I'm loving this daylight savings schedule now. It works perfect for me to get out the SJWS on my day off and shoot for a few hours in the late afternoon light. Just as the light is getting too low is the time for me to pick up my daughter from preschool. I haven't been there in awhile but it seems like the activity is starting to pick up. Definitely more ducks arriving. I saw a few green wing teals, cinnamons and northern shovelers. There were also lots of brown pelicans fishing and white pelicans coming in to the ponds to roost for the night. As for raptors I saw a kestrel, red tailed hawk and an osprey munching on a fish.
3) I usually don't shoot wildlife backlit, but this quacker decided he did not want to fly past me on the correct side of the light. I didn't quite have a fast enough shutter speed (1/400) to get a sharp shot, but I did like the color tones after processing so I kept it.
4) Ah the ever elusive Northern Harrier. We kept up a game of cat and mouse this afternoon. I would spot it gliding low over the pond reeds here and there throughout the wildlife sanctuary. Once it flew low over the 1st pond and sent all the wader birds flying off like bloody murder. It never let me get close enough for a good shot. I used just a touch of shadow/highlights to bring up some of the underwing details. I try not to over due it because of those darn halos.
Super variety, Hung. You know me and the ponds in the late day light - Love it!
Congrats on the harrier capture. With all the times I've shot there I have only shot a harrier maybe three times and you got a great shot on this go around
I was out at SJWS this past Monday morning, Hung, and you're right, it's hotting-up right now. I even saw a California Thrasher, but it was too close for my 500 f/4 I saw the Harrier, too, though, but my shots aren't anywhere as good as yours. She's definitely a frustrating subject. Excellent stuff in late-afternoon light!
Hung -
Glad to see that you're getting a chance to get out and shoot again. Unlike you, the clock change means I won't be able to stop by SJWS after work to shoot now (too dark when I get out of work).
So, keep posting so I can see what I'm missing over there.
- Ken
Great job on both 1 and 2 Hung... I especially love seeing the BP with a BG other than water.
Tweet Tweet is just beautiful... wonderful light and color, really nice detail and I like the comp very much too.
Nice job on the low angle shot of the Avocet.
Very well done Hung.
Real nice to see you posting you images again Hung
You have some beautiful work here, we all benefit from your schedule being favorable for to get out and do some shooting. I'm picking the egret out of this bunch.
Hung the first two are a pretty site to see suspended against those BG's Harriers are intriquing and often inquisitive, I hope you develop a relationship with one for your shoots Tweet Tweet is sweet sweet, nice warm light!
Thank you Garen, Tim, Ken, Steve, Rob, Ken, Thang, Socrate, Jim, Kirk, Martin, Tim, Dan, Jojomon11, Verno, Karl, and Linda for stopping by and saying hello. It was great to be out there again especially since we are heading into the winter migration season. I was pretty pumped to see all of the birding activity at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (SJWS). Hope to run into you guys out there sometime.
I saw the Harrier, too, though, but my shots aren't anywhere as good as yours. She's definitely a frustrating subject. Excellent stuff in late-afternoon light! 