Scott Gietler (http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/) and I got up early Monday morning and met at Bolsa Chica wetlands in Huntington Beach to do some birding. We arrived just past sunrise. There were still large pools of water near the entrance from all the recent rain, so if you go for a walk there, expect to get a little muddy.
The highlight was seeing the great blue herons (Ardea herodias) building nests and hearing them croaking in the trees. Every once in a while, one would swoop down onto the ground, pick up some branches and carry them back to the new nest.
Nearby a crowd gathered to photograph a great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) nest with eggs. Everyone is waiting to see the babies. It was at the limit of the my 300mm telephoto, but I was able to crop it a bit without losing too much sharpness.
The snowy egrets (Egretta thula) were out in number as well, looking very majestic. Overall, it was a beautiful morning with good company.
Parking lot for Bolsa Chica Conservancy:
View Larger Map
More photos at:
http://underpressurephoto.com/Animals/20100215-Bolsa-Chica-Birds/
Scott
Good Bolsa Chica work, Scott......as always. :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures! Great photography. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe wetlands were my habitual jogging grounds in 1995-1996 when I lived nearby. It's great to see these pictures. Apart from the scent of bonfires coming from the beach and the oil fields, it was an oasis in a time of chaos. Seeing the gun turret tracks and bunkers was a cool historical footnote. I will never forget some graffiti I encountered in one of the bunkers back then: We are led by fools who waste our lives.
ReplyDeleteSeemed deep back then.
Thanks for the photos. The owl nest is a great find.