Birds Of The Raymond CA area 04-12-22

Birds Of The Raymond CA area 04-12-22

Dale Matson

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Waiting for our grub

Besides an annual bicycle ride called, “Everybody Loves Raymond Ride”, it is a good area for birding. It is near both Eastman Lake, fed by the Chowchilla River and Hensley Lake fed by the Fresno River. Raymond was previously called Wildcat Station and has a population of about 1,000 people. The main attraction is the General Store/Bar/Restaurant and Sharon and I usually head there for lunch and then home to Fresno.

We do a big loop drive which takes us past a Golden Eagle nest, then we head to Hensley Lake and then Eastman Lake. In all we passed Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, numerous Hawks and an Owl. The eggs have hatched in most places. It is a biweekly adventure for us.

Today we saw our first Golden Eagle chick peeking out of the nest at us. There quite a bit of wind today and there was a “Kettle” made up of Buzzards, two mature Bald Eagles and a juvenile eagle circling overhead at Hensley Lake near the vista point. 

There was a pair of adult Bald Eagles out over Eastman Lake circling high overhead. We took highway 607 (a dirt road) from Eastman Lake to Raymond for lunch on the porch. On our way to highway 400 on Raymond Road, we checked out an owl nest with and adult and at least one chick.  

Golden Eagle chick left of tree stem.

Red Tailed Hawk

Juvenile Bald Eagle

Adult Owl On Left Chick Flapping Wings

Chick on Right

My Favorite Bird: The Golden Eagle

Dale Matson

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                Same Golden Eagle Photographed From Across

 Millerton Lake (From Fresno Side)

With 1200mm Lens

    I have plenty of bald eagle photographs from Haines Alaska but my favorite eagle photographs were taken just miles from my house.There is a pair of resident goldens on the Madera side of Millerton Lake which is about 20 minutes from my home. There is another resident pair north of my home off highway 41and there is another pair that visit Eastman Lake near Raymond CA. No one knows where their nest is located.     

I first became interested in golden eagles when a pair flew above the cliffs at Millerton Lake. I was on the eagle boat tour and Mike Smith the tour docent pointed them out. One did a stoop and descended like a rocket. Goldens are the second fastest bird.

I discovered their nest and climbed above weekly for one entire season from empty nest to two fledged eagles and one fledged adopted Red-Tailed Hawk. I have a video about this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R_d2KGmJAs I think of them as “latchkey” parents who spent little time in the nest. After dropping off food, they would perch together above the nest.

They have since moved their nest and Mike has possibly located the new nest, not far from the old nest. We probably won’t know until there are chicks. The newer nest is very concealed.

The second set of goldens comes to the outlet of the Chowchilla River as it exits from Eastman Lake. There are some snags they like to sit on and dive down to the river to pick off an occasional Coot.

Eastman Lake Eagle

The third set of goldens are the helicopter parents and have raised three sets of twins over the past three years. It is rare when at least one parent is not on the nest with the offspring. They don’t seem to be bothered by spectators and photographers and I have some video footage of them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5s22BcF6uo

 

Coyotes at Millerton Lake

Coyotes at Millerton Lake

Dale Matson

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My primary reason for this trip to Millerton Lake was to try and find eagles to photograph. After about an hour on the Fresno County side of the lake, I drove across the river and entered on the Madera side of the lake. 

I visited my usual spots and parked at “Eagles Nest” picnic area. There is a spot where I can see Golden Eagle activity from there with binoculars. However, this was a no-show deal.

As I was about to exit, I took one more look at a couple of trees frequented by bald eagles. Empty handed again.

As I made a U-turn, I spotted three coyotes right in front of my truck. I was able to take some photos out of the driver’s window. They seemed to be more interested in smells than my truck. Then they headed down toward the lake. I got some more photos and allowed them to wander off further toward the lake. Two of them actually laid down. 

It was the best opportunity I have ever had to photograph the coyotes who are normally skittish and scamper off as soon as they see a human. 

    I had a running friend Kathy, who referred to coyotes as "God's dogs". Well Put, since they don't belong to anyone else.

Eastside Sierra Landscape Winter 2022

Eastside Sierra Landscape

Dale Matson

Mt. Whitney Center

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Sharon and I visit the eastside of the Sierra for backpacking, viewing the endangered Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep and for the Fall colors. It is a great drive through Yosemite from Fresno and less fun going around Bakersfield when Highway 120 is closed through Yosemite in the winter.

Bishop is where we usually stay overnight when we aren’t backpacking. The scenery immediately North and South is terrific and with the more recent snow made the mountains even more beautiful….and don’t forget White Mountain Peak to the East also.

While we were looking for sheep in the canyons, we also got lots of landscape photos, so I thought I’d share some from the area.

Mt. Langley

Lone Pine Peak

Mt. Basin Left

Mt. Tom 

Shack In Front Of Wheeler Ridge

Four Gable Peak

White Mountain Peak

Mt. Williamson