Ol' Faithful (#68)

Whistling ducks are hard to miss, but I've yet to hear one whistle.



They are monogamous, with couples staying together for several years. But, is this a HE or a SHE? Apparently some folks study such things.

Bob

Bird Behavior (#67)

When visiting the Venice Rookery, the hope is that birds will be flying, gathering nesting materials, "fighting", or somehow engaging in photogenic behavior. There are two clues as you approach the viewing area,
1. The behavior of the birds
2. The behavior of the photographers

OK, last Monday as I drove up, I saw quite a number of cars.



A good sign. But, uh oh, look at the photographers!



They are spread out along the entire viewing area. Not a good sign. I don't have to look at the birds. Clearly, there is no area of good activity, or the photographers would be clustered there. This is a good time to go behind the rookery and look for songbirds, squirrels, etc.

Sometimes it's worse. Cameras on tripods are unattended; photographers are in a huddle talking f stops, politics, football, etc. A good morning for that third cup of coffee, or a quick Wal-Mart stop before it becomes too crowded.

You can anticipate bird behavior by observing the birds, or by observing the people who observe birds. Your choice.

Bob

The Feeding of the Flock (#66)

These generous tourists are wisely keeping their mouths closed while they feed the gulls.




I have several images similar to the top one. Only this one has one sea gull much larger, in the foreground. To me, that really adds something.

Bob

Don't Fence Me In (#65)

Even whistling ducks deserve their freedom.



Bob

Location, Location, Location (#64)

Having a bayfront home must be great.



Having a bayfront mansion must be even better!

Bob

Solitude (#63)

Bob

The Green Flash (#62)

These images were taken about 15 minutes after sunset, while there was still some ambient blue in the sky. On the second image I used off-camera flash with a green filter.




Either you like the effect, or you don't.

I do.

Bob

Snowy (#61)

This cooperative Snowy Egret was swinging on a power cord. The cooperative part is that he has yellow feet, so that I can recognize him.



Bob

Red Rock (#60)

Here's what a goofy white balance does.



The WB was set to 5200 Kelvin. No, the rocks do not really look like this. But I kind of like it.

Bob

Green Feet (#59)

Look at the yukky water into which this heron sticks his beak. And those feet! I looked at a number of Green Heron pics on the web and NONE have feet like this.



Geern Herons stay perched like this and nail small fish as they pass by. They sometimes use bait - place a small insect of other edible material on the water to attract fish. Not so dumb.

Bob

Moon Over the Jetty (#58)

I used flash with a green gel to introduce some different color into the foreground. I kind of like the idea, but this is probably a little overdone.



Back to the drawing board. :-)

Bob

Incoming! (#57)

A White Egret heading for a landing.



Bob

The Glutton (#56)

This little guy cleaned off most of the leaves from a fairly large branch. Estimated time: 90 seconds.








Very efficient.

Bob

H, I,.....K, L (#55)

This is obviously a Jay. I was hoping that this was a Scrub Jay, but it's just a plain old obnoxious Blue Jay. It's head is crested, and there is a black collar around the neck.





Wikipedia says that the blue color, like other blue hued birds, is not from a pigment. "It is the result of light interference due to the internal structure of the feathers; if a blue feather is crushed, the blue disappears as the structure is destroyed. This is referred to as structural coloration."

How about that.

Bob

Flexibility (#54)

I was gonna go fishin'...




...but I changed my mind.

Flexibility can be a good thing.

Bob

Enough! (#53)

OK, last Casperson Beach sunset photo for this week.



Bob

Free Fall (#52)

OK, this looks like fun (?!?) You pay someone to hoist you way up into the air, and then get dropped, in a free fall.





Why do YOU pay THEM?

Bob

The Carousel (#51)

Or merry-Go-Round, or Roundabout, if you are from the U.K. But this is a typical Carousel as seen in North America, with all of the seats being horses.



No fair! Moms and Dads get to ride free if they appear to be helping their children.



Bob

The Workshop (#50)

Last weekend I attended a photography workshop in Kissimmee, FL. The Comfort Suite hotel was a nice surprise, offering several photographic opportunities.






The view from my window reflected the too-close-to-Disney, circus-like atmosphere.



Mike hagen, director of the Nikonians Academy was the instructor. His business company is Out There Images, and has an instructional website.



Mike teaches for four days at a stretch. I was present for only one, exhausting day. I don't know how he does it.

Bob

More Muscle Car Stuff (#49)

All of which leads to...



...yeeaahh!!

Bob

Stop Smiling (#48)

C'mon, this is serious!



Bob

Evening (#47)

I got lucky and just happened to pick this evening to be at Casperson Beach. It provides something for the foreground.




Bob

The Helicopter (#46)

This Osprey seemed to hover in one place for several seconds at a time. His wings would come towards his body a bit, and he looked like he was trying to tread water. Presumably. he was looking down at something, but I never saw him dive or have anything in his talons.





A helicopter came to mind.

Bob

Colorful Horses (#45)

Ya gotta luv guys who put colored lights under the hoods of muscle cars.





You're car's engine looks just like that. Well, doesn't it?

Bob