Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Nikon D810| Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G @ f/11| 30s|ISO 100|Hoodman Digital Film|PS CC
more to come…
Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Nikon D810| Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017
more to come…
Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Nikon D700| Nikkor 200-500mm @460mm| f/5.6| ISO800| 1/1600s| Hoodman Digital Film|PS CC 2017
more to come…
Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I received my long lens back from service and couldn’t wait to get out and try it, but I got that bug so, didn’t go out to try it until yesterday (Sun. June 18th). I headed over to Milpitas to see if the American Bald Eagle Fledgling was out of the nest testing its wings. I arrived just before 7 A.M. I didn’t have to wait long before it started flapping its wings and hopping onto a branch outside the nest.
It sat on the branch surveying the land for a bit then turned around and did a hop/fly combo back to the nest where it tucked itself down out of sight. It remained out of sight for over an hour. As we waited the morning got hotter, and hotter. When I left just before noon, hot, sweaty, and very thirsty it was 96º degrees Fahrenheit. The high hit a record breaking 103º F! That broke the 1945 record of 99º F.
Myself and several other photographers, and birders were patiently waiting for one or both of the parents to return with food, and of course we wanted the Fledgling to come up out of the nest again, but quite a few people left as it began getting hot and there wasn’t anything to see.
Finally, the young Eagle got restless and called its parents to no avail then it began to jump and flap its wings again. It jumped way up and flew to the branch! It stayed there awhile pecking at the branch and looking around then suddenly it made a leap of faith into space and FLEW!!! Its maiden flight! A Fledgling at last!
Oh, I wish you were there to see it, to feel our anxiety and hope for success, and hear our joyous cries of delight when the young Eaglet made that leap of faith and flew to a neighboring tree!
There are quite a few images today, and the story doesn’t end here! Because there are so many images I’ll share the rest of the story another day. I hope you enjoy these first images of the young Eagle’s Maiden Flight.
Popping up to check out what’s happening…
Lemme test out my take off, and wing position. I wonder…
Ha! I’m outside of the nest! Okay, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
Ready. Set.
GO!
Okay, wings start flapping already!!
Oh, nearly there I can make it! Talons ready, tail in position…wings open…
Ta Da!!! I made it, I made it! Where’s Mom? Now, how do I get back to the nest?
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017
more to come…
Copyright © 2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I was birding on Saturday June 3rd looking for an Indigo Bunting and upon my arrival to the location soaring over my head was an American Bald Eagle! That’s a big deal in Santa Clara County. Eagles have been making a comeback here for the last few years which is super exciting to birders, but there are still only a handful here.
Anyway, it flew across the pond to a grove of tall trees and perched there and looked like he/or she was settled in for a long rest. I watched it for sometime then moved to the grassy area to photograph Western Bluebirds which I’ll be sharing soon.
Then I followed some Red-winged Blackbirds a bit then turned around to check on the Eagle and OMG! It was flying right for me!
I brought my camera up to my face in lighting speed, and fired off a burst of images following its flight path. We made eye to camera lens contact, then it veered right and headed for the northern hills, and I lost it. I was doing my happy dance! Isn’t that wing span somethin’?
Click on the image to see it better. WP compression isn’t working for me again. 😦 I may have to mess around with image sizes again to find something that looks good without having to click on an image.
I received my 200-500mm back from Nikon Service on Thursday, but I haven’t felt good enough to get out with it. I hope tomorrow this bug is over being in my system so I can go out and play!
Hope you all are having a great start to your week-end!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 300mm f/4| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017
more to come…
Copyright © 2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This Lizard and one more live in our backyard. I think they’re Western Fence Lizards and this one is a female because I’m not seeing bright blue at her throat or belly, but I’m not positive. The coloring and scales match the description, but… I’m guessing; nothing else in my book even comes close to matching our backyard lizards.
They like to bask in the sun on the warm cement bricks of our garden borders and retaining wall.
This one came right up to the end of the border next to the sliding glass door the other day. Luckily I had my camera nearby. We’ve named her Lizzy the Lizard.
Daughter came home with a bug on Wednesday, and #1 Grandson came down with it yesterday. I’ve had a dull headache and no appetite all Thursday. I fear I’m next! That could seriously wreck my photography plans this week-end. 😦 I’m hoping it’s just the change in the barometer (it dropped) affecting me and not the bug. It’s been really gray, overcast, and a bit chilly. There was rain in the forecast yesterday, but it never did rain.
I hope you all have a wonderful week-end, and stay healthy!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 300mm f/4 @8| Hoodman Digital Film| PS CC 2017
more to come…
Copyright ©2017 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
While taking it easy and resting my knee from last Fridays fall while hiking I’ve been going through flower images from this Spring, and having a lot of fun photographing the bouquets my daughter and I received for our birthdays, and Mother’s Day.
I took one big blossom…I’m not sure what it is; a Dahlia? Anyway, I took it out in backyard and stuck it in my little Asters one afternoon and photographed it with my LensBaby Composer Pro and Soft Focus Optic.
I love this swirly blur!
My knee is still tender, and a little swollen, but the limp is nearly gone. It’s time to go to the fabric store to find a knee patch for my hiking pants. I haven’t had a knee patch since I was a girl, but I hate to give up a favorite pair of hiking pants for a little rip in the knee.
I also signed up for two online watercolor classes. I’m previewing the classes now so I can purchase any materials I don’t have but will need, and have a look at what I’ve taken on. I’m planning to do these during summer so will start them in June. One class is on birds, and the other landscapes.
Big Baby Boy and his Dark Haired Beauty are coming home for the long week-end. We’re going to have Baby Girl’s Birthday Dinner since we missed that this year because she and #1 Grandson were on vacation. I’m pretty sure she’s chosen Mexican food, and we’re planning to BBQ on Monday. He-Man bought Tri-tip and burgers.
I’m off to get my photography, and art stuff put away and tidy up the retreat for Big Baby Boy, and Dark Haired Beauty then do the rest of the grocery shopping for the week-end. I’ll be mostly offline over the week-end, but will catch up with you all next week!
I wish you all a wonderful, and safe week-end!
Nikon D810| LensBaby Composer Pro w/Soft Focus Optic @f/5.6| Hoodman Digital Film|PS CC 2017
More to come…
