Right onto Riley Road

Turn right onto Riley Road. Valensin Ranch is located on your right. This is a good place to notice the difference between leveled farmland and native topography. You may see a pair of white-tailed or black-shouldered kites hovering above, using their keen sight and hearing to search for rodents, insects, and reptiles. Past the cluster of eucalyptus trees, the ranch extends to both sides of the road, which crosses the north and middle forks of Badger Creek. Initial restoration efforts are focusing on these stream corridors. Many wildlife species call this waterway home, including red-winged, tricolor, yellow-headed, and Brewer's blackbirds. Also in this area are beaver, coyote, raccoon, badgers, burrowing owl, and many waterbirds. Riley Road merges with and becomes Arno Road. Here in the winter, a Ferruginous hawk is a frequent sight on the fenceposts, grasslands, or powerlines. Further south, Arno Road takes a 90-degree turn to the west.