Dr Marm never without my Nikon!

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Just Snowy Egrets

Piggyback ride?

These shots were taken  from two locations in the San Francisco Bay Area–Marin County.  A treat for me to see Snowy Egrets close enough to photograph.

Hunkered Down

What I most enjoy about these beauties are the various poses they make…hunting for food–a bit of a wind-blown look–could probably shoot their antics all day!

At the Ready!

 

Serious Concentration

 

Searching for a snack

 

Tall and proud

 

Enjoying the view

Birding in the Bay Area

Soaring Along

I had the pleasure to visit the San Francisco Bay Area when it was sunny and beautiful.  A treat for me–seems I always bring in the fog and/or rain.  Must confess–there was one day of stormy weather–but I was tucked inside a classroom learning about my camera! (Excellent class through Nikonians–if you’d like more info, contact me!)
Anyway–one of the tricks I learned from my class was to move the Auto Focus function to the back of my camera, and shoot in continuous mode with the Auto Focus tracking moving objects–that is how I got this shot! As with all “learning curves” it takes the time.  When we saw two hawks–guess which button I forgot to push?  Yep–continuous burst of blur!  Just need more practice!
Special shout out to @BirdGalAlcatraz and @Natrlvisions for identifying this as a Northern Harrier Hawk.  The distinctive white band on the tail is not visible from this side, but was able to catch that in the blur.  Thanks Jann for all the other IDs as well:)
Along the shore found a Black-Necked Stilt and a sleeping American Avocet.

Searching for a snack!

How do they do this?

I certainly couldn’t rest like that–would fall over for sure!
Love the way the Kildeer blend in!

A bit hidden...can you see me now?

One of the treats of the day were close encounters of  Great Egrets! 

Posing

Just diving for a snack!

Was able to catch this little one, before it jetted off! My first look at the Yellow-rumped Warbler.  Amazes me how birds can be in bushes with thorns and be able to flitter in and out without getting stuck!
Just hanging out!

Am looking forward to spring and more visits when the sun is shining!

Also must confess, am really enjoying learning more about birds!  Am equally thrilled that the Black Phoebes are back in their nest from last year–so will have posts of them in the near future!

Bird Stretches in the Sun

Working it!

Had the pleasure to visit the Bay Area last weekend and captured some feathered friends exercising.  Thinking we are all ready for spring!

And Bend

Make it Burn!

As I watched these lovely Canada Geese, I could hear the “Aerobics” Instructor in my head…hold it!  Stretch, give it all you got!

The Female Mallard also got into the act, while her beau was too busy preening to appreciate her antics!

Preening and Stretching Pair

 

No interest whatsoever

The White Pelicans also shared their talents of wing movement!

Made it!

 

Ready to Relax!

 May you be able to stretch in the sunshine shortly!

American River and Folsom State Recreation Area

Looking in the mirror

On Martin Luther King Junior’s Day of honor, I was able to catch a few reflections and a bit of solitary peace. 

Have learned that even when I am stressed, a few moments with my camera redirects me and I am immediately much better.

Nature + Beauty = Wonder

Enjoy your weekend!

Crystal clear water

 

Nice to see something green!

 

All alone

 

A heart for you

 

A fun jigsaw puzzle, perhaps?

City Wild Turkeys

Going my way?

Met up with an unusual sight on the way home a few weeks ago…a flock of Wild Turkeys in the road.  Mind you–this is not out in the country, suburban area of Sacramento!

Of course, I had to pull over, park, and grab my camera–just happened to have it in the front seat.  (Always rides “shotgun!”)

Enjoyed watching the play over an apple. Not sure whether I was more entertained–or they were?

An apple a day...

 

The "5 second rule" was applied

 

Cars don't bother them at all!

See, got it back after dropping it! 5 second rule applies to turkeys too!  The rule for some folks…if a food item drops on the floor and there less than 5 seconds–still good!  Can’t really recommend–depends what it is and where you dropped it!

We are taking over!

 

Unusual coloring

One last shot of a “Jay-walking” Turkey–or, is it “Turkey-Walking?”

Turkey Crossing

It was a fun encounter!

Lensbaby Goes Ice Skating!

Great Balls of Fire!

 

Although the traditional holiday season is over–there are still a few options with wonderful lights to be caught!

Sacramento has a seasonal outdoor holiday Ice Rink open from November through January 17th this year.  The last day corresponds to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this year.  I am still hoping to get in one more visit:)

This visit–limited to the Lensbaby Composer and what a tremendous match for holiday lights and sparkling ice!

Setting the stage

Amazing how one shift of view can change the results!

OOPS!

Self Portrait by Default

 

The joys of photography are abundant everywhere you look!

Says it all!

 Anyone who is willing to jump through puddles for a “photo op”…brilliant!

Fleeting Foot

 After puddle stomping!

Trace of Splash

 The advantage of this seasonal locale is the proximity to the Light Rail Track…

Going my way?

 Little bit of Ice Skating View…

Shadow

 What is ice skating without the biting lines cut deep into the ice…and a little blur!

Cutting through

 The Ice Rink is next to an outdoor mall…where a Popcorn Kiosk was screaming for a Lensbaby opportunity!

Seeing double

 Closes for the year on Monday…still hoping for one last visit!

Wings on Wednesday

Had some visitors outside my window last week.  Just happened to have my camera at the ready:)

American Robin enjoying a little snack!

