February 10, 2013
-
The Birds
Today was a sunny but cool day after a storm yesterday that brought a lot of rain and hail, and probably snow on the mountains, though the mountains were still covered by the clouds leaving the area. After doing chores at home, I took off with the camera to see what the day looked like. The sun was low on the ocean -- so low that it was too bright to photograph. The sea was at low tide, and there were few waves. So I kept going till I reached Dana Point, where I could see if the great blue herons have yet returned. At first, I had a hard time seeing nests -- the trees have either been pruned or, more likely, they have suffered the wind and rain that we've been having recently. I did see a couple of birds, and as I watched them I began to find the nests again. There were two birds in each of several nests, and single birds elsewhere in the grove.
This pair had just changed places in the nest -- one bird had been out feeding, and came back to relieve the other in the nest. This behavior would imply that the nests have eggs in them.
As I watched this guy on the top of a a tree across the road,
he decided to fly back to the nest!
And across the parking lot, in the marina, one lone bird sat in a crow's nest of a fishing boat, watching the activities.
Comments (60)
nice. I always enjoy your bird photos.
You took some cool shots. 4th from the bottom photo is cool
Great photos. The one in flight looks like something out of one of the dinosaur periods. Amazing. The one on the crow's nest is funny. I went outside today. We got 3 feet of snow but the drifts from the high winds are 5-7 feet high. My car is buried. I can see the roof and that's it. There was no sense in shoveling it out because there was nowhere to shovel the snow too. The complex's parking lot is buried. Each step I took left me above the knee in soft snow. I didn't see any birds around haha.
@plantinthewindow - Thanks, John -- I was glad to see that the birds have come back.
@buddy71 - Thanks, Russ -- I'm proud of that series of 3 as the bird decided to take off, and particularly pleased with the shot you mentioned!
@TheSutraDude - Thanks, Mark (and for the rec, too)! I like that shot, too -- I remember seeing that evolutionary likeness in some of my heron shots last year and the year before -- they're wonderful birds, and it's fun to follow their social nature. I thought thecrow's nest was fun too -- suppose it's a case of mistaken identity?!
I'm glad you were able to get outside -- the news pictures looked miserable! They're saying it will take several days to dig out and clean up! That's tough walking -- I tried a hill in Antarctica with that much snow (icy crust on top, too) -- I stopped halfway to the top of the trail that had been blazed, and, after a little rest to catch my breath, went back down again! No birds? -- they're smarter than people!
Amazing photos Janet. I love the stork? (that is a stork right in the last photo) anyway the last photo and the heron flying back to his nest. I always enjoy seeing your bird photos.
@Grannys_Place - Thanks, Ruth (and for the rec, too)! The last photo is another heron, probably waiting to go back and change places in the nest with his SO! The heroons are such fun to watch!
@slmret - The herons look fascinating and like they have personality....like the one on the crow's nest haha.
Wow you were in Antarctica. That must've been quite an experience. My first wife and I knew the first woman to go on some kind of expedition there. Gawd I can't remember her name. She was from South America and worked at the U.N. when we knew her. I think her name was Miriam Cruz. She was in her 60s when we knew her in the 1980s. She doesn't come up on a Google search.
I'm pretty good at reading the minds of birds. The one in the crow's nest is thinking, "Hmmmmm, do I want crayfish or lobster tonight?"
@TheSutraDude - The herons do have personality -- last year and the year before, I had the feeling that they knew me, and several times let me know where they were so I could take photos, or posed just for me. I have a couple of really neat close-ups, and once last year a bird flew down to the road just in front of me, as if to say good-bye! Their social structure is also very sophisticated, and fun to watch over time.
Antarctica was a neat trip, but not the easiest 'cruise'. I was there 4 years ago in December. Flew to Ushuaia, Argentina and boarded a boat for 11 days, during which we crossed Drake's Passage, sailed down the Peninsula, stopping twice a day for landings or zodiac cruises to see special places//animals/features. It was amazing -- we saw lots of evidence of climate change, even there! Interesting that, although one landing was on the Ant. Continent, we didn't even get as far south as the Ant. Circle -- the continent covers almost all the space inside the Circle! If you are interested, I posted 13 posts from 12/6/2005 through 1/5/2006 covering the trip. We had a researcher on the trip, working on an underwater critter with potential to create a cure for melanoma, and a retired clerical person from NSF, among other notables.
@TheSutraDude - "Nah -- the fishing was too good all day, and it's almost time to get to the treetop and hunker down for the night. Besides the lobster isn't my thing -- it's not local, and they cou.dn't get it here from Maine today!"
@TheSutraDude - Sorry -- it was 5 years ago, and the posts were 12/6/07 through 1/5/08.
You got some nice shots there - esp the sequence when the bird was just about to fly.
@slmret - It wouldn't surprise me if they knew you and felt comfortable with you. I dated a girl who had an uncanny connection to animals. She was part Native American. A hawk once flew down and perched on her hand after she called out to it. Some of us have that connection to animals and animals are not stupid.
Miriam was from Argentina.
Well I'm off to bed.
