Nature – Page 19 – Circadianreflections Blog

“I’m waiting for you Morning Star…herald of the dawn.” ~ Deborah M. Zajac

May 25, 2012Posted in California, Landscapes, Nature, Nikon, Photography, TravelTagged Convict Lake, D700, Eastern Sierras, Landscape Photography, Nature, Nikon, Photography, Sunrise, WinterLeave a comment

“Rise quickly for I am numb with Winter’s morning chill.
My fingers ache for your warm embrace.”~

That’s my plea every sunrise shoot, and to be honest most nights too! My fingers are the first to go numb, and I’ve not found a hand-warmer or pair of gloves to keep me warm enough to thwart the chill.

This is a shot from Convict Lake taken the third morning of 2012. Seeing sunrises like the one my friends and I saw on this morning make the early rise, drive time, and standing in the cold worth it!

They dance!

May 17, 2012May 17, 2012Posted in Nature, Nikon, Photography, Travel, WildlifeTagged Birding, Clark Grebes, Courtship, Mating Dance, Nature, Nikkor, Nikon D700, Oregon, Photography, WildlifeLeave a comment

I’ve been a bit behind working on my photographs from my trip to Oregon to see Clark and Western Grebes do their Spring mating courtship and Dance. I’ve still not transferred my files from my laptop to my PC where I do my processing and editing, but I have finally finished some.

By the last morning of our trip I still had not taken any photographs of the Grebes dancing that I liked. I had nearly given up hope of getting any really good photos as they tend to be very shy; keeping themselves pretty far from shore which really tested the limits of my focal range of 300mm + a 2x Teleconverter which gave me an effective range of 600mm. It wasn’t far enough!

We decided to go back once more before leaving for home. After spending 2 mornings on the pond we learned they’re awake and most active beginning about 8AM and settling down by 10AM, so arriving just before 8AM we set up in our favorites spots and waited for them wake up. About half past 8AM this is what I saw and captured with my camera…

The Visual Connection

After a quick sizing up one after the other dipped their heads in the water and then flung the water off!

I feel the tension rising as both were totally oblivious to anyone or anything around them. They only saw each other as they flung the water over and over again. This went on for a full minute!

and suddenly they were up gliding across the water in perfect synchronization!

The sound of the beating water was the only sound I heard. It was marvelous, and thrilling to watch. I feel very blessed to have seen it, and to have shared the experience with good friends.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 300mmVRII + 20eIII TC =600mm| Tripod| Wimberley Sidekick

In medias res

May 10, 2012May 10, 2012Posted in Birds, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged American Robin, Birds, Birds in the Wild, Grebes, Klamath Basin, Nature, Nature Photography, Nikon, Nikon D700, Photography, Spring, WildlifeLeave a comment

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”.

An American Badger

April 11, 2012April 11, 2012Posted in California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged American Badger, D700, Nature, Nikon, Travel, Wildlife Photography2 Comments

This was the first time I’d ever seen a Badger!
My friend Dali and I got together to do some hiking in Pinnacles National Park and on the way home we drove by one of our favorite Birding places. We were on the way out; heading home when Dali spotted this guy on a hillside. Check out those claws!

We also saw a Coyote. He was busy hunting Voles, and Ground Squirrels for dinner.

…and we saw a Greater Yellowlegs. The background is awful! I’d like to get a picture of one with a nice background one day.

and no country back roads drive would be complete without a Cute Cow. I hope she wasn’t too disappointed that I didn’t bring fresh hay.

We didn’t see any Eagles, but it was another fun, and exciting day in the country full of wildlife.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300@300mm| f8| 1/1000 s| ISO 800| Manual Mode| Hand-held

Camouflage it’s for the Birds

April 6, 2012April 6, 2012Posted in Birds, California, Nature, Photography, Travel, WildlifeTagged Birds, California, D700, Nature, Nikon, Photography, Pinnacles National Park, Travel and Tourism, WildlifeLeave a comment

This little bird was very busy pecking through all the dropped leaves, and twigs looking for worms grubs I think. I watched it for a little while but never saw it get a worm.

I’m not sure what breed it is. It looks sort of like House Wren or some sort of Thrush to me. Anyone know?

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300@ 300mm| f5.6| 1/60 sec| ISO 640| Manual Mode| Hand-held

White-tailed Kite

March 19, 2012March 19, 2012Posted in Birds, California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged Birds of Prey, D700, Mare Island, Nature, Nikon, Photography, San Francisco Bay Area, White-tailed Kite, Wildlife4 Comments

This photograph is one I took at last month’s Pacific Flyway Festival. It’s a week-end event for birders out on Mare Island in the San Francisco Bay Area. Several hikes, and guided tours with experienced birders are offered. I went with a group of folks, and my friend Dali out to Skaggs Island for a private walk-about. It’s part of an old Navy base which is being renovated and rehabilitated to marsh land.
This Kite was perched in a tree just within range for me to get several shots of it before it flew away. I was so excited to be this close to one that didn’t fly away the moment it spotted me. They’re so skittish they perch far away from the roads, or they take flight as soon as they see me coming.
The day was overcast, and the sky was flat so I decided to turn this one into a “high Key” shot.

Nikon D700| Nikkor 70-300 @ 300mm| f7.1| 1/1600sec| ISO 500| Manual Mode| Tripod

“Everybody, get on the floor, let’s dance! Don’t fight the feelin’, give yourself a chance! Shake, Shake, Shake! Shake your booty!” KC and the Sunshine Band

March 17, 2012March 17, 2012Posted in Birds, California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged Birds of Prey, California, Grizzly Island Preserve, Hawks, Nature, Photography, WildlifeLeave a comment

“Everybody, get on the floor, let’s dance! Don’t fight the feelin’, give yourself a chance! Shake, Shake, Shake! Shake your booty!” KC and the Sunshine Band, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Nikon D300s| Nikkor 70-300mmVR@ 300mm| f5.6| 1/2000 sec| ISO500| Manual Mode| Hand-held from a car window- Auto-Tour

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