[Leica] Some bird photos

[abridge at mac.com (Adam Bridge)]

This past weekend my wife and I drove south of Davis into Solano County and the
Sacramento River delta. It's spring. There are still vernal pools and wetlands.

One really nice place surrounds the Voice of America and US Navy transmitting
sites. They are fenced off and have wonderful vernal pools and meadows.

Outside the site we found these cute little birds. They were VERY skittish. I
don't think I've seen many bright red birds but this one appeared (briefly).

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/MysteryBird-1.jpg>

They also formed groups but the shallow depth of field of the 560 got the better
of me:

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/MysteryBirds-2.jpg>

Often the birds were too quick for me:

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/MysteryBirds-2.jpg>


Then we drove down to Jeppson Prarie which is gradually being restored to native
habitat (no small feat with so many exotics like blue grass wanting to horn in).

A great blue heron was feasting in one of the ponds:

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/HuntingHeron.jpg>

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/HuntingHeron2.jpg>

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/HuntingHeron3.jpg>

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/HuntingHeron4.jpg>


Just down from this heron was a snowy egret who didn't like standing for his
portrait:

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/Egret-1.jpg>

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/Egret-2.jpg>

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/Egret-3.jpg>


And finally we drove down to Collinsville on the edge of the delta and found
shore birds:

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/E100VS-02-Collins-1.jpg>

<http://www.splitsecondfilms.com/Birds/E100VS-04-Collins-1.jpg>


Every time I go out shooting I appreciate the skill that Doug Herr brings to
this.

But in spite of his magnificent images I'm sharing these.

I have discovered that, unlike portraits of people, you want good direct light!
<grin>

Comments welcome.

My own favorite is Egret-3.

adam