October 11, 2009
Birding with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society in Morgan Hill at Ogier Ponds... it was cold and windy, and we had to work for all the birds this Sunday morning.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Ogier Ponds; Morgan Hill
October 11, 2009
Birding with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society in Morgan Hill at Ogier Ponds... it was cold and windy, and we had to work for all the birds this Sunday morning.
Las Vegas Area Birding Trip
October 2, 2009
For the second time this year, I spent 5 days in and around the Las Vegas Area for birding and photography.
Also spent a bit of time at the 2009 Photoshop World conference at Mandalay Bay. The weather was much nicer this time compared to the peak of summer!
Highlights include LEAST BITTERN, PHAINOPEPLA, VERDIN, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, and a GREEN HERON struggling to swallow a fish!
Morgan Hill Photography Club Cookout
September 12, 2009
Barbi & I enjoyed the afternoon with members of the local Morgan Hill Photography Club at Community Park.
The weather was perfect for a summer cookout, the Gazebo provided wonderful shade and picnic tables, and we all shared thoughts about cameras, photo shoot locations, LightRoom and Photoshop... and stories of adventures and memorable photos from the past. A fun afternoon!
Morro Bay Birding Trip
September 6, 2009
We spent the week along the central California coast and Morro Bay and Los Osos... attending the Light Photographic Workshop on Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.
It was a great week... learned a lot... and the BROWN PELICANS were awesome diving into Morro Bay!
4th Annual Wild Bird Center Photo Exhibition
August 23, 2009
For the third time in four years, Barbi & I enjoyed our Sunday afternoon at the Bay Area Photographers 4th Annual Photo Exhibition sponsored by the Los Gatos Wild Bird Center. It was great to meet and talk with many of the local photographers as they displayed their bird, wildlife, or scenic photographs, and their stories of epic adventure.
Thanks again to Freddy & John Howell for putting on this popular event... another great success!
For the third time in four years, Barbi & I enjoyed our Sunday afternoon at the Bay Area Photographers 4th Annual Photo Exhibition sponsored by the Los Gatos Wild Bird Center. It was great to meet and talk with many of the local photographers as they displayed their bird, wildlife, or scenic photographs, and their stories of epic adventure.
Thanks again to Freddy & John Howell for putting on this popular event... another great success!
Boston Area Birding Trip
July 22, 2009
This summer we traveled to the East Coast for a birding & photography trip to Boston, Massachusetts.
Highlight locations visited: Revere Beach, Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Belle Isle Marsh, Herring Cove Beach (Cape Cod), Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
4th of July - Morgan Hill Fireworks Show!
July 4, 2009
Barbi & I decided this year that we would try to photograph FIREWORKS on this 4th of July. We had never done this before, so we studied what settings to use on our cameras... and it worked!
The weather was perfect and everyone enjoyed a terrific show on this wonderful Saturday evening in California.
Las Vegas Area Birding Trip
June 20, 2009
Traveled into the 100-degree Nevada summer heat for a few days of birding and photography in the Las Vegas area.
Highlight areas included Calico Basin & Red Rock Canyon (west of Las Vegas), as well as excellent birding at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve and Wetlands Park.
Point Lobos State Reserve Photography
May 17, 2009
Got away from the 100-degree California heat wave and spent the day along the Pacific coast at the beautiful Point Lobos State Reserve.
The weather was perfect for relaxing and some different photographic styles using the variable neutral-density filter to capture time-exposures of the crashing waves.
Garrapata State Park Photography
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May 9, 2009
A wonderful yet windy day at Garrapata State Park, located along California Hwy 1 on the Pacific coast south of Monterey, California.
The sunny skies brought dramatic views of the deep blue Pacific water crashing into the rocky shoreline. The cliffs provided excellent viewpoints for photographing the birds!
SCVAS "Big Day" - Santa Clara County
April 19, 2009
An ultimate "18-hour" birding marathon today lead by Bob Power and "Team Bobolinks" !
I started my day at 3am... as we traveled all over Santa Clara County Parks searching and listening for birds for the annual Birdathon Fundraiser for the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society. Our Big Day total = 148 species!
Wow! I'm featured in Mercury News Travel
February 22, 2009
Today the San Jose Mercury News daily newspaper featured my trip to Antarctica in the "Wish You Were Here" Travel section! It's always fun to share the excitement of birding and photography... and it was a nice bonus to have my BirdingPix.com website included as part of the photo feature.
If you saw my photo, send me an email, and I'll reply.
Panoche Valley; San Benito County
January 10, 2009
My 4th year-in-a-row on a super field trip to Panoche Valley with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society.
We enjoyed views of a pair of adult Bald Eagles at the Paicines Reservior... as well as good looks at a Prairie Falcon in Panoche Valley. But we still missed finding any Chuckar or Mountain Plover... for my 4th year in a row!