Almost got it!

 

Hungry!

 

Just a Pose!

 

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Puppy Pics, finally!

Will I look like you when I grow up?

Riley joined us 3 weeks ago, he is a Miniature Schnauzer with black and silver coloring.  Born on September 20th, just about 3 and a half months now.  The picture above was when he first met, Benji–an adult version of what Riley will become.  

I must confess it has been a long time since I have dealt with a puppy and he is curious about everything.  Of course, as I type this–by some miracle he is in my lap curled up. Yes, ready for a nap after chewing on the cat scratcher, pulling on my computer cord, and bothering 2 sleeping cats.  By the way–cats NOT impressed!

As much work–there is much more joy that comes with watching  a new little one enter the family of 3 cats and 1 Cairn Terrier, Roxie.  I apologize profusely to folks with puppies that I bugged incessantly to post more puppy pictures! Sorry @Akanaphoto!

What I now know is that a puppy is fast moving and rarely holds still…add to the fact he has black around his eyes and dark eyes–not easy to capture.  Finally have resorted to using the flash to get more detail…

Hi there!

Here are a few from the holidays–originally posted on Twitpic…

I love this place!

Decorations inside the house are very minimal due to the many critters–no Christmas Tree.  Seems we always have a young animal that makes that a ridiculous concept.  So–we have tons of holiday toys for both dogs and cats.  They come out once  a year from Thanksgiving – New Years and then, the regular toys come back out! Riley must have thought he hit the toy jackpot!  Perhaps it is his small size–or just to torture the cats, his favorite toys seem to be cat toys.  This is how he won over Mr. Moto…

That is MY toy!

Moto can play for hours with that toy–liked the fact he could watch it move!  For the record, this toy is longer on the floor–due to puppy interest.  Moto still gets to enjoy it when the puppy is in his “Safe Place!” Crate training literature states we should not call it “jail”, but refer to it as his “Safe Place”. Thank you to the inventor of crates!!

Roxie is enjoying the puppy.  Riley bothers her non-stop.  She has been very patient and tolerant.  Do think in time, he will be bigger than she is.  His legs are almost as tall as hers.

No animals were hurt during this photo shoot!

 

What else can I get into?

 

The good news is that, Puppy Classes start today via Petsmart.  I already know who is really getting the training–and it is not the puppy!  Roxie and I will watch from the sidelines–and I plan on bringing my Nikon!

MUST UPDATE…as I was cleaning downstairs, I found out how un “Puppy Proof” the stairwell really is…of course, my camera was handy!!

I want the cat toys!

Someone put me here–I swear!

Thanks much for your support and comments–thinking there will be more Riley stories to tell!

Lake Berryessa & Napa Valley

                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                      

 

Weather forecast...rain, we lucked out!

It is hard to predict exactly what the weather may bring…happened upon a rainy day with spurts of showers and sunshine.  Perfect for enjoying the Napa Valley and the journey there!

We started with a side trip along wonderful back roads to Lake Berryessa.  The lake was low with water flow–but the patches of blue skies and the rock formations, made for a great photo opportunity.
Wonder how old these rock formations really are?  If I had to go back to my days of Outdoor Education…wish I studied in CA and not Indiana–would be helpful at times like this!! Perhaps a relative of Shale?  Identifications are always welcome and appreciated!
                                                                                          
Slice of rock view

Will revisit when the water is running!

I see this as simply an opportunity to scope out another visit.  This concrete formation pulls water in from the lake and has no noise–due to the engineering–the sound travels straight up, according to a source who has visited it before in it’s glory!  You can see how much higher the water in the lake needs to be in order to cover the “Glory Hole” .

We drove from Davis to Napa via backroads and had the pleasure to catch some wet beauties along the way!

Patch of lace

Stepped out into a huge puddle of mud getting out at this location…turns out it was worth it!

For the barn shots–started to absolutely pour rain.  Thank goodness my D300s is hearty! 

A bit traditional...fence and a barn

Another glimpse
Normally–I have my Lensbaby Composer on my D40x and shoot with both cameras.  My D40x is not able to stand up to the down pours we entered in–so used my Lensbaby briefly on my D300s.   My D40x stayed in it’s dry little case.
Little blur

 

The shot below–didn’t want much blur–just after the reflection.  Lensbaby is like a 50mm w/o the blur effect–I thought it was a nice view–from the window.
No blur just reflection

Advantageous to look where you are about to step…found this “under foot”.

Hint of color

The fun of being with another photographer is twofold–you both see the same opportunities along the road and want to stop!  Then, when you get there–you “see” and “create” different images! These next 3 shots were taken in the same location–pretty certain it was the vast amount of yellow flowers that caught our eye!

In a field of beauty

A vine amidst yellow

The yellow called out to be photographed!

 

Reflections Plenty

 When on a photo journey and not the driver–my camera is usually in my lap.  Was able to get a couple decent shots right out of the window:)

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Clouds in sunlight

 Think this is one of my favorites–what a great ending to a wonderful day!

Caught in a glow

 

 

 

Wings on Wednesday

Soaring with storm

A pleasure to have some “wings” to share and time to post–decadent! Recent trip to The American River at Sunrise Blvd, Fair Oaks.

Happy Wings on Wednesday!

May the start of the new year be a joyous one for you!

A pose for you!