit to the marsh, and for a pup just six months old, he did very well.

Can't wait for him to meet his cousin, Miley Meredith. More adventures to come!

Belly Waders

Steve took this photo of long-billed dowitchers at the Conaway Ranch last week. Similar to short-billed dowitchers, this species is found more often in fresh water, where the birds' long bills are better suited to wading belly deep.

Dowitchers winter in fresh and salt water, and on mudflats, and breed on wet tundra. Estimated populations of breeding birds and migrants in the U.S. and Canada is 500,000, roughly two dozen of which are represented here.

Bird Day at Conaway

Steve took this photo of a white-faced ibis yesterday at the Conaway Ranch in Yolo County, near the Sacramento River. Check out the irridescent feathers (click to enlarge).