Strictly For The Birds

Fantastic. I'll have to share some of my favorite sea lion photos. The sea lions and seals are local celebrities in this region!

Tony

 

Great! Yes, it's always fun to see some.

 

Yes. I'll post a few shortly.

Tony

 

Hi,

I just posted some in a new thread. I have quite a lot of sea lion & seal photos. I hope you enjoy them!

Tony

 

I hope you enjoy these!

Tony

1. Snowy Egret

2. Double-crested Cormorant

3. Black Oystercatcher

4. Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

5. Adult Black-crowned Night Heron

 

@Tony Britton

Wonderful images, Tony! Just found the thread after asking you in another if you were "into" photography, based the question on your signature.

I respectfully withdraw the question!
Frank

 

Hi Joe,
Thanks for looking and commenting. I'll certainly look forward to sharing these beautiful birds with you!

Tony

 

Hi Frank,

Thanks! Your "Soap Bubble Instant" is truly sensational. Amazing, really!

Tony

 

WoW!! What Fab photos...and welcome to the forum Tony .

I am an avid amateur photo taker myself (not photographer, that sounds way too grown up) , but unfortunately here in the outer edges of London England we don't have such exotic wildlife to photograph, I with we did.

However I'll enjoy them vicariously through yours..

 

Tony - do you ever see Wagtails ? They are a favourite of mine, I get emotional when I see them
The new photos above are so lovely - the first and second are favourites (preening)

 

I'm glad to provide these beautiful birds for you and everyone to enjoy. There's a lovely variety of birds along the Central Coast of California. England has always held an interest to me and perhaps one day I'll make the effort to visit.

Tony

 

Hi Patsy,

No, I have yet to see Wagtails. They look gorgeous! I especially love photographing the preening process and I'm happy you like my photos!

Tony

 

Here's another set I hope you'll enjoy!
1. Double-crested Cormorant

2. Great Egret

3. Common Merganser

4. Brandt's Cormorant

5. Muscovy Duck

6. Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron (yawning!)

 

I was going to choose the 2nd picture (Egret) as my favourite there, but they are all so good

 

Thanks! I was especially lucky with the last shot of the yawning heron. I usually have to wait for quite a long time to catch a yawning shot but in this case I waited no more that two minutes and there you have it!

The transformation of this juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron into adult form is nothing short of astonishing. Below is an example. It's still difficult for me to believe they're the same bird!

1. Juvenile form (gorgeous orange iris and hints of subtle yellow in the bill)

2. Intermediate form (gradual yet dramatic transformation of plumage and a subtle hint of an orange iris remaining as it gradually goes red)

3. Adult form (transformation of plumage complete with black bill and stunning red iris)

Nature is truly grand!

Tony