06-23-2011, 11:23 PM
I've been taking a break from posting river pics since my last posting where I posted the best pics I've ever taken (here). I usually get a little depressed when I reach a new height cause the first thing I wanna do is go out and get BETTER shots. Sometimes that just isn't possible.
BUT, I've got some good stuff to share today...
I usually zoom through this area on my way to more untraveled areas, but this scene cracked me up. These geese are quite tame compared to most other animals here. They will swim right up to you and beg. In the other wilderness area I used to go to outside of town, they'd bolt when they'd see you 1/2 mile away.
Here's a first - these mergansers are rather rare around here and this is the first batch of chicks I've seen. CUTE!
I have no idea what this bird is - can someone help? LONG tail feathers. Nimble flyer - thought it might be a Kite, but it didn't do any hovering flying that I saw. The beak is quiet falconish - yes?
The water is running VERY high for this time of year. Many years, the river would be low, slow and warm by now. That is NOT the case this year. It's high, fast and freezing cold. People will likely die on the river this year... Soooo the park service put this thing up just before the Memorial Day weekend. Keep in mind that CA is in debt crisis and public parks have been mercilessly hacked. Somehow they found the money to do this. Well done people! No charge - purely on the honor system...
You'd think these guys would just sail away in a good wind...
Here's my egret buddy again. The water rose again and this day I wasn't able to get as close as other times recently without going into the water. Funny shot...
Cute chicks taking a nap in the sun...
another tree swallow...
a cool lizard...
and my gorgeous little girl kitty working on her tan... she's been the mighty hunter these days going after those lizards... usualy she will only come home with a wiggling tail... and she's so proud...
BUT, I've got some good stuff to share today...
I usually zoom through this area on my way to more untraveled areas, but this scene cracked me up. These geese are quite tame compared to most other animals here. They will swim right up to you and beg. In the other wilderness area I used to go to outside of town, they'd bolt when they'd see you 1/2 mile away.
Here's a first - these mergansers are rather rare around here and this is the first batch of chicks I've seen. CUTE!
I have no idea what this bird is - can someone help? LONG tail feathers. Nimble flyer - thought it might be a Kite, but it didn't do any hovering flying that I saw. The beak is quiet falconish - yes?
The water is running VERY high for this time of year. Many years, the river would be low, slow and warm by now. That is NOT the case this year. It's high, fast and freezing cold. People will likely die on the river this year... Soooo the park service put this thing up just before the Memorial Day weekend. Keep in mind that CA is in debt crisis and public parks have been mercilessly hacked. Somehow they found the money to do this. Well done people! No charge - purely on the honor system...
You'd think these guys would just sail away in a good wind...
Here's my egret buddy again. The water rose again and this day I wasn't able to get as close as other times recently without going into the water. Funny shot...
Cute chicks taking a nap in the sun...
another tree swallow...
a cool lizard...
and my gorgeous little girl kitty working on her tan... she's been the mighty hunter these days going after those lizards... usualy she will only come home with a wiggling tail... and she's so proud...
