Merced County lies at the heart of California’s Central Valley. While a great deal of the county is devoted to agriculture, there are several large wildlife refuges designed predominately for the use of wintering waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes as well as breeding ibis, herons, and Swainson’s Hawks. Along Merced’s western border is the San Luis Reservoir which in the winter houses huge numbers of ducks, geese, and gulls and to east are vernal pool grasslands that are home to numerous rare and endangered plants and animals. Numerous small towns are spread across the county, the largest of which is the city of Merced. This is a collection of all of the wildlife that I have photographically documented in Merced County.