November 28

I drove through the Yolo Basin this morning mainly because it was so foggy, being near the river.  But once I got out there, the abstract patterns made by the marsh reflections are what caught my eye. 

August 3

Ummm....could it actually be? The elusive American Bittern? I used to hear this bird all the time at McLane Creek in Washington. It's got a call that's like an ominous fog horn sending out a warning to the whole pond. And I've seen a group of binocular-clad birders go ape over a sighting of this bird. But I've never actually seen once myself (except in photos, which of course is what I've produced here). I thought it was a green heron at first, so I was really surprised to find an American Bittern out in the open like this. And I don't think it was that shy or retiring or any of the other things you hear about the Bittern. It hung around for a while allowing me to photograph from different angles. And so my bird pokedex expands yet again :) ...

One additional note...today's post marks my 200th photo entry!  A far cry from the 365 I would have finished in April, but still,
no small feat :)

March 9

The otters showed up again today!  Finally! I was starting to think they weren't coming back!  This is out at the Yolo Basin Wildlife Area, and the pond gets stocked with trout for a festival in February.  After the festival the otters show up for dinner.  There were four of them there today.  Many good shots to choose from, but overall I really liked this one.  The expression comes with a snort.  They're curious and come up kind of close, then they stick their heads way out of the water and snort at you.  I like that the tail is out too so it gives an idea of their size.  Plus the reflection is just how I like it.  Happy day!

February 10

I almost hate to post this photo, because it bumps the golden pond photo, and I'm still really in love with that one.  I took this out at the Yolo Basin this morning.  The otters showed up there a few days ago.  I saw them yesterday but didn't have my camera, so of course when I went back today with my camera I didn't find them!  This means many trips out there in future days because I really want a photo of them.  I do like today's photo though.  The light was really nice, and I like all the shades on the foreground tule.  This was the best angle I got for a red-winged blackbird.  Interesting that they don't have a yellow stripe here.  Also that there call is different from what I was hearing last year in Washington.

One issue I have with this photo is the extent to which the background is blurred.  That in combination with the lighting on the foreground makes the photo look a little too 3D...like I'm looking at it through cheap 3D glasses.  Usually I like a blurred background on a photo like this, but not so much here.