Tag: Nature

Zajac

Posted in California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged , , 3 Comments

Copyright ©2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

ZajacWhen I got married way back in the early 80’s my name changed to Zajac. It’s Polish and means White Rabbit, or Little Rabbit depending on which Eastern European you’re talking to. 🙂 I’ve named our house Rabbit Hollow. In Polish my last name is pronounced Zi-onsh.
I’ve never really felt the name is me, but He-Man, and my children are Zajac’s, and  I’m honored to be bonded with them for the rest of my life. I’ve often wondered if other married women feel this way? You know, my daughter will always be a Zajac to me no matter what.

I took this photo last week-end while out birding looking for Cedar Waxwings. It’s thought this rabbit was a pet set free. People have been seen feeding it I’m told.

Nikon D300s| Nikkor 300mm f/4

Canadian Geese and Goslings

Posted in Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged , , , , , 2 Comments

Copyright © 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

I went to a local park this morning looking for a small flock of Cedar Waxwings that I spied yesterday, and on the way I spotted two Canadian Geese Goslings.

They were adorable pecking along the grass looking for worms and grubs.

Here’s the only photo I was took with the parents fully in the frame:

Canadian Geese and Gosling…and here are the two little ones together:

Canadian Geese GoslingsSince these were born in the USA shouldn’t they be called United States Geese, or California Geese? 🙂

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Sora

Posted in California, Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., Nature, Nikon, UncategorizedTagged , , , Leave a comment

Sora, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2013 Deborah M Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

While out birding recently my friends Dali, Rainey, and MamaZ ; Dali and I spotted a Moorhen, but it kept ducking in and out of the reeds so I wasn’t able to get a clean photograph of it so we decided to go around the marsh once more before the light faded. Dali spotted this Sora busy hunting for food. I thought at first it was a big Sparrow, but was thrilled when I got a better look at it. This was the first time I’d seen one!

I didn’t get clear view of him. He too liked the privacy of the reeds, but at least he was close enough to get a picture of.

The migration back to the North seems to have started as there are fewer birds around the marshes we visited. I probably won’t be visiting this area again until Spring.
It was great getting together with Dali, Rainey, and MamaZ.   We even splurged on Guacamole Burgers and fries. I’m looking forward to our next get together!

Nikon D700| Nikkor 80-200mm @200mm| f5.6| 1/800sec| ISO 1000| Manual Priority| Hand-held

 

“It is the sweet, simple things in life which are the real ones after all.” Laura Ingalls Wilder

Posted in Birds, California, Copyright 2013 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved., hikes, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300mm vr

 

Northern Harrier on the Hunt

Posted in Birds, California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

This Harrier was just one of many great birds I saw when I got out for a day of birding recently. The Harriers were flying low over the ponds, and marshes all day long. Whenever they were near, or overhead the Snow Geese, White-Fronted Geese, Ibis, and Coots would take to the sky. The noise was amazing to hear.
Late in the afternoon  we saw a Harrier chasing a Snow Goose, the goose dived into the marsh grass with the Harrier in hot pursuit! We waited with anticipation to see if the Harrier would come up with the Goose. He did not! That was one lucky goose.

Northern Harrior on the Hunt                                                                 Nikon D300s| Nikkor 80-200 @ 200 + Tamron 1.4x TC| f8| 1/800 sec| ISO 500| Hand-held and shot from the car window

There must have been a Harrier nearby to create this stir-up

White Fronted Geese

Snow geese in retreat…

Snow Geese in Flight

a couple of Greater White-fronted Geese enjoying the pond,

Greater White-fronted Geese

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Yellow-billed Magpie

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Yellow-billed Magpie, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

I thought his iridescence was lovely in the light. I kind of wish I’d taken my 70-300 this time  as there was more wildlife than I thought I’d see going up to Mission Peak.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 28-105@105mm| f6.3| 1/800s | ISO 320| Manual Priority| Hand-held

 

Post Thanksgiving Repast Hike

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Copyright © 2012 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

All of us were feeling heavy and a bit groggy from the Thanksgiving Feast so we decided to hike up to Mission Peak to shake it off, and keep a tradition going. When my son comes home for the holidays we come up here at least once together. This time my husband came along too. The light was gorgeous at the top when we arrived.

It was a lovely afternoon, sunny, and warm, and it didn’t get chilly or windy until we were near the top. I didn’t outdo any records making it up here this time. The rich food of the day before and not hiking for a few weeks paid its toll.

Near the trail-head there were several Magpies hanging around. Here is one landing on a post along the trail. I think these birds are pretty, but they gross me out!

There are quite a few new calves up here now, and I saw a pretty big Red-Tail Hawk hanging around looking for something to eat near the top. There were also quite a few other people making this trek.

Calf with Caramel Ears

We stayed long enough to snap a photo, and head down. We wanted to get down before dark; we almost did.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 28-105@35mm| Manual Priority| Hand-held