Tag: photography

Mule Deer

All of a sudden, after an incredibly hot summer, it is fall. We even got substantial rain the last few days. Rain is always welcome in the desert. It was cool enough for me to make the long hike across the river to check those cameras. I was delighted to run into several deer who have been ghosts on the trail cams. A couple of young bucks with does.

This guy has really high antlers. He still is in velvet.

This photo shows how the deer change their coats from summer red to the grey they will wear until spring of next year. The bucks are already in grey, and the doe is transitioning to it in the picture.

Arabian Horses

I love taking photos of wildlife and birds, but I have been neglecting another interest which is horses. I used to take a lot of wild horse photos, and I photographed barrel races and rodeos for years but have drifted away from those subjects. I am again thinking about getting out and taking wild horse photos and wanted to brush up on my skills. I live quite close to the Livestock Events center and so I spent a few days at a big Arabian Horse show that has been going on this week.

What pampered and fussed over animals these horses are! The grooming and primping was never ending as the horses were readied for their events. I had access to the barns and warm up areas which allowed me to get a lot of photos and practice.

I enjoyed photographing and spending time around these beautiful horses, but I thought they looked bored with all the falderal. I look forward to finding myself among the scruffy, unkempt wild ones once more.

Timing…

I wait all year for the 10 days of peak hummingbird activity in my backyard. Starting in May I have a few Anna’s and Black chinned Hummingbirds visiting my feeders and the early blooming flowers I’ve planted. They visit everyday but they are intermittent and hard to catch especially on flowers. I get the occasional photo but it’s nothing like that first week in August. At that time, in addition to the locals, the Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through, and the fireworks are on full display. Lots of hummingbirds, lots of aerobatic territorial fighting, several varieties of hummingbirds at the same time; in short, a hummingbird nerd’s idea of heaven.

This year wouldn’t you know it I called for Jury Duty and had to report on Monday. I prayed that I would get winnowed out through the selection process. But no, I unfortunately passed each hurdle and was seated on the jury for a trial that lasted all week. Not that I am not willing to do my civic duty, but I couldn’t help thinking not this week of all weeks. So, I missed this year’s peak week and sat in a windowless courtroom and Jury room for the entire week. I have still managed to get some captures I am happy with and there is always next summer.

and I am grateful for my freedom.

Hummingbird Fountain

I bought this fountain 3 years ago as people said hummingbirds found it attractive and would use it to bathe. Finches love it and use it often to drink and bathe in. I have only seen hummingbirds show rare interest in it and never when I had my camera. Finally I was sitting with my camera nearby when one drank from the bubbling top part of the fountain.

Long Hike

I decided to place more trail cameras yesterday and specifically I wanted to place them on the other side of the river. Because of access issues this means a long hike to a foot bridge. By the time it was all said and done it was a 10 mile hike out and back. I wish my pack had been lighter. I probably won’t be checking the cameras on the far bank as often.

I saw a small herd of mule deer and noticed a buck that has been showing up often on the trail cameras. He is already displaying that natural shyness and hang back quality that bucks show more readily than the does. All the deer looked healthy and are starting to sport their summer reddish coats. In the fall and winter their coats are grey. No fawns yet as it is too early. Maybe in another month the little ones will be tagging along.

I was amazed to see two pair of Wood Ducks quite high up in a tree together. I hope they are nesting in the area. I would love to see them with ducklings on one of the several ponds.

This little bunny accommodated me by sitting still long enough for a photo. The rabbit is displaying it’s cotton ball tail nicely demonstrating its apt name – Cottontail.

Morning Walk

I walked the dog early this morning so I could get out to the river. I sat for a while along the path the Bobcat takes in hopes of seeing it in person and getting some photographs. No luck. It’s going to take a lot of patience to ever get an in-person sighting. No walk is ever a waste of time. It was lovely out there today.

This House Wren and a Northern Flicker seemed to be competing for a hole in a large cottonwood tree. No doubt the Flicker made the hole and the wren was bug hunting inside.

It is difficult to get close to Flickers so I was pleased to get these photos.

On the way out I caught sight of this wild horse across the river. I have seen him a couple of times before in the distance. He is a mature stallion and looks quite healthy. It is unusual to see feral horses alone. Since he is older, I can only assume he has lost his mares to another stallion. Younger males without mares hang out in bachelor bands. Horses are so social that this kind of behavior is out of the ordinary.

This is a typical landscape of the area I am walking in. The cottonwood trees are getting serious about leafing out now. Small ponds like the one in the foreground are starting to fill up. The river is running fast and full of snow melt from the Sierra Nevada west of here.

Trail Camera Update

I checked my cameras yesterday after leaving them out three weeks longer than in years past. No Mountain Lion photos for approximately 6 weeks now. The Bobcat or Bobcats remain quite active. I think I am seeing two different Bobcats. One appears to be smaller and lighter colored.

The Bobcat in the first two photos appears to be a lighter color than the one posted below. Maybe its just the light. I don’t know how to tell them apart.

The Mule Deer bucks are already sprouting horn growth. The rate of growth will be another interesting observable visual over the next few months. I am looking forward to seeing fawns show up soon as well.

I always carry my camera with me when hiking into this area and I did get some geese photos. I saw a beaver as well but didn’t get any photos of it. One pair of geese already have a healthy brood following them while others are just setting up housekeeping.

What a difference a couple of weeks makes. The last few months it has been so quiet out there. Winter silence has passed. The bird song, quacking and honking was ever present yesterday as I made my way along the trails. Tending the cameras year-round will motivate me to make more trips and hikes along the river. It will be interesting to see what wildlife I spot in person over the summer.

I Like Them Raw and Wriggling…

I’ve been spending time at the ponds trying to get quality photos of the Ospreys fishing. No luck as of yet. They have shown up, but to capture a great photo it takes lots of clicks. When their babies hatch they will be fishing more often and many more opportunities will arise. While waiting somewhat patiently, there are lots of subjects to focus on. The Mergansers and Cormorants are catching lots of fish. When going through the photos of them gulping their fish this quote from the film, “The Two Towers,” keeps going through my head. Smeagol turns down Sam’s offer of rabbit stew stating that he likes his food raw and wriggling. Apparently that food choice applies to these birds as well.

I did get one photo of the Osprey with a fish but it’s not as sharp as I would like. The action happens incredibly fast and that’s why it takes a lot of exposures to get great shots. I’ll keep trying.

I saw this small female Merganser with this rather large fish. I have no idea how she can possibly eat this!

Wild Birds at Verdi Ponds

For years I have ventured out to the ponds at Verdi to take photos of birds, mostly Osprey fishing. These ponds are perfect for capturing the action as they are small, stocked with fish often and the Osprey are acclimated to people. I haven’t had any luck with fishing Osprey this year yet but have had fun photographing the other visitors to the ponds.

I’ve never had much luck with Great Blue Herons as they are pretty spooky, and I can’t get close. I had one yesterday be amazingly cooperative.

I was fortunate enough to see two bald eagles visiting the ponds as well. This is most likely a mated pair. They couldn’t decide who should have the best spot in the pine tree.

An Osprey did come by but not to fish. The Osprey was not happy the Eagle was roosting in the tree and harassed it for some time. The Osprey’s have a nest near here and I’m sure it is disconcerting to have these large predatory birds in the neighborhood.