Birding

One of the pleasures of birding is arriving in the early morning darkness: it gives you a chance to check out the moonset reflecting in the water and the first rays of sunlight hitting the wetland reeds.

Another benefit is, of course, the fellowship of the birders. And, speaking of reeds, we were hoping that we’d see the elusive "rail" peeking out. The birders were on high alert anticipating this rare event.

Photos: Moonset—Sacramento National Wildlife Area, 2009; Reeds & Sky— Sacramento National Wildlife Area, 2009; Birders— Sacramento National Wildlife Area, 2009