Recent Publication – Bay Nature October 2016

Image of a California Condor in Pinnacles National Park used for an article about the rehabilitation and release of Condors.

Run to your local news stand and grab the current issue of Bay Nature. There is an article on California Condors that features one of my photos taken of a condor in Pinnacles National Park. This is a popular release point for these birds bred in rehabilitation centers, and the rocky area has proven a successful wild breeding area. As there are less than 300 of these birds in the wild, each is given a wing tag with a unique tracking number, and a radio transmitter.

A California Condor perches on a branch in front of a rock wall, Pinnacles National Park

The condor feature in my photo had a wing tag of number 340, which allowed me not only identify this as a male, but also get some detailed information about the bird’s history from the National Park Service:

Upon arrival at the Pinnacles flight pen, 340 was by far the most active and aggressive juvenile. Perhaps he was aware of his distinction in being the first chick produced by the Oregon Zoo, where he hatched on 5/9/04. As a culturally significant species to the Wasco tribe, the honor of naming 340 was given to Chief Nelson Wallulutum, who named him Kun-Wac-Shun, meaning Thunder and Lightning.

After his release at Pinnacles in 2005, 340 started to expand his range and quickly ascended the dominance hierarchy. He is outfitted with a GPS tag and has taken flight within 50 miles of the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge condor release site. His continued exploratory flights make him valued within the flock for his ability to lead others to new areas. During the winter of 2013, he began courting Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS) condor 444. Unfortunately, 444 died due to lead poisoning in the summer of 2014. As a high ranking male, 340 found a new mate in VWS condor 236 and they are currently nesting within park boundaries, raising their chick, 828.

https://www.nps.gov/pinn/learn/nature/profiles.htm

It is an honor to view and photograph these gigantic and extremely rare birds.

Recent Publication – Boxing Jackrabbits In Bay Nature Magazine

A male and female blacktail jackrabbit engage in a courtship ritual in which the male approaches the female and she wards him off with a leaping and boxing display.
A male and female blacktail jackrabbit engage in a courtship ritual in which the male approaches the female and she wards him off with a leaping and boxing display.
A male and female blacktail jackrabbit engage in a courtship ritual in which the male approaches the female and she wards him off with a leaping and boxing display.
A male and female blacktail jackrabbit engage in a courtship ritual in which the male approaches the female and she wards him off with a leaping and boxing display.
A male and female blacktail jackrabbit engage in a courtship ritual in which the male approaches the female and she wards him off with a leaping and boxing display.
A male and female blacktail jackrabbit engage in a courtship ritual in which the male approaches the female and she wards him off with a leaping and boxing display.
A male and female blacktail jackrabbit engage in a courtship ritual in which the male approaches the female and she wards him off with a leaping and boxing display.

If you live the San Francisco Bay Area, grab the latest issue of Bay Nature Magazine to see an article on boxing jackrabbits featuring my three photos above. The bay is home to many blacktail jackrabbits, and on this occasion I was lucky enough to witness a courtship display of sorts. In this case, one or more males will chase a female, who will in turn ward off her suitor’s advances by rearing up and boxing at him with her front legs. Often, the male will mimic this behavior, giving the appearance of two boxing jackrabbits. The female will continue this behavior until the most aggressive male becomes apparent, at which point she will succumb to his advances.

Gear I used to create the photos in this post:
[amazon_link asins=’B00IAYFDIC,B00T3ERPT8,B00132FXOW,B005JXEZEK,B00OD71FKU’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’hankchristens-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a2a5a946-90dc-11e7-a7bf-b5ee2948dd18′]

Recent Publication – Bay Nature

A turkey vulture perches on a log along a beach in early morning
A turkey vulture perches on a log along a beach in early morning

I was fortunate enough to have an image selected for the cover of the upcoming issue of Bay Nature magazine. I shot this turkey vulture in soft diffused morning light out at Pescadero State Beach. Once I saw him, I dropped to my knees in the sand and slowly started making my way toward him, every few feet stopping to get a safety shot. Finally I was close enough to frame him in a portrait, and was able to get several head poses. It turned out that he was in no hurry to leave, so after I got the shots I wanted, I crept away from him so as not to disturb him.

While not the prettiest bird, when caught in the right light, you can bring out their feather detail as seen here. In bright sunlight, their dark feathers are usually rendered to an inky black, so it was nice to see some of the lightness of the feathers come through in this kind of light.

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, grab a copy. It is a great magazine and will introduce you to new places around the bay.

Copyright 2017 Hank Christensen