In Training For Retirement

Yesterday was a professional development day in our school district, a day when students stay home and teachers come to work to learn more about the art of educating young minds. Since Danette and I are both retiring in June and we both are feeling that we have been professionally developed enough, we chose to practice the skills we will need for retirement instead. So, rather than sit in front of the computer on Zoom, we headed for Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary in  Sutter County along the banks of the Feather River.

Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary

In 1975 Bob and Elaine Crandell gave this 430 acre parcel of land to the National Audubon Society to preserve and protect, an incredibly generous gift to the people of California and the nation. The preserve sits on the west bank of the Feather River between the flood levee and the water and is a prime example of the riparian woodlands which once spread along both sides of all of California's central valley rivers. Sadly, today less than 2% of those forests remain. Over 190 species of birds have been sighted in the preserve including such rarities as the Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

It was a fine spring morning with lots of sunshine and little wind. We enjoyed a complete loop of the preserve stopping to take in views of the river and to spot the usual resident bird species. A return trip in May once all the trees have leafed out would likely result in a lot more birds than we saw yesterday but just being outside on a beautiful day, in a beautiful place was our goal yesterday.

As we made our way back home we both agreed that this day had been a most successful practice day for the many to come after June 16th. You can learn more about Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary at this link.