Uploads from encouragement, tagged autumn, with geodata

Happy Easter - Morning Glory

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:46:04 -0700

St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church
Heritage Park
Rocklin, California

It's the dawn of a new day and a resurrection for the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rocklin, California. This historic structure, founded in 1882, was recently moved and reconstructed on a lot fronting the original transcontinental railroad alignment. The church and surrounding land are part of the new Heritage Park, a historic centerpiece in Rocklin.

The foundations for the church have been reconstructed using locally quarried granite. A bell cast circa 1885 now graces the steeple tower.

... As a note to my flickr friends, I will try to be more present here in 2013 than I was in 2012!

Lily Lake - Four Seasons in a Day

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:11:43 -0700

encouragement posted a photo:

Lily Lake
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Just East of the Desolation Wilderness
El Dorado County, California

With snow on the high peaks, a hint of fall color on the slopes, plenty of run-off in the streams, and warm temperatures by mid-day, it was like an experience of four seasons in one day. This beautiful area was scouted by my friend Chris (casch52), and was one of the highlights of our trip into the Sierras.

The elevation of Lily Lake is around 6,530 ft. The peak in the distance is "Cracked Crag" which summits at elev. 8,782 ft on the eastern edge of the Desolation Wilderness.

Blue Hour on Caples Lake, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:09:42 -0700

encouragement posted a photo:

You can look deeply into my soul with this image because it strikes many of the chords that move my life. Both times I've been at this location, and at this hour, the clouds have swarmed around the mountain peak on the right hand side of photo. The winds then gently push them east, making swirling patterns as they head toward Carson Pass.

This is a 30 second exposure, so it was barely becoming light at this pre-dawn hour. Caples Lake is at elev. 7,800 feet, just west of Carson Pass on Highway 88. In fact, that orange dot on the left center is a light trail from cars on Highway 88, not a hot pixel!

A Path of Exploration and Learning - Turtle Bay Exploration Park - Redding, Shasta County, California

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:42:12 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

A Path of Exploration and Learning
Turtle Bay Exploration Park
Redding, Shasta County, California

If you want to, I'm asking you to be the instructor and critic here. I want to be the student. I honestly could'nt find the right angle, depth of field and perspective to shoot this. I love the lines and contrasts of the area, but how would you change this to make it a better shot?

1. Lower perspective?
2. Move left or right?
3. Move forward or backward?
4. More or less depth of field? (All in focus, or which part in focus?)
5. Change focal length?
6. Change area in focus?
7. Different processing or other factors?

Don't be afraid to use the "notes" feature if you want to point to an area of the photo or show a crop, etc.

Let me know and I'll reshoot it someday when I'm back in that area.

If you don't want to be the critic, that's okay too! It's all good.

The Fallow Ground of Winter - Thoughts for the New Year

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:17:53 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

The Fallow Ground of Winter
Thoughts for the New Year
A Vanishing Vanishing Point

Somewhere between the death of autumn and the promised life of spring lies the fallow ground of winter. There are no signs as to whether the previous harvest produced a bumper crop or the measly pickings brought on by drought. The slate is clean and there is hope in renewal, yet there remains this cold, dark and damp period that must be endured. The peaks and valleys of life are like the seasons. And so, we too must wait for the promise of renewal; life in a new season, and life in eternity.

Ross's Geese in Morning Light

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:17:48 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Ross's Geese in Morning Light
Chen rossii
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Glenn County, California

Whenever I see a Ross's Goose at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, it's usually well mixed-in with a flock of Snow Geese. My luck changed on a recent trip when I was fortunate to catch this small gathering of Ross's Geese. I was extra thrilled to have them in the soft morning light when phototgraphy of white feathers is so much easier to handle. I just love the look of those ridges along the necklines!

For my next trick, I intend to teach them ALL to line up in a single direction and within a single frame for better composition. There's always at least one clown in every group!

