As winter settles in, Shollenberger Park in Petaluma, California, becomes a true sanctuary for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts. This serene wetland, bordered by the Petaluma River and a vibrant mosaic of salt marshes, is a hidden gem that comes alive in the winter...

Walking through Shollenberger the other day, I had an unexpected encounter with one of nature's most elusive creatures – the American Bittern. I was alerted to its presence by its strange, guttural call. It is a deep, resonant "oonk-a-lunk" like a cross between a deep...