Does the Chuckar exist??!
Antarctica Presentation - Bay Area Bird Photographers Meeting
January 07, 2009
What a special evening at the BABP monthly meeting!
My first-ever formal slideshow presentation to the BABP membership and guests was personally very rewarding and it was an honor to be a presenter.
Thank you ALL for such supportive comments and feedback as well as the largest meeting attendance!
1 Year of BirdingPix.com
December 25, 2008
Christmas Day... December 25, 2008... the official 1st Anniversary date of www.BirdingPix.com.
It was exactly 1 year ago today my website went public online. This past year has been a bucket full of effort yet it's also been very rewarding. I've made many new friends from all over the world... and I'm looking forward to continuing and improving BirdingPix.com.
Antarctica - Safe Return Home
December 23, 2008
Antarctica - The Ultimate Destination - and a safe return back home to California after this incredible 27-day trip.
Look for the completed PHOTO PRESENTATION to be available here online in early January 2009.
Antarctica ! I'm On my Way
November 26, 2008Antarctica - The Ultimate Destination!
My long-awaited trip to Antarctica is finally here.
I will be away for the next 4 weeks...
In January, come back to share the experience!
Charleston Slough; Mountain View
October 25, 2008Saturday morning field trip with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society to visit several popular birding areas along the southern San Francisco Bay. We started at Alviso Marina County Park, then Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, then Charleston Slough.
Highlights: GREEN-WING TEAL, AMERICAN WHITE PELICANs, NORTHERN SHOVELER.
Pillar Point Harbor; Half Moon Bay Area
October 18-19, 2008
This was a full Saturday and Sunday as Barbi & I were participants at an excellent 2-day Bird Photography workshop by Oliver Klink and Yamil Saenz. We all had a wonderful time and experienced a variety of lighting conditions... ranging from foggy to cloudy to superb late afternoon sunlight at the perfect sun angle.
Highlights included BLACK OYSTERCATCHERs, SURFBIRD, SANDERLINGs, WANDERING TATTLER, RED KNOT, BROWN PELICANs, and more.
James Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
October 04, 2008
A trip to the James Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in San Mateo County was part of an excellent photographic seminar which Barbi & I attended; it turned out to be on the first day of rain in over 5 months! However the rain stopped before we got there... and the skies even cleared during the afternoon.
We learned some tips and practiced a new technique using a variable neutral-density filter... for some really cool water motion pixs!
Bay Area Bird Photographers Meeting
October 01, 2008
Attended the Bay Area Bird Photographer's Meeting in Palo Alto. It was great to see everyone again and enjoy Larry Selman's excellent slideshow presentation... with incredible photos of hummingbirds and owls.
I am anxiously awaiting my first formal presentation there in January 2009!
Attended the Bay Area Bird Photographer's Meeting in Palo Alto. It was great to see everyone again and enjoy Larry Selman's excellent slideshow presentation... with incredible photos of hummingbirds and owls.
I am anxiously awaiting my first formal presentation there in January 2009!
Monterey Bay Pelagic Birding Trip
September 14, 2008I was very thankful for the calm Pacific Ocean on this Sunday all-day birding trip with Shearwater Journeys out of Monterey Bay. There was complete overcast until mid-afternoon, yet the smooth seas made up for the lack of sun. I even got three "lifers" on the trip... with photos.
A great birding day!
Highlights included ASHY STORM-PETRELs, LEACH'S STORM-PETRELs, BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, BULLER'S SHEARWATER, SOUTH POLAR SKUA.
3rd Annual Wild Bird Center Photo Exhibition
August 24, 2008
It was an enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the Bay Area Photographers 3rd Annual Photo Exhibition sponsored by the Los Gatos Wild Bird Center. Over twenty local photographers displayed their bird, wildlife, or scenic photographs, each with their own story to share.
This popular event was a great success, with everyone enjoying the discussions and the diverse selections of framed works of art on exhibit.
It was an enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the Bay Area Photographers 3rd Annual Photo Exhibition sponsored by the Los Gatos Wild Bird Center. Over twenty local photographers displayed their bird, wildlife, or scenic photographs, each with their own story to share.
This popular event was a great success, with everyone enjoying the discussions and the diverse selections of framed works of art on exhibit.
Backyard Hummingbirds
July 26, 2008It's Summer in Morgan Hill, and the HUMMINGBIRDS are providing a spectacular show at our backyard feeder! They feed all day long... arriving at first light and staying until dusk... swarming all over our backyard!
This photo has TWENTY (20) HUMMINGBIRDS at the feeder at the same time!
Incredible!