Dusk on the Refuge, aka, Ducks on the Refuge - Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge - Sacramento Valley - Glenn County, California

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:22:27 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Dusk on the Refuge ... aka, Ducks on the Refuge
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Glenn County, California

This photo was taken at about the same time as the full moon was rising on the opposite horizon. Fog can envelop the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge for several days-on-end at this time of year, so clear weather like this is a real blessing to behold.

The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge claims that "more than three million ducks and one million geese migrate to the Sacramento Valley every fall". They also claim that the "Sacramento NWR Complex helps provide habitat (resting and feeding areas) for more than 40 percent of the Pacific Flyway's wintering waterfowl". While these are huge claims, one can start to believe the numbers after seeing just a portion of the total complex during the peak of migration season.

More on the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex is available here:

www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/

Snow Geese at Moonrise

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:18:55 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Snow Geese at Moonrise
Chen caerulescens
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Glenn County, California

I was in a hurry as I passed through the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge early this week. The sun was dropping like a rock, I needed to purchase my annual pass, and I was due in Redding early that evening. While I was able to get in a few photos during the last moments of the setting sun, I had to keep reminding myself that this is the time of the year that the light just doesn't last.

As I crept down the creek on the back side of the refuge, I noticed the rising moon, nearly full in its cycle. Just then a flock of Snow Geese swung into the frame on their final approach to the wetlands. It was an amazing thing to witness.

I shot this at ISO 1250, but didn't mean to shoot at -1/3 bias. Ooops. I hate it when I accidentally turn that adjustment wheel!

I just checked a website and found that the true full moon occurred 6 hours before this photo, so technically this is a 99% full waning gibbous.

Snow Goose Migration

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:35:01 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Snow Goose Migration
Chen caerulescens
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Glenn County, California

Snow Geese are migrating in large numbers now. I witnessed several fly-outs and landings of more than 1,000 birds each during my two hours at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge yesterday. This shot captures two Snow Geese (and a Wigeon!) that were part of a small group flying low over the wetland. The grayish (paler pink) nature of the legs and beak lead me to believe that these may be immature geese.

I had never used the Auto Depth of Field (Adep) setting on my camera before, but was experimenting with it yesterday. It saved a few shots by giving me some leeway in depth of field, but it is definitely not for use in shots where you want to create more bokeh (narrow depth of field). There's no replacement for getting the focus right, but if you need some wiggle room for surprise, changing or fleeting situations, then you might want to try the Adep setting. Of course you could always just use the aperture priority setting with a higher number instead!

White-Tailed Kite - Soaring

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:32:07 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

White-Tailed Kite - Soaring
Elanus leucurus
Rattlesnake Bar
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Placer County, California

Great Egret with Brewer's Blackbirds

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:31:31 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Great Egret with Brewer's Blackbirds
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
Yolo Wildlife Area
Yolo County, California

Ring-Necked Pheasant

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:31:11 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Ring-necked Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Glenn County, California

More information on the Ring-necked Pheasant is available here:

www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ring-necked...

River Otters

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:41:25 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

River Otters
Lutra canadensis
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Glenn County, California

I happened upon a family of four or five river otters on my latest trip to the Sacramento National Widlife Refuge. It was interesting to see that one of the otters always had me in its sight as the whole group swam away.

More information on the River Otter is available here:

sibr.com/mammals/M163.html

Common Merganser (Female)

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:10:29 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Common Merganser (Female)
Mergus merganser
Sacramento River
Redding, Shasta County, California

We won't count this as a bird "detail" shot, but I couldn't resist posting this wildlife scene. I just love to go down to the Sacramento River whenever I'm in Redding. There's a varation of flow velocities, depths, riffles and other conditions that act like little micro-climates for different species of water-fowl. This Common Merganser was lounging in a shallow area between a backwater and some riffles when it decided to stand and strut a bit. Even in late fall and early winter, Redding can be a warm and enjoyable place in the outdoors.

