Showing posts with label Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Goldfinch through the flowers, Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility

A male goldfinch perched on yellow wildflowers

A view of a male American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) as he briefly perches among the wildflowers surrounding a treatment pond at the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in Petaluma, California.

View more photographs of songbirds.


Saturday, January 28, 2012

Common moorhen, Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility

Common Moorehen standing on a branch above a pond covered in duck weed

I had seen the unique-looking Common Moorhen quite often on my summer walks around the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility treatment ponds, but it was only really this occasion that I was able to get an unobstructed shot of one before it slipped back into the reeds. The bright color of its bill can really pull the eye in, but it wasn't until I saw this image that I realized how large their feet are! A fascinating bird for sure, and the chicks are really adorable too.


Thursday, June 16, 2011

Song sparrow in the wildflowers, Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility

A song sparrow singing in the yellow wildflowers that line the ponds of the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in the spring.

Song sparrow in yellow wildflowers - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

Here it is singing in the other direction, I suppose just to ensure that everyone heard the song.

Singing in the other direction - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

See more singing sparrows in my Song Birds Gallery.

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!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Dreaming of summer, Mute swan on a pond

Just a week ago we had some perfect summer-like days here in the Bay Area, and they got me so ready for summer to start. I found myself full of energy in the morning -- excited to get out of bed and watch the pastel colors of sunrise fill the neighborhood out of our window as I cut up fresh strawberries to have on my cereal. But alas, it's only April and spring is still in the air. And while there are plenty of wildflowers around, I'm more referring to the drizzle and mist we've been having over the last few days. So while I (im)patiently wait for those quiet mornings followed by warm sunny days to return, here are two shots that I took late last May that remind me of summer.

Mute swan at Ellis Creek - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

There was something so carefree about the way this swan paddled back and forth across the pond, moving at a slow pace. It's the epitome of that summer feeling -- no reason to rush, just enjoying life as it passes you by! (These shots are from the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in Petaluma, CA.)

Impressionistic swan - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

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

Monday, December 6, 2010

Predation

Predation

Two shots of a great egret capturing its prey in a field at the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility. Watching these birds stalk around fields is always interesting, as they stealthy move forward, very carefully placing each footfall. Then you know when they've spotted something, since they tend to crane their neck for a better view, as well as very carefully move to the perfect striking range.

Predation

Before this encounter, I had never seen an egret catch something at this close range before. At the time, it didn't necessarily strike me too much emotionally, it was simply an experience with the necessary components of nature. Predators need to capture and consume prey to survive, and prey species do their best to avoid this fate. When I started reviewing the images though, I couldn't help but feel sad for the rodent. The expression it had while struggling for its life just moments before being eaten certainly struck a chord with me (a cropped version is below).

Too close

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Perched song sparrow

Perched sparrow

A lovely song sparrow that was singing to me while I walked around the trails of Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in Petaluma, CA.

Friday, November 5, 2010

White-crowned sparrow

White-crowned sparrow

This lovely sparrow was hanging out along the trail that connects Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility and Shollenberger Park in Petaluma.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Singing red-winged blackbird

Singing red-winged blackbird

From an April walk at the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in Petaluma. Treatment wetlands are a great place to find birds, and my first tour of that area did not disappoint as this male blackbird was singing in the flowers along the trail.

Blackbird in the flowers

He's really belting out his characteristic song -- a sound that always reminds me of the arrival of spring.

Singing red-winged blackbird

Monday, May 10, 2010

Singing blackbird

Hitting the high notes

Last week I posted some shots of this red-winged blackbird posing among the yellow blooms, but my real hope when I started shooting him was to get some nice shots of him in mid-song in this terrific setting. They have such a wonderful unique call, and I always enjoy it in early spring when we start hearing them again in the local parks.

Singing blackbird

Friday, May 7, 2010

Mute Swan an Ellis Creek WRF

Mute Swan

There were a handful of swans swimming through the freshwater ponds at Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in Petaluma, CA. This particular swan was quite agitated that a Canada Goose was also swimming around its pond, and continually swam after the goose until it decided to leave.

Mute Swan

Later on I understood its unhappiness with the other bird around, since when I walked around the backside of the pond that was overgrown with rush, I saw another swan sitting on what I guessed to be her nest.

Mute Swan

Even though this is an introduced species in America, they are still quite fun to see, as they truly are a beautiful species.

Mute Swan

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Quick Post -- Blackbird at Ellis Creek WRF

Red-winged blackbird

This blackbird will likely make a few more appearances on my blog in the near future. He was really quite a showoff, and the sinuous branches with yellow flowers made for a great setting.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Quick Post -- Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged blackbird

A male red-winged blackbird showing off for me along the trail at the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in Petaluma. He bounced from branch to branch while singing, giving me a few different takes on the scene with a variety of background colors (this is a seasonal wetland behind him). It would have been nice to capture the end of the branch in this frame, but the wind was blowing (cause of his ruffled feathers) and he was floating around in space far too much to control.