Valentines Weekend 2010

Valentines weekend is always our getaway weekend.  This year, we got away to Bandon, Oregon.  Then we wanted to get away from the crappy weather!  We had a few  windows of opportunity to shoot pics but overall the light was just 'so-so'.  Add to that, my lack of trust in my E-500 body since it's tragic fall on Christmas Eve and the result is disappointing pictures.  It just doesn't seem to focus like it did before it was    knocked over, kind of focuses low and to the right (shooting sportspeople know that lingo!).   Anyone have a new Olympus E3 they'd like to donate to the cause, feel free to drop me an email!

We did however get a few shots worthy of posting! 

With the stormy weather kicking up some very large waves, a group of twenty or so Brown Pelicans decided the bay at Bandon was good place to chill out for a spell!

We took some time satruday and drove to Coos Bay to check out a favorite bird road and got a few shots of a Great Blue Heron, a Belted Kingfisher and (my friend Rebecca's spirit bird) a Great Egret. 

Next time I think I'll call Rebecca and see if she can get the Egrets to not be so damn skittish!  They DO NOT like to sit for a portrait!

Got this series of shots at Ankeny Wildlife Fefuge on February 7th.  These two were about 200 yards out and I was shooting through the brush, but I got the shots.  Won't win any praises for quality but I am tickled to have shot them!

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

And here is the one that got away!

 

Tracey and I spent the last weekend in January, looking for Eagles in Linn County.  This weekend the Eagles were pretty much keeping their distance.  Every time we would find one or two, they were either too far off to shoot, or they would make a hasty retreat as soon as we would stop.  If I didn't know better, I'd swear they know our Mustang when they see it!  We did find eight on Diamond Hill Road.  Four adults and four juveniles, all baldies.  They were keeping a close eye on the flocks of Pintails, Mallards, Canadian Geese, Teals and Gulls in the reclaimed wetland area east of I-5.  We parked across the road from the area, as it a posted no trespass area (don't want to get arrested for trying to shoot a few pics), and got these shots.

We were also treated to quite a show by several female Northern Harriers who were hunting with a high success rate!

  

 

The Harriers were awesome to watch, nothing else is quite as entertaining to watch on the hunt.  We were also given the privilege of shooting this beautiful juvenile bald Eagle.  I am guessing it is a female do to it's size.  This was one very large Eagle, I'd say 36" would not be exaggerating at all, probably even taller.  She sat quietly for me for about ten minutes then got tired of portrait sitting and left.

 

 

 

We were also given the welcome wagon salute by the local Kestrel family. 

  

That look says it all!

And with that, I am outta here!!!

Thanks for looking!

 

Just thought I'd post a picture of the Red Breasted Sapsucker that lives outside my son's house in Elmira.  He kept telling me about it for months, but I figured it was just a Downy or an Acorn Woodpecker.  He finally posted this image on Facebook.  Now don't I feel just a ton stupid! 

Photo By James F. Adney