It is all about the light

On January 2, 2024, I went looking for photographs for my project on California’s “Central Valley”. Instead of heading to Fairfield, where I usually look for landscapes, I decided to go north to Colusa County.

Nestled within Colusa County lies a haven that plays a pivotal role in the survival and sustenance of countless migratory birds—the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex (SNWR). Spanning over 10,000 acres, this refuge stands as a testament to the commitment towards preserving critical habitats.

Encircled by farmlands, the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge stands in striking contrast to the region’s carefully managed agricultural scenery. Within California’s Central Valley, it forms a patchwork of wetlands, ponds, and marshes—an essential haven for migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway. Each year, from autumn through spring, millions of birds pass through on epic migrations covering thousands of miles. For countless species, this refuge provides a crucial pause in their journey—a sanctuary where they can rest, feed, and restore their strength.

The FEATURED IMAGE

The FEATURED IMAGE is a composite of a photograph of the landscape with another photograph, taken immediately after, of the birds traversing it. For this type of composition to work, I used the same camera, lens and focal length (200-500mm f/2.8 @200mm). The landscape photo was taken at f/11, 1/400, ISO 800, and the photo of the birds, a few seconds after, at f/5.6, 1/1250s, ISO 280.

To compose the image I layered the birds over the landscape and changed the blending mode to “darker color”. I then converted the image to black and white using an adjustment layer and fixed the levels with another adjustment layer.

A color version of the FEATURED IMAGE was REJECTED by the Bucks for Ducks annual fundraiser. It features ducks flying over California’s Willow trees in the evening, with Mount Shasta in the background. Prints of this image can be purchased from my pixels website.

Conclusion: The SNWR Complex and my project “Central Valley”

The SNWR, in the heart of Colusa County amidst the fields and wetlands, is a remnant of a much greater marsh area that covered a great portion of the Central Valley north of the Sacramento Delta. Although now greatly reduced, this area is one of the few places where the original ecosystem of the area can be seen and photographed.

I plan to visit the complex a few times this winter, as well as other migratory bird sanctuaries in my areas, to complement my project.

Conclusion: The SNWR Complex and my project “Central Valley”.

Previous posts

1. Winter photography in Colusa County: Colusa National Wildlife Refuge;
2. Winter photography in Colusa County: Sacramento Wildlife Refuge and migratory birds;
3. Winter photography in Butte County: One more image from the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area;
4. Winter photography in Butte County: The Gray Lodge Wildlife Area.

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