1007
Moss Landing State Beach, California
November 21, 2011
This is the last posting of the Willets I found on this day. There were taken on the east side of the dunes – not on the beach.
Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 VC zoom at 300mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500 sec
1006
Moss Landing State Beach, California
November 21, 2011
Here are 5 photos showing the Willet feeding at the beach.
Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 VC zoom at 300mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/640
1005
Moss Landing State Beach, California
November 21, 2011
Get ready for a Willet-thon. The next three postings will be full of Willets. Some of the photos were taken in the inland lake areas and some were taken on the beach. First, here are some flight photos.
1004
Moss Landing State Beach, California
November 21, 2011
I took some photos on this date that were definite Western Grebes, but this particular bird was a bit of a mystery. It almost looks like a cross between a Clark’s and a Western, and I guess that is possible. However, after asking several of my bird friends for help, the majority agreed that this is a Clark’s Grebe.
Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 VC zoom at 300mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500 sec
1003
Moss Landing State Beach
Moss Landing, California
November 21, 2011
I’m including four out of five photos that I took on this occasion. The fifth I will post separately, because I’m thinking it is a Clark’s Grebe or hybrid, though I read the species do not mix-breed a lot. Notice on these birds the eye is well into the black area of the head, the bill is yellowish-green, and there is substantial dark color on the side of the neck. I didn’t include the fifth photo because the bill is bright yellow, the eye is slightly below the black of the head, however, there is substantial dark color on the neck. The Clark’s Grebe has more white on the neck. Western Grebes during non-breeding season can resemble Clark’s as far as the eye/black color placement is concerned. Anyway, I’m going with the more yellow bill and eye placement to separate photo 5 as a Clarks. I will post it right after this one.
Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 VC zoom at 300mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500 sec
1002
Moss Landing Beach Park
Moss Landing, California
November 21, 2011
First off, let me assure you this otter is alive and well. He is preening his paws and napping. For those of you who have been to Moss Landing, you know there is a large population of Sea Otters that hang out in the marina area. You usually see them floating on their backs in a large community. I guess I shouldn’t have said well, because I have no idea if this otter is well or not well. I can say I’ve never seen one lying on the beach here. Before we left Moss Landing, this otter had gotten back in the water. That’s why I assume it was just sunning himself or herself.
1001
Moss Landing State Beach
Moss Landing, California
November 21, 2011
I believe this is an Eared Grebe rather than a Horned Grebe. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 VC zoom at 300mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500 sec, heavy crop
1000
Moss Landing State Beach
Moss Landing, California
November 21, 2011
Again, a heavily cropped photo. This is a species I see very seldom. This bird was in the channel leading out to the ocean. I was sitting on the rocks taking flight photos of pelicans when this bird swam by. I thought it was a loon at first, but upon closer inspection realized it was a Common Murre – not very common for me.
Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 VC zoom at 300mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/640 sec
999
Moss Landing State Beach
Moss Landing, California
November 21, 2011
I took similar photos back in October, but these came out a bit better even though I shot at 300mm rather than 500mm. I had to do heavy cropping on these, so I didn’t save the image at 800 x 600. I went back to the old standard of 640 x 480 to try to preserve a little more crispness. I guess the extra megapixels of the new camera are helping out and allowing me more cropping flexibility.
Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 VC zoom at 300mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500 sec
998
Moss Landing State Beach
Moss Landing, California
November 21, 2011
I haven’t seen a GL in awhile. This was the only bird of this species I saw during this trip. I like the bird’s reflection in the water.
Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 VC zoom at 300 mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500 sec, extensive cropping
