Whilst visiting Bakersfield in California we came across Harts Park just outside the city  on the road towards Kern Canyon. In the summer it can provide a cool refuge from the incessant heat of the town. The river Kern flows along its edge and with two lakes it’s a great place for a picnic and much used by the locals.

Wildlife of Harts Park

The extremely colourful male wood duck proved to be a challenge to photograph as they were rather shy, keeping close the reeds. They seemed to favour the shade of a particular tree on the edge of the lake. Waiting in position we managed to take the photographs below of the male and female wood duck.

Come winter the crowds have left and the wildlife is much easier to see. Huge flocks of America coots are attracted together with a number of predators. On a recent visit there we came across signs of coyote and saw a red-tailed hawk tearing apart one unfortunate coot. Whilst the rest of the flock huddled in a circle watching its demise.

It was interesting watching a flock of about 12 rose ringed parakeets exploring woodpecker holes and bringing a flash of bright colour as they flew from the tree to roost nearby.

Other species seen on our short walk around the lake were:-

Ground squirrel, Cattle Egret, Ferruginous Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Downy Woodpecker, Wood Duck, Rose-ringed Parakeet, American Robin, Peafowl, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Great Blue Heron, Common Moorhen, Canada Goose and Mallard

Its a place that’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area with a couple of hours to spare. At the moment there have been 231 species of birds recorded in the park