This wildlife preserve in the San Joaquin Valley totals more than 50,000 acres of marshes and riparian woodlands, and provides one of the greatest wildlife spectacles still found in California. In the winter, the marshes hold countless thousands of geese, raptors, ibis, ducks and great flocks of shorebirds, all in constant motion. This profusion of wildlife is one that greeted early explorers of California almost 200 years ago. Thousands of wildfowl, from Bufflehead to Snow geese to Tundra swans, dabble and swim through the ponds. Sandhill cranes in large numbers, as well as numerous varieties of shorebirds, wade through the marshes. Raptors abound, including Great Horned owls, Marsh harriers and Kestrels, and even Bald eagles occasionally make an appearance. And in the afternoon we’ll visit refuge headquarters to see herds of the magnificent Tule elk. Fifty to sixty bird species are usually observed during the day. Bring lunch and drinks; tour is mostly by car, with minimal walking. Outstanding wildlife and bird photography opportunities.