Sat. Jan. 17, 9am-4pm

This large 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. Sandhill cranes give their long trumpeting calls as they fly overhead, and thousands of Snow geese suddenly fly up from the ponds. Great Horned owls sit silently in the willows. Over the course of the day, we usually observe fifty or more species of birds, and occasionally mammals such as otters, elk or deer. Bring lunch and drinks; tour is mostly by car, with minimal walking. Outstanding opportunities for bird photography.