The last two posts, I’ve shared sunrises from Bolsa Chica Bay and wetlands near Huntington Beach. Although I didn’t plan it this way, yesterday morning my friend Mark and I went out there to see if any birds were active. We arrived before dawn, and were able to photograph a pretty sunrise before walking out on the bridge to photograph passing birds. I think it has been just about a year since I’ve visited Bolsa Chica, and at least that long since I’ve made an outing to just photograph birds. It felt a little awkward, but good, to be “back in the saddle again.”
I’m still in the process of editing images, but here are a couple of my favorites from yesterday. The Kestrel was taken with Mark’s 800/5.6 + 2x converter; with the 1.6x crop factor on my 30D, that’s 2560 mm focal length! I don’t know if it will blow up for a big print, but I am happy to have been able to add a Kestrel to my portfolio.

American Kestrel, Falco sparverius, December 2009

Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, December 2009





That used to be my running grounds. There were always many interesting birds to keep my company on my runs. Great photos!
Derek