“A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.” ― Eudora Welty
Copyright © 2019 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This pair is living in a barn on a ranch not too far from me. The owners were kind enough to let me and a birding friend wander around for a bit.
These two were a real treat to see.
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 20.0.6
more to come…
Copyright ©2018 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Song Sparrow…I think. Its song was pretty on this morning in June.
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm| PS CC 2019
more to come…
Copyright ©2018 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
While photographing Wild Mustangs one morning in August this little guy popped out of the grass almost beside me to grab an unsuspecting Butterfly for breakfast.
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2018
more to come…
Copyright © 2018 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
While at the beach a couple weeks ago to photograph the Moon we came across a protected area where we discovered Snowy Plovers nesting.
They’re a small shorebird found on beaches, and barren ground all across North American Gulf and Pacific coasts and here and there in California, Texas, and Saskatchewan inland areas. They are also found in South America, and Eurasia.
Neat facts from allaboutbirds.org:
The Snowy Plover will many time raise two broods a year, and sometimes three in places where the breeding season is long. The female deserts her mate and brood about the time the chicks hatch and initiates a new breeding with a different male.
Young Snowy Plovers leave their nest within three hours of hatching! They flatten themselves on the ground when a parent signal the approach of people or possible predators. They walk, run, and swim well and forage unaided by parents, but need periodic brooding for many days after hatching.
The oldest recorded Snowy Plover was at least 15 years, 2 months old when it was spotted in the wild in California and identified by its band. ~allaboutbirds.org
This one was really close to the edge of the protected nesting area which was great. It gave us really great looks, and photo ops.
Sadly, the Snowy Plover population is listed as Near Threatened as their numbers are in decline. It’s believed their habitat is in decline due to habitat alteration, and increased recreational use of beaches.
I was happy to see this section roped/taped off, and no one breached the barrier while I was there so, it looks like people are respecting them, and the rules to stay out of the area while they’re nesting. I hope that bodes well for a successful breeding season for these cute little shorebirds.
I hope your week is going well, and you all have a lovely week-end!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm @500mm| Lexar Digital Film| PS CC 2018
more to come…
Copyright ©2018 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Last year we had a pair of American Bald Eagles make a nest in a Redwood tree which is located in the front yard of an Elementary School right here in Silicon Valley. It was very exciting news. We hoped they’d return this year. Not only did they return to their nest they’ve had two chicks!
Myself and several friends had made a couple of trips over to see and photograph them, 2 weeks ago we met there again. When I pulled up there were many photographers there, and they were quickly changing positions, and pointing up, one friend already there motioned me to hurry. There was something exciting happening. I quickly parked, got out of the car then went to get my camera out of the back of my car. The Female was coming in and she had dinner! I had to act fast she was flying low, fast, and being dogged by crows who squawked at her the whole time.
There was a row of trees blocking my view, so I ducked down, and sans tripod got her in my viewfinder and fired off three rapid shots then I lost her in the trees. Since I was hand-holding my 200-500mm lens I wobble all over the place and my position of ducking and shooting wasn’t stable. I didn’t have much hope for having a decent shot. My rig weighs just a smidge under 8 pounds (4kg). I’ve never had any arm strength. 😥 Two of the images were nothing but a blurry blob in the frame, but one was worth saving for myself. It’s not print quality, but I thought I show you it anyway because you can tell what birds they are, and what’s happening.
Mama Eagle scored a whole duck for dinner. A whole duck! There were 3 crows dogging her, but I only got one in the frame with her. See the duck?
Mama stayed near the nest watching the Eaglets eat for sometime, and the Eaglets would pop their heads up from time to time looking for their parents.
Mama decided it was time for another flight. I photographed her just as she left the branch she was on. I love this shot! Her wings are enormous! I barely fit all of her in my frame.
Dad was nearby on a branch higher up keeping watch, but after Mama left and the chicks were fed he thought it was safe for him to come down and clean off his beak.
He cleaned it by rubbing and wiping it on that branch. Under his back end below the branch is the nest. You can just make out a chick in there. Dad has lost all his beautiful white tail feathers! I hope they grow back.
We stayed watching and photographing them until sundown when we lost the good light. I have more images I want to share of the adults, but again I’ll wait for a rainy day, by then I may a few of the Chicks as Fledglings.
