Cannon Beach, Oregon

I took the opportunity for a morning of birding while at beautiful Cannon Beach in Oregon. The first challenge was to see if I could find the Tufted Puffins on Haystack Rock. I've never managed to see puffins in the wild so I was excited about the chance to see them here. Haystack Rock is a 72 metre high stack that stands between the high and low tide marks on the broad expanse of sandy beach. Low tide was early in the morning so by the time there was enough light for reasonable photography, the tide was on its way in so I could not get as close as I would have liked to the rock but did manage to find some puffins flying in and out of nesting sites high up on the rock - not the best shot (heavily cropped) but I got them.

Tufted Puffin, Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-5, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/125

Also managed to spot two other first time photographed species, Pelagic Cormorant and Brandt's Cormorant nesting high up on the rock (again not great shots but happy to capture record shots of them).

Pelagic Cormorant, Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-5, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/125

Brandt's Cormorant + Common Murre, Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-5, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/125

Next stop was the Cannon Beach Sewage Ponds. As I arrived at the entrance to the path that circles the ponds, this Belted Kingfisher flew past. With no time to adjust settings, I could only point and shoot before it was gone. This is the only image close to in focus.

Belted Kingfisher, Sewage Ponds, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/8, 1/500

Further around the ponds, this American Goldfinch was displaying just inside the fence and I manage to line up the lens through the gaps in the cyclone wire well enough to get this shot.

American Goldfinch, Sewage Ponds, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/8, 1/500

Further along the track the fence was lower and allowed easier photographic access. Canada Geese were swimming around the edges of the ponds and feeding on the grass on the banks between ponds.

Canada Goose, Sewage Ponds, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/8, 1/640

Canada Goose, Sewage Ponds, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/8, 1/1000

There were several families of Northern Mallard on and around the ponds with ducklings at various stages of growth.

Northern Mallard, Sewage Ponds, Cannon Beach, Oregon

Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/8, 1/500

Northern Mallard, Sewage Ponds, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/8, 1/500

This juvenile grebe was cruising around in the middle of one of the ponds. Many grebes are difficult to tell apart in juvenile plumage. The best I can do with this one, at a distance and backlit, is that it is likely to be a Red-necked Grebe.

Red-necked Grebe (juvenile), Sewage Ponds, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/8, 1/320

Red-winged Blackbirds were flying around. It is normally the displaying and calling males that can be photographed more easily but it was only this female that sat still long enough to be photographed.

Red-winged Blackbird (female), Sewage Ponds, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/8, 1/800

Late in the afternoon, we drove up to Ecola Point from which you get this magnificent view back over Cannon Beach.

Cannon Beach from Ecola Point, Oregon
Pentax K-3, Pentax 16-50mm f/2.8 @ 24mm, ISO 400, f/8, 1/1250

As the sun was setting, storm clouds were coming in from the north west providing this monochromatic view of the lighthouse on Tillamook Rock (so I converted it to black and white).

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse from Ecola Point, Oregon
Pentax K-3, Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200mm, ISO 400, f/16, 1/250

Pt Reyes National Seashore, California

We had the 4th of July weekend in and around San Francisco and spent the Saturday travelling up the coast to Pt Reyes National Seashore.

First wildlife stop was at Bolinas Lagoon, where we had spotted Harbor Seals in our previous trip here in 1999. Sure enough, they were in the same spot, basking on the mudflats just offshore.

Harbor Seal, Bolinas Lagoon, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/640

Harbor Seal, Bolinas Lagoon, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/500

When we reached Pt Reyes, the car park was full so I dropped my passengers, who were keen to walk to the lighthouse, and waited for a park (which eventuated about 10 minutes later). As I sat in the car, I could see Turkey Vultures soaring along the cliff tops and over the beach to the north, so I opted to stay here and see what I could photograph rather than taking the walk up the hill to the lighthouse.

The first thing I spotted was this Mule Deer feeding on the edge of the cliff.

Mule Deer, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/800

For a long while, the vultures stayed away from the cliff tops and were soaring over the beach and dunes.

Turkey Vulture, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/8, 1/640

Turkey Vulture, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/8, 1/1000

but persistence paid off and they eventually came closer.

