June photos of Northern California

SeilerBird · Jul 1, 2012

This month I visited Watsonville to visit family, Greenbrae to visit San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Bodega Bay (where parts of The Birds was filmed) and Fort Bragg.

There are three different series of photos this time. The first series is 6 photos in 6/10th of a second of a Yorkie catching a Frisbee. That's right, a Yorkie. The second series is three shots of a Long Tailed Weasel, which I had never seen before. And the third series is of a Western Gull nest with two juveniles. Only one of the juveniles is visible except for a very small piece of the second chick in the third photo. Normally I won't go near or photograph most nests, but this one was well protected on a small rock outcropping 50 feet off shore.

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My favorite this month is the shot of Tarzan and Jane looking out a screen window on the Condormobile.

Betty Brewer · Jul 1, 2012

My favorite= Western Gull soaring but that Yorkie was pretty darn cute.

Tom and Margi · Jul 1, 2012

I like the proud little bug collector in Fort Bragg. It's obvious he was an eagle in a prior life.

You were in our old stomping grounds. We lived in Sebastopol for years when Tom managed Longs Drug Stores in Marin and Sonoma Counties. We moved further north to Redding when he retired.

Margi

gwcowgill · Jul 1, 2012

Nice looking shots Tom, now maybe I need to post some of mine. You take such nice shots though.

SeilerBird · Jul 1, 2012

Please post them Glen, this is not a contest

Howard R · Jul 1, 2012

What can I say .... excellent shots as usual Tom ... good work!

Howard

SeilerBird · Jul 1, 2012

Opps I just talked to the owner of the Yorkie and found out it was really a Silkie named Dexter. My Bad.

BigLarry · Jul 1, 2012

Once again, Great Shots!!!!! Thanks for sharing them.

ArdraF · Jul 1, 2012

I think my favorite is the clouds at sunset. It almost looks like a turbulent orange ocean.

The magenta iceplant brings back memories. For about the first ten years we lived in Redwood City our entire front yard was planted in Magenta iceplant. We put every single one of them in the ground ourselves. When they were in bloom you could see our yard flying into SFO! Another nice month, Tom.

ArdraF

SeilerBird · Jul 1, 2012

ArdraF said:
I think my favorite is the clouds at sunset. It almost looks like a turbulent orange ocean.

I think that one looks like the surface of Jupiter. But it also works well as a turbulent orange ocean. Thanks Ardra. I just got back from a hike and I had a hummingbird hover directly over my head about 30 feet up and I got him. Cool!

Roadhappy · Jul 1, 2012

Really enjoyed the pictures Tom. Keep them coming!

Jim Dick · Jul 2, 2012

Tom,

Some great photos. My favorites are the sunset and the view of the Golden Gate where it leads you right into the picture.

SeilerBird · Jul 2, 2012

Jim Dick said:
Tom,

Some great photos. My favorites are the sunset and the view of the Golden Gate where it leads you right into the picture.

Thank you Jim. I had a good laugh when you mentioned the Golden Gate shot. I was sitting on the top deck of a tour bus and shooting with a telephoto lens. Not the best combination for shooting something like a giant bridge. I did not think I would get anything in conditions like those. I should have gotten off the bus but I was really hungry and anxious to get a place to eat. I am glad you like it.

And thanks to everyone else for their really nice comments.

Jim Dick · Jul 2, 2012

Tom,

Really great shot given the circumstances!! ;D ;D

SeilerBird · Jul 2, 2012

Thanks Jim, I consider that a real compliment. Whenever you take a photograph of a subject that has been photographed a billion times it is always a challenge to come up with a new angle. I took dozens of shots of it with trying different things and they all went into the trash except this one and the one taken from the bay.

BTW - I finally got a reservation in an RV park for this upcoming Saturday night. They have one of the most amazing fireworks shows here in Fort Bragg and the park is within walking distance of the show. Actually I could see the show from my campsite, but I will walk over to get closer. I am probably going to take both cameras and try a few different ideas, such as the polarizer.

Jim Dick · Jul 2, 2012

Tom,

I certainly understand what you said about a photograph done a billion times. I wish I had gotten such a shot of the Golden Gate as you.

Hope you have great luck with the fireworks. Looking forward to seeing your results. I have a few more that I will be posting soon in my fireworks album.

Bob Buchanan · Jul 3, 2012

Enjoyed looking at your latest work, Tom . . .

The two sharp focus BIF's I see as the best. Love the colors on the Western gull.

SeilerBird · Jul 3, 2012

Bob Buchanan said:
Enjoyed looking at your latest work, Tom . . .

The two sharp focus BIF's I see as the best. Love the colors on the Western gull.

Thanks Bob. I shoot way too many shots of Western Gulls because they are such easy targets. I see lots of them everyday. Tonight I was out shooting the Western Gull chicks and one of the parents dive bombed me twice. Each time she flew only a few feet over my head and squawked at me when she was directly overhead. I have been in that same spot a half a dozen times and this is the first time I upset her, so I immediately left. I have seen them chase after other gulls, ravens and pelicans too. Very protective parents. Maybe that is why there are so many of them. ;D

Ron from Big D · Jul 4, 2012

Lots of nice images Tom. Thought you might like one of mine of the Golden Gate. It was not shot under your conditions, but it is hand held.

SeilerBird · Jul 4, 2012

Very nice shot Ron.

Bob - You said you thought the 2 BIFs were the best ones but you didn't say which two of the four BIF shots you liked. One of the BIF is of an Egret pooping. That is one amazing shot. Not because of the poop but because of the fact it is a pure white bird against a bright blue background and you can see feather detail on the entire bird. Shooting pure white or pure black birds are the two biggest challenge in bird photography. At my photo forum there are "experts" explaining to everyone exactly how to set the camera to make sure that white and black birds come out exposed properly. Keep the histogram to the left, underexpose, overexpose, blah, blah, blah. I simply leave it in 10 fps and blast away. The secret is to know how to post process properly. The 10 fps mode is identical to P mode except I can't use a flash, which I don't need for BIF.

June photos of Northern California

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