A Sci-fi Moon And A Sunset Sky

"Despite what everyone thinks about science fiction, ultimately, at it's best, 

it's about humans beings with human emotions."

~Greg Frasier

Last night, on the Franklin blvd Bridge, was wonderful. I was with my fella, the air was nice with a slight breeze, and the moon was gorgeous! The bats, unfortunately, was another story. Their numbers were lower than last week, and as a result, there were fewer Swainson's hawks. The sky bands that did occur were quite sparse, so the hawks that were there, were able to pick the bats from the sky with ease. That always leaves me with mixed emotions. I guess the hawks need to eat too, but the bats do so much good with eating the mosquitos and no-see-ums, and with pollinating the night blooming flowers. The whole thing had me thinking of what an interesting Sci-fi story it could be, I just wish I had any writing skills. I am a visual person I guess. I have always had ideas for short stories, but somehow I just can't get them from my brain, to the keyboard on my computer.

Late Spring Early Summer

 

"Sunsets prove that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully."

~Kristen Butler

Here are my photos of a gorgeous sunset. Both taken along Franklin blvd the other night while we were birding and batting. But, is it the past spring sunset photos, or the first summer photos of 2026? Summer hasn't officially started yet, but a couple weeks ago, we celebrated Memorial day, which most folks think of as the unofficial beginning of summer! I guess we are closer to summer than spring. Spring is feeling tired and quiet, while summer is raring to go! Okay, I talked myself into it. These photos represent the first sunset photos in my summer folder! 

There will be more to come!

Sky Ballet

 

"The baby bat screamed out in fright, turn on the dark, I'm afraid of the light."

~Shel Silverstein

Yep, they're home! The Mexican Free-tailed bats have returned to the Franklin boulevard Bridge! It's early in their arrival, so there weren't many, yet there were enough for me to believe it's going to be an amazing bat season, fingers crossed! I was very pleased with the results of the camera on my new phone. It is every bit as good as the reviews said it was! I need a lot more practice, but these photos are the clearest I believe to date! I practiced a bit with the video feature, but haven't had a chance to edit what I got. I hope to go out again tonight, but frankly I am still rubbing Hydrocortisone on my many bites, and man is it painful, but I have been waiting a long time for the return of my friends, so bugs or no bugs, I am going to be on the Franklin Bridge a lot this summer! Jeepers, can you believe it, I was on the bridge last Thursday, and here it is, Monday, and I am still finding new bites. My doctor said bites like this can take up to 2 weeks to fully show up!

UGH!

Mexican Free-tailed bat and Red-tailed Hawk

Bullet Holes

 

"Speaking personally, you can take my gun,

 but you'll take my book when you pry my cold dead fingers off of the binding."

~Stephen King

There is so much beauty at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Nature at it's most beautiful. From the amazing sunsets, to the birding I have done there. I spotted my first ever Bald Eagle soaring over the preserve, it was the most majestic thing I had ever saw. The wildflowers in the spring and the autumn leaves in the Fall, every bit of the best of nature is to be had. Even the Mexican-free tailed bat adds additional joy to just being there, in the moment. So why would anyone be so hollow inside as to shoot up a sign, asking those visiting to not bother the birds? It's sad, and a shame that folks behave in this manner. It's fucking heart breaking. Sometimes I just want to give up, stop stepping out of my condo, but the world is so scary that I need the respite of this amazing place, so I keep calm and carry on. Why does every area of life have to be so exhausting... and deeply depressing?

The Beauty Of The Cosumnes River Preserve

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #54

 

"I can hear a new story, in each leaf that falls."

~Isabelle Izzi Meditates Baker

Birds In Autumn

 

"A bird in autumn

sits outside

and quietly enjoys the rain

Dear bird

you and I

 are the same"

~Laura Jaworski

All the birds have their gorgeous winter plumage on right now. I look forward to that. I love how fluffy they become. Even the ones that don't really migrate, and who aren't so fluffy, adds to that autumn feeling of inner joy for me. The clear warm light in the middle of the day make them look bright and brings out all their colors, but by the late afternoon, the sunset turns their feathers a muted tone. I never realized how beautiful birds were, until I took up birding!

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #17

 

“Leaves grow old gracefully, bring such joy in their last lingering days. How vibrant and bright is their final flurry of life.”

 
~Karen Gibbs 

 

I found this leaf, sitting on a footbridge, at the Cosumnes River Preserve River walkway. The late afternoon autumn sun made it shine with that special honey gold that you see only once a year. It was the last moment of the leaf's life, and it was going to die gracefully. I hope, when it's my time, I can manage that much tribute to my life lived!

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #14

“Autumn questions: Does a dead leaf have a dream? Does she want to return to her green tree again? Does she want to drift in the wind and travel the world? Or does she want to meet other dead leaves? Maybe she just wants to get into the frame of a photo and become immortal?” 

 
~Mehmet Murat ildan 

 

  

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #9

 

“It's like summer wear the world out, and by October everyone is just ready for a nap”

~ Ta-Nehisi Coates,

 The Water Dancer

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #7

 

“I am falling in love with autumn all over again”

 
~Charmaine J Forde 

 

 

Sandhill Cranes On Desmond Road

“Every story begins somewhere, some in the rain of forgotten yesterdays

 and some in the scent of autumn leaves...”

 
~Jayita Bhattacharjee 

 

 Finally! I spotted them on Desmond road yesterday, at 4:00 pm. My beautiful Sandhill Cranes are back! Well, actually, they have been back for over a week, but they are officially back for me now. They weren't making much noise, so I didn't hear that beautiful call and chatter of theirs, but soon they will be back in large numbers, and then good luck not hearing them! And I wouldn't want it any other way!

 

Here's where you can find them today!