After discovering the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in California, it didn’t take long before we started exploring the other wildlife refuges nearby.
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is just a short drive away, and like the Sacramento NWR, it has an auto tour route that lets you explore the wetlands without leaving your vehicle. Smaller and a bit more compact, it still offers an incredible amount of bird activity, especially in the spring.
We visited early in the morning for our first pass through.
As usual, the first drive is about paying attention, seeing what’s there, and watching how the birds are moving. I brought along my one of my favourite wildlife lenses: the 400mm f/5.6L. It’s lightweight, easy to handhold, and perfect for reacting quickly when something unexpected happens.
And something did.
I was delighted to spot a white-faced ibis wading in a shallow pond, moving with this almost frantic energy as it fished. For what, I wasn’t entirely sure at the time. It suddenly lifted and spread its wings in this wild, expressive motion, and I managed to catch one of my favourite images of the species in a completely unique pose.
I watched and photographed for a while as the ibis moved through the shallows, darting to and fro, flapping and hopping, constantly changing direction and posture. It was unpredictable, but surprisingly expressive to photograph.
That first pass told me everything I needed to know. The sun was starting to get higher in the sky so we retreated to the RV with plans to return later in the day.
The first time I noticed a white-faced ibis was years ago, when I photographed one from our campsite in Campbell River, BC. It caught me completely by surprise. They are not a common bird there and I had never seen one before. My social media post ended up getting a lot of attention from local birders. So when I started seeing them in California, they became one of my favourite birds to watch and photograph.
The second visit to the Colusa NWR was timed for just before sunset, when the light softens and everything begins to glow. This time I got serious with my 500mm lens on a monopod, positioned in the back seat of the truck so I could shoot out either side.
That’s when things really came together.
Sometimes it’s not about finding a new spot, just returning at the right time.
I had been watching a great egret preening along the edge of the water. I was delighted with this scene as the water was reflecting the soft pink of the sky.
Then it got even better when a white-faced ibis wandered into the frame, crossing paths with the egret in the most unexpected way.
Suddenly, the scene became more complicated. White birds and black birds are the hardest ones to photograph and get the exposure right, and now I had both in one frame (although the ibis isn’t actually black, it appeared so in this light). It forced a decision. I chose to expose for the egret, protecting the highlights and letting the ibis fall into shadow.
It worked better than I expected.
When the light gets tricky, you have to choose what matters most.
The ibis became a silhouette, and the final image became all about light and shadow. A white bird and a black bird, moving in opposite directions with mirrored steps in the warm evening light.
It was one of those moments when everything lined up. These are the moments wildlife photographers spend hours waiting for.
After that, I moved along and around the next corner there was a whole group of ibis standing together preening.
Then, while the light was fading, I started watching another one that was still actively feeding, probing the water with quick, deliberate movements. I cranked my ISO up to 800, hoping to capture it with a fish. What it pulled from the water was completely unexpected: a crayfish!
Its evening meal was a small but satisfying end to a fantastic day of bird photography.
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge have quickly become two of my favourite spots for bird photography. I found a rhythm to them: morning scouting, slow driving, watching carefully and finding the hot spots, followed by a return trip in the soft evening light.
These wildlife refuges are a bird photographer’s dream, easily accessibly in California’s Central Valley.
Pro Tip:
Spend time watching how birds move before trying to photograph them. Anticipating behavior is often more important than reacting to it.
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Have you ever revisited the same location at a different time of day and found something completely different? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
Even a simple “thanks” or “me too” is always appreciated!
muito bom. Bom mesmo. Obrigado por me permitir conhecer passaros de outros lugares.
You are most welcome Joao, so glad you enjoyed them. It is fun to see birds from other places, I’m always jealous of the bird photos I see from Costa Rica and India. Thank you for your visit and comments!
From Google translate:
De nada, João! Fico muito feliz que tenha gostado. É divertido ver pássaros de outros lugares; sempre fico com inveja das fotos de pássaros que vejo da Costa Rica e da Índia. Obrigado pela visita e pelos comentários!
Lucky you to be able to experience nature in a beautiful location. The photos are gorgeous, well done.
Hi Gordon, I feel very fortunate to be able to spend so much time experiencing the beauty of nature! And sharing the photos and stories with people, hopefully inspiring others to get out in nature too, makes it even better. Thanks for your visit and comments, much appreciated.
again great photos hank you for sharing
Much appreciated Jon!
Fantastic Photographs as Always!!! Thank You Anne!
