Bummer...til the end!

Bum Day...til the end.

by Bob Ellis on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 8:01pm

So I decide to go for a ride this morning at 6:00 am.  Hadn't decided where to go, but thought I'd see what Apple Hill was like.  Still looking for fall colors.  I was disappointed when I didn't see any, or very little in the area.  So I decided to see what was going on in Hope Valley.  Zip!  Colors were faded and leaves on the lower part of the trees were on the ground.  Overall, the day was disappointing for color.  Don't get me wrong, but it was quite different from 2 week ago.  The clouds were in abundance a couple of weeks ago, but zip today.  Even though the ride was still beautiful.  No traffic!  I hadn't taken a picture for the first 275 miles.  Is that discouraging or what!  How can I save the day?  I took the Ebbitts Pass and ended up in Angels Camp and continued on through Stockton.  Knowing that the fall colors had ended for me, I started thinking of what was next on my yearly list.  Remember, I consider Fall my new photography year.  Next, is birds.  I seem to always get frustrated with this and wildlife photography because I haven't the lens for it.  With a 1.7 teleconverter, my 200mm lens becomes a 340mm.  In my book, not good enough for great sharp and large frame images of natures gifts.  But I always try to get close enough to get an image.

I decided to see what the Sandhill Cranes were doing, because this is the time of the year you will start seeing them.  They were in abundance at the Sandhill Crane Reserve.  BUT!  They were too far away.  I did get some images though and here is one of them.

 
Sandhill Cranes 2011 (C)2011 Bob Ellis Photography

I hope to get back over there Sunday morning early.  They always seem to be more active in the mornings and closer to the road.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Frustrated, I started home and on the way I saw a hawk drop to the ground.  It looked like one I saw last year and never figured out what it was.  I used to bird all the time in the seventy's, but never perfected it.  Besides, it's been a long time and I have forgotten a lot of it.  I think I can safely say this is a Prairie Falcon, but, if I'm wrong please correct me.

 
Prairie Falcon 2011 (C)2011 Bob Ellis Photography

Then the day winner!  I'm driving along a cattle farm and I see a flock of white birds flying along side my passenger window.  A little distance from me.  I thought...questioned...Snowy Egret.  Not!  They had to be Cattle Egret.  When they landed, I stopped the car and pulled out my camera.  They were Cattle Egret.  I've only seen this bird in this area once, back in the seventy's.  Not a bird you would normally see.  I think!  But there they were.  Ugh!  I need a longer lens.  This is what I ended up with, but you can truly see they are Cattle Egret.  Loosing their summer plumage, But here they are!  Today's winner!


 
Cattle Egret  (C)2011 Bob Ellis Photography

Well, that's it for the day.  Another long, beautiful day.  No real good fall color, but saved by the birds.  Looking forward to more the the birding season.  Then the fog season and crashing wave ocean scenes and much more.  Enjoy!