As you can see, 2010 was a lost year for this blog, and for the most part, for my photographic pursuits. I was tackling a more important job — taking care of my husband, Rob, who had been diagnosed in late 2009 with Stage IV lung cancer. As he was a never smoker, this diagnosis, and the initial nine-months-to-live prognosis were devastating. After a year of various chemo treatments, cancer shrinkage and then renewed progression, Rob is now enrolled in a clinical trial for a very promising new drug at Stanford. Our lives are getting back into a more normal routine as we wait to see if the drug works, and I have had a bit more time to get back to work photographically!
Last week I was able to spend a few days in California’s central valley photographing migratory birds. I was richly rewarded at the Cosumnes River Preserve, the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, and the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge.
These images from SNWR illustrate the migratory bird traffic through this important stop on the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south migration route between North and South America.
Snow geese were abundant at SNWR - over 110,00 were counted in December.
Flying in from the arctic tundra, the geese present quite a spectacle!
While snow geese dominated, other species were present as well.
Always keeping a watchful eye.
The coots were also resident in large numbers...
...as were the Pintail ducks.
I loved your photos and I was touched by your words. I wish you and your husband the very best.
Thanks for the kind words!