Snowy egret along the American River, Sacramento, California

 Rick got these images of snowy egrets, possibly the same one, but in different spots, while we were pedaling in Bob's new-to-him Hobie Mirage tandem kayak.

Snowy egrets are smaller than great egrets and have distinctive yellow feet.  Because they are wading birds, it's not always possible to see their feet.  Also has what can look like a little yellow mask over its eyes.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story.

Female common mergansers resting on a log, American River Parkway, Sacramento, California

We were out paddling around the American River Parkway in Sacramento, California when we encountered these female common mergansers resting on this log that had fallen across this channel.  This is just downstream from the Watt Avenue Bridge.

The merganser in the middle had its mouth open, while the merganser on the right was giving us the eye while trying to get some sleep.  Mergansers are also known as fish ducks, since they feed on small fish by diving underwater and swimming after their prey.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story.

A white black phoebe in the American River Parkway in Sacramento, California

A heavily cropped photo of the white black phoebe that Bob had posted a different photo of earlier.  Black phoebes are members of the flycatcher family and tend to sit on a perch and dart out after a passing flying insect to feed on it and then return to the perch.  They usually have white bellies and are black everywhere else. The lack of pigment in the feathers while the eyes still have color means that this isn't albinism, but another condition called leucism, pronounced like "leukism." This condition means the body or feathers aren't producing pigment while the eyes or the bill can have pigment. Pigeons often exhibit this feature. We've seen many examples of white or blotchy white pigeons that are showing this same condition.

This photo was taken in January 2018, and Bob has not seen it so far in 2019.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story.

Great egret, American River Parkway, Sacramento, California

Bob was out for a ride along the American River in Sacramento, California when he saw this great egret out on the hunt for food.  He happened to have his camera with him, so he got these portraits of this bird while it was out stalking.  This long-legged bird was near the 12-mile mark on the bike path. Many of the animals along the river are so used to people, they'll behave normally, so it's a good place to view wildlife up close.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story.

Western bluebird, American River, Sacramento, California

A male Western bluebird perched in a tree near the American River Parkway in Sacramento, California.  The flash of blue that they show when flying can be quite eye-catching.

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Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!