Posts in Category: birds
Prehistoric Pelican
I think it might be the guano streaked cliffs behind the bird that give this shot, to my eye, a slightly prehistoric aspect…and the pose of the bird below only adds to the effect. In reading this morning I discovered that the modern Pelican probably dates back 30 million years, so, yes, the bird is indeed legitimately prehistoric. La Jolla Cove, California. Sony RX10iv at 600mm. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications. 1/1000th @ f4 @ ISO 400. Processed in Polarr. This is a good example of the tracking auto focus of the RX10iv. I have the whole sequence of the bird coming in and landing.
Bluebird!
I don’t seem to be able to post a photo of a bluebird…this is a Western Bluebird from above the tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument at the tip of Point Loma in San Diego, California…without “zippity do da” breaking out in my head. And then it hangs there for an hour or more, and I find my self relapsing at odd moments all day. Zippity do da day! I still like bluebirds though. This one is caught against a patch of California Poppies for extra-special treat. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. 1/800th @ f4 @ ISO 100. Processed in Polarr.
Curiosity, with a hint of challenge: Western Grebe
While we were watching Western and Clark’s Grebes at Lake Hodges, at the north edge of San Diego, this Western came in close to shore, apparently to see what we were doing, and to make sure we were no threat. It is mating season and this is, again apparently, a territorial display. With those red eyes, it does not take much to make a grebe intimidating. 🙂 Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds in flight and action modifications. 1/1000th @ f4 @ ISO 160. -.3EV. Processed in Polarr and assembled in FrameMagic.
Coming in! Pelican
Standing on the tops of the cliffs at La Jolla Cove in California, you often get to photograph Brown Pelicans in the air from above. In the top panel this bird was already coming in to land in the rookery. You can see the flared tail and the curve of the wings. The second shot is full braking just before touchdown. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications. 1/1000th and 1/1250th @ f4 @ ISO 100. -1EV. Processed in Polarr.
Courting Grebes
We went to Lake Hodges to see the courting Western and Clark’s Grebes. These two are Western and are doing the last act of the courting ritual before actually getting up and running, or “rushing” as it is called, across the water. This pair actually decided not to rush, but they got as far as flinging water at each other with their bills. San Diego River Park at Lake Hodges, Sony RX10iv at 600mm. My birds in flight and action modifications to Program mode. 1/1000th @ f4 @ ISO 200. Processed in Polarr.
Allen’s Hummingbird
This is apparently a good year for Allen’s Hummingbirds in San Diego, California. On our first day here, someone told my daughter Sally that they are “everywhere”, and that certainly has been our experience. In past years the Anna’s predominated, and we have seen a few Anna’s right were I expected to see. them…along the trail above the marsh at Formosa Slough for instance, where I have seen them every visit to San Diego…but there were also Allen’s there…which is a first for me in all they years I have been coming to the San Diego Birding Festival. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. +2 EV (to compensate for the backlight). Processed in Polarr.
Flying the red flag!
Here’s something you don’t see everyday, even if you spend a lot of time at breeding Brown Pelican rookeries…in fact, in all my visits to La Jolla Cove in La Jolla, California over many years, this is the first time I have seen it. This bird had just landed and was, maybe, displaying its pouch to establish territory…at least enough territory to put down its feet in the crowded colony. That red! Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. 1/640th @ f4 @ ISO 100. Processed in Polarr.
Oh that blue!
The Brant’s and Double-crested Cormorants are in breeding plumage at La Jolla Cove in southern California this week. This is a Double-crested, which is only this obvious in full breeding. What is never obvious, except on rare occasions when you catch the bird with its mouth open, is that amazing blue inside! Shocking, really, next to the oh so yellow of the throat patch and under those eyebrow plumes. 🙂 Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds in flight and action modifications. 1/1000th at f4 @ ISO 320. Processed in Polarr.
Red-eye
There is nothing quite like a Roseate Spoonbill in breeding plumage. The bright pink body and wing feathers, the green skin on the head, the white feathers on the neck, and the bright, bright red eye, here caught in full sun for the full effect. Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. 1/1000th @ f5.6 @ ISO 100. -.3EV. Processed in Polarr.
Common Loon
While down at the beach on Saturday, waiting for the Game Warden to call about the stranded Razorbill, there was a Common Loon fishing for crabs on the inland side of the causeway bridge in Back Creek. I managed to catch it with its mouth full. It took it 5 minutes to dismember and eat this crab. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. 1/1000th @ f4.5 @ ISO 100. -.3EV. Processed in Polarr. This is a crop down to about 1200mm equivalent field of view.