Back at Santee Lakes

A great way to end the month of January, I spent the afternoon photographing the American White Pelicans -- such drama today.  One of them scooped something up from the water & was determined to keep it to himself!   Several other pelicans felt it should be shared.   Here are a few of the photos I took of the meal.

Tug of war! 

It's mine.  

Success -- very tasty!

Whale watching ...

I spent 3 wonderful hours on the water today with San Diego Whale Watch, Quivera Basin (Mission Bay)

We were barely out of Mission Bay breakwater when we saw 3 grey whales.  What a treat, they were very close to the boat.  The SD Whale Watch crew are very aware of the 100-yards boundary when approaching marine life & every trip I've made with them they've been respectful.  This time was no different, it's just the whales seemed to come to us & say hello!  (Well, that's probably a slight exaggeration, but seemed that way to me )

Here are a few photos from the trip.  

Spy hopping.

Splash down!

The shiny area in the foreground is called  footprint and usually seen after the whales dive.
Pretty cool, having the whale spouting in the background and footprint in the foreground.
  

Brown pelicans at La Jolla cliffs

I met Terry Myers at La Jolla and we spent a great  morning photographing the pelicans.  The males have the typical bright red throat pouch they show during the breeding period.  It was a quiet morning with approximately 10+ pelicans on the cliff where we were.  In addition, lots of cormorants & sea gulls hanging around too.

Coming in for a landing!

La Jolla Cliffs

San Jacinto Wildlife Refuge (Lakeside) ID correction

New place to explore, thanks to Jim J.J. Keener.  Spent some time with Jim and a tour of the refuge.  Surprised at the photos I was able to get with my 200 mm lens.  All are cropped way down ...

American kestrel

Egret

Thanks Jim for the correct ID

More white pelicans and a few other visitors

I returned to Santee Lakes late yesterday & had a few hours before sunset & park closing times.

Wood Ducks

Ring-neck ducks

Cormorant -- could use help with ID

American White Pelicans

Santee Lakes again ...

Yesterday, I stopped by Santee lakes on my way home from Ocean Beach area, it's just a short "detour" off the 15 to get there.   And what a wonderful sight, as I drove in I saw the American White Pelicans!   There were 6 of them in the first lake, then down at Lake 5 I saw many more on the little island.   Lucky me!

These six were busy!  I followed them for almost an hour
as they were feeding, moving from one spot to the next.  

For those of you who don't live in San Diego area, here's a link to the lakes.  Santee Lakes

Santee Lakes

I visited Santee Lakes today to practice my bird photography.  I was happy to see more white pelicans this trip (last month there were only 4).   It's no surprise that my last post (in December) was of white pelicans (Salton Sea)  because I really do enjoy seeing these wonderful birds and love photographing them!   And I'll be going back to Santee again soon for more practice!  

Coming for a landing. 

Make room for me.