It is almost brown pelican season here in San Diego. After 12 years of ignoring the local birding scene I decided that this year I will give it a go. In preparation with the mechanics of bird shooting I have been visiting the local sites. Enjoying it very much so far, though I wonder how long till it gets repetitive shooting the same dozen species. I still have a long way to go in the skills department, particularly taking full frontal pics of birds in relatively distant estuaries, but you know what they say - where experts see problems beginners see endless possibilities.
It was a blue-bird sky weekend so the light is not the best. Feedback more than welcome. Bigger size images of the frames that don't suck too badly are here https://bboyanov.com/gallery/index.php?/category/33
#1 - Mansplaining, or at least this is what it looked like from a distance. Or maybe two guys, one explaining to the other how big the fish that he caught was
Welcome to the joy of avian photography. You are off to a good start Boyan. You will discover that what beginners see as problems, experienced photographers find there way around those issues.
Welcome ! Wonderful set . Beautiful pictures on your website.
For me, I never tire of photographing species I find beautiful and or interesting or challenging . Birds and nature always offer up something different each and every time you go out. Just be open to the possibilities and just enjoy .
Thanks for reminding me about the good time I had 13 years ago, when I went to San Diego to visit my daughter who was going to UCSD at that time. I loved the Pellicans of San diego so much I moved and have been living down here for more than 5 years, I can see the pellicans any time I want. The birds are so gracious. Yes San diego is a marvellous city.
Bob
n.v.m. wrote:
there's only a dozen species in San Diego? i just don't think so. try over 500....
Like many things in life, the Pareto principle is at work. 80% of the birds in the coastal San Diego areas come from about a dozen species - gulls (3x), pelican (1x), cormorants (2x), willet, godwit, sandpiper (2x), and mallards (2x). And of that dozen, 3 species account for around 60% of total sightings.
I have neither the patience nor the interest in seeking out the rarer species. For me the excitement is to see the bird do something.
This is not a value judgement for those that enjoy that aspect of birding. It just isn't for me, which is why I suspect I may get satiated relatively quickly.
We shall see. For now I am enjoying the change in pace from landscapes. Particularly the ability to be able to predict with very high degree of confidence when it is worth going out for a shoot and having to drive less than 45 minutes to get there. I can take a look at the tides situation and satellite imagery at 3pm, and be shooting golden hour by 4pm. Or stop by coast for a 1 hr sunrise shoot and still be at work before 9am.
GroovyGeek wrote:
Like many things in life, the Pareto principle is at work. 80% of the birds in the coastal San Diego areas come from about a dozen species - gulls (3x), pelican (1x), cormorants (2x), willet, godwit, sandpiper (2x), and mallards (2x). And of that dozen, 3 species account for around 60% of total sightings.
good grief thats so wrong. it doesn't sound like birding is for you.
