“A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.” ― Eudora Welty
Copyright ©2016 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
They’re mine! All mine!
It was a great morning for this American Robin, and for me too. It was a lot of fun
seeing him on this branch so full of berries.
American Robin-Male San Mateo County, CA
Nikon D700| Nikkor 200-500mm VR| Lexar Professional Digital Film| PS CC 2015
More to come…
Copyright © 2015 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!
This morning when I went out front I noticed a large flock of American Robins in the Ginko trees across the street, and there was a group of another bird I didn’t quite recognize, but knew it was something I’d want to photograph so, ran back in the house and grabbed my camera; hoping I had enough battery charge left to get an image or two!
I got a few shots then looked at them quickly in review mode, and saw that the birds were Cedar Waxwings! I’ve never seen them here before! Can you imagine my excitement? I was standing across the street from the tree which meant the images would need to be cropped in quite a bit so, I slowly advanced closer to the tree firing my shutter the whole time. I got too close, and all the birds scattered like leaves in a gust of wind. My only thought…COME B A C K!!!
Did I tell you that He-Man ruptured his Patella Tendon Nov. 10th? Ruptured…the whole quadricep muscle came off his knee cap! He had surgery on Nov. 12th and has been healing and in rehab since. His Surgeon told him he’d be “out” for the whole season and then some. He’s a cyclist, and a very active guy. This was the worst possible diagnosis. Yesterday he got the “okay” to start driving again. So, this afternoon he drove me in Pearl ( the Subaru Forester) to the post office which is 2 miles from our house.
It was like riding a bike. He was fabulous…moving from the brake to the gas pedal was no problem at all. When we got home he immediately got in Va-Va my 5 Speed Toyota Corolla Sport to take her for a spin, but I had spotted the Waxwings in the trees across the street again, and the light was nice. I begged for 5 minutes! As I was shooting he backed out, rolled down the window and said, “I’ll be fine. I’m just going around the block a few times.” I said, ” WAIT I’ll come with!” He said, ” No need. I’ll be fine. Get the shots.” He was back before I finished shooting. 🙂
5 Cedar Waxwings…
Mrs. American Robin with Mr. American Robin close by,
Cedar Waxwings
Purple Finch
Cedar Waxwing
Fabulous birds in front of my house, and the only thing He-Man needs me to do now that he can’t do for himself is put on his socks, and tie his shoes. Life is good!
Nikon D700| AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4 w?AF-S Nikkor 14eII TC| Hand-held| Lexar Professional Digital Film| Developed in CS6
More to come…
Copyright © 2015 Deborah M. Zajac ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
There were quite a few opportunities to capture birds in flight while I was out birding this week.
A couple of times there were feeding frenzies right in front of me which allowed me to capture a few neat “flight shots” and a whole lot of near misses.
Here’s the American Robin just as it took flight.
Snowy Egret
Brown Pelican hunting for fish
Sea Gull
Sea Gull
Great Egret
Northern Mockingbird just after take off
Brown Pelican diving- two images; I wish I had timed it so I got the tip of his bill going in the water. Sigh. Timing is everything!
Nikon D700| AF-S Nikkor 300mm f4 + AF-S Nikkor 14eII TC =420mm| Hand-held| Lexar Professional Digital Film
More to come…
Copyright © 2015 Deborah M. Zajac ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I was able to get out to do a little birding this week, and it started out on a great note. When I stepped out my front door
this American Robin was in the uppermost branches of the Ginko Tree in my front yard. I took that as a good omen!
Once at the pond I had a good walk-about, and found a couple types of Grebes, and many other wintering birds along with the regulars. Here are several I observed. I have many more I’ll be sharing in the coming days.
Pied-billed Grebe Adult Winter
Eared Grebe Winter
Hooded Grebe Adult Winter? I’m not positive what type of Grebe this is. Can anyone ID it for me?
Black-necked Stilt
Greater Scaup
Nikon D700| AF-S Nikkor 300mm f4| Tripod & Hand-held| Lexar Professional Digital Film
More to come…
Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.
I’ve just returned from Oregon. I was on a birding expedition with some friends who are also photographers. We spent a couple of days in the Klamath Basin looking for Clark and/or Western Grebes doing their Spring mating ceremony and dance or what the Scientist call “rushing”. We were successful finding them as well as several other birds; some familiar and others new, and it was neat to see many birds I know and see only when they Winter near me in and the Pacific Flyway in their Spring Breeding plumage.
Yesterday morning I was following this male Robin around trying to take his photo when he caught up with the female and I happened to press the shutter catching them “in medias res”.
Nikon D700| Nikkor 300mm f2.8 + 20eIII TC =600mm| f8| 1/1600s| ISO1600|Manual Priority|
Tripod| American Robin
