This is a photo of a pair of ducks about to fly off. I took this snap from my kayak last Sunday on the South Fork Eel River. We have a large variety of flying creatures here in Humboldt. We are on the honker's (ducks), flyway -both the greater (bigger) and lesser(smaller), so in the right season we have over 80,000 ducks dropping in for a stay. We have resident: herons (blue & green kind), egrets, bald eagles, osprey, pelicans and several varieties of hawk including Coopers Hawk. We also have the usual squawkers: crows, robins, finches, humming birds and Blue Jays to name a few. With 6 major rivers, plenty of fields, acres of forest, bays and estuaries we have birds that capitalize on each of these eco-systems. Such a varied ecosystem gives food and shelter to our amazing feathered furies. I met a fellow photographer who specializes in bird photography. "If it ain't flying, I don't shoot," was his mantra. He gave me one of his business cards and on that small piece of paper was a truly awesome photo of a heron taking off from the water - his feet were mere inches out of the water and everything was in perfect focus. This gentleman was about 65 years old and was enjoying his retirement. He also had a most unusual devise for his camera. It had been a rifle at one time, but had been modified not for a scope, but for his camera. When ready to take a photo, he raised up his 'gun', aimed and took his best shot. In oh so many ways, this area qualifies as Paradise and I'm so very happy I chose to move here.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Ducks about to Fly
This is a photo of a pair of ducks about to fly off. I took this snap from my kayak last Sunday on the South Fork Eel River. We have a large variety of flying creatures here in Humboldt. We are on the honker's (ducks), flyway -both the greater (bigger) and lesser(smaller), so in the right season we have over 80,000 ducks dropping in for a stay. We have resident: herons (blue & green kind), egrets, bald eagles, osprey, pelicans and several varieties of hawk including Coopers Hawk. We also have the usual squawkers: crows, robins, finches, humming birds and Blue Jays to name a few. With 6 major rivers, plenty of fields, acres of forest, bays and estuaries we have birds that capitalize on each of these eco-systems. Such a varied ecosystem gives food and shelter to our amazing feathered furies. I met a fellow photographer who specializes in bird photography. "If it ain't flying, I don't shoot," was his mantra. He gave me one of his business cards and on that small piece of paper was a truly awesome photo of a heron taking off from the water - his feet were mere inches out of the water and everything was in perfect focus. This gentleman was about 65 years old and was enjoying his retirement. He also had a most unusual devise for his camera. It had been a rifle at one time, but had been modified not for a scope, but for his camera. When ready to take a photo, he raised up his 'gun', aimed and took his best shot. In oh so many ways, this area qualifies as Paradise and I'm so very happy I chose to move here.
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1 comment:
Your gratitude for and appreciation of your life is palpable, Susan - it's a blessing to read and know! May it continue for us all, in ways we can wrap our hearts around.
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