Category Archives: Photographs: Wildlife

Photographs: Northern California, Photographs: Ocean & Coast, Photographs: Wildlife

Pelicans and Coastal Bluffs

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Pelicans and Coastal Bluffs
A line of pelicans flies toward bluffs along California’s Pacific coastline.

Pelicans and Coastal Bluffs. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

A line of pelicans flies toward bluffs along California’s Pacific coastline.

Brown pelicans seem to have made a solid comeback along the California coast, though I understand that they are susceptible to the avian flu that has affected many wild bird species this season. They are usually easy to find along the California coast, where they can often be spotted gliding along next to bluffs or just above the surf. (Photography hint: Look for places along bluffs and peninsulas where they pass close to the land.)

They sometimes can surprise me. I’ve been out along the coast on a day when they didn’t seem plentiful, only to have a large group like this one suddenly appear and glide past. If I recall, when I saw these birds coming I had the wrong lens on the camera. I made the fastest lens change I could, raised the camera, and had just a barely enough time to photograph them above these coastal bluffs.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Photographs: Birds, Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Ocean & Coast, Photographs: Wildlife

Cormorant Colony II

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Cormorantn Colony II
Cormorant colony and rookery on a rocky prominese, Point Lobos.

Cormorant Colony II. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Cormorant colony and rookery on a rocky prominese, Point Lobos.

This cormorant breeding colony was on a rocky prominence a short distance away from a trail I followed along a coastal bluff. Perhaps the birds felt safer with an uncrossable gulf between us. In any case, they mostly went about their business even though I was close enough to photograph them, positioned on the rock above Monterey Bay on a foggy morning.

Not all of their activities made sense to me, though some did. Half the birds were adults and half were (very large!) juveniles — the latter visible by means of their mottled feathers, their shorter beaks, and their incessant “feed me!” clamoring. From time to time one of the adults would arrive with a prize and the young birds became very interested!

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Birds, Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Ocean & Coast, Photographs: Wildlife

Cormorant Colony

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Cormorantn Colony
A Brandt’s cormorant colony on a rocky prominence at Point Lobos State Reserve.

Cormorant Colony. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

A Brandt’s cormorant colony on a rocky prominence at Point Lobos State Reserve.

I have been aware of California’s cormorants for years, but I have not photographed them much. I’m not sure why, except that they are often too far away or in rapid flight over the water. There are a few places at Point Lobos — and no doubt other coastal locations — where they establish colonies on outcroppings and islands like this one. Here they were close enough to the shore that I could photograph them with a long lens.

This is apparently a breeding colony. If you look closely you can see some slightly smaller birds with somewhat mottled feathers and shorter beaks — these are juveniles, waiting rather impatiently for a parent to come and deliver food.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Twitter | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife, Tongue in Cheek

Rabbit

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Rabbit
A rabbit sits in a Central Valley pasture.

Rabbit. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

A rabbit sits in a Central Valley pasture.

I have encountered plenty of wildlife before — I’ve gotten up close and personal with black bears and other critters — but this experience was quite different and unexpected, and it left me shaken. At a place where I often photograph it is common to spot rabbits running around, especially early and late in the day. Mostly, they seem like they are trying to get away, scurrying off into the brush somewhere. Perhaps this one has been taking extra vitamins or had a chip on its shoulder about something?

When it did not run away, decided to step out of my vehicle and make a photograph — after all, I don’t have many bunny photos in my archive. The critter immediately bared its teeth, started hissing, and assumed a surprisingly aggressive stance. I was a bit taken aback, but not worried — until the bunny charged me, launching itself in my direction with the obvious intent of doing me harm! I had just enough time to leap back into my vehicle and lock the doors before its body slammed into the side! I’m going to have to see if the damage can be repaired. Don’t let this cute photo deceive you — I barely had time to quickly roll down a window and grab this shot before I was forced to drive off! It was an important reminder that any wild animal can suddenly turn into a vicious predator!

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Twitter | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.