Awesome pictures of awesome birds. The smaller herons fly over my area once in awhile. They're so big, they don't seem like they should be able to fly. The last photo looks like a pelican to me.
I always enjoy seeing your photos like this. The birds are lovely. There are a lot of similar birds around here in warm seasons. I wonder where they nest.
These are just such cool birds The last time we were on the dock fishing I tried to get a good picture of this blue heron that had caught a much bigger crappie than we did he was making all sorts of noise showing off his fish
Beautiful shots, Janet! It's amazing to see such large birds in nests. I've only seen a heron in a tree once here...there's not too many around these parts, so I'm always tickled when I get to see one or two.
@TheSutraDude - I once drove into a parking space -- there was a heron just on the other side of a dividing space -- it never moved! And another time I followed a heron walking around the same lot -- I was within 10-12 feet, and the heron never seemed concerned that I was following it. They are used to a lot of people stopping to look at them from 50 feet below, but I don't know how many stalkers they have -- lol ! But then a friend does something similar with a bluejay in their yard -- she calls out "Jay," and the jay comes to the table for peanuts!
@whyzat - Herons are awesome, aren't they! Hmm -- I thought he was a heron when I took the last photo, but he does look like a pelican -- it's hard to tell!
@C_L_O_G - Thanks, JR (and for the rec, too) -- I'm always glad to see the herons come back each spring! I'll visit them often! Keep looking up when you're near marshy lands or shorelines especially if you see birds (or evidence of them) -- their nests are huge, and look like parasites in the trees.
@SisterMae - It's always fun watching the herons!
@songoftheheart - Thanks, Jo -- I'm always even more amazed to see the same birds on twigs next to their nests. It's fun to watch their behaviors!
The blue sky is beautiful in the background.
@angys_coco - Thanks, Angy -- it was a beautiful day!
I enjoyed the bird pictures--never seen a heron but you did a great job of taking the photos of them !! You always find the most interesting things !
I LOVE Blue Herons!!! Next to Kingfishers they are my favorite bird.
There is something pre historic-like about them that is just so cool.
Nice job Janet, thank you!
I love the pictures.
@slmret - Wow that must've been neat and fun following the heron around and the other one in the parking lot. I love the "Jay" story too. I was little but I remember a little chipmunk we fed when my family lived in Minnesota. He was cute and adorable and got to be pretty trusting of us...as long as we had something for him to eat haha.
You sure like these sea birds. Nice shots Janet.
@Maggietx1 - Thanks -- they're beautiful, majestic birds. I often say that the camera helps me see!
@Bricker59 - These guys are magnificent -- see my comment above about prehistoric birds and evolution. Thanks for the comment, the compliment, and the rec, Thom!
@Erika_Steele - Thank you ~ ~
@TheSutraDude - A foot at a time, quiet reassuring conversation -- does it with these birds. Peanuts for the jays! And bread or nuts for the chippies!
@ccrider17 - They became friends a couple of years ago -- they're wonderful birds, as are the pelicans. Thanks!
@slmret - Animals are amazing. Not that I would try to befriend a lion or tiger. I like the more benign ones though.
I just love great blues ~ somehow, they almost look prehistoric ~ what fun you had!
You never disappoint. Excellent shots.
I love these birds! Great photos!!
@TheSutraDude - There have been some amazing marine mammal sightings off the coast this year -- large (50-100) schools of dolphins, a group of 25 gray whales, and so forth. I want to get out there whale-watching before they disappear to Mexico for the spring!
@fwren - There is an element of prehistoric to both the great blues and the pelicans. It was a wonderful outing!
@Inciteful - Thanks! And thanks for the rec, too. I'm glad you weren't disappointed
!
@murisopsis - Thanks, Val -- I love them too.
@slmret - I've never seen a dolphin or a whale in person. I love them both, especially dolphins. Dolphins seem to be very intelligent creatures and seem always to be happy. How many times they've come to the rescue of humans and then of course there's "Flipper".
@TheSutraDude - The whales are like large dolphins -- they're very curious, and this year there have been a number of reports of the whales coming right up to boats to see who was there. They enjoy performing for the whale-watchers (breach, spy-hopping feeding behaviors). This year, they've also been in a hurry to get to Mexico to do their birthing/mating thing -- several have had babes swimming alongside. Their swimming lanes have taken them right down the coast, and about 3-5 miles offshore, although there have also been some that have used shipping lanes instead -- they changed the shipping lanes by about a mile in December or January and there haven't been any accidents since then. There are lots of them off Long Island and in Cape Cod -- you would enjoy seeing them.
@slmret - Fascinating. They do have a language too. I once read whales can communicate globally with other whales. I love that they've been coming up to boats to see who was there. I'd love to say hello to some.
@TheSutraDude - The Navy has been doing some testing (for seismicity close to nuclear power plants, or something like that) -- there's a huge controversy as to whether or not it's damaging to the whales' sonar communications, and the tests were delayed considerably while they studied the issue. They've done some now, and there's still controversy about it!
I remember as a teen sometimes when we were sailing we'd see migrating whales -- they play with boats, swimming underneath, coming up for air nearby, and so forth. We haven't broken their code yet, but I've understood that the language is a global constant. The whale-watchers have to stay away from them, but the whales don't have to stay away from the boats -- it can be a really exciting two or three hour cruise!
