Wildlife – Page 6 – Circadianreflections Blog

Western Kingbird

My friend Dali and I went on a hike in Pinnacles National Park last week, and on the way home we drove through one of the places we have seen Golden Eagles, and we’ve heard there is a pair of Bald Eagles that hunt here too.

We saw one Golden Eagle, but no Bald Eagles on this drive, but I did see a Bobcat. He was close to the road, and I tried so hard to get a shot, but my camera wouldn’t focus as he was in the shade under a huge Oak tree, and this lens needs a lot more light to grab focus fast. In the nano seconds it took me to get lock focus we spooked the Bobcat and he took off. I saw it though. I’ll never forget it. He was a beauty. I am hoping he’s territorial and will be in that area again. I’ll be making the trip over there again soon.

While driving I spotted this little bird. He’s a first for me too. I’m so excited to see him. Isn’t this a pretty pose? I couldn’t wait to get home and look through my National Geographic Book of Birds of North America to find out what breed he is.
I’m pretty sure this is a Western Kingbird. What do you think am I right?

I had another first on this drive…Dali spotted an American Badger and he too posed for us. I’ll be sharing a photo of it soon.

Nikon D700|Nikkor 70-300mm @300mm|f8| 1/640 sec| ISO 640| 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-.

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

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

The Beak Warmer

March 14, 2012March 14, 2012Posted in Birds, California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged D700, Ducks, Mallards, Nature, Nikon, Photography, Waterfowl, WildlifeLeave a comment

Nikon D700| Nikkor 80-200 @ 200mm + 1.4TC| Tripod| Watsonville, CA

Gliding in a Cloudless Sky

March 13, 2012March 13, 2012Posted in Birds, California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged Birds of Prey, CA, D700, Nature, Nikon, Osprey, Photography, Watsonville, WildlifeLeave a comment

Nikon D700| Nikkor 80-200mm @ 200mm + 1.4x TC | f8| 1/2000 sec| ISO 800| Manual Mode| Tripod I spent part of the time shooting him in manual focus. With the TC on my Auto-Focus would hunt from time to time and I found it faster just to manually focus. I was changing from AF to MF I don’t know if this was MF or AF. Must find that in my Metadata.

Please click the photo to view it large. It looks blurry at this compressed size.

John Shaw: Nature & Wildlife Gear Guide (nikonusa.com)
Which NIKKOR Lens Type is Right for Your D-SLR? (nikonusa.com)

Cooper’s Hawk or Bird on a Wire

March 4, 2012March 5, 2012Posted in Birds, California, Nature, Nikon, Photography, WildlifeTagged Birds of Prey, California, Coopers Hawk, Hawks, Nikon D700, Photography, Silicon Valley, Wildlife3 Comments

The Copper’s Hawk that I saw in my neighbor’s tree back in late Jan. was on the power lines in my back yard this evening!
I grabbed my camera and hoped he was still there. While I was viewing the playback he flew away and I missed the “in flight” shot. ARG!
I was so excited to see him, but he must be here because there is a pair of nesting Mourning Doves nearby. I suspect he’s after the chicks. I hope he comes back so I get a flight shot, but I don’t want him to get the chicks!

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