Monday, August 16, 2010

Hwy 221, Kaiser Rd. - Anderson Rd., Napa, CA - Aug. 14, 2010

Walking Distance: 1.5 miles
Walking Time: 31 min. (6:20 - 6:51 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parked near Greene's Cleaners, 860-B Kaiser Road, Napa, CA

From Kaiser Road parking space, I first walked North to the Kaiser Road sign, and then South -- to the intersection of Highway 221 and Anderson Road (to the East of Highway 221) and Napa Valley Corporate Way (West of Highway 221). Note: Neither of these end points are shown on the map insert at right. More vineyards could be seen on the hillsides.

Red-tailed hawks have a very distinctive screeching cry (often used in television and film). Having heard this cry, I looked up to find I was fairly close to a red-tailed hawk who was perched on some bare limb of a large eucalyptus tree in the median strip of the highway. However, when I got close enough (even with this tree on the other side of the road) to try to take a picture, the hawk flew away.

Animals and birds seem to be quite wary of pedestrians -- who are far more unusual than automobiles speeding past. And, when I see things like this mask (right), I guess I don't blame them.

The closest I came to capturing any bird images today were these two very long shots: 1.) a great egret perched up on a hillside, and 2.) a turkey vulture spotted flying a bit later. Both are shown at right.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 crows; 2 red-tailed hawks (around/in tall eucalyptus trees); 11 little brown jobs/songbirds; 3 blurs in bushes/dry grass; 1 great egret.

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