Ocean Beach Sunset

After being in the house all day and alternating between paperwork, more paperwork and unpacking (yes, still unpacking), I was restless and had to get outside.    Decided to head over to Ocean Beach for the sunset ...

Twp birds from Santee Lakes

It's fun to go back through photos taken last week at Santee Lakes, I found a few more to post (and could use some help on an  ID on these too)

Great-tailed Grackle ?

More photos from Santee Lakes

We were entertained by the coots, but weren't sure if it was courtship behavior or territorial.  I researched this and  have learned that it is territorial --  two males fighting, each defending his territory.  They kept at it for quite some time, and we noticed that every so often another coot would fly in and watch.  

 

















I'm wondering about an ID on this duck.  After looking at many different ID photos, I'm guessing it might be a young pied-billed grebe.  They breed at Santee Lakes I learned.

Santee Lakes

I met up with my photo buddies (Terry Myers, CJ Middendorf & Rich Baker)  at Santee Lakes on Wednesday.  After a morning of photography, we then enjoyed a great lunch at Janet's Cafe.   I went back to the lakes after lunch & found the male & female wood duck.

They are my favorites!  Love the colors.

Ocean Beach sunset

The clouds last night looked fantastic and I hoped for a good sunset photo, so I dove down to the beach.  It turns out a lot of people felt the same because it took me longer to find a parking place than it did to get there.  It was well worth it, though, because the sunset was beautiful.  Hope you enjoy my photos.