A big change for me during the pandemic was not getting out much to photograph. Luckily, I have a cherry tree right outside my office window, so I was able to do a little “at home” wildlife photography from the comfort of my own office chair! These photos were taken over about a 2 week period in late spring, as the cherries began to ripen.
A cedar waxwing feeds another fresh cherries while perched on a branch, Vancouver, WA.
My early season visitors included a flock of cedar waxwings with fledglings. Although the cherries were not quite ripe, they didn’t seem to mind, and were busy feeding their young.
A raccoon searches for ripe cherries, Vancouver, WA.
Next was a neighborhood bandit, also trying to grab as many early cherries as possible. He visited me a few mornings in a row, and I watched helpless as much of the tree’s bounty disappeared in his little hands.
A raccoon searches for ripe cherries, Vancouver, WA.
My shooting location worked well because I was directly across from the middle of the tree (shooting from the second story) rather than looking up into the tree. In addition, I was using my office as a blind of sorts, so the animals weren’t aware of my presence. Until I met this guy:
An eastern gray squirrel searches for ripe cherries, Vancouver, WA.
Mr. Squirrel would regularly sit on a branch and stare through my window at me, while downing as many cherries as he could. He was definitely taunting me.
An american crow feeds another ripe cherries, Vancouver, WA.
Once the cherries were fully ripe, most of my visitors were various bird species. A local crow family also had little ones to feed, and luckily there was still plenty to go around.
A black-capped chickadee perches on the branch of a cherry tree, Vancouver, WA.
Even the little black-capped chickadees got in on the fun, though they took their time eating a single cherry.
I was happily surprised by the ease and comfort of photographing from my office desk. Other than needing to keep the window glass very clean, there were few downsides to the result. If only I could shoot all wildlife from a padded office chair!
As I rounded the bend in a trail in Parc de l’Oreneta in Barcelona, I drew an audible gasp, my eyes widening in surprise. There on the ground about 30 yards in front of me was a hoopoe, digging through dead leaves and tree litter looking for his morning meal. I had been looking for this bird for the last five years, and finally, here it was quite unexpectedly in front of me! Having decorated the cover of a “birds of the world” guide on my bookshelf, the hoopoe’s beautiful feather characteristics caught my eye. Ever since, I have been hoping to photograph one in the wild. I searched for one in both Africa and India, but to no avail. For some reason, it didn’t even make my radar for target birds on this trip to Spain, yet here it was on a quiet Saturday morning in a city park.
A Eurasian hoopoe hunts through the grass for a morning snack, Parc de l’Oreneta, Barcelona, Spain.
Unfortunately, my stalking skills could not overcome this bird’s awareness, and it flew off before I could get better than distant identifying shots. No matter – I was thrilled to know this species was here, and I planned to be back in the park bright and early the next morning.
The next morning, I spent some time in an open clearing, hoping to get a hoopoe perched in the rising sun. After about an hour of searching and waiting (meanwhile photographing the many monk parakeets that dotted the trees), I decided to move into the forested part of the park. Knowing the hoopoe is a ground feeder, I picked a primitive trail, hoping to stay away from morning joggers along the larger gravel and dirt roads. The ground sloped uphill to the left of the trail, and that is where I focused my search. Soon, the rustling of leaves alerted me to a hoopoe poking through forest detritus scattered along the hillside.
A Eurasian hoopoe perches on a stout branch, Parc de l’Oreneta, Barcelona, Spain.
As I moved closer, it flushed to a nearby tree branch. I was able to get some safety shots of the hoopoe, but it was still skittish and constantly scanning its surroundings. I knew I should not get closer, and had to try a completely different approach. I moved further down the trail, then straight up the hill through the forest, lugging my 13 pound camera rig over my shoulder. Now I was able to move down the hill toward the hoopoe from a different direction. It had moved from the first branch, but looked much more relaxed in its second perch.
A Eurasian hoopoe perches on a stout branch, Parc de l’Oreneta, Barcelona, Spain.
I was able to create some wonderful portraits with a relaxed hoopoe in full view. However, I didn’t yet have the iconic hoopoe shot that I was after. With my heart beating in my chest, I slowed my breath and waited. After several minutes, the bird finally stretched out its wing as it prepared for a nap on the branch.
Stretching a wing, a Eurasian hoopoe displays its beautiful crest plumage, Parc de l’Oreneta, Barcelona, Spain.
