Posted by Harry Harris on August 6, 2011 at 6:51 PM
Yesterday, my shooting buddy Eric and I went to a new location we heard had some white-tailed Kites. The Thomas F Riley Wildlife Park is in south Orange County, Ca. Upon arrival we met the ranger and she told us what was around and a location we might see the kites. Her idea of a gentle climb up a small hill and my 66 year old knees to not agree.
When we started out, we had not got more than about two hundred yards when Eric spotted three mule deer back in the trees covering a creek bed. We quickly set up to shoot as the deer were starting to move out. I finally got the youngster in frame. Click, Click….no card in camera. What a start. By the time I got a card in and formatted, the deer had moved back into the shade and my images were bad. We got to the assigned hill top and over the next three hours, we saw a kite, three kestrels, three acorn wood peckers, a red-tailed hawk and turkey vultures. They were all way too far away but we shot anyway to document what we saw there. We talked about coming back earlier in the day next time when the light was not so harsh and a lot cooler.
I then noted a large group of turkey vultures flying in a tight circle and moved to the other side of a large bushy tree. When I got there they had moved over to where I was before and as I got ready to move back I heard Eric yell, Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle. I move back as fast as I could and yelled Where, Where. Eric pointed to the circling vultures and said there. I suddenly saw a bird that made the vultures look small or at least half the size of them.
I did not capture a single image even worth calling an ID shot, but it was the best bird shooting outing I have ever had. We got to see three kestrels hunting, the behavior of a group of acorn woodpeckers and above all my first sight of a Golden Eagle. I felt blessed. What a great day with the birds.
Posted by Mia McPherson on August 6, 2011 at 8:34 PM
Skip,
I was smiling as I read this, I can recall days like that too. I can totally relate. I wasn't smiling because it is funny of course but in commiseration with you. I think we all have those days. Funny how birds and bird photographers can flock together.
You've found my credo: A beautiful day and great experience is only made BETTER by getting some good shots. It is NOT ruined by getting NO shots!
Sounds like a great outing!
Sandy
Skip,
Sounds like you and Eric had a great day. I look forward to going back with you when I return.
Posted by Ron Crawford on August 7, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Skip:: I feel your pain. I was recently of a field trip in Charleston, SC harbor. It was a windy day and the boat was rocking. I took 904 images and not a one was worth keeping. So many birds, so few keepers.
Discussion
6 repliesWhen we started out, we had not got more than about two hundred yards when Eric spotted three mule deer back in the trees covering a creek bed. We quickly set up to shoot as the deer were starting to move out. I finally got the youngster in frame. Click, Click….no card in camera. What a start. By the time I got a card in and formatted, the deer had moved back into the shade and my images were bad. We got to the assigned hill top and over the next three hours, we saw a kite, three kestrels, three acorn wood peckers, a red-tailed hawk and turkey vultures. They were all way too far away but we shot anyway to document what we saw there. We talked about coming back earlier in the day next time when the light was not so harsh and a lot cooler.
I then noted a large group of turkey vultures flying in a tight circle and moved to the other side of a large bushy tree. When I got there they had moved over to where I was before and as I got ready to move back I heard Eric yell, Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle. I move back as fast as I could and yelled Where, Where. Eric pointed to the circling vultures and said there. I suddenly saw a bird that made the vultures look small or at least half the size of them.
I did not capture a single image even worth calling an ID shot, but it was the best bird shooting outing I have ever had. We got to see three kestrels hunting, the behavior of a group of acorn woodpeckers and above all my first sight of a Golden Eagle. I felt blessed. What a great day with the birds.
I was smiling as I read this, I can recall days like that too. I can totally relate. I wasn't smiling because it is funny of course but in commiseration with you. I think we all have those days. Funny how birds and bird photographers can flock together.
Well, I've never seen a golden eagle (they don't live here), but I've come home empty handed more often than not, but still enjoyed myself.
Sounds like a great outing!
Sandy
Sounds like you and Eric had a great day. I look forward to going back with you when I return.
Sandy