Birds make me happy. <3

I haven't uploaded pictures yet, so I'll have to do that, but...

We went birdwatching today down at Graylodge. A lot of it was a big hassle--we left later then we wanted to and then got lost, so mom and I were arguing and we almost didn't go at all and just went shopping in Yuba City instead. But I insisted that still go, even if just for a little while. My goal this time was to see some Sandhill Cranes. I figured I most likely wouldn't--in all my years of birdwatching I've never seen one--but thought it would be awesome if after all the hassle and being late some showed up somehow. I just thought it would make up for everything, you know?

Well, we finally got to the vicinity of Graylodge and the sun was setting, and Ryan suddenly goes, "Kristin, there are these big birds in the field!" I was driving at the time but I hazarded a glance anyway.

AND THEY WERE SANDHILL CRANES. :D :D :D I only got four pictures of them before Ryan scared them away trying to get closer, and the pictures are crummy on top of that, but... I've never gotten to see Sandhill Cranes before so this was so exciting! Ahhhh they were so majestic and big! They were way across the field so it's not like I got the best view of them, but it's undeniable what they were. And hearing the noises they made and seeing them fly off. Oh man, amazing. ♥ There were around ten of them.

Anyway, that completely made my day. ♥ New goal for the next year or so: Get an awesome picture of a Sandhill Crane.

We went through Graylodge after that like normal, though it got dark partway through our trip. I took a ton of sunset pictures, and it was beautiful. The sound of all the ducks and geese flying overhead honking and quacking and making all kinds of other noises was amazing.

I was a bit rattled because when we went to check out of the park the hunters were all out showing off their duck kills (garbage can full of dead ducks breaks my heart), but...not much I can do about that. :( The mood in the car was somber for quite a while after that, even though none of us saw much because it was quite dark at that point.

Birdwatching makes me so happy. ♥ I know it sounds like a dorky, boring hobby, but it's seriously fun and exciting in its own way! I recommend everyone try it out in a refuge, preferably with someone knowledgeable if you can. In my Waterfowl field trip, a lot of the people had never been birdwatching and expected it to be completely boring, and they all had a fantastic time. Go see some waterfowl or hawks or gamebirds!

We went shopping in Yuba City for a while after this. Mostly uneventful, except I got these three soft cute plush sheep for $3 each. They're adorable and so fuzzy! ♥

It's quite cold out right now--there's a possibility it could snow tomorrow! I would love that so much.

Birds make me happy. <3

I haven't uploaded pictures yet, so I'll have to do that, but...

We went birdwatching today down at Graylodge. A lot of it was a big hassle--we left later then we wanted to and then got lost, so mom and I were arguing and we almost didn't go at all and just went shopping in Yuba City instead. But I insisted that still go, even if just for a little while. My goal this time was to see some Sandhill Cranes. I figured I most likely wouldn't--in all my years of birdwatching I've never seen one--but thought it would be awesome if after all the hassle and being late some showed up somehow. I just thought it would make up for everything, you know?

Well, we finally got to the vicinity of Graylodge and the sun was setting, and Ryan suddenly goes, "Kristin, there are these big birds in the field!" I was driving at the time but I hazarded a glance anyway.

AND THEY WERE SANDHILL CRANES. :D :D :D I only got four pictures of them before Ryan scared them away trying to get closer, and the pictures are crummy on top of that, but... I've never gotten to see Sandhill Cranes before so this was so exciting! Ahhhh they were so majestic and big! They were way across the field so it's not like I got the best view of them, but it's undeniable what they were. And hearing the noises they made and seeing them fly off. Oh man, amazing. ♥ There were around ten of them.

Anyway, that completely made my day. ♥ New goal for the next year or so: Get an awesome picture of a Sandhill Crane.

We went through Graylodge after that like normal, though it got dark partway through our trip. I took a ton of sunset pictures, and it was beautiful. The sound of all the ducks and geese flying overhead honking and quacking and making all kinds of other noises was amazing.

I was a bit rattled because when we went to check out of the park the hunters were all out showing off their duck kills (garbage can full of dead ducks breaks my heart), but...not much I can do about that. :( The mood in the car was somber for quite a while after that, even though none of us saw much because it was quite dark at that point.

Birdwatching makes me so happy. ♥ I know it sounds like a dorky, boring hobby, but it's seriously fun and exciting in its own way! I recommend everyone try it out in a refuge, preferably with someone knowledgeable if you can. In my Waterfowl field trip, a lot of the people had never been birdwatching and expected it to be completely boring, and they all had a fantastic time. Go see some waterfowl or hawks or gamebirds!

We went shopping in Yuba City for a while after this. Mostly uneventful, except I got these three soft cute plush sheep for $3 each. They're adorable and so fuzzy! ♥

It's quite cold out right now--there's a possibility it could snow tomorrow! I would love that so much.