Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay, Redding, California photos by Larry Jordan
The Sundial Bridge and Turtle Bay Exploration Park, located in Redding, has become a well known landmark in Northern California offering a myriad of activities and learning opportunities for people of all ages. The Sundial Bridge spans 700 feet across the Sacramento River and soars 217 feet into the air (click here for the facts and figures pdf file).
This vast playground includes a museum, botanical gardens and Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp which includes a butterfly house, an amphitheater where outdoor wildlife shows are performed and a playground for kids too (see the map here).
Hermit Thrush
This area is also a haven for birds. There is oak savannah habitat offering many passerine species as well as many shorebirds and waterfowl that can be observed along the river and adjacent ponds. There is now a paved path (part of the Sacramento River Trail) from the park entrance meandering around the south side of the park, through the trees, past secluded ponds to the Sacramento River. The path continues along the river, returning you back to the Sundial Bridge.
Common Merganser
On the north side of the bridge there are several trails that traverse hundreds of acres, the most famous being the Sacramento River Trail. Walking through these giant oak trees near the river is where I found this nesting Ash-throated Flycatcher last summer.
Ash-throated Flycatcher
And right near the museum the other day, on the river trail, I was treated to a close-up look at one of the two Bald Eagles nesting on the south end of the river trail, next to highway 44. Either Patriot or Liberty flew directly over my head and perched in a cottonwood tree just above the trail.
You can see a live webcam of Patriot and Liberty here. They are incubating 3 eggs now which are estimated to hatch between March 25 and the 28th. You can get the latest news on the Redding Eagles here. And see more great photos from around the world at That’s My World!
Comments on this entry are closed.
your bridge looks so modern
.-= Lindz´s last blog ..Scenic Sunday & Mellow Yellow Monday – The Armory Newington NSW =-.
I just love the Ash-throated Flycatcher. What a sweetie 🙂
.-= gwendolen´s last blog ..Winter survivor =-.
Hi Larry,
I would sign for the bald eagle!! Lovely post you got, this bridge has a very strange design and well done on the flycatcher!!!
Larry, I’m super-impressed with that flycatcher photo! And the praying mantis in its mouth – so cool! (for the bird)
What a treat to see the eagles – are they in your neighborhood year-round?
.-= Amber Coakley´s last blog ..Challenge for Charity – March, 2010 =-.
@Lindz the bridge is probably the most modern thing in Redding
@Gwen the Ash-throated Flycatcher is one of my favorite passerine birds. They breed every year in my nest boxes and I love their girgley song.
@Chris thank you very much
@Amber I do like that Flycatcher shot a lot myself and yes the Eagles live on the Sacramento River here in Redding. This is one of the pair nesting right next to the freeway!
That sundial bridge is really neat. I will have to make it by if I’m in the area.