Southwest Florida IPT Wrapup

Royal Tern
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

We concluded the photography class on the beach taking pictures of terns and egrets. I've read repeatedly Arthur Morris's admonition to get down on your belly and photograph birds at eye level, today we did it together and discussed which tern had the nicest looking beak and what the best angle was and how to keep the sand from getting all over your hands.

It was a fabulous class, I really enjoyed the folks on the trip, and learned a lot. And I really enjoyed doing the class with Mary and Dad, thanks you two!

It's a Christmas Miracle; and, Happy Birthday Dad!

Burrowing Owl
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

This image represents the conjunction of two Christmas miracles. First is the Canon 2X teleconverter, which my wonderful parents gave me for Christmas this year. I received it and promptly stuck it in my backpack for use on our Florida trip. The second miracle is that we found this burrowing owl today in the midst of Cape Coral, Florida; that it put up with as many as nine photographers with 500mm lenses shooting away continuously at it; and that I was able to put the 2X on my 500mm lens (2 x 500 x 1.6 = 1600mm!!) and was able to make this sharp image at 1/50 second. Image stabilization is a miracle too.

Anyway, Mary and I celebrated Dad's birthday today by taking him along on this bird photography class, where we spent the day watching spoonbills and laughing gulls and this owl. A great day.


Please take a look at today's photos on flickr.

Southwest Florida IPT, Day One

Brown Pelican
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

Wow, very busy day. Venice Rookery, Venice Dump, lunch, frantic photo processing, then pelican flight shots and Captain Marian's boat trip, then dinner and more photo processing, now trying to recharge camera batteries and make blog posts and answer work email and why am I still awake! w00t.

See lots of flickr photos from Bill and from Mary.

Southwest Florida IPT, Day Zero

Earlier tonight: slideshow, talking about Photoshop

Now it's 10:20pm. Alarm is set for 4:20am, cars to form caravan at 4:55am, drive to Venice Rookery for pre-dawn shooting. W00t.

"2007 Wild Birds of the American West" available

I'm pleased to announce that my 2007 Wild Birds of the American West calendar is available for your holiday gift giving needs at my on-line store.

In it you'll find twelve of my best shots from the last year, taken during trips to New Mexico and throughout the Bay Area. Special thanks to spinnity for an excellent job of photo editing, I think you'll find each image has a particular relationship to its month.

Central Valley, day two

Q: Why did the pipit cross the road?
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

This morning we dodged the rain at Cosumnes River and several other spots around Lodi. The constantly changing clouds dramatic sunlight were fascinating overhead while all around us the birds of a northern California winter -- geese, cranes, and swans. My favorite subject was this Pipit, who demonstrates that there's food even in the middle of the road, if you know where and how to look for it.

See a few more photos at flickr.

Central Valley, day one

Snow and Ross's Goose
Originally uploaded by Bill Walker.

Today we had an excellent time at Sacramento National Wlidlife Refuge and the county roads around Lodi. The geese and ducks were numerous and beautiful, and sparrows hopped around right next to the car. The light was very pleasant for shooting almost all day. What a treat to be out in the central valley in the winter, the sound of the swans and geese and cranes settling down at sunset is unlike anything else, you've just got to experience it for yourself.

see Today's photos at flickr

Penguin Jazz Quartet, House Concert, Sunday, Dec. 10th, 5-7pm

Penguin Jazz Quartet
Hohttp://beta.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifuse Concert / Charity Fundraiser
Sunday, December 10th, 5-7pm
University Church Rectory
1611 Stanford Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 95051
1-650-857-9660

Want to unwind with some great jazz this weekend while raising money for charity at the same time? The Penguin Jazz Quartet will appear this Sunday, December 10th, at a house concert in Palo Alto. A $15 suggested donation per person will go to raise money for both Palo Alto Urban Ministry's Opportunity Center and the University Church Rectory fund. Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Refreshments will be served.

Hope to see you there!

Greetings from Williams

hey y'all,

After a crazy day or two of trying to tie up loose ends, we're here in Williams on the eve of a planned day of birding and photographing here in the Central Valley. Ashok's scouting suggests that Colusa is not so productive right now -- too much construction. So, we're thinking heading directly to Sacramento NWR. At least the weather's supposed to be good. Well, gotta get some sleep, more news soon.