Central Valley California
Reflections
by: Barbara
Steinberg
The Central Valley is
most captivating this time of year. The first rains have
re-greened the summer gold and wintering wildlife is flocking
(pardon that pun) to newly plowed and fallow fields.
Joining other wildlife and
eco-tourism enthusiasts at a 2-day conference in
Stocktonn brought more than its share of surprises. The
conference included trips to Woodbridge Ecological Reserve (I am
a frequent visitor) and Lodi Lake (a place I had never visited)
to view birds and other wildlife.
Woodbridge is Mecca for
sandhill cranes (and other migratory birds) this time of
year...and we were not disappointed. They are returning by the
thousands. Trumpter swans, egrets, great blue heron, kestrals, hawks,
cormorants, geese, ducks -- just a few of the other birds
witnessed. If you have never visited...GO! It is an
unforgettable experience. Photos of the incoming cranes were
hard to capture with my little camera -- especially in the misty
light. But the feeling is clear.
Lodi Lake...it's a wilderness
retreat in an urban jungle. Totally unexpected and I plan to
return to really explore its riparian landscape and primordial
forests. The docent said that the winter months are the most
interesting...certainly the most quiet. We saw many birds
(beautiful wood ducks) and signs of river otters, deer, and
beaver. Yes, this is Lodi!
And some personal thoughts
while driving to Stockton. Wish there were photos but difficult
to capture this view:
Driving away from the city --
skies are clear, blue, and sun-filled. Speeding furiously into
the flow of traffic (there's no choice), but up ahead plumes of
white rise before us...is it smoke? Slowly, slowly, we drive
into the tule fog which is gracing the winter valley. The sun
filters through and gradually disappears as the thick white
swallows the road, fields, and sky.
Note: Woodbridge
Ecological Reserve (aka Isenberg Crane Reserve) features guided
tours of Sandhill Cranes, many species of waterfowl, and other
wildlife. Guided tours run from October through February. Take
I-5 to Lodi area (south of Sacramento) and exit either Turner
Road or Peltier Road and turn east. Immediately turn onto
Thornton Road (northbound from Turner; southbound from Peltier)
and proceed approx 2 miles to Woodbridge Rd.; turn west and
proceed 2 ½ miles to parking area and viewing mound on the south
side of road. www.dfg.ca.gov/reg2/shcranetour
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