Deer in tall grass
When I rented a bicycle in Sacramento for a ride along the American River up to Folsom Lake, I took my camera to shoot signs of bicycling.
I got that, but I also got pictures of wildlife out in the brush or perched in the bare trees. Other animals crossed the bike trail just ahead of me and disappeared into the brush before I could point and click.
The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail passes through a rich wildlife corridor for some 32 miles between Sacramento and Lake Folsom along the American River Parkway.
Weaving trail
This bike-hike trail meanders through the long park that forms a natural corridor along the American River. At times it rolls next to the river; other times it twists through oak forest.
In two days of riding my rented Giant Cypress hybrid, I quickly found it was difficult to make good time because I was often slowing to look for wildlife.
Birds
Just south of Lake Natoma, I looked up to see a huge turkey vulture (above) in a tree, stretching its wings to catch some winter sunrays or just dry off.
Earlier in the day, I had spotted these two raptors perched in a tree. I think they're merlin falcons (pigeon hawks), although you birders might have a better idea. (Update) I've been informed by a knowledgeable source — a wildlife biologist with a background in ornithology — that they're white-tailed kites (Elanus leucurus) and are common in California.
While I spied other hawks and vultures upriver, there are lots of birds and waterfowl along its entire length.
Canada geese and mallards make this river their home, as do long-legged egrets. Many little birds I couldn't identify flitted back and forth through the brush as I rode past.
Other creatures
There's more than birds along in the park. Due to recent rains this winter, frogs were singing their hearts out in ponds along the side of the trail.
While I was bombing along on Saturday in the vicinity of the Cal State Expo grounds, I was startled as a brown dog-like animal trotted across the trail. A jogger had seen it to, confirming that we'd just seen a coyote.
There was no problem identifying these black-tailed deer below, however. Very tame; they even posed. I talked to someone who said they'd been showing up every afternoon for a week.
If you visit the American River Parkway to check out the wildlife, remember you must keep your bicycle on the paved bike path. No off-path riding is allowed.
Learn more about American River Wildlife .
And thanks to Russell for identifying the white-tailed kites.
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