Copyright ©2020 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Me feeding a wild Chick-a-dee!
Lumix FZ200| PS CC 21.0.2
more to come…
Category: birding
Whatever Weds. This and That
Copywrite ©2020 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
I have been out photographing things but didn’t post last week so I thought I’d share some of what’s going on and what I’ve been photographing.
There’s a BIG event here at the end of January called Eagles and Ag. Ag short for Agriculture. The Ag is grass, Cows, and sheep that eat that grass. During Calving season which is now, Eagles and Hawks make an appearance to feast on the afterbirth.
Anyway, there are talks and tours on private ranches and lands. This was the third year I tried to get in on some tours and I finally made it to not one, but three tours! YIPEE!
One of the tours was called the Owl Prowl. I saw Great Horned owls… too far and behind lots of branches to make good images of, and two Barn owls…I was too slow and far away so didn’t get a good shot of them while they flew by. Sigh, but I did get one Great Horned owl shot, sadly, I clipped one wing. I was still thrilled to see it. Birds SCORE! Deborah not so much.
I saw two American Bald Eagles, but they were so far away for my lens. I got a good look through the guides spotting scope though- no photo sorry.
We toured the wetlands behind my house and I learned a lot. These wetlands are private property and the only time the public can get in there is on this tour or you’re a member of Incline Village Hunter’s club. The wetlands are where Incline Village drains their effluent water which creates a wonderful habitat for shorebirds, and wildlife and they have treatment ponds out there to further clean the water where it eventually flows back into the Carson River, and some are reclaimed to water a golf course or two.
It wasn’t very birdy, but the reflections in the ponds were spectacular. That’s the Carson Range.
A few days after Eagles and Ag a couple of girlfriends and I went snowshoeing and on the way home, we saw a family unit of American Bald Eagles in a tree not far off the highway! We stopped! Almost out of range for my little Lumix FZ200, but still a nice look I think. That’s Dad on the bottom, Mom and Jr up at the top.
Then I went to Baby Girl’s for our Littlest’s first birthday party and I did a Cake Smash Photoshoot. Baby Girl and I collaborated on decorations and props. I think it came out alright. I did a pre-cake smash session followed by a nap, and feeding then the cake smash.
He wasn’t quite sure what to do with the cake, but curiosity got the best of him and he dug right in as you can see! I just LOVE his curls!!
We had another dusting of snow, so my girlfriends and I are heading to mountains a bit north of here to snowshoe in a new place today. I’m hoping to see some Chick-a-dees. They’ve been known to eat right out of your hand. I hope that happens!
That’s about it. I hope your week is off to a great start and continues to be a good one!
Panasonic Lumix FZ200| iPhone 7 Plus| Nikon D810 w/ 50mm f/1.8G lens| Hoodman and Sandisk Digital Film| PS CC 21.0.2
more to come…
Friday most Fowl!
Copyright ©2019 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I was sitting on the patio with a tasty glass of rosé ( Chateau de Beaupré) the other evening thinking about posting some recent bird sightings when this new title/ category popped into my head so, here is its debut; Friday most Fowl!
Sunday morning I was up early as I am wont to be and it was lovely out so, I opened the patio door and heard the sweet melodious sounds of a chorus of birds. I did what any birder does: I quickly grabbed my camera, snatched my freshly brewed cup-a-tea and headed to the patio. Of course the instant they heard me open the sliding screen door they flew into the far bushes and trees to hide. That was okay. I knew they’d back…this is home.
I settled in and was quiet…camera ready…letting my tea get cold. Oh, the sacrifices we make to get an image!
First back was the Female Rufous Hummingbird…a lifer for me!
…then the Songbirds returned,
a Tern made a pass over, I think it’s a Foster’s Tern?
Then Mr. Quail thought the coast was clear and hopped up on the bottom of the fence to be sure.
He looked me over real good. Then decide the oldest of his brood could come up for a little look-see. Last time I counted there were 6 little ones in his brood.
Then I had the biggest surprise I’ve had in birding in a long, long time. A Male Northern Flicker landed on my fence! A Northern Flicker! Right there less than 20 feet from me!! WOW!!
It only stayed a minute, but what a minute!! Of course, all the other little birds flew away, but I didn’t care just then. 😁
It was a pretty great birdy morning on my patio Sunday morning don’t you think?
He-Man was away on business most the week so I took a couple of days in the middle of that and went to Baby Girl’s to visit the Grandson’s and be there for #1’s first day of First Grade. He’s so stoked. His best friend is in his class and he likes his teacher. A great first day!
I’ll be catching up with your posts over the next few days. I hope you all have a wonderful week-end and Happy Friday!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm| Lexar Digital Film| PS CC 2019
more to come…
Whatever Weds. This and That
Copyright © 2019 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I thought I’d share several images I’ve made in the last few weeks and have been working on to share.
Golden Hour over the 13th Fairway, the Eastern Sierras, and the marsh as seen looking southwest from my patio.
A new bird for me! A Rough-winged Swallow with lunch. If I have not made the correct ID for this one please let me know!
Last Friday a friend came up for a Doctor’s appointment and spent the night, but after her appointment, we went out exploring my area looking for some Nevada Wild Mustangs; we had Lady Luck with us b/c we found a small band! Doing a little research we discovered that this Black/Blue Stallion is called Zorro.
Here’s one of Zorro’s band members with some Hitchhikers.
I’m looking forward to getting to know the Wild Mustangs of Nevada and this band.
To close out this week’s post I’ll share a sunset from last week. This was made while I was on my patio.
I hope you’re all having a great week so far, and as they say out here in the Valley, let’s get our Hump Day Dance on and bump those hips! 😂
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm and Nikkor 50mm| Lexar and Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2019
more to come…
Whatever Weds.
Copyright ©2019 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
We’re settling into our new home. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel of boxes!
Sunday I went out with a local birding expert and guide for a morning of birding.
It was so much fun and a great birdy day with so many bird highlights. We saw a pair Great-horned Owls, some Owlets, a Barn Owl, Bald Eagles, lots of Red-wing Blackbirds, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, sparrows, Turkey Vultures, and a pilot practicing aerial loops, swoops, and dives!
I’ll share just two images today though.
A pair of Kestrels in a tree with breakfast. I didn’t notice the prey until I uploaded my images. I’ve never seen a pair together before so this was a real treat for me.
and from my backyard, there are flocks of Yellow-headed Blackbirds enjoying the trees and my feeder. I never saw these in Silicon Valley. I love their vivid heads and lovely white pattern on their wings. I’m not sure if these are year-round birds or just spending Spring here. I’ll soon find out!
Yesterday the cabinets for the laundry room arrived so the contractor is going to open those boxes up and see what we got. I have to select and order my counter top still, and I think he’s going to paint He-Man’s closet. He textured the new framing for it yesterday. I’ve been taking photos of the project at each step. I’ll share those later.
I hope your week has been going well and continues to go well through the week-end!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 top image and 300mm f/4 bottom image| Hoodman Steel Digital Film| PS CC 2019
more to come…
Wild Weds. 49/52 Song Sparrow
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…
Wild Wednesday 33/52 Snowy Plovers
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…
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