Water Dance of the Grebes

Santa Margarita Lake, home to a wide variety of camera-ready wildlife. It was here that the first adventure for the week took us. As most mid-week trips begin, I dropped off the kids at school and met my friends Marlin and Dennis back at my house. We loaded up the minivan and headed east to beautiful Santa Margarita Lake.

It was a nice day and the light was good. Upon entering the grounds we made for Mackey point to see what we could find in that area. Entering from the dirt road and driving around the point gave us a great view of Blinn Bay. Not much out there but a couple of distant Grebes either Western or Clark’s, too far for a proper I.D. As we rounded the point we caught sight of two Ring-necked ducks, a male and a female. Being shy in nature, they quickly swam out of distance for our lenses. We all discussed going back later to try our luck again.

We pulled into the parking lot of the Osprey Flats area and looked out across Murphy Bay. Only months ago I caught on Osprey repeatedly striking the water but coming up empty-handed. This time we would be the ones coming up empty handed. In the distance there were more Grebes. Marlin would tell us that you could hear the difference in the calls of a western Grebe and a Clark’s Grebes. The Western gives off a two-part “Kr-r-rick, Kr-r-rick “ While the Clarks gives off a solitary “Kree-eek.” It is always a pleasure hanging out with people that are much more knowledgeable then oneself as it allows for greater learning.

Our next stop on our loop around the lake is a favorite spot of mine. The birds here have obviously been conditioned to people. This makes for some really compelling photography. Here we have the Acorn Woodpeckers, Oak titmouse, White –breasted Nuthatch and a very cute California Ground Squirrel that frequent the area. Not being shy here, they come around looking for handouts. If your not careful, the Acorn Woodpecker will move in and steal part of your lunch!

After a very difficult separation from the easily photographed birds, we moved out to drive White Oak and Vaca Flats. This is one of my favorite areas of the lake and often times are blessed with the sighting of a Bald Eagle or two. Arriving at the Vaca Flats area we look out across Salsipuedes Bay. More Grebes and American coots floating around, a Western Bluebird flitters by and we discuss this being the best place to launch a kayak onto the lake. On the way back to the White Oak flats area, Dennis, a master of Mycology, stops to show us examples of various mushrooms and fungi.

Arriving at the boat launch area of White Oak Flats, we see a fellow photographer and birding enthusiast Steve, watching a pair of Western Grebes. They are going through a mating ritual, necks stretching, arching and turning. The most beautiful thing about these grebes mating ritual is when they pair up and run across the top of the lake. Collectively, a group of Grebes is called a “Water dance” of Grebes. If you saw the mating ritual, of which we were privileged, to see and capture, you would feel that this is an appropriate name.

Getting a little hungry and running out of time, we decided to head back to the Mackey point area and see if we could get close enough to the Ring-necked Duck. We were in luck. The mating pair swam towards our van, the iridescence purple of the Drakes feathers shown brightly and made for a great photo op. I lowered the 500mm plus 1.4xTC and snapped away. I was pretty pleased with the results. It always amazes me when an ordinary day out becomes extra ordinary based on the opportunity to capture one species in just the right light.

After Lunch, we headed home. Me to pick up the kids and Marlin and Dennis to their respected homes. Not bad for a half day of photography, but it left me wanting more time out at the lake.

A day at the Beach

What a crazy week it has been. Obligations other than nature photography exist and at times we are required to fulfill those. Last week was no different. Going into the week I foresaw only one day to get out and about. Wednesday. I hadn’t yet been up to see the Northern Elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas rookery and it was about time. Only a 30-40 minute drive I would arrive around 9:00 A.M. after dropping the kids off at school. So I packed all the equipment, kids and a snack and headed out. First stop school then points north.

I arrived at my destination, not the over crowded super packed elephant seal viewing area that everyone else goes to but, a smaller less known beach. A beach where I could breathe in the warm smell of Elephant seal all to myself. The light was still pretty good though I knew my time was limited. There were a few translucent clouds in the sky acting as a great diffuser but sooner than later I knew the light would turn harsh.

Well, now there is nothing more exciting than watching a 1-ton elephant seal snore except watching about two dozen of the great behemoths snore. Patience I told myself, waiting is part of nature photography. So, I waited. And I waited, and I waited. Then it happened, one moved! I steadied the camera, checked my settings, my heart started to race, something amazing was about to happen…then it closed its eyes and began to snore again. We were getting nowhere fast.

Down the beach a ways I notice seagulls gathering. Hmmmm this could be interesting. A very large female elephant seal let out a rather large bellow. She clamored up the beach, something trailing behind her, something slimy, something that the seagulls were very interested in. Then it (the slimy thing) let out a cry of its own. Birth. Well, I missed it. But I wasn’t going to miss the bonding moments that followed.

