Survey at San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, DA
May 8, 2022 15:26:53 #
Friday morning we did our monthly survey of avian life at the San Joaquin Marsh in Irvine, CA. The day started overcast with a mist above the marsh. It heated to a nice 70-75 degrees before we were through with our assigned pond (Pond 1). Most ducks have migrated North, and the water level was high, discouraging wading birds from landing here. Lots of flying insects invited swallows to zip across the pond, and a number of species appeared to be nesting among the grasses on the island. I did manage to snap off a few decent photos with my Nikon D500, using a Nikkor 200-500mm telezoom. Here are a few you might enjoy. I just didn't seem to have the feel to catch more nicely focused pics this time, but I think these are OK.
jak
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jak
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Male Common Yellowthroat (very common this morning, but always fun to watch and photograph)
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Tree Swallows - finding roosts in the trees as the day warmed up
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Orange feathered House Finch leaving its perch.
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Even a simple, plain Bushtit can be a nice subject...if you're lucky
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Spotted Towhees made several appearances. I caught this one mid-hop as it moved into the bushes.
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Mallards are year-round residents of the marsh...one of the few duck species remaining. Though common, Mallard males and females both sport beautiful plumage worth photographing.
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Clark's Grebe - Clark's and Western Grebes, two similar species, share the marsh and sometimes mate. The black cap would cover the eye if this were a Western Grebe. Eared and Pied-billed Grebes also frequent these marsh ponds.
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Black Skimmers and Caspian Terns have colonized this island in the marsh. Both are large, elegant fliers...and frequently quite noisy.
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If the sun had been out, perhaps I would have captured this Anna's Hummingbird's bright magenta gorget (throat patch). Just too overcast for that this time.
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May 8, 2022 15:30:33 #
May 8, 2022 15:32:45 #
Hey, Mike. How's it going? I always enjoy seeing your contributions. Glad you can enjoy mine. I'm dog sitting today rather than out taking photos, but that's OK. I have to do post processing and other work sometimes. Take good care of yourself and have a wonderful week. jak
May 8, 2022 15:34:22 #
May 8, 2022 15:37:40 #
Thanks, NMGal. I always enjoy hearing from you and enjoy your kind comments. Have a great Mother's Day and a restful, creative week. jak
May 8, 2022 15:46:27 #
I was at the Joaquin Sanctuary the other day for the first time...it won't be the last. Lots of the smaller birdies of which I have to learn names, etc., but I only got to the path *above* the water. Seems I have to go farther...had a fun time still figgering the Z9 out, lol. Nice set, Jak, hope to run into you one day!
May 8, 2022 21:20:32 #
May 9, 2022 09:46:23 #
Not only are the birds nicely photographed, the compositions of your images are very, very nice.
May 9, 2022 10:23:01 #
May 9, 2022 10:48:02 #
Another excellent series, jak...you did catch a good variety on this outing!! 
May 9, 2022 12:20:16 #
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May 9, 2022 16:05:29 #
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May 9, 2022 19:31:05 #
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