Friday, June 24, 2011
Tule elk bulls in fog, Point Reyes National Seashore
I encountered a herd of maybe 20-25 tule elk bulls with velvet antlers on a hike along the Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore earlier this week. The tall grasses are blooming on the grasslands, and I thought it would make for a great setting if I could find some elk. It's always fun to encounter a "bachelor herd" of males, since there's just something cool about seeing so many big bulls with their large antlers all at once. Unfortunately, they were in the foggiest part of the trail when I found them. Just 5 minutes up the trail I was above the rolling fog, and 5 minutes after the encounter I was below it -- but this is where the bulls were, so I made the best of it. At times, like for this shot, it briefly thinned out and the elk came into clear focus, but then moments later it could change back to pea soup. But really, is there anything more classic for Point Reyes than some elk shrouded in fog? I have a lot of images to sort through from my time spent with the tule elk, including a kick-boxing match between two of them. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that at least a few of them will come out reasonably sharp through the fog.
View more in my Tule Elk Gallery.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
California quail in late light, Point Reyes National Seashore
This is the same handsome male quail that I posted some shots of last week as he posed in front of some rattlesnake grass lit by the late afternoon light. For those shots, he strolled along the bottom rail of a fence. As I sat there watching and photographing him, I took note of this fence post, which was in the direct light and had a nice background of a grassy hillside behind. I silently urged him to go up there, and after about 10 minutes or so he actually did.
He surveyed the scene from the top of the post for a few minutes before his lady-friend decided that it was time to move on. As soon as she started wandering away, he hopped down and followed her up the hillside.
View more images of one of my favorite birds in my Quail Gallery.
Submitted to World Bird Wednesday -- follow the link to view this week's posts!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Young mule deer buck, Point Reyes National Seashore
A young mule deer buck that I found browsing the coastal scrub near Abbott's Lagoon in Point Reyes National Seashore. He was travelling with a female that I assume would be his mother, but she was only slightly larger than him. Both were quite curious and came quite close to the trail as I stood there watching. I particularly liked this little guys velvet covered spikes.
Visit my Mule Deer Gallery.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Yellow bush lupine (with bug), Point Reyes National Seashore
A branch of blooming yellow bush lupine, complete with a cute bug crawling on the top flower, along the trail to Kehoe Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore. The backdunes and coastal scrub at Point Reyes are turning yellow, as these lovely blooms paint the landscape.
View more images from the Kehoe Beach area of Point Reyes National Seashore.
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.
Here it is singing in the other direction, I suppose just to ensure that everyone heard the song.
See more singing sparrows in my Song Birds Gallery.
Here it is singing in the other direction, I suppose just to ensure that everyone heard the song.
See more singing sparrows in my Song Birds Gallery.
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