Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Nikon D700| Nikkor 200-500mm @460mm| f/5.6| ISO800| 1/1600s| Hoodman Digital Film|PS CC 2017
more to come…
Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I received my long lens back from service and couldn’t wait to get out and try it, but I got that bug so, didn’t go out to try it until yesterday (Sun. June 18th). I headed over to Milpitas to see if the American Bald Eagle Fledgling was out of the nest testing its wings. I arrived just before 7 A.M. I didn’t have to wait long before it started flapping its wings and hopping onto a branch outside the nest.
It sat on the branch surveying the land for a bit then turned around and did a hop/fly combo back to the nest where it tucked itself down out of sight. It remained out of sight for over an hour. As we waited the morning got hotter, and hotter. When I left just before noon, hot, sweaty, and very thirsty it was 96º degrees Fahrenheit. The high hit a record breaking 103º F! That broke the 1945 record of 99º F.
Myself and several other photographers, and birders were patiently waiting for one or both of the parents to return with food, and of course we wanted the Fledgling to come up out of the nest again, but quite a few people left as it began getting hot and there wasn’t anything to see.
Finally, the young Eagle got restless and called its parents to no avail then it began to jump and flap its wings again. It jumped way up and flew to the branch! It stayed there awhile pecking at the branch and looking around then suddenly it made a leap of faith into space and FLEW!!! Its maiden flight! A Fledgling at last!
Oh, I wish you were there to see it, to feel our anxiety and hope for success, and hear our joyous cries of delight when the young Eaglet made that leap of faith and flew to a neighboring tree!
There are quite a few images today, and the story doesn’t end here! Because there are so many images I’ll share the rest of the story another day. I hope you enjoy these first images of the young Eagle’s Maiden Flight.
Popping up to check out what’s happening…
Lemme test out my take off, and wing position. I wonder…
Ha! I’m outside of the nest! Okay, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
Ready. Set.
GO!
Okay, wings start flapping already!!
Oh, nearly there I can make it! Talons ready, tail in position…wings open…
Ta Da!!! I made it, I made it! Where’s Mom? Now, how do I get back to the nest?
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017
more to come…
Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Nikon D300s| Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D macro lens| Lexar Digital Film| PS CC 2017| Texture by: Boccacino
more to come…
Copyright © Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
While I was at home all week-end chillin I decided to have some fun with an image and a couple of my iPhone apps.
The image itself is a wild berry blossom that I photographed in late April while out birding.
At the beginning of this month I emailed myself a copy of the image to get it on my iPhone 7+, and yesterday had a play with two of my apps.
First I distorted the image using the app Tiny Planet, then I added a couple of Textures using the app Distressed FX
I really like look the Textures added to the image. It looks more artistic don’t you think? Do you have a preference of one over the other? I’m really having fun with the creative opportunities these two apps have opened up to me.
Just to let you know I’m not affiliated with either of these app companies. I bought them both with my own money, and they don’t give me anything for mentioning or using their products. I’m just sharing the links in case you’re interested in checking them out yourself.
Oh, I used Snapseed to put on my Copyright watermark on the bottom image. I’m not affiliated with that company either.
Thank you all for your thoughts, and lovely wishes for me and my family to get well soon. Thankfully, we’re all over the bug, and hope it doesn’t return anytime soon!
I hope you all have a lovely week!
Nikon D700| iPhone 7 Plus| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 207| Tiny Planet app| Distressed FX app
more to come…
Copyright © 2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I was birding on Saturday June 3rd looking for an Indigo Bunting and upon my arrival to the location soaring over my head was an American Bald Eagle! That’s a big deal in Santa Clara County. Eagles have been making a comeback here for the last few years which is super exciting to birders, but there are still only a handful here.
Anyway, it flew across the pond to a grove of tall trees and perched there and looked like he/or she was settled in for a long rest. I watched it for sometime then moved to the grassy area to photograph Western Bluebirds which I’ll be sharing soon.
Then I followed some Red-winged Blackbirds a bit then turned around to check on the Eagle and OMG! It was flying right for me!
I brought my camera up to my face in lighting speed, and fired off a burst of images following its flight path. We made eye to camera lens contact, then it veered right and headed for the northern hills, and I lost it. I was doing my happy dance! Isn’t that wing span somethin’?
Click on the image to see it better. WP compression isn’t working for me again. 😦 I may have to mess around with image sizes again to find something that looks good without having to click on an image.
I received my 200-500mm back from Nikon Service on Thursday, but I haven’t felt good enough to get out with it. I hope tomorrow this bug is over being in my system so I can go out and play!
Hope you all are having a great start to your week-end!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 300mm f/4| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017
more to come…
Copyright © 2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This Lizard and one more live in our backyard. I think they’re Western Fence Lizards and this one is a female because I’m not seeing bright blue at her throat or belly, but I’m not positive. The coloring and scales match the description, but… I’m guessing; nothing else in my book even comes close to matching our backyard lizards.
They like to bask in the sun on the warm cement bricks of our garden borders and retaining wall.
This one came right up to the end of the border next to the sliding glass door the other day. Luckily I had my camera nearby. We’ve named her Lizzy the Lizard.
Daughter came home with a bug on Wednesday, and #1 Grandson came down with it yesterday. I’ve had a dull headache and no appetite all Thursday. I fear I’m next! That could seriously wreck my photography plans this week-end. 😦 I’m hoping it’s just the change in the barometer (it dropped) affecting me and not the bug. It’s been really gray, overcast, and a bit chilly. There was rain in the forecast yesterday, but it never did rain.
I hope you all have a wonderful week-end, and stay healthy!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 300mm f/4 @8| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017
more to come…
Copyright 
2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Nikon D810| Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017
more to come…
