Madrone Audubon Society- Sonoma County Bird Pictures

Sonoma County
Bird Photographs
Photos & Text by Ron Storey

It is very unusual to find a Barn Owl sitting out in the open during the
day, but that is just what I found at Shollenberger Park. You can
imagine my surprise when as I was completing my walk around the
perimiter of the park when someone asked me if the bird perched in
the willow tree was an owl. The Barn Owl was perched in the first
willow on the right immediately after you enter the park from the
parking lot. As you can see the willow is budding but has yet to
leaf-out making this a great opportunity to photograph this bird.

The Snowy Egret is a year round resident and breeds in Sonoma County. This picture
was taken at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma where I found the bird perched on the
bridge that crosses the creek on the north boundary. I used some trees off in the distance
as the background. The bird was very cooperative and seemed to pose for me.
This picture was taken in February 2002.

This picture of a Black Oystercatcher was taken at Bodega Bay. It is a common bird
along the coast; but with its red bill and eyes contrasting with its black body, it is one of
our most beautiful shore birds. This is one of the many birds we saw while on a
Madrone Audubon field trip. This picture was taken in January, 2002.

This male Common Yellowthroat was in the cattails at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma
giving me a show. It was almost as if the bird really wanted its picture taken. This
picture was taken in February, 2002.

The Emperor Goose is a rare bird that occasionally visits Bodega Bay. In this picture it
is with some Brants (a sea-going goose), and in the foreground are Marbled Godwits.
This picture was taken in February, 2002 while on a Madrone Audubon field trip.

Sanderlings are a winter visitor to our coastal shores. They can be found along sandy
beaches running in and out with the tide. This picture was
taken in January 2002 at Bodega Bay.

The American Bittern holds its neck straight up while standing in reeds or cattails
making it difficult to see. As you can see from this picture, the markings going vertically
up it’s neck would make it appear as shadows or strands of reed. This picture was
taken in February, 2002, at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma.

A Vesper Sparrow was found at Port Sonoma giving everyone a great chance to view
this odd visitor. The bird was very cooperative for me but did not allow me to get too
close. When it flew away, it would soon return and allow me to continue taking it’s
picture. This picture was taken in February, 2002.

For about the last six winters, this Laysan Albatross has been a regular visitor to the
town of Pt. Arena on the Northern Coast in Mendocino Co. (just north of Sonoma Co.
line). It spends a couple of months there giving area birdwatchters a chance to see a
pelagic bird from the convenience of shore. This picture was taken from the short pier
just west of town. Point Arena is an easy two hour drive up the coast from
Bodega Bay. This picture was taken in January, 2002.

If you would like to see more of Ron Storey's nature photos.
Visit his website.

Would you like to display your Sonoma County Bird Pictures on our Webpage?
Email us.

Sonoma County
Bird Photographs
*Photos & Text by Ron Storey*
It is very unusual to find a Barn Owl sitting out in the open during the day, but that is just what I found at Shollenberger Park. You can imagine my surprise when as I was completing my walk around the perimiter of the park when someone asked me if the bird perched in the willow tree was an owl. The Barn Owl was perched in the first willow on the right immediately after you enter the park from the parking lot. As you can see the willow is budding but has yet to leaf-out making this a great opportunity to photograph this bird.
The Snowy Egret is a year round resident and breeds in Sonoma County. This picture was taken at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma where I found the bird perched on the bridge that crosses the creek on the north boundary. I used some trees off in the distance as the background. The bird was very cooperative and seemed to pose for me. This picture was taken in February 2002.
This picture of a Black Oystercatcher was taken at Bodega Bay. It is a common bird along the coast; but with its red bill and eyes contrasting with its black body, it is one of our most beautiful shore birds. This is one of the many birds we saw while on a Madrone Audubon field trip. This picture was taken in January, 2002.
This male Common Yellowthroat was in the cattails at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma giving me a show. It was almost as if the bird really wanted its picture taken. This picture was taken in February, 2002.
The Emperor Goose is a rare bird that occasionally visits Bodega Bay. In this picture it is with some Brants (a sea-going goose), and in the foreground are Marbled Godwits. This picture was taken in February, 2002 while on a Madrone Audubon field trip.
Sanderlings are a winter visitor to our coastal shores. They can be found along sandy beaches running in and out with the tide. This picture was taken in January 2002 at Bodega Bay.
The American Bittern holds its neck straight up while standing in reeds or cattails making it difficult to see. As you can see from this picture, the markings going vertically up it’s neck would make it appear as shadows or strands of reed. This picture was taken in February, 2002, at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma.
A Vesper Sparrow was found at Port Sonoma giving everyone a great chance to view this odd visitor. The bird was very cooperative for me but did not allow me to get too close. When it flew away, it would soon return and allow me to continue taking it’s picture. This picture was taken in February, 2002.
For about the last six winters, this Laysan Albatross has been a regular visitor to the town of Pt. Arena on the Northern Coast in Mendocino Co. (just north of Sonoma Co. line). It spends a couple of months there giving area birdwatchters a chance to see a pelagic bird from the convenience of shore. This picture was taken from the short pier just west of town. Point Arena is an easy two hour drive up the coast from Bodega Bay. This picture was taken in January, 2002. If you would like to see more of Ron Storey's nature photos. Visit his website.

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