HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Recent Cedar Waxwing in Oakley CA

                                              CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE JANUARY 2026

         Hope everyone is well.  Sharing more local wildlife photos from Fall and early winter in our Bay Area. The Central Valley in California was fog covered for nearly a month leading me to drive out of the fog cap areas towards the sun into the Alameda and Contra Costa County foothills. A look at highlights from a couple of those adventures. I have been looking for predators including raptors, cats, and canines. 

  Other photographs taken in this group in the Delta area, some in poor light due to foggy conditions. Most of these are recent taken in fall or early winter, with the exception of the ferruginous hawk (Taken 11-18-19).  All from our area including another merlin with prey, and kestrel hunting rodents from the air. See text beneath individual photos for additional information…

*Added a short video of an experience of wild pigs running by on my vehicle camera. Had to down size for size restrictions. Not the best quality... Alameda foothills... 

Recent bobcat out on the hunt I believe in the South Alameda County Foothills 

Another Recent merlin in the CA Delta system Eastern CC County

Recent western coyote on Los Vaqueros reservoir property near Camino Diablo

Recent Juvenile red tailed hawk near rock slough in the California Delta

Recent kestrel on the hunt on windy day out in the CA Delta Eastern CC County

Recent  bobcat seen earlier in Alameda County Foothills (same cat as above) 

Recent Osprey with fish in California Delta 


Recent merlin with small bird (Same bird as earlier) CA Delta

Older photograph not previously posted of Ferruginous hawk in Eastern CC County. I have seen and photographed recent ferruginous hawks, but wanted to use a closer look. Their numbers have declined in recent years in my travel areas, unknown reasons. They are still seen, yet tough to gain close access. (Taken 11-28-19)

Last of the young coyote meeting I had with this coyote earlier in the fall. Eastern Cc County

Recent kestrel on windy day like a kite in the sky searching for rodent movement down below. Kestrel populations in Eastern CC County have been decent especially during winter out in this direction. This is the same kestrel seen earlier in this post...





Comments

  1. JosieJanuary 5, 2026 at 1:04 PM

    In the dim light of all the serious problems in the world you bring light and joy! I love the blog and all the animals you love !! It shows in your patience and good work. Have a wonderful new year and I look forward to spring and new birth.
    Josie

    ReplyDelete
  2. David HarperJanuary 7, 2026 at 3:09 PM

    Thanks so much Josie! Appreciate the great work you do! Seems like we have love for animals in common!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
                                                 CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE AUGUST 2025  Allens hummingbird Oakley Early in Eastern CC County perhaps the cooler weather this year       Hope all is well! Sharing some recent photographs and good news in regards to local Coyote populations. The last couple of years I have noticed a significant reduction of coyote numbers in the open plain’s areas of Contra Costa County and surrounding areas. I have traveled these areas consistently for many years, and I am impressed with recent observations.                There has been a change this year. Pups a plenty, I ‘d say. And confirmed also from a acquaintance I’ve known for years who works five days a week at a local watershed park. He starts early in the morning, and stays late in the afternoon or ...
Read more
Image
                               CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE JUNE 2025    Photographs of California pipevine swallowtail butterflies near the North end of San Pablo Reservoir. These butterflies are common in the spring and summer of Western CC County in the slightly cooler and damp regions of Tilden-Briones-Wildcat Cyn areas. I have been always intrigued with the blue-black color variations of this species, though sometimes hard to relate in photographs. These butterflies can be found in many other Bay Area areas, yet this area is by far the best area I have found for this species.   Also, in the Oakley area the white tail kites have fledged three new youngsters in the Oakley area near my home. Sharing some photos of this family. These bird’s ability to support sometimes three or four youngsters is amazing to me. One year, as mentioned before, there were five from one nest. I was only able to get of...
Read more
Image
                                                  CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE FEBRUARY 2026    California Towhee in Oakley CA               More wildlife views from Alameda County and Contra Costa County. Winter and fall have become a favorite time of year. Nothing beats a crystal-clear cold morning in a favorite wilderness area.  There is a variety of wild animals easily viewed in our incredible state. It requires one to take a cruise and get away from the city madness to a wildlife setting of your choice. It doesn’t have to be a long ride; it can be anywhere. A hiking trail along a creek, A city or regional park, A remote road away from the city, or a National Park. California is the most biodiverse state in...
Read more