As the new mother slowly progressed up to the beach, she called out to her newborn pup, the pup responded. Despite the seagulls tugging at the still attached umbilicus, it slowly made it’s way to its mother. Briefly they touched noses in an act of recognition and then the pup moved in to nurse. Now, isn’t this is what Nature photography is all about?

Startled, I turned rapidly to the left. From out in the water, came a great bellow, a loud roar, almost a snort of sorts. Someone wanted to come a shore. From the shoreline a similar roar echoed back a challenge. This wasn’t going to be easy task and someone was going to have to give. A young male elephant seal pressed himself towards the beachhead. Another young male on the beach moved towards the surf. There was going to be a battle. They met at the waters edge, snorting and vocalizing they sized each other up. Then with a speed not thought possible in such a large animal, they clashed. Nipping, biting and cutting each other’s scarred flesh about the neck. They battled for the supremacy.

It didn’t last nearly as long as I’d hope. The bull on the beach gave way, turned tail and began to run, chased by the newcomer. Finally ashore, the interloper found its place among the many and rested. After a short while it too began to snore with the occasional flipping of sand onto its back to act as a sunscreen in the warm rays of the sun.

The clouds from earlier in the morning had burned off and the suns harsh light began to beat down upon the sand. Too much contrast between the light colored sand and the dark skin of the Northern Elephant seals; it was time to wave good-bye. Good-bye to the harbor seals mounted on their rocks out in the ocean, good-bye to the snoozing Elephant Seals, Good-bye to the seagulls waiting to clean up the next birth.

Bald Eagle Count at Lake San Antonio

This would be an even earlier morning than before. The alarm screamed its wake up call at 5 A.M. My son Daniel and I would bundle ourselves in several layers of clothing. Packing our equipment into the car we headed out to pick up our friend Marlin. We drove for a good hour and 40 minutes once again leaving the clear skies of the coastline for a foggier inland lake. Conversation was good and we had high hopes of a successful venture looking for Bald eagles.

We arrived a little bit early in hopes of getting some birding in before the Eagle tour boat would leave. The fog left a lot to be desired. We did see Acorn Woodpeckers, Oak Titmouse, Ravens and near the waters edge, Yellow-billed Magpies. After a little bit of birding, we met the rest of the volunteers for the Eagle count at the visitors center where we partook of some hot coffee, hot chocolate and donuts. Then it was off to the tour boat “Eagle One” to begin the adventure.

Did I mention that we had bundled up with layers of clothing? We were thankful for long underwear, gloves and warm hats. To say it was cold would be an understatement. The cold penetrated any place that wasn’t insulated. Though I had new gloves that allowed me to pull back the covering of the index finger, they proved worthless in keeping out the cold. My son Daniel was fortunate; our friend Marlin, being an experienced photographer and birder had brought small chemical hand warmer packets of which he gave two to my son.

It wasn’t long into our journey before the action began. Someone on the boat called out that there was animal movement on the shoreline. Five or so coyotes were on the beach running about. I had never seen so many together at one time. There must have been something good to eat near the waters edge because close by we spotted our first Immature Bald Eagle. It sat in an oak tree near the waters edge. It was a good distance off and a difficult capture.

Shortly there after, we would have the best spot of the day. Two mature bald eagles sitting together on a branch. Unbelievable! They were close enough from the shore to be able to get a pretty sharp capture with a 500mm and a 1.4 teleconverter. The boat slowed down and we were given a great opportunity to view and capture these two from various angles. No longer cold from the fog, as our excitement from the sighting had warmed us all with anticipation.

All around the boat, Bonaparte’s gulls flew. Darting in and out skimming the surface of the water. Hard to capture bird in flight images. Marlin would masterfully capture one displaying the wingspan and markings across. Head black in breeding adults, white in winter with a dark spot behind the eye. These were in their winter plumage.

Again, excitement brings us back to the shore of the lake. This time two rather large feral pigs are rooting around. As if noticing our observations, they up and run into the oak forest that outlines the lakes southern edge. Our attention drawn to the shoreline gives us our first sighting of an immature Golden Eagle. Perched high in the tree, and difficult to make from the background, it can be distinguished by is trace of golden neck feathers and white tail band.

The sun began to break through the fog and our bodies warmed. A good distance on the northern shore we would be able to witness a large nest with two mature Bald Eagles tending it. Too far for a capture, it was good to see a nesting pair.

After several hours on the lake, it was time to head back to shore. Waiting for us was a warm BBQ with great food and companionship.

On the drive home as a good omen, we had a large Bobcat cross the road. We stopped to take photos but it was backlit and in thick grass. What the heck, sometimes you just have to take the shot even if you know it isn’t going to be a keeper. Sometimes it’s necessary to document the sighting. All in all, the day would bring us a count of five Bald Eagles, four mature adults and one immature and four golden eagles. Not bad for our first Bald Eagle count.

