I was pleased with these photos from yesterday: I spent several hours with my camera yesterday surveying avian life at the Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserve and then looking for migrant...

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I was pleased with these photos from yesterday

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Oct 10, 2020 21:41:17 #

jak86094

I spent several hours with my camera yesterday surveying avian life at the Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserve and then looking for migrant species at the San Joaquin Marsh Wildlife Preserve. The early survey provided a number of unique opportunities. For example, twice yesterday we saw Great Blue Heron's carrying prey (rodents). The first took up hunting position outside it's prey's home. Moving very slowly, it moved closer and "cocked" its long neck for striking when the prey showed itself. It attacked and carried a mouse/rat away, only to swallow it as it moved away from us. In the second case, two Great Blue Herons flew from the brush and grasslands to our left down into the shallow wetlands to our right. One was carrying a large rodent (groundhog?). The two birds tussled and chased for several minutes. I think one stole the prey from the other and finally flew away to feed. Then there was the Red-tailed Hawk that was perched about 20' away in a tree. Because we were up on a path and the tree had grown from below, at the bottom of an incline, we are eye-level with the hawk. It was fascinating to be that close and to be able to study the hawk's gaze and changing attention. Down the trail was an Osprey that had apparently gotten wet. It spread and shook its wings as I was aiming and focusing, so I got some great shots. Later, at San Joaquin, we came across a Sabine's Gull. This is quite rare, especially away from the ocean. It may have been tired or injured, but again I got some great opportunities as it spread its wings while I shot. Hope you find something here that you enjoy.

jak

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Great Blue Heron and its captured prey