Shadow Cliffs 2021

This park had been a great fallback for bird photography when DelValle wasn't working out. 2021 seems to have put a damper on everything so far, though. I haven't had a lot to shoot in either place. I think the super algae bloom at Shadow Cliffs may have caused many of our feathered friends to find better digs this year. This shoot was in early March; I expected to see some activity in the rookeries, but nada. By the end of April, the rookeries are still not being populated at Shadow Cliffs. Delvalle isn't much busier, nor is Sycamore Grove.

2021

NIkon D850 DSLR

Shadow Cliffs #3

)5/13/2021

It isn't always the case that I have a slew of birds or other wildlife to shoot when I'm out, and I'm sure I missed seeing more than a few this trip. When this happens, I find myself seeking out those smaller "bits" of my surroundings. I'm not often disappointed either. Even an image of tall saw grass against the blue of a lake can be breathtaking and inspirational. Regardless, I am ever grateful for whatever creeps into my viewfinder. I did manage to find the new Great Blue Heron Rookery and catch some little grey fluff balls in the process. One mom birthed her little one(s) well before another. Still no Egrets, though. 😞

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Shadow Cliffs #2

03/22/2021

This shoot was a little later in March. No Herons or Egrets yet and no Eagles, though I'm told they are around. My friend the Osprey was a good model this day, but no family portraits yet. You can see how heavy the algae is. It will be much worse in April. (Remember I'm posting this late. It's April 29th now). Cormorants are starting to nest. The Geese are honking. A cute little songbird (Sparrow, I think). I like the way the shoreline blurred in the background. That's a function of depth of field, controlled by your aperture setting.

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Shadow Cliffs #1

03/03/2021

There were still some Pelicans on the big lake and a ton of ducks and Coots. A few Cormorants on the Island tree on the other side of the levee and, of course, some Geese. There's always some songbirds if you can get them to stop for a minute and my old friend the Osprey. There will be a family of them hunting here soon. No Eagles, no Egrets, and no Herons??? Spring has sprung