Thank you very much Jon, your comments are always appreciated!
Wonderful photos. I am in Texas, no colorful ibis down here, only white.
I have sat for up to an hour one time with a red neck hummer and one
time a spoonbill trying to eat a fish. The fish was too. large for the spoonbill
to swallow, but I enjoyed watching. Another time a blue heron pulled up a
small fish, I captured the event and waited. Not boring, just interesting to
watch Mother Nature’s creatures at work. Thanks for the tips and results
of your days.
Thank you Cyndy! I’ve been wanting to visit Corpus Christy for bird photography. We’ve been to Texas a few times but we haven’t made it there yet. I love the whole Big Bend area, so gorgeous over there. Glad to hear you enjoyed the tips. Thanks for your visit and comments!
Hi Anne,
I just loved your Ibis images! When I saw the first one I decided (in jest) that you must have spray painted it with a metallic paint 🙂
Ours are mostly white in Australia with some black and can get quite dirty in muddy places.
No wonder you love photographing them.
Birds remain my favourite subject. I nearly always discover something new while observing them.
Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful photos.
Hi Cecilia, haha, they do look like they have metallic paint, don’t they? I saw the white ibis in Florida and I remember they referred to them as swamp chickens! I think they’re beautiful. I love photographying the birds too. Birds and the marine mammals are my favourite subjects to photograph. So glad you enjoyed the post and I appreciate your comments!
Wow !! I absolutely love the Ibis image with it’s wings spread . The old saying that patience is a virtue couldn’t be more true when it comes to bird photography .
You’re right, that is so true Ken. I spend hours and hours watching birds some days and even when I don’t get a photo it feels worth it. Just watching their movements and understanding their behaviour always leads to better images, even if it isn’t on the same day. Glad you enjoyed the photo with the wings spread, I was so happy when I got that one! Thanks for taking the time to comment, much appreciated!
Thank you for sharing your day with these birds!
Thank you for checking out the post, I’m so glad you enjoyed it Wanda.
Good Morning Anne
Thank you for an amazing selection of bird photographs. This is my favourite photographic side and get great pleasure being out and about just listening and and watching the various birds.
Roy. (UK)
Hi Roy, There’s something about birds that feels so magical. I love watching them go about their daily lives. I’ve started to learn more about their vocalizations and remarkably the warning calls of some of the smaller birds alert me when a hawk or eagle is going to come! It’s well worth paying attention to for photographers. Sometimes I’m just sitting in my chair watching and I hear that call and jump up and get ready because something is about it happen. Thanks for your visit and comments.
Absolutely, fantastic & beautiful pics of nature’s animal life.
Great job Anne!!!
Keep up the wonderful search for other adventures of wildlife.
Thank you so much John, I very much appreciate your kind words. It is truly amazing the things we notice when we slow down enough to pay attention to the things happening around us. I’m convinced that all the time I spend watching and learning about the animals is what helps me get these images.
EXCELLENT images ! Your sentence about ‘anticipation’ holds true for just about any photography that has any moving objects. Sports, birds, kids, people anything with action. Again; you did a wonderful job capturing the Ibis.
Many thanks Herb! It is so true, being able to anticipate what is going to happen makes a huge difference when it comes to getting the shot. I’ve never photographed sports, but it makes sense that it would be the same. I’m sure only photographers who know the rules of the game and even the techniques of individual athletes could get the great photos. Thank you very much for your comments, they are much appreciated.
I have been photographing birds for many years now and it’s vital for me know the habits of the birds I am going to see. Gives you a big heads up on what to expect and be ready for it.
That is exactly right Nicole. I looked up your name and found your site so I could see your bird photos and you have some beautiful shots! I love the eagles of course, but I think my favourites are the little birds: the chickadees and nuthatches, and the ducks too! Very well done. I enjoyed them very much. I’ve never seen one of those long tailed ducks around here, so I’m going to be keeping my eye out for those. Thanks for your visit and comments.
the white & black birds in mirroring pose pic is exquisite.
Thank you so much Kaz, it’s definitely one of my all time favourite birds photos! So glad you enjoyed it.
Always enjoyable narrative to a great set of photos.
Thank you very much Paul, I appreciate that! By the way, did you hear your shout out on my Trona Pinnacles video?
No, I missed it. I’m not a big video guy. Clearing out my inbox takes forever so I don’t do much video watching. I will look it up and take a peek. I did catch a reference on the rocket launch photo though.