The Presidio of San Francisco
June 20, 2008Visiting The Presidio of San Francisco, which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, I found this pair of HAIRY WOODPECKERs... a young juvenile being watched and fed by the adult female at their nest hole.
It's wonderful to observe such wildlife experiences even while inside the city of San Francisco!
Gazos Creek Road; San Mateo County
May 11, 2008Sunday morning field trip with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society to the foggy Pacific coast along Gazos Creek about 30 minutes drive north of Santa Cruz. The target birds were MACGILLIVRAY's WARBLER and WILSON'S WARBLER... which were heard often, yet challenging to find today.
The foggy weather cleared a bit by noon, so I returned to where I heard them... success!
Gilroy Water Treatment Ponds
May 09, 2008Reading the report of a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT being seen yesterday at the Gilroy Water Treatment Ponds, I was needing a photo of this distinctive wood-warbler... and now success! An enjoyable morning with glorious views and song from an interacting pair of YELLOW-BREASTED CHATs!
Additional highlights included YELLOW WARBLER, BELTED KINGFISHER, SPOTTED SANDPIPERs, RED-NECKED PHALAROPEs.
Bodega Bay Shorebirds!
May 06, 2008A great trip 2 hours north of San Francisco to Doran Beach Park at Bodega Bay... where it became a photo bonanza of shorebirds in spring breeding plumages!
Highlights included great views of RED KNOT, MARBLED GODWIT, DUNLIN, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, SANDERLING, and even a few SURFBIRDs. The bonus was a RED-NECKED GREBE... my first observation in California.
Mines Road Birding Trip
May 03, 2008Saturday all-day field trip with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon to Stanislaus County and Santa Clara County. Highlights included great views of LEWIS'S WOODPECKERs on Mines Road, brief views of a COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD, and a pair of splendid CANYON WRENs in Del Puerto Canyon.
Observed a total of 52 bird species; but the disappointing miss was not finding any LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH.
Sacramento Area Birding Trip
April 25, 2008
Spent the day birding in the greater Sacramento area; including Yolo County near Woodland and Davis.
Highlights included YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDs, and at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area there were lots of MARSH WRENs singing in the reeds. On County Road 28H, a BURROWING OWL. In Sacramento, the treat was PURPLE MARTINs!
Goldfinches! - Morgan Hill Backyard
April 20, 2008
This springtime weather is bringing many Goldfinches to our backyard... with good opportunities for some close-up pixs.
The AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and LESSER GOLDFINCH sometimes look similar, these pixs provide a study of the differences and likeness of these two species including each male & female pixs.
Guadalupe Creek Trail; San Jose
April 17, 2008
I walked along the Guadalupe Creek Trail in San Jose searching for hummingbirds, when this lone male diving duck passed right in front of me... slowly swimming in the creek near Almaden Road.
The stunningly bright contrasting colors of red, white, and black make this COMMON MERGANSER in full breeding plumage look so different than usual!
Ed Levin County Park; Santa Clara County
April 12, 2008Saturday morning birding with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon field trip. The weather was perfect and we all enjoyed good views of ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRDs, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDs, BULLOCK'S ORIOLEs. Just before noon we had a PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER and a singing PURPLE FINCH.
This beautiful Golden-crowned Sparrow in breeding plumage posed wonderfully for a quick pix!
Arastradero Road - White-throated Swifts
April 11, 2008
After spending 4+ hours this morning hoping to see the Red-naped Sapsucker in Stevens Creek County Park... which never happened... I then went to Arastradero Road and its I-280 underpass near Palo Alto... looking to find some WHITE-THROATED SWIFTs.
YES! These speedy bullets are nearly impossible to get a decent photo!
I won't tell you how many pixs it took to get these photos!
Millerton Lake - Fresno County
April 04, 2008A several hour drive to Fresno and a visit to Millerton Lake State Recreation Area in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains northeast of Fresno.
It was a gorgeous day to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather and sightseeing the area. Some of the highlights included RING-NECKED DUCKs, lots of WESTERN KINGBIRDs, and several flocks of CEDAR WAXWINGS hiding in the trees keeping out of the sun.
Alviso Marina County Park
April 03, 2008Walked the Alviso Marina County Park all the way around the marshy reeds at the southern edge of San Francisco Bay. The most common birds were Song Sparrows, busy singing away... as Spring is definitely in the air!
This beautiful male COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was also up onto the reeds singing away... and I was fortunate to snap this closeup pix!
Doran Beach Park - Bodega Bay
March 25, 2008A short visit to Bodega Bay north of San Francisco along the Pacific Ocean provided some wonderful views in breeding plumage of COMMON LOONs and HORNED GREBEs.
Also observed a few RED-THROATED LOONs and a group of five BRANTs.
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