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.  

Pelicans at the Sea

I do love those funny old birds, the pelicans, and I enjoyed photographing them at the Salton Sea.  I can't think of pelicans with out thinking of the poem by Dixon Lanier Merritt  "A wonderful bird is the pelican ... "   Although when I was growing up, my Dad always started it with "A funny old bird is the pelican, his beak can hold more than its belly can ... "   Does anyone else know this poem?

Return to the Salton Sea

Keith Skelton  held another Salton Sea workshop and I was excited to get back to do more photography.  Terry Myers came along, and we enjoyed hanging out with Keith and the other photographers for the weekend.

Sunday morning at the Sea was amazing, and my photos can't really share the total experience, the subtle color changes and sounds of the geese.  It was  worth getting up at 4:30 AM to get to our spot in order to experience this.  What a way to start the day!  

Agave americana

I was out in my yard, playing with a lens I haven't used in quite awhile & pointed it at the Agave americana.  The sun was low in the sky & I loved the strong shadows I was seeing.  Tonight on the computer, they seemed perfect for B&W.   What do you think?

I love the way the strong shadow plays against the sharp thorns, also like the subtle foot print (imprint) on the main part of the agave.   That's made as the new shoots are formed and start opening up.

I had fun experimenting with the lens!

Egrets at Santee Lakes

Another morning at Santee Lakes, this morning I was able to get a bit closer to the egrets.  Enjoy!

Great Egret

Great Egret

This Great Egret was in & out of the shadows, I was happy with this head shot.

Snowy Egret 

The Snowy Egret is missing part of his right foot, but it doesn't slow him down a bit!  Apparently he has been at the Lake for quite awhile.  I was surprised that I could get as close as I did, he didn't seem to be at all afraid.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for:  my family, good friends, and living in San Diego ... and today a Thanksgiving morning on the water thanks to San Diego Whale Watch.  We saw a humpback whale, two fin whales, three molas (sunfish) and approximately 200 Common Dolphins.  Going through many photos I took today, this one was a favorite.  The dolphins love to ride the bow of the boat & seeing this took me back to Baja days & sailing in the Sea of Cortez with the dolphins at the bow of our boat.  

It was a sparkling day out on the water!

PS  The naturalist on board was asked how she could estimate the number of dolphins we saw.   She explained that dolphin counts by scientists use the rule  that for every 1 dolphin on the surface, there would be 2 underneath.   Obviously they are hard to count (!)  but going by that rule, I'd agree.  It was awesome seeing them frolic in the sea & come greet the boat and play  (surf?) in the wake of our boat.   Thanks to the crew of the m/v  Privateer for going out on Thanksgiving day.

Santee Lakes

I woke up this morning & decided to go over to Santee Lakes for a walk.  It's been beautiful  here (80+ degrees) and the Lakes seemed to be a perfect place to walk & do some bird photography -- and I wasn't disappointed.  I'm posting 3 photos of ducks that I was able to ID -- many more to post, however I'm having trouble with their  IDs.

American Wigeon 

Blue-winged Teal 

Northern Shovelers