@slmret - I have heard about the concerns over interference with their sonar communication. They are such a huge part (no pun intended) of our global environment and understanding. I am not enamored with people who say, "Who cares?"
@TheSutraDude - Nor I! I think sometimes the environmentalists take things too far, but I'm definitely on their side. It would be tragic if we interfered with the whales to the extent of potential extinction. For example of going too far, though, Laguna Beach fought the building of two freeways that would save carbon emission, etc, with minimal harm to the environment, which would be repaired. They lost the final court hearings, after 10 or 15 years of fighting it, yet sat in front of the bulldozers the next day, trying to prevent them from beginning work! The environment has come back very nicely, and the roads are helping lots, just by allowing traffic to move more efficiently.
Those are amazing photos.
@slmret - I agree some environmentalist groups are off the deep edge. We're not going back to living in log cabins with no running water and no electricity. We need common sense approaches and it sounds like the freeways were just that. I do trust scientists far and above over capitalists who are willing to do and/or destroy anything of value for another buck. The attempt about 20 years ago to open up Central Park, NYC for commercial and residential development was a perfect example. Thank goodness New Yorkers and the courts put their collective feet down and said no.
@TheSutraDude - I'm a firm believer in the parks systems around the country. We nearly lost 70 of ours in California last November -- or that was the electioneering threat, anyway. It seems that losing Central Park would be disastrous for the many people who live in NYC. About 10 years ago, El Toro NAS was closed, and, after 4 elections on the issue, they are attempting to turn it into a grand park that will include recreational facilities, a throughway for wildlife from wilderness to the ocean, some housing, and so forth. Funding has become a problem in the last year, but they are plowing forward with it, and making some progress. I do agree about common sense -- it seems that we've collectively lost a good part of the common sense that used to prevail.
Talking of common sense, it's bedtime in So Cal!
@dingdongdingbat - Thanks so much -- it's fun having a long lens and good subjects!
@slmret - Speaking of intelligent creatures the Central Park seals are amazing. They play to the crowds in a way that makes Broadway jealous. Want to see children and adults alike smile and laugh in NYC that's the place to be. Those seals know it. What a bunch of clowns they are. During feeding time it's difficult to get a spot where you can see them. They clap back to the crowd. They are really a ton of fun.
Yes we've lost a lot but we'll get it back. Our grandparents understood the value of parks. The wingnuts who want to devour what our grandparents built will be pushed aside. I hope so anyway.
@slmret - I'll keep looking up for the nests and keeping looking here for you photos of their adventures.
Great photos,great birds. Beautiful blue sky.
HI Janet.
Great shots. You are an amazing photographer.
frank
I enjoy your pics of herons cause we have herons around here too. Just no blue sky behind them.
excellent pictures
They are great shots, all of them, but the picture of the bird leaping into flight is worthy of any television documentary or magazine article!
Those are big birds!
They are beautiful but a messy bunch aren't they? I love your photos. Can't get over how blue the sky is.
very cool photos
@TheSutraDude - I love watching marine mammals -- they behave more or less the same way in nature, clapping, entertaining, etc! The CA State Parks were a budget issue during the last election -- if you don't pass the taxes measure, we'll have to cut back on education, close 70 parks, etc. etc. The measure passed, and the parks are still open.
@C_L_O_G - I'll try to post more this weekend -- it's been a busy week!
@carlo - @HUMOR_ME_NOW - @grannykaren - @momofjenmatt - Thank you!
@craftea - Your blue sky will come back soon ~ ~ ~
@holeinyoursoul - Thank you so much -- I love that shot!
@BoulderChristina - Yes -- and they live VERY high up in the trees!
@VallejoGirl - Thanks -- yes, they are messy -- I tend to locate them by looking down!
These pictures of the blue herons are amazing. The birds looking out of the tree, look so majestic. Great capture.
Great photos against the blue sky and interesting to see how it is camouflaged.
@ZSA_MD - Thanks for the rec, Zakiah -- they are wonderfully majestic birds -- I hope to visit them again soon!
@vexations - Thanks, Bill (and foro the rec) -- these are fascinating birds! There are times that I go to see them and can't find them hidden in the trees and the nests -- as I watch, they make their presence known, shyly and gently. Then there are other times when they are acting as sentinels for the others, or standing in the parking lot watching the action. It's interesting that they are as tame as they are -- but they live 50 feet up in the trees!
....and you found your blue herons and their nest,You made wonderful photos ( haron flying ) . I did not know there were sea heron . I knew them in te marshes but probably various species exist of course.
Love
Michel
Spectacular shots! I love bird watching.
now i can see why two of my favorite writers / fellow Xangans have recommended your entry - you give life to these pictures, the subjects look like they might leap out of the gorgeous blue skies to come to life on my computer desk...
Those are some big birds!!!
It is sunny here today and 56 with a light breeze. We are supposed to get snow tonight but I don't know how much, probably not much.
So far I have had a good birthday! Chinese food for dinner tonight.
Amazing pictures!
Comments are closed.