Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Song sparrow sings a spring tune, Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility

There are many more Yosemite landscapes waiting to be processed, but for today I'll switch back to wildlife with a song sparrow singing in the yellow wildflowers that line the ponds at Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in Petaluma, CA.

Singing song sparrow in yellow flowers - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

Taking a moment to catch it's breath in between solos on the wildflower stage.

Song sparrow in flowers - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

Back to belting out that wonderful spring song!

Song sparrow sings in wildflowers - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

Visit my Song Birds Gallery.

Submitted to World Bird Wednesday -- follow the link to check out this week's posts!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Yosemite Falls in Fog, Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Falls and reflection - Pat Ulrich Nature Photography

Yosemite Falls is a beautiful waterfall, and when all of the individual falls are considered together, it's considered the 5th tallest waterfall in the world. In these images, the Upper and Lower Falls are visible, as seen from across the valley floor. With the high water flows this spring, there are some nice seasonal pools forming on the valley floor, which can make for great reflections as well. These images are both HDR blends of 3 exposures.

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls - Pat Ulrich Nature Photography

See more in my Yosemite National Park Gallery.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

El Capitan and Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

El Capitan and Half Dome - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

Two iconic rock faces in Yosemite National Park -- El Capitan on the left and Half Dome on the right. Our only views of an unobstructed Half Dome came on our drive into the park on the first day, and after this, it remained covered in clouds.

See more in my Yosemite Landscapes Gallery.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Tunnel View during spring storm, Yosemite National Park

Tunnel View during spring storm, Yosemite National Park

A classic view of Yosemite National Park from Tunnel View. The weather during this quick trip was fantastic with a mix of sun, rain, and late season snow, and this shot was taken just as a hailstorm opened up above us and moved across the valley. For those curious about the technical aspects of this image, it's an HDR blend of 4 exposures.

View more of my landscape images.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Feeding short-billed dowitchers, Pillar Point Harbor

Feeding short-billed dowitcher - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

A short-billed dowitcher in breeding plumage feeding in the sands of Pillar Point Harbor. While these shots are pretty similar, the slight tilt to the head gives it a different feeling to me. In the top shot, the bird makes good eye contact with the viewer, and that can pull me in a bit. But in the second shot, I like that the dowitcher seems much more focused on the task at hand. And if you've ever watched dowitchers feed, they are quite intense as they rapid probe the sand in sewing-machine fashion.

Short-billed dowitcher in breeding plumage - Pat Ulrich Photography

As I was photographing the feeding dowitchers a group of western sandpipers came running through the frame, so I refocused and snapped of a few shots with the dowitchers in the background.

Sandpiper and dowitchers - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

More of these lovely shorebirds with extra long bills in my Dowitchers Gallery.