As we headed into the sunset, we dropped Marlin off at his house and thanked him immensely for the invitation, camaraderie, and experience. Tired from a day out on the lake. My son and I returned home to share our days adventure with the rest of our family, take a warm shower and enjoy a well heated home.

Up early the next morning: Santa Margarita Lake

Up early this morning, drop the kids off at school and head out to meet Steve and Liz for some Photography at Santa Margarita Lake. My hopes are high as I look out and see nothing but clear blue skies. Living close to the ocean, little did I know that this was the kiss of death for anyone hoping for clears skies inland. As we peaked Cuesta Grade on Hwy 101 heading to our destination, we were enveloped in a blanket of fog. Optimistically I chirped, “ I’m sure it will burn off soon”

My friend Liz, being an amazing photographer, saw opportunity in the fog. She asked me to pull over on Hwy 58 as she captured images of oak trees, their silhouettes outlined and made ethereal by the low lying mist. Had I more vision, I too would have been snapping away.

As we approached the lake, the fog had yet to burn off. Optimistically, I mentioned, “Soon I’m sure it will burn off”. We drove in and headed towards the boat launch. My friend Steve being a talented photographer in his own right began snapping away at things that I could not see. A master at seeing line, shape and composition, he captured images that I could only dream of taking. He took wonderful imagers of the dock disappearing into the fog as though floating off to nowhere. Reeds reflected on a soft and subtle background. I learned so much by watching both Steve and Liz as they masterfully captured images.

Still, being a photographer of wildlife, I looked around for opportunity. The world can be a cold, dark place if you don’t open up and look for opportunity where you think none exists.

The sun finally broke through. I gleefully snapped away at Buffleheads, a variety of Grebes and a Pintails. I should have checked the settings on my camera. IS (image stabilization) was off and later I would find out my hand held images would turn out blurry and out of focus.

After a great lunch, we headed to the Reservoir Canyon area for some waterfall imagery. The falls were spewing forth a torrent of white water, as I have never seen. Once again Steve would create magical imagery with the waterfall in black and white.

Today was a great day for me; I learned so much from going out and shooting with fellow photographers. Look for inspiration where you see none. Look, and then look again. Before you go out and shoot, make sure your camera has the correct settings, check and make sure that the switches on your lens haven’t accidentally been flipped. Check, and then check again.

After arriving home, a call later that evening would confirm an invite to participate in the Bald Eagle count at Lake San Antonio on Saturday.

The First Week of the New Year

This was a good week for nature photography. As the rains subsided and the skies cleared there were a great many opportunities to get out and about. I needed to get out this week and get some shooting done. The most difficult thing to decide, where do I go? I checked the weather, the tides, and loaded the vehicle with my implements of destruction. The tide was high and the estuary was inviting.

My original intent was to shoot the large flock of White Pelicans that were floating near the shoreline. They had other ideas. As I approached through the flooding pickle weed, camera and tripod slung over my shoulder, I contemplated the need to purchase rubber boots, as my budget hiking shoes just weren’t repelling the water. I sloshed to the waters edge and the Pelicans floated away. Thinking sour grapes, they were backlit and I probably would have blown the exposure.

I noticed off to my left a glassy pond of water that had a rather large flock of American Avocets in it. It was spotted with the occasional Tern; I focused my Camera on them. As a good friend of mine often states, “Lets see what we are given today” Staying low to the ground, I shortened the two rear legs of my tripod and extended the forward facing leg. This allowed me to reduce my shooting angle. Desiring to keep my tush dry, I sat it on a nearby log and shot the Avocets from there.

In the early morning light, the Avocets were quite active. Their reflections in the still water only broken by their upturned bills plunging here and there for a morsel to eat. The Terns occasionally opened their bills as if yawning and bored by the constant running about by the Avocets. A behavior I’m sure that is something other than the anthropomorphic explanation I’ve given. In flew a snowy egret that put on a good show nearby offering itself as a great subject. I sat and photographed it for a while until it chose to fly away and fish elsewhere.

The sun rose close to noon and activity among my subjects waned. The American Avocets sat motionless with their heads tucked into their bodies, the terns closed their eyes and the tide began to recede. It was time to go home and see if I had captured anything worth keeping.

In the Beginning...

"Dandilion Dew drops"...The image that started it all for me.

Well, this is it, the introduction to the long awaited Blog for Quintana Studios and Donald Quintana photography. O.K. So perhaps you weren't waiting. Perhaps you didn't even know there was going to be a Blog. Nonetheless, here it is.

It is my hopes that with this blog we will catalog the journeys we take around the globe photographing the natural world. Sharing locations, techniques and above all sharing stories and images. I hope you will stop in often and see what we have been up to and share with us your thoughts and feelings about our adventures. Until then, we'll see you around.

Thanks for stopping by~