Yolo Causeway (yet again)

It has been raining here for the past few days - a pleasant change from the norm.

Despite what one might think, our experience has shown us that the birds in the Yolo Causeway are much more active and actually closer to the path on icky, rainy days. On Saturday, we took a drive through the Causeway to see what birds were around and which had finally returned for the Winter.

We saw plenty of the ubiquitous American Coot:
The American Avocet have returned in their Winter plumage:
We frightened a hawk - perhaps a Red-Tailed?
What was most thrilling were the tens-of-thousands of Snow Geese, White-Fronted Geese, and Tundra Swans flying overhead.

NJ, same-sex marriage, and Bruce

NJ is debating same-sex marriage and Bruce makes a statement on his website. . . I hope NJ does the right thing.

Springsteen news...

In illustrious company, Bruce was honored with a Kennedy Center award on Saturday.

Obama: "Only a handful of people have tapped the full power of music to tell the American story. ... One of those people is Bruce Springsteen. ... I'm the president, but he's the boss."

Nice.

Cosumnes, Sandhill Cranes, and Needle'rents

On Saturday, the Needle'rents (who are visiting for T-day), Andrew, and I went on a road trip a little South and Southeast of here. We went seeking the newly arrived Sandhill Cranes and Tundra Swans, and we were not disappointed.

En route, we happened upon a HUGE windfarm:
...and some bucolic scenery:
We found Sandhill Cranes:
Tundra Swans:
Thousands of Cranes - amazing spectacle and sounds:
Andrew and Needle'dad at Cosumnes:
A red-shouldered hawk at Bogle Winery:

Not the Dark Frish (but rather a bit more old school)