American Avocets - Mating Season

JacaRanda · Mar 10, 2014

There is a lot of courting going on with the American Avocets. It's pretty amusing and often I had to put the camera down and just enjoy the nature. C&C welcomed.

#1

IMG_0241-8 by JacaRandaPhotography, on Flickr

#2

IMG_0259-9 by JacaRandaPhotography, on Flickr

#3

IMG_0215-7 by JacaRandaPhotography, on Flickr

#4

IMG_0214-6 by JacaRandaPhotography, on Flickr

#5

IMG_0133-4 by JacaRandaPhotography, on Flickr

#6

IMG_0091-3 by JacaRandaPhotography, on Flickr

#7

IMG_0079-1 by JacaRandaPhotography, on Flickr

And all the voyeurs with their big thingies covered in camo.

IMG_0140-5 by JacaRandaPhotography, on Flickr

Civchic · Mar 11, 2014

Beautiful shots, I like #7 the best.

It's funny, though, I live in a beautiful area for birds combined with a major urban centre (Hamilton, Ontario, which despite being denegrated as the "Pittsburgh of Canada" is actually one of the greenest cities around, with many conservation areas and wild places) and I have NEVER seen those herds of photographers that some of you seem to get in birding areas. It's weird!

BillM · Mar 11, 2014

Great set !!!

It's a good thing they have camo on their lenses, wouldn't want the birds to notice them sitting their in the bed of their pickups :wink:

baturn · Mar 11, 2014

Very nice, all. And the bonus shot of all the birders is, well, a bonus.

JacaRanda · Mar 11, 2014

Civchic said:
Beautiful shots, I like #7 the best.

It's funny, though, I live in a beautiful area for birds combined with a major urban centre (Hamilton, Ontario, which despite being denegrated as the "Pittsburgh of Canada" is actually one of the greenest cities around, with many conservation areas and wild places) and I have NEVER seen those herds of photographers that some of you seem to get in birding areas. It's weird!

Part of it is that California has about the same number of people as does the whole country of Canada. Now that is weird

.
I hope to some day be able to travel to some spots where I am the only one shooting. However, it is great to see so many others that share the same passion.

Newtricks · Mar 11, 2014

Great shots man, really like #6.

JacaRanda · Mar 11, 2014

baturn said:
Very nice, all. And the bonus shot of all the birders is, well, a bonus.

Thank you. I would like to start adding some shots for reference and perspective. This place San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary has 11 ponds and has plenty to photograph year round.

sm4him · Mar 11, 2014

Nice stuff, Jaca!

Generally speaking, I avoid the areas around here where there are that many people, as solitude is one of the things I kind of enjoy about bird photography.
But a BIG advantage to shooting in areas like that, where there's generally a crowd of fellow photographers, is that the birds sometimes don't tend to be quite as skittish since they are accustomed to the onlookers.

Avocets are still on my very long list of "gotta get" photos!

JacaRanda · Mar 11, 2014

Newtricks said:
Great shots man, really like #6.

Thanks Newtricks. It's the kind of spot we should find when we come up your way. Is Sepulveda Basin the kind of place where we can post up like that?
Most of the time I am on the move, but when there is lots of activity like what the Avocets are during now, I can sit for hours.

Hopefully by the time we get up there, we will have that Tamron 150-600 to play with.

JacaRanda · Mar 11, 2014

sm4him said:
Nice stuff, Jaca!

Generally speaking, I avoid the areas around here where there are that many people, as solitude is one of the things I kind of enjoy about bird photography.
But a BIG advantage to shooting in areas like that, where there's generally a crowd of fellow photographers, is that the birds sometimes don't tend to be quite as skittish since they are accustomed to the onlookers.

Avocets are still on my very long list of "gotta get" photos!

Thank you Sharon. As much of a city boy I am, I too enjoy the somewhat solitude of hiking and stalking alone or with Wifey. About a month ago, I ended up hiking/walking 6 miles. I just got caught up. Of course I did run into a couple of guys that started talking about mountain lions. Yesterday I saw my first snake - early March (Seriously?).

oldhippy · Mar 11, 2014

Beautiful and some really tack sharp shots. Ed

Derrel · Mar 11, 2014

These are beautiful birds! I do not think I have ever seen one...surely I'd recall such a magnificent-looking species.

JacaRanda · Mar 11, 2014

Derrel said:
surely I'd recall such a magnificent-looking species.

I have been saying that for nearly 3 years now. I grew up on Camp Pendleton and saw plenty of hawks (did not know the variety) and just about every other bird was a sparrow or crow in my mind. It's crazy to think that I never saw a Great Blue Heron flying over. They are all around so I must have!!!! right?

But if I saw one, surely I would have yelled out "Oh my God, a Pterodactyl just flew by!" D it is crazy how much of this I never paid attention to.

That being said, I probably would not have appreciated it as much as playing hoops at Laguna Beach and watching all the girlies between games.

Just really glad I am enjoying it now. In addition to hanging out in a photo forum with all of you Nutbars :lmao::greenpbl::thumbup:

JacaRanda · Mar 11, 2014

BillM said:
Great set !!!

It's a good thing they have camo on their lenses, wouldn't want the birds to notice them sitting their in the bed of their pickups

Pretty funny. I stared at the guy in the back of his truck for a while. Actually thought it was brilliant, especially when I saw him grab is thermos and some munchies.

When I can afford a lens like those, I will go all out and super glue twigs and leaves to it for camo. Rambo style.