Photo ABCs

Greater Scaup

I believe this is a Greater Scaup, in Marina del Rey, California. The colors of a nearby building are reflected in the water.

Marbled Godwit

A marbled godwit, in the early morning light, at Marina del Rey, California.

Willet

A willet, in the surf at Marina del Rey, California, in the golden light of sunrise.

Surfbird

Surfbirds, aptly named, feed in the surf throughout the Pacific coast in the winter. This bird was found on a jetty in Marina Del Rey, near Los Angeles.

Green-winged Teal

A green-winged teal, at Lindo Lake, Lakeside, California. These teals are winter visitors to Lindo Lake.

Black Phoebe

The same black phoebe from yesterday's post, coming in for landing. Pheobes, other flycatchers, and many other birds will often return to the same perch. If you are patient, you can sometimes catch them in mid-flight when they return. I like this background, because it gives context to the photo (blurred reeds and water) without being too distracting.

Black Phoebe

A black phoebe, at Lindo Lake, Lakeside, California.

Wide Angle Bird Photography

It's not often I take my wide angle lens with me when photographing birds, but at Robb Field, in San Diego, many of the snowy egrets are accustomed to people, since they often scavenge food from the clam diggers. This afforded an opportunity to try shooting an egret taking flight from close up, rather from a distance, as one usually sees. I think it's a nice look, with much more immediacy.

Lensbaby

It's been a while since I've used my Lensbaby! The company was kind enough to replace one of my lenses that I'd damaged with their newish Composer lens, as well as a soft-focus lens which I have not used yet. (soon, I hope!)

Here is a recent photo, a little impressionistic, from Borrego Springs.