27-MAR-2017
Take to the Sky!
I love to see the birds flying above, as is this wonderful Great Blue Heron. It takes me to the sky, wishing I could get a bird's eye view. Interestingly, the Bible invites us to "observe intently the birds of the heavens". How true! To study the birds is to learn about Creation.
For some outstanding scenes and a beautiful song, please watch this Film Footage From Original Motion Picture 'Legend of the Guardians The Owls of Ga'Hoole'. The song is "To The Sky". I think it is beautiful, as are the scenes from the movie:
Press here for Link
28-MAR-2017
Teasel and Reeds
I liked the way the Tall reeds in the background looked in this image of the teasel. The light was right and it all fit together in a manner that appealed to me.
29-MAR-2017
Don't Worry, It's Just Water Over the Dam!
This little dam on a canal running through Alton Baker Park can be a pretty sight. I think it is in this photo. Interestingly, 'water over the dam' has the same connotation as 'water under the bridge'. Both terms are "used to refer to events or situations that are in the past and consequently no longer to be regarded as important or as a source of concern."
So, don't worry, be happy. Sing along with that song here:
30-MAR-2017
Waiting For Your Call
The cordless phone in the dark caught my eye, so I had to get a photograph of it. Photography is always all about the light! Without it, of course, there would be nothing of interest here!
(The D3 still sets the standard for the rest of my digital cameras when it comes to low noise at high ISO's. The photo sites are huge and deep.)
31-MAR-2017
First Osprey Sighting of the Year!
I saw my first osprey of the year at Delta Ponds this morning. It was good to see them back. I suppose they will be nesting before long.
A cool fact about birds from 'All About Birds':
"An Osprey may log more than 160,000 migration miles during its 15-to-20-year lifetime. Scientists track Ospreys by strapping lightweight satellite transmitters to the birds’ backs. The devices pinpoint an Osprey's location to within a few hundred yards and last for 2-3 years. During 13 days in 2008, one Osprey flew 2,700 miles—from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, to French Guiana, South America."
01-APR-2017
Willow Tree Catkins
Along the edges of the ponds of Delta Ponds, the willows are blooming with beautiful yellow blossoms called 'catkins'. I believe this is a Pacific Willow.
Here is a photo of catkins, just like those in my photo:
More information about willow blooms:
"Willow trees' blooming phase begins in February in warm areas, and it continues until June in colder climates. The trees' long, tube-shaped flower clusters called catkins make their appearance just before leaves reappear on the branches. The flower clusters are filled with nectar, which insects carry for pollination. Within 45 to 60 days after pollination, willow seeds are ripe and ready to begin another reproduction cycle."
02-APR-2017
North End of Delta Ponds
Along the north end of Delta Ponds are apartments that surely have a nice view of a large pond and the wild birds that come there. Just below those apartments is a trail along that north bank that I love to explore. At certain times of year, when the foliage hides them better, small birds seem to find plenty to eat there. Currently, the water is high because of all of the rain we have had in the past couple months. As a result, many birds that frequent the Ponds haven't shown up yet. We had a beautiful sunny day today, which will help to lower water levels.
03-APR-2017
Caught in Mid-air!
I was thrilled to capture this beautiful little bird in mid-air. It had been on that shoot behind it, but now you can see the feet hanging on air! My conclusion was that it is a type of finch, but I wasn't positive, and wanted feedback from anyone who knows what it is for sure. Friend Laura ID'd the bird as a Yellow Warbler. Check out this link and the second photo on the page -
http://biology.csusb.edu/birds/species/Setophaga_petechia.php I got feedback from two others who say the bird is instead an Orange-Crowned Warbler. I do see a lot of similarity there too. Identifying birds can be so difficult!
These little bundles of energy almost never stay still. I did get some nice photos of it on that shoot, but this one is my favorite. It was the most difficult! We can learn a lot from the birds. In the Bible, Jesus said "Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?” The bird in my photo has plenty to eat in Delta Ponds.
04-APR-2017
Across the Pond
I went to Junction City Pond this morning and saw two or three Great Egrets there. I tried to get a bit closer to them, but they would move away so I was not in their safety zone. So I was forced to get shots across the pond. This image was cropped just a bit. I liked the way the feathers seemed to be used for brakes in landing.
05-APR-2017
Today's Catch!
This female Hooded Merganser dived and came up with this small fish. I have no idea what kind it is, seems yellowish to me. Anyway, it seems big enough for a good lunch for the merganser. I feel fortunate to capture this shot as I had my Coolpix 900 today instead of my super-fast D500, and the P900 is not an action camera. I got a lucky break! Or rather, time and chance were in my favor today.
Eloine, whose comment is found below, makes a point that brings up something really interesting! Her comment gives me an answer raised by two other shots I got of this incident. I have a shot where the bird has the fish in its beak, but then one where it is looking down at a wave ring in the water. I can only guess that the merganser came up with the fish, then lost it. The shot posted would be the second one where it has lost hold of the fish, and the one of it looking at the ring in the water would be the third shot. I can’t think of any other explanation, because the bird's beak is closed and the fish is on the other side of it, as Eloine noted. Wow!
ADDENDUM: Matthew made an interesting point in his comment below. The reason I say this is because when I checked the three shots I have of this, the last one shows the merganser swimming away with the fish in its beak! So it somehow got it without losing it. If the bird had the fish by the fin it would mean it managed to hang onto it! That's the conclusion I have to come to because of that last photo.
06-APR-2017
Kiosk on Mill Race Path, which includes several of my photos.
I shot a good number of photos of the new Mill Race Path for Willamalane Parks District. They have installed several new kiosks along the path. This one is at the trailhead at 32nd St. and Jasper Road. I was pleased that they used several of my photos in the kiosks.
The 3 1/2 mile path is wonderful for walking or biking. I usually walk it in sections rather than walk the whole length at one time. That would mean another 3 1/2 miles return trip, a little bit much for an old guy.
07-APR-2017
Yellow billed White-Crowned Sparrow.
I love the White Crowned Sparrows, they are easy to identify. :) Also, their beautiful black-and-white head, yellow beak (found on those who breed along the Pacific Coast), and gray breast with tan sides make them look quite sporty.
Cool Fact from 'All About Birds':
"•A migrating White-crowned Sparrow was once tracked moving 300 miles in a single night. Alaskan White-crowned Sparrows migrate about 2,600 miles to winter in Southern California.
•The oldest recorded White-crowned Sparrow lived in California and was at least 13 years, 4 months old."
Regional Differences
"White-crowned Sparrows that breed along the Pacific Coast tend to have yellow bills and duller white head stripes. Birds that breed from Alaska to Hudson Bay tend to have orange bills and white or gray lores. Birds that breed east of Hudson Bay and in the Rockies tend to have pink bills with black lores that merge with the black head stripes."
