Steve, that "Big Morongo" name sounds African....so at first I thought you went to the Dark Continent.
These image are on your usual fine level, but the flycatcher is special. The last one in flight has caused me some real pangs of envy, and telling myself it was probably just a lucky shot has not helped any.
Another wonderful trip, Steve This is a really fine collection of birds not so often seen on this Forum and the place looks beautiful. You did a very good job isolating the birds. Colors look very pleasant and detail is sharp
The Vermillion is stealing the show, but I also enjoyed seeing the Nutty-backed and the Lawrence's Goldfinch. Well done!
Socrate
Now that was a fun journey and reminds me of long ago with your 'helmet cam'
#1 Steve has me drooling, love those greens, looks like an HDR shot, I wanna be on the observation platform in that shot! Awesome, simple stunning depth and beauty, nice one my friend
Really fine work on the portraits in this series, #2 and #7 are sweet and the last IF is double delicious!
nice images and writeup, and it was great to include the landscapes so we can get a better sense of where you were. really nice light! we have tons of doves at our house and for the longest time i thought they were owls as well...now i know what to listen for as we have occasional great horned owls in the neighborhood although you can almost never see them.
jdc562 wrote:
Nice shots, Steve. The first one is really special. I never realized that Big Morongo could look so exotic--like something out of Africa. Thanks for sharing these.
---John
Thanks John. I think the overcast weather when taking that landscape photo helped in making it seem somewhat "tropical". It was from a past visit, and that particular day was humid, and the all the greenery was was pretty intensely colored.
Funny, I've driven by Big Morongo on my way to JTree countless times & never stopped. I won't make that mistake again!
Your pictures of the male flycatcher and nuttalls woodpecker are outstanding.
Regards,
Bruce
Outstanding set buddy!!!
I like how you wove the scapes into the series and they look mighty fine
Crazy good shots of the Flycatchers and that first one of the male is magnificent!
Looks like you could spend a week there and still be yearning for more time
Love the last frame flyer and what a way to end this fantastic collection
Lecani wrote:
Wow! Sure looks like there are a lot of different species there Steve.
Really like the Vermillion and a BIF to boot!
Well, it depends on the season -- and luck, Mao, as to how many species you can get at Big Mo. I've been there when it's been "dead," other times when it seems like there's something around every corner and on every rock. The best time is usually spring migration, so now to up to mid-May is the best time to go -- and before the temps rise.
KCollett wrote:
Nice looking set Steve. The vermillion sure is pretty.
Thanks Ken. Yeah, the male Vermilion is one tough challenge in getting some detail in all those red feathers; sometimes it appears like one big red blob.
surfnron wrote:
A very nice set Steve. I like to see where people shoot. Mr VF stands out for me ~ Ron
Well Ron, you know me, I always like to show folks here a little bit of the surrounding area, kinda puts things in perspective. And Big Mo has the advantage of being a very photogenic place.
This is a really fine collection of birds not so often seen on this Forum and the place looks beautiful. You did a very good job isolating the birds. Colors look very pleasant and detail is sharp
