December 30, 2023, Quincy, CA
The weather was unsettled and chancy; it had obviously rained somewhat through the preceding night, the valley had fog banks hither, thither and yon, and the mountains were still shrouded in lowering (or were they rising?) clouds. Still, it seemed well worth it to venture a good walk out in American Valley and take on challenging light conditions for photography. As it turned out, it was definitely worth the walk.
9:26 a.m.; on the walk out. There’s a Red-shouldered Hawk on a fence post at left of center on the fence line, but don’t bother trying to see it in this photo. Even cropped way in it’s only a blob; but with my binoculars and camera I could make it out for certain.
Out in the valley, on the Leonhardt Ranch Feather River Learning Landscape walking path:
10:15 a.m.; on the walk back.
Same as above, just zoomed in to show the snow up on the ridge line from the storm that rolled through during the preceding night.
[I know this diary will be happening at the same time as Dawn Chorus, and it’s not my intention to take away from that, but since I got so many photos for the morning just putting them in a comment in Dawn Chorus would be a mini-diary in itself and it is, after all, my last chance to publish a diary in 2023, so here goes.]
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Hey hey hey! My first-of-season Prairie Falcon. On the top of a light pole at the high school baseball field; about sixty feet off the ground. First photos of the day. This is before I even got out to my walking path.
And she/he ain’t stickin’ around.
Over on another pole, same ball field, a Red-tailed Hawk.
A different Red-tailed Hawk did a fly-by; I had my camera set on Shutter Priority mode with 1/1250 sec. shutter speed, f8.00 aperture, ISO 1600. Even prepared for a shot like this, I still am challenged getting good BIFs. Ah well, there are other techniques with which I accomplish more satisfying results.
So… here’s that Red-shouldered Hawk on the fence post that I said you couldn’t see in the wide-angle shot at the beginning of this diary. But, that darn T-bar is sure spoiling the scene.
I tried working my way around to a better angle, but it just was not to be.
Got the nictitating membrane in this shot. It’s now about 9:34 a.m.
*****
10:07 a.m. I’ve completed my walk to the end of the path, turned around and have now come back to where I spotted the Red-shouldered on my way out. It’s still there, but I notice it now has some company.
To my surprise and merriment, a Black-billed Magpie has opted to photobomb the scene. Now, according to the definitions on the internet, “photobombing” is the act of “purposely putting oneself into the view of a photograph, often in order to play a practical joke on the photographer or the subjects.” I’m not saying this Magpie is trying to spoil my fun, but I well remember Heckle and Jeckle cartoons from the days of my youth. As I’m sure you’re already aware, those two nefarious characters were Yellow-billed Magpies, so there’s some wiggle room here as to my bird’s intentions.
At any rate, what amazed me was the tolerance of the Red-shouldered Hawk to the temerity of such a pugnacious butt-inskie.
I mean, I can almost hear the bloke talking to me.
“Ah, that’s right. Take MY picture, eh?”
“Here, I’ll even pose nice for ya!”
“I’ll show ya my best side, how’s dat?”
“Hmmph! Such boorish behavior. I hope he goes away soon.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake! The nerve!” says the hawk.
“Hee hee, haw haw, this is what the camera saw, nyah nyah nyah.”
“Hey you! Photographer human! You are getting all this, right? I’m not just expending energy needlessly, am I?”
“I don’t think I’ll even acknowledge your presence”, says the hawk.
“Yeah, yeah. Ya know what? I think I’ll just go somewhere I’m more appreciated. So long, suckers!” To, no doubt, the relief of the hawk.
Now it’s your turn. What’s up in your neck of the woods, town, city, asteroid, exoplanet?
Let us know in the comments, and as always include any photos you’d like to share and your location if you would.