With the stretch came that amazing crest of feathers along the top of its head. My shutter fired and I knew I had the shot I had spend 5 years hoping for.
I came across the following birds on a recent afternoon in Redwood Shores, California. Located right along San Francisco Bay with lots of calm water channels and sloughs, there are usually good opportunities to get close to these wetland species.
A greater yellowlegs stalks in shallow water, Redwood Shores, CA.
I came across quite a few gadwall, a winter specialist in the bay area. During the summer, they disappear to the north, so it is always nice to see these understated drakes bobbing along the surface. Look closely and you will see the beautiful interplay of buff, gray and black.
A tiny bushtit perches briefly on an ornamental bush, Redwood Shores, CA.
Bushtits are year round residents, but notoriously difficult to find and photograph. They travel in flocks, often spending less than 30 seconds on a set of bushes before flying off to the next. The best way to find them is listen for their signature peeping and then scramble to find the source of the sound. Here I managed to capture a brief look from a striking female before she moved on to find more food.
A green heron perches next to still water, reflecting fall colors, Redwood Shores, CA.
I always feel lucky to find green herons considering how much they can blend in. This one I followed down a water channel until I could get a nice backdrop of reflected fall colors. Whenever I can, I seek out simple, clean backgrounds as it greatly accentuates the main subject.
A double-crested cormorant perches on a small rock, reflected in still water, Redwood Shores, CA.
Just before sunset, I found this double-crested cormorant perched on a tiny rock out in the calm water. Although the light was fading, I found the posture of this bird interesting. After a few moments, he spread his wings and flew off somewhere to roost.
Winter is coming to the SF Bay Area, and so are the wonderful variety of wintering birds. I set out on a recent afternoon to see what the winds have brought in, and to capture some of these winged denizens in beautiful golden light. Looking back through the day’s photos though, I realized that most of what I saw were year-round birds. Oh well, even if I didn’t see a typical winter’s variety, the winter months always tend to be a bit more “birdy” around here.
A european starling perches on the top of an ornamental bush, Redwood Shores, CA.
First up on the list was a young European starling. Yes, I know, some consider this more or less a garbage bird, but if you see a good specimen in nice light, it can make a rather pleasent photo.
A double-crested cormorant swims through still water, Redwood Shores, CA.
The next bird I spent time with is a very popular one along the bay – the double-crested cormorant. I got some nice close-up shots has this one swam back and forth, diving for food.
A double-crested cormorant flies low over the water, Redwood Shores, CA.
My patience with this commoner was rewarded with some decent take-off and flight shots. Birds in flight are more than a little difficult to shoot with my 800mm beast. So I always give a thank you to those who take off slowly, giving my ample time to track them with autofocus.
A green heron stands in iceplant next to a water channel, Redwood Shores, CA.
Green herons are pretty common around my house, but are usually seen only by the most avid birders. You wouldn’t think it from the photograph, but these guys can really blend into the rocks and vegetation surrounding the water channels. If they aren’t moving, they are very hard to spot, even when scanning a shoreline with a scope. Therefore, it is always a treat when I do see one and can get close enough for decent photographs.
A sooty fox sparrow perches on a small branch, Redwood Shores, CA.
Fox sparrows have a wide range, which includes both breeding and wintering in the Bay Area. However, I’ve seen them more commonly in the winter. These guys are definitely more rare than some of the most common sparrows, and I was happy to catch one on camera as it stopped for a few quick seconds on a branch.
A bewick’s wren perches on a narrow branch, Redwood Shores, CA.
I’m always happy to see these wrens flitting about. They are uncommon enough to warrant excitement, and it was nice to capture one in a natural environment. I have a family of Bewick’s wrens that visit my front yard, but photographs of bird feeders are relegated to my stock collection.
A white-crowned sparrow perches on the top of a bush, Redwood Shores, CA.
White-crowned sparrows are very common during the winter along the bay, but are not seen here in the summer months. However, they are year round residents just over the hill along the coast. Seeing white-crowned sparrows often reminds me of the diversity of San Mateo county and how you can see an entirely different ecosystem of birds by traveling a few short miles.
A great egret stands next to a water channel, looking for fish, Redwood Shores, CA.
Finally, I rounded out my afternoon with the big daddy of the marsh, the great egret. They are very common, but also beautiful. Here I found a nice looking specimen so I spent a little time photographing him. Overall, it was a pretty birdy afternoon – I’m looking forward to the influx of wintering waterfowl that will bring great visual variety to the area.