Turkey Vulture, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/8, 1/800

Turkey Vulture, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/8, 1/1250

Turkey Vulture, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/8, 1/800

A pair of American Goldfinches was feeding on thistles. I couldn't get any closer as they were behind a barrier but happy to capture a record shot of these beautiful little birds.

American Goldfinch, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/16, 1/200

Common Murres were roosting on a rocky outcrop below the cliff.

Common Murre, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/1000

Pt Reyes shelters Drakes Bay to the east and there's a colony of Northern Elephant Seals there. The viewing platform is a few hundred metres away from the colony but it does provide good views.

Northern Elephant Seal, Drakes Bay, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/500

There was also a feeding frenzy of birds offshore, including Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Murre, Herring Gull.

Drakes Bay, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/800

Drakes Bay, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/800

The occasional pelican flew closer to the cliffs.

Brown Pelican, Drakes Bay, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/800

and this Harbor Seal popped up for a look at the spectators.

Harbor Seal, Drakes Bay, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/400

Back near the car park, a White-crowned Sparrow was feeding on grass seeds right beside the trail. So close that I had to remove the 2x adaptor to get some shots. It took me a while to work out what species this was as it looked just like the WCS with which I am familiar but without the white stripes on the crown. Further investigation led me to the nutalli subspecies, in which first year birds retain the juvenile grey-brown colouring where the white 'should be'.

White-crowned Sparrow, Drakes Bay, Pt Reyes, California
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/1250

Way down upon the Suwannee River

The Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge is just north of Cedar Key so that was our destination today. Everything we'd read promised birds and reptiles and it did not disappoint!

Almost as soon as we got off the beaten track we spotted this Florida Softshell on the track.

Florida Softshell, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/8, 1/500

It allowed us to get fairly close without appearing to be too perturbed.

Florida Softshell, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 77.5mm, ISO 400, f/8, 1/100

Florida Softshell, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 180mm, ISO 400, f/8, 1/160

Next stop was a short boardwalk into a pond where there were herons and egrets galore.

Little Blue Heron + Snowy Egret, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/16, 1/320

There were 4 species of heron/egret,

Little Blue Heron, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/1250

American Great Egret, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/1250

American Great Egret, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/8, 1/3200

Snowy Egret, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/1250

Snowy Egret, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/1000

Snowy Egret, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/320

Tricolored Heron, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/10, 1/1000

Tricolored Heron, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/1250

Tricolored Heron, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/10, 1/1000

a solo Roseate Spoonbill hanging around with the egrets, 

Roseate Spoonbill + Snowy Egret, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/10, 1/4000

Roseate Spoonbill, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/1250

 and a few Turkey Vultures overhead.

Turkey Vulture, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/6400

Turkey Vulture, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/4000

There was also a 'bunch' of juvenile alligators hanging out on the mudflats. The alligators in the water were eating dragon flies!

Alligator, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11, 1/400

Next stop was a small fire dam where we found Suwannee Scooters. These, mostly aquatic, turtles have brightly coloured yellow and black faces and necks.

Suwannee Scooter, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 800, f/11, 1/1600

Suwannee Scooter, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 800, f/11, 1/4000

but turn black as they get older - it took us a while to work out that this one was the same species.

Suwannee Scooter, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 800, f/11, 1/640

They do get out onto land though - as we found out a little further down the road.

Suwannee Scooter, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/320

We also found another roadside reptile - this time a Gopher Tortoise.

Gopher Tortoise, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 800, f/8, 1/250

We made a couple of stops at lookouts over estuarine inlets hoping for more birds but the only things we found were fiddler crabs inhabiting the mud and the roads.

Fiddler Crab, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (2x adaptor), ISO 800, f/22, 1/500

Fiddler Crab, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (2x adaptor), ISO 800, f/22, 1/800

As we drove along a narrow track with rough thick vegetation, we spotted a Turkey Vulture on the road. We tried to approach it slowly but it flew into the trees. Fortunately, there was a gap in the roadside vegetation allowing us this view form the car window.

Turkey Vulture, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (2x adaptor), ISO 800, f/11, 1/1600