Birds from my Road trip to Yosemite

pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
edited May 18, 2005 in Wildlife
Steve wanted to see some of my bird shots from my road trip to Yosemite.

When I heard about the Yosemite shootout, I really expected the main subjects to be landscapes. I did not even think about the variety of birds I might see along the way. But I did bring a 100-400 and a 300+2x along just in case..... Never go unarmed to a gunfight so to speak :D

I had heard of Mono Lake and and its tufas, but really had no idea what I might see there besides the lake.


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I expected tufas, not willing bird subjects. But I was delighted by the swallows. Here is a green-violet swallow on a tufa. They would perch and hold still. But catching them in the air was almost imposssible, darting hither and yon like hummingbirds on amphetamines.:D

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Here is a closer view of a green-violet swallow.

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There were shorebirds - Maybe Harry or Steve or Ed can name this species

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And where ever there are a lot of little birds these days, there are larger birds as well - about 30-40 yards off shore on top of a tufa

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Ospreys are much easier to catch on flight than swallows - not easy, but easier than swallows.
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But the day was passing on and we needed to push on across the Sierras to Yosemite. I had not given much thought to the birds of Yosemite - Eagles of course, but I forgot the obvious bird of the southwest - the Raven

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I posted an earlier thread about avian intelligence, devoted to the skills and persistence of the raven.

I did not think about Steller Jays until I saw them in the yard and on the porches of the Wawona hotel

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There were many other birds that I missed. I think this is a blackbird perhaps
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And this specimen I captured Sunday morning just before leaving
A Baltimore ( or Northern ) Oriole

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I hope you have enjoyed meeting some of the avian life that I saw along he way to Yosemite.
:):
Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin

Comments

  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2005
    Yes I did enjoy, thanks thumb.gif
    really like the treatment on the 1st Osprey shot, whata a look :wow looks like a mad Samuari!!
  • KirwinKirwin Registered Users Posts: 417 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2005
    What a wonderful series! The green-violet swallow is a beautful bird. (The close-up is topsthumb.gif ) Hopefully I will have the opportunity to visit this pristine land. Thanks Pathfinder.
    Regards,
    Kirwin
  • SusanBSusanB Registered Users Posts: 281 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2005
    Awesome. The detail, color and dof are simply wonderful. Super work and thanks so much for sharing these images.clap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gif


    Susan
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,005 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2005
    very good set path I worked hard on the Oriole but to far and too little glass kick my poor --- you did very good again very nice set of birds thumb.gifclap.gif
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2005
    Hey PF,

    clap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gif

    Just an outstanding series of shots. Wonderful
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited May 18, 2005
    Harryb wrote:
    Hey PF,

    clap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gif

    Just an outstanding series of shots. Wonderful
    Thanks guys and gals. :): Glad you enjoyed them.

    I still kinda enjoy this one too
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    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited May 18, 2005
    22390510-M.jpg

    I think this may be an American Dipper ( Cinclus mexicanus ). Anyone know for sure?? Greaper??
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • MuskyDudeMuskyDude Registered Users Posts: 1,508 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2005
    So many awesome shots... clap.gif But I'm partial to osperey's, and you have some really good one's, so I'll thank you extra for posting those! thumb.gifthumb.gif



    AJ
  • KhaosKhaos Registered Users Posts: 2,435 Major grins
    edited May 18, 2005
    Very nice set.thumb.gif
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