Bald Eagle – Patriot and Liberty in Redding - New Webcam Debuted December 2, 2009

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:17:17 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Bald Eagle – Patriot and Liberty in Redding - New Webcam Debuted December 2, 2009
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Near the Sacramento River
Redding, California

I was fortunate to photograph one of the eagles nesting in Redding, California. The locals have named the eagles Patriot and Liberty, and I am told that this is probably Liberty (the female) because of the notch in the feathers right up front. While it’s true that I was looking for eagles, this sighting was several hundred yards away from the nest along a paved public walkway, a place that has become known as "the family tree".

Two eagles returned to the Redding nest in mid-October this year, four to six weeks earlier than usual. For several weeks experts believed that the nesting pair included a new female. However, in early November, another female returned, and now the experts believe that the pair includes the same two birds that have occupied the nest since 2004.

A brand new live webcam at the eagles’ nest debuted on Wednesday, December 2, 2009. The new link is here!:

www.turtlebay.org/eaglecam

Please join us in the California Wildlife Group at:
www.flickr.com/groups/cawildlife/discuss/72157622549588073/
where we will be watching the webcam throughout the winter and spring, discussing this year’s activities.

A recent article on the nesting pair of Bald Eagles in Redding, California is here:

www.redding.com/news/2009/nov/07/patriot-and-liberty-retu...

California Ground Squirrel

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:23:51 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

California Ground Squirrel
Spermophilus beecheyi
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento Valley
Glenn County, California

I saw this little character munching away at a seed pod near one of the trails within the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. It posed for a few photos and even stayed-put as I left the area. I hope that it's still safe, because there are tons of hawks that take advantage careless crittters!

More information on the California Ground Squirrel is available here:

sibr.com/mammals/M072.html

Snow Geese on Final Approach

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:48:58 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Snow Geese on Final Approach
Chen caerulescens
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Glenn County, California

I missed the focus on this one a tad, but I like the concept of the shot. I also had all the wrong settings coming from a different shot when I saw this! You can bet I'll try again if I get the chance. I wish that I had the opportunity to see the good and the dud shots from the real wildlife pros so I could learn techniques and know how often they miss the mark too! We all live and learn.

I was exchanging emails with some friends on the subject of photography earlier this week and recalled a saying that I saw in Thomas Hawk's flickr profile. It said, "The best photos in the world have yet to be taken". In case anyone has become discouraged when you look at all the great photos in the flickrverse, well, just remember that quote as you continue to improve your own skills. I will do the same!!!

White-Faced Ibis Migration

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:23:33 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

White-faced Ibis Migration
Plegadis chihi
Sacramento Valley
Glenn County, California

I had an awesome trip to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge last week, and will be posting more from that visit in the days to come. On the return trip home, I also branched out along the County roads to see what I could find in the fields west of the refuge. I came across several fields where White-faced Ibises were resting and feeding ... TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM!!! They were very tolerant of my presence, leap-frogging from one field to the next when the food supply was gone. It was another amazing experience that I hope to have again someday. All of the birds that you see in the background of this photo are also White-faced Ibises!

Cinnamon Teal

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:31:57 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Cinnamon Teal
Anas cyanoptera
Yolo Wildlife Area
Yolo County, California

Bald Eagle (Immature)

nobody@flickr.com (encouragement) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:10:42 -0800

encouragement posted a photo:

Bald Eagle (Immature)
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Glenn County, California

I got a confirmation on the identification of this bird; it's an immature Bald Eagle. I have a photo of an adult Bald Eagle from the previous day, so I knew that they were in the area. I was able to get much closer to this one, perhaps 50 feet. It appeared to be the same size as the adult I saw.

My Canon 10D performance in low light was the only thing worse than the lighting conditions in the fog just after sunrise. I don't have the Photoshop layer skills to make this an artful masterpiece, but I found that viewing the details of the bird in this manner was much more presentable than having the harsh gray background (see original image below).

More information on the Bald Eagle is available here:

www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bald_Eagle_...