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Snow Geese Silhouette
The central valley of
California once claimed more than four
million acres of wetlands. Along with
hundreds of other species, these marshes
supported waterfowl that once numbered
literally in the tens of millions.
Journals of early Western explorers often
described the defeaning uproar when
thousands of ducks and geese would take
flight simultaneously. The Sacramento
National Wildlife Refuge, where this image
was taken, along with other refuges in
California, Washington and Oregon, now
represent less than five percent of the
marshes that once were abundant along the
pacific coast states. The other 95% been
filled in and now supports cattle
ranching, agriculture, and urban
areas.
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