Tuesday, November 3, 2020,
JK
A Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Oceanside
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Category Archives: Pics
Savannah Sparrow
Monday, November 2, 2020,
This is a Savannah Sparrow. This is a newish bird to me. I’ve heard of Savannah Sparrows but I never expected to photograph one. In fact, when I took this pic, I thought it was a Song Sparrow. However, when I was looking over my photos, I had second thoughts. There was something about the face that didn’t seem right. I couldn’t place my finger on it, but I knew who could. I sent this photo to my friend Daryl Ramrattan. Daryl is another wildlife photographer that I’ve known for a couple of years. More than that, he is one of the best birders I know. Daryl identified this bird as a Savannah Sparrow, which, no lie, kinda made my day. I had another sparrow under my vest, except I really don’t. I don’t think I could really ever identify this bird or another one like it as a Savannah Sparrow. Luckily, I still have Daryl on speed dial. It’s good to have friends. JK.
Eastern Phoebe
Thursday, October 29, 2020,
JK
Yellowlegs, Both Of Them
Wednesday, October 28, 2020,
This is a photograph of two different species of Yellowlegs. That large bird, the one in focus, is a Greater Yellowlegs. The bird in the foreground is a Lesser Yellowlegs. Note the size difference despite the fact that the smaller bird is a foot closer to the camera. Another identifying character is the size of its bill relative to the size of its head. The Greater Yellowlegs has a comparatively longer bill. These two species can be very difficult to differentiate and while I had guessed correctly, I’d like to thank my friend Mike Farina who is the Conservation Biologist at the Marine Nature Study Area for confirming my guess. Over the past two years Mike has been essential to us here at Joe Kayaker. He’s not only invaluable when it comes to identifications but Mike is completely knowledgeable about habitats and animal interactions. We just may offer him one of the unpaid staff positions at Joe Kayaker. JK.
Portraits of a Yellow Warbler
Tuesday, October 27, 2020,
This is a female Yellow Warbler that I found at the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside. She was flitting from branch to branch, behind this leaf and that one, in her search for insects. She was a real powerhouse of movement.
I’d see her here, try to get her into focus, and then she’d be there. This bird drinks way too much coffee. I’m a manual focus photographer, for several reasons but that’s fodder for another post. It would have been necessary in this situation anyways because of all the leaves and branches. Autofocus cannot always know exactly what you’re aiming at, especially with a busy background – and foreground – like this. I was lucky, not to mention a bit dizzy, to have managed to get these shots in focus.
She is beautiful though. Don’t you think?
JK