For a second winter in a row, the Falcated Duck showed up at Colusa NWR – presumably the same bird since what are the chances of a bird this rare showing up at the exact same location at almost the exact same time? This is a bird that should be in Japan or China at this time of year.
This one has somehow taken a liking to Colusa NWR 45 miles north of Sacramento. Since I didn’t get a chance to go after the bird last year (was in the UK), I decided to make a trek up there with some friends. Lucky for us, the bird showed up after 1 or 2 hours after sunrise at a brisk 30F and light winds.
![Falcated Duck Falcated Duck](https://kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/falcated_duck/falcated_duck_B13K0858.jpg)
Falcated Duck
![Falcated Duck Falcated Duck](https://kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/falcated_duck/falcated_duck_B13K0887.jpg)
Falcated Duck
Since this is the Central Valley during winter, it also provided great opportunities to photograph Tundra Swans, Greater White-fronted Geese and many other waterfowl that are quite ubiquitous at this time of year. Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, American Wigeon and other waterfowl by the thousands.
![Greater White-fronted Goose Greater White-fronted Goose](https://www.kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/greater_white_fronted_goose/greater_white_fronted_goose_B13K0746.jpg)
Greater White-fronted Goose
![Tundra Swan Tundra Swan](https://www.kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/tundra_swan/tundra_swan_B13K0953.jpg)
Tundra Swan
It is also a great place to photograph raptors and I couldn’t resist photographing a silhouette shot of a Great Horned Owl at sunset!
![Bald Eagle Bald Eagle](https://kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/bald_eagle/bald_eagle_B13K0931.jpg)
Bald Eagle
![Bald Eagle Bald Eagle](https://kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/bald_eagle/bald_eagle_B13K0937.jpg)
Bald Eagle
![Northern Harrier Northern Harrier](https://www.kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/northern_harrier/northern_harrier_B13K1138.jpg)
Northern Harrier
![Great Horned Owl Great Horned Owl](https://www.kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/great_horned_owl/great_horned_owl_B13K1188.jpg)
Great Horned Owl
![Belted Kingfisher Belted Kingfisher](https://www.kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/belted_kingfisher/belted_kingfisher_B13K1071.jpg)
Belted Kingfisher
![Loggerhead Shrike Loggerhead Shrike](https://www.kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/loggerhead_shrike/loggerhead_shrike_B13K1027.jpg)
Loggerhead Shrike
![American Kestrel American Kestrel](https://www.kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/american_kestrel/american_kestrel_B13K1009.jpg)
American Kestrel
![Red-tailed Hawk Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/red_tailed_hawk/red_tailed_hawk_B13K1099.jpg)
Red-tailed Hawk
![Red-tailed Hawk Red-tailed Hawk](https://kiwifoto.com/images/galleryphotos/red_tailed_hawk/red_tailed_hawk_B13K1176.jpg)
Red-tailed Hawk
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