Tag Archives: wildlife

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife

Crane in Sunrise Light

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Sandhill Crane in Sunrise Light
“Crane in Sunrise Light” — A lesser sandhill crane flies into the sunrise light, Central Valley.

Several things had to come together for this photograph of a lesser sandhill crane to work. Obviously, the bird had to fly above me at a relatively low height. That’s not as simple as it sounds, as cranes usually divert to avoid flying over people. The light was also special — it was the warmly colored light just after sunrise, when the sun is low enough to illuminate the underside of the bird. On top of that, the bird was flying toward the sun, so the light hits it almost head-on, while appears as side light from the camera position.

Cranes can be quite beautiful birds in flight. In contrast to some of the geese and ducks found in the Central Valley of California, they tend to move their wings more slowly and often simply glide. They are big, impressive birds, too — they stand several feed tall when on the ground.

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” from Heyday Books, is available directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Sandhill Crane Flying Low

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Sandhill Crane Flying Low
“Sandhill Crane Flying Low” — A lesser sandhill crane flies low above a Central Valley field.

I had been trying to find the right time to head to California’s Central Valley to photograph migratory birds again. I was last there around New Year’s Day, but since then various things have kept me away — mostly that the times I ‘ve been free were the times when my favorite foggy conditions were not in place. I finally gave up on waiting and went on a sunny day. After all, many of the migratory birds will only be there for a few more weeks!

Late in the winter bird season it always seems like the “bird action” picks up out there. At the beginning of the season much of that happens at the morning/evening fly-ins and fly-outs, with a lot of quiet time between. But by February the birds seem to be more active during the day. On this early-February visit both cranes and geese around all day long. I made this photograph in the early afternoon as a flock of nearby cranes began to gradually move from one spot to another.

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” from Heyday Books, is available directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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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

Birds, Rising Sun

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Birds,Rising Sun, Fog
“Birds, Rising Sun” — Passing geese and cranes fly in front of the rising sun on a foggy morning in Central Valley wetlands.

A photograph like this isn’t always possible and is never easy. Obviously, the sun is extremely bright, and this presents some major exposure challenges. At the same time, the sides of the birds and plants facing the camera is in the darkest possible shadow, being on the opposite side of the sun. But on this morning several factors haled out. the high clouds interfered with the sun just a bit, and closer to the ground a bit of tule fog was still hanging on.

Early morning may be the most compelling time in these wetlands. (Though I’ll hear you out if you want to argue for evening.) After arriving in darkness, the sky begins to glow and the light slowly increases. Fog may mute the light and add a sense of mystery. And the birds are coming to life, warming their wings in the first sunlight and then flying out for the day’s activities.

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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” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife

Wetlands, Winter Sunset

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Wetlands, Winter Sunset, California's Central Valley
“Wetlands, Winter Sunset” — Sunset beyond Central Valley wetlands on a winter evening.

This was just about the final photograph I made on this past New Year’s Day. We had actually started the previous afternoon, come back before dawn, and worked the subject all day long. We photographed the landscape and thousands of migratory birds. As the day drew to a close I found a location with a view of the sunset sky reflected in the surface of nearby pond.

While this is mainly a landscape photograph, if you look very closely you may be able to to spot a group of (most likely) snow geese on the water. Many of their partners had already flow away for the evening, but this final group stuck around bit longer.

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” from Heyday Books, is available directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email
Articles | Sales | Sierra Nevada Fall Color | Contact Info

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