Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Scaups at sunset, San Francisco Bay

Scaup swimming across water reflecting the golden colors of sunset

This time of year is great for a visit to Cesar Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina, since a small population of burrowing owls takes up residence there each winter. Last year, I took many evening trips to the park to see the owls after work in hopes of photographing them bathed in the golden rays of a setting sun over the Golden Gate. The owls are not the only interesting birds there though, as I have also photographed a great blue heron hunting for rodents in the grass and some ducks like these scaups paddling around the calm waters of the bay.

Scaup on San Francisco Bay

These shots were initially an afterthought on that trip, since I was photographing them from the top of the rocks at the shoreline, and I much prefer to take images much closer to eye level. However, I'm glad that I fired off a few frames, since what really pulled me in was the reflection of the setting sun in the surface of the water. The sunsets over the Golden Gate Bridge are spectacular during the winter with bright rich colors, and from Cesar Chavez Park, the sun slips below the horizon directly behind the bridge.

View more photos of waterfowl in my Ducks Gallery.

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


19 comments:

  1. really beautiful! wonderful light!

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  2. They're beautiful!! Boom & gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  3. Not only the light on the water, but the duck's eye really pops out and adds to the scene! Great shots, Pat!

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  4. Wonderful images Pat... a lovely little bird to see..

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  5. Super shots Pat ... the lighting makes all the difference.

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  6. Beautiful photo - birds and lighting just perfect.

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  7. I definitely couldn't think of a better way to compliment that eye. Great work!

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  8. Pat, stunning images of a very beautiful duck! The lighting is especially lovely.

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  9. Fantastic captures of the Scaups. I love the lighting and that cool looking gold eye. Great photos.

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  10. Beautiful shots, Pat. Another local blogger, Sandy Steinman, was out at CC Park recently and said the owls weren't there. Too early, maybe, with the weird weather?

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  11. fabulous photographs, and I especially like those fine markings on the middle section; such a handsome duck.

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  12. Really beautiful Pat, the water is as gorgeous as the bird!

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  13. Excellent shots and wonderful pictures. Awesome photography!!!

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  14. Wonderful shots,Pat! I love the detail in the feathers and the setting sun light!

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  15. Lovely bird and the light in your photos is awesome!

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  16. Brilliant captures! I love the second shot - the light on the water, the eye, the markings. Superb!

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