Photo ABCs

Red-winged Blackbird

A Red-winged Blackbird sings in a field of grain. Photographed last week near the Salton Sea.

Black-throated Sparrow

A Black-throated Sparrow, photographed last week in Anza-Borrego State Park. The photo was taken in the soft light after sunset.

Lark Sparrow

A Lark Sparrow perches on barbed wire, with nesting material.

Photographed in February of this year near Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, Mexico.

Spotted Wren

The Spotted Wren is found only in Mexico, predominantly in western Mexico.

This bird was photographed at Laguna La Maria, in Colima.

Black and White Warbler

Yes, this picture is right-side-up!

A Black and White Warbler turns upside down looking for insects on a tree branch. Photographed in February of this year at Laguna La Maria, in Colima, Mexico. (tap or click to enlarge)

Bewick's Wren

A Bewick's Wren, photographed in February of this year near the town of Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, Mexico, at the lovely ranch/hotel Chalet de Colombo.

Salton Sea: Great Blue Heron

When one does timed-exposures with moving water, at night, you are never quite sure what the result will be. There's only one way to find out: try it!

This is a ten second exposure photographed at the Salton Sea last month, about twenty minutes after sunset. The Great Blue Heron was nearly motionless, and appears sharp. It has a bit of light on it from the glow of lights from a nearby geothermal plant. The evening was windy and the water choppy, the long exposure smooths it somewhat.

Allen's Hummingbird

Another Allen's Hummingbird, likely either a female or juvenile male, photographed last month in Riverside, California.

The soft effect around the edges of this and yesterday's photograph was caused by out of focus flowers in the foreground and/or background. This sometimes (but not always!) produces a pleasing effect.

Allen's Hummingbird

I believe that this is either a female, or juvenile male Allen's Hummingbird. (Any hummingbird experts feel free to correct me!)

Photographed last month in Riverside, California.

Song Sparrow

A Song Sparrow, showing how it got its name. Photographed recently in La Jolla, California.