Merced had closer access to the sandhill cranes on the ground.
Sandhill cranes at Merced NWR
Two sandhill cranes coming in for a landing.
Another view, sandhill cranes landing, Merced NWR
Also at Merced, a large flock of white-faced Ibis
Ibis in flight
White-faced ibis wing stretch, Merced NWR
I think this is a common gallinule, related to coots, at Merced NWR
Black phoebe in the reeds, busy catching bugs (of which there were many).
The american coot, a large flock, at the refuge.
A barn owl in the walking section of the wildlife refuge.
One male and two female cinnamon teals.
Healthy population of red-tailed hawks.
Male Nuttall's woodpecker in the walking area, Merced NWR.
Perched juvenile red-tail hawk, MNWR.
Gadwall ducks (I surmise) take flight at one of the ponds.
Gadwall ducks in flight, Merced NWR.
A small group of cranes approach the refuge, behind them smoke from an agricultural controlled burn.