Pets Update: I finally took a photo of Box, and someone cough! (Dan) reminded me that I haven’t shared a photo of Diva Dog in sometime. Imagonna fix that for ya. 🙂 I had Yosemite Sam pop into my head when I heard that last sentence in my head. 😜
Box is still shy: He loves to hide in the back corners, and he loves his hay bag. I got him at a good time munching on hay.
…and for Dan, Diva Dog- Yesterday was in the 80’s and today is supposed to be 89°F. Early summer? When it’s hot she likes to lay on the cool wood floor in the entry hall, or on our bathroom floor’s Travertine tiles. She wouldn’t pose for me. Too hot! I’m sorry you can’t see her cute neckerchief.
It’s supposed to cool down mid week. I hope you’re not too hot or cold, and I hope you’re all having a good week, and great day!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm @500mm| SanDisk Digital Film| PS CC 2018
more to come…
Copyright © 2018 Deborah M. Zajac ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The day after Mother’s Day Gordon of undiscoveredimagesamongstus blog was the navigator for an excursion to see an Osprey nest that is currently inhabited with a family of 4.
We had some great sightings of the Female, Male, and little peeks at the chicks. The morning was overcast, but during lunch the sun broke through the marine layer giving us some blue sky.
The Male was busy in the morning with chores; bringing in new nesting material.
Heading out again…
a peek at the chicks!
Osprey Facts:
COMMON NAME: Osprey
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pandion haliaetus
TYPE: Birds
DIET: Carnivores
AVERAGE LIFE SPAN IN THE WILD: 30 years
SIZE: Body, 21 to 23 in; wingspan, 5 to 6 ft
WEIGHT: 3.1 to 4.4 lbs
They are fantastic fishers. Their diet is 99% fish, so you’ll find them on rivers, lakes, ponds and coastal waterways around the world.
Ospreys hunt by diving to the water’s surface from some 30 to 100 feet up. They have gripping pads on their feet to help them pluck fish from the water with their curved claws and carry them for great distances. In flight, ospreys will orient the fish headfirst to ease wind resistance.~https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/o/osprey/
I didn’t get to see the aerial show Gordon and our friend Dan saw on Saturday, but I can’t complain. It was amazing see these fly to and from the nest, and get a bonus peek at the chicks.
We saw some other birds too, but I’ll save those for a rainy day. 🙂
He-Man was seated on a jury today so, I’ll be missing him for the next few days. Funny that. When he first started telecommuting I wasn’t happy about it. Having him in my space all day; UGH! I’ve had to adjust. It’s been a few years now and I’ve grown to appreciate him being here.
The Guinea Pig; Box, is settling in and he and Diva Dog are getting used to each other. Box and she are communicating I think. Diva Dog chuffs, and wags her tail like crazy when she’s inspecting Box, and his habitat, and Box chirps, and whistles and is really excited to see her after her walks.
Box is standing still in his habitat when I put my hand in to pet him now, so we’re making progress too. I’ll get some images of him to share soon. He’s a cute little calico Guinea pig.
I hope your week is going well!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm @500mm| f/8| ISO 800| SanDisk Digital Film
more to come…
Copyright ©2018 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Saturday some friends and I met up to go look for the Owls again.
The Owlets were out of the nest and high up in the foliage with Mom. I didn’t get any shots of them, but both the Male, and Female Adults gave us great looks.
When we first arrived in the park Gordon from https://undiscoverdimagesamongstus.wordpress.com/
was there already and had spotted the Male Adult Great Horned Owl in a tree opposite the nesting tree. Fortunately he was on a branch in the open, but it was well shaded.
He hooted off and on to the Mrs. and the chicks which was really neat to hear. I’m pretty sure he’s hooting in this image b/c his white chest feathers are prominent. When he was quiet it was just a line across his chest.
Several hours later the Female flew out of the nesting tree to a huge Eucalyptus tree across from the nesting tree, and out in the open so we had a great look at her. I’m sure she was able to keep an eye on the chicks from there. It was evening by then and the sun was sinking lower, and getting more golden.
The light was so lovely on her. Isn’t she pretty!
Here are just a handful of the Owl watchers that passed through to look at the owls.
In front row all in black is Gordon, then our friend Anna who you can barely see next to him, and our friend Brian the last one in the front row. Myself and Dali were still taking images of the Female while these photographers, and birders were looking for the Owlets. (This image I made with my iPhone 7 Plus.)
It was another good birding day despite me not getting a good look at the owlets this time.
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm| PSCC 2018
more to come…
