Safari

Here's one of the pictures I took today on a safari with Ethan in San Francisco's "Dogpatch Historic District". I don't have a clue what the four cylinders were once used for, but no matter, they created a perfect abstract picture. There'll be more pix of the area; I have 104 to choose from, and film is cheap!

Shadow #468

In case there's any doubt in your mind ~ it's all about the shadow. And not my first shadow picture either! Margie and I both went bonkers on Tuesday, when we saw the obvious picture opportunity, and Margie immediately posted an excellent picture on the web. There are two identical black cats at the Morgan Horse Ranch in Point Reyes.

 

Bocolo

"Bocolo" is the nickname of the Giant Sea Bass at the California Academy of Sciences. He is 70 years old and weighs 165# (2# more than yours truly). He may reach 100 yrs and will outlive me. But not, if people elbow him in the eye, as the woman in the picture did yesterday.

 

Squirrel

I see squirrels in the trees facing my kitchen window all the time. But they keep running and jumping from branch to branch, never allowing me to take a picture. Not so in Golden Gate Park. Last Sunday, on my way to the Academy in Golden Gate Park, and walking through the Rose Garden  I came upon a very friendly squirrel, practically posing to have its picture taken. Of course, that was the day I didn't have my camera along. Faithful photographer that I am, I made a special detour to the Rose Garden today. My efforts were rewarded by a welcoming committee of not one, but four squirrels. There's a bench nearby and I think that people must sit there and feed the little critters. I finally got my picture of, what I think is, a Douglas Squirrel (or Chickaree). 

 

Platform Bridge

This bridge is located where Platform Bridge Road meets Point Reyes Petaluma Road. We cross the bridge every Tuesday, on our way back from Point Reyes. We used to delight in the painting and/or graffiti that adorned the bridge. Every so often the artists re-did the whole bridge. Then, about a year ago, the bridge appeared with a purple coat of paint, period. We were very disappointed at its new drabness. Today, to our delight, we found the bridge newly decorated, mostly with trees and fishes. Perhaps I'll show a picture of all that another day, but today I decided to post my favorite. So there ~~~~~~~

 

 

Pintails

Here is part of an article, written by Doug Rose, a duck-hunter, which appeared in a publication entitled GAME&FISH.

"As I cleaned my first pintail last year, I noticed none of the strong odor that even puddle ducks take on in saltwater. There was also an abundance of pin feathers on its breast and sides, which indicated it was a young bird. As a result, I cooked it the way I would a succulent, non-gamy bird such as a blue grouse or quail. I basted it lightly in butter, seasoned it with salt and pepper and put it into a large cast iron Dutch oven with a little water and white wine. I cooked it on the top of the stove over a slow simmer. It wasn't long before a savory aroma filled the kitchen.

When I put the bird on a platter an 1 1/2 hours later, it was so tender it nearly fell apart. I knew right away that it would taste great, and it did. It was the best duck I've eaten in several years.

Yet again, I was reminded why the Northern pintail is widely regarded by many Pacific Northwest waterfowlers as perhaps the most-prized duck of all. In addition to its superb qualities as table fare, it is a wild flier that swirls and tumbles in the air, presenting tough, challenging targets. It is also a quick study, becoming wary of decoys and hunters' tricks rapidly. Not least of all, the pintail is among the most handsome of all waterfowl."

This morning, at the Ponds, I photographed a pair of Pintails. Unfortunately I was not able to get both of them with their heads out of the water at the same time! As a confirmed vegetarian, for going on forty years, the thought of killing and eating ducks makes me sick. What do you experience when you look at my picture and then read the above?

Canvasbacks

I'm going to ask President Obama to consider labeling ducks for easier identification.

 

The case in point is that, last Friday at Shollenberger Park, I photographed these ducks, and now I'm not sure what they are. I believe the white one is a male Canvasback. What about his two (Mormon?) consorts? Female Canvasbacks are supposed to be grayish, not black. To make matters worse, I can't find any black ducks in my guide books.

 

But who really cares, they're sure pretty, aren't they? All of which proves that I'm a maverick (where have I heard this word before?) birder.

 

Petaluma River

Here's another picture from yesterday's walk around Shollenberger Park in Petaluma. Part of the trail runs along the Petaluma River, where we saw a few old stranded boats. Quite picturesque! The one on the left is appropriately named "Rusty"!

 

Note that when it rains, sediment from the surrounding hillsides is carried into the river. The sediment settles on the river bottom and is dredged every four years. The ponds at the park were created as a site to collect and settle the accumulated sediment that the dredge machine removes from the river. All this makes for a fascinating study. If you are curious, just Google "Shollenberger Park" and you'll find all the nitty-gritty.

 

Why do I take pictures like this? Hmmmm? Van Gogh? Nogh! Pretty? Yes! Too hard to explain, short of a lengthy dissertation!

 

Shollenberger Park

This drizzly morning took Bob H. and me to Shollenberger Park in Petaluma. And this is where we saw an interesting, somewhat unusual, scene. First of all the adult Mute Swan, a first for me in Marin County. (Note: they are not mute). You can't tell males and females apart. It looks as if he/she is counting the considerably smaller Northern Shovelers (1 gal and 2 guys), while a Coot is swimming to the left of this scene. All this, while three Turkey Vultures, undisturbed by the goings-on, are feasting on some delicious carrion. Five centuries ago, Pieter Bruegel the Elder would have whipped out his brush and painted all this! I merely whipped out my camera and, holding it in one hand, took this picture, while trying to balance my umbrella with the other.

 

Buteo jamaicensis

Can a Red-tailed Hawk scan for prey with an eagle-eye? As seen at the Ponds on Monday.