SIDEBAR

A Rare Sighting of a Leucistic Hummingbird

2 comments
Oct 23 2016

Many of us have been blessed with a rare sighting of a leucistic Anna’s hummingbird that made its appearances at the University of California, Santa Cruz Arboretum. Many even believe that such unusual encounter symbolizes good prosperity spiritually. I was able to get a few shots back in June when it first made its appearances. It was rather skittish back then that I had to make three trips to get somewhat desirable shots. Perhaps I’m lacking some good luck charms compared to a few local photographers whom I’m always jealous of like Ken Phenicie and Thinh Bui.  I was still not happy […]

READ MORE

GHO of CHRP

1 comment
Aug 13 2016

Despite being informed that the resident Great Horned Owl of Coyote Hills Regional Park was nesting at a lower perch than its usual spot this year a few months back, I did not get a chance to capture any of the ‘fur-balls’ shots until both of the chicks fledged and no longer had their cute looks. Nevertheless, during the span of two weeks starting from August, I have been frequenting the park almost on a daily basis, breaking the norm of being exclusively a weekend shooter. The timing of them showing up from around 6 to 8:00PM not only works […]

READ MORE

Birding in Thailand

0 comments
Jun 23 2016

It was yet another great experience that I would like to share on this blog especially with those who are planning to make a birding trip to Thailand for the first time. I strongly suggest that you do your homework a few months in advance if you have a list of target birds that you want to capture during the trip. This way your guide will then take your list and start his prep work in coming up with your birding itinerary while at the same time telling you the optimum time of the year to make the trip.  A […]

READ MORE

Baylands Nature Preserve

0 comments
Apr 04 2016

Sandwiched between Mountain View and East Palo Alto, the Baylands Nature Preserve is one of the best bird watching areas in the West Coast.  The preserve has a substantial resident population of birds, and it is a major migratory stopover on the Pacific Flyway. Aside from bird watching, the preserve also provides ample outdoor activities for all walks of life including hiking, jogging, wind surfing, boating, and picnicking. Better yet, there’s neither entrance nor parking fees charged to visitors. Most of the bird-watching activities are concentrated around the ranger station. Egret and herons calls can be seen busy building their […]

READ MORE

Instant Celebrity of Humboldt County

0 comments
Feb 25 2016

Perhaps it was the global warming that brought it to the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park of Humboldt County but whatever the reason, it was certainly a pleasant welcome news for the first sighting of the Great Gray owl within the county’s border in 34 years.  It became an instant celebrity when flocks of photographers gathered around it. The owl didn’t feel intimated by the large numbers of people surrounding it and some even at such close proximity it feels that its privacy and space are violated. It took me over three weeks after the first sighting/report before I decided […]

READ MORE

BIF

0 comments
Jan 24 2016

With the pricing of super telephoto lenses from third party brands becoming more affordable today, more photographers are opting for wildlife shots especially bird as their genre of choice. Naturally, with the increased number of photographers, getting a better shot has become a much more challenging task. Everyone wants to get a ‘wow’ from their viewers or greater self satisfaction for a small number of those that don’t usually share their work in public. A simple shot of a stationary bird perched on a branch is no longer eye-catching compared to one with some actions or at least in flight. […]

READ MORE

Shooting in the Rain

0 comments
Dec 31 2015

Remember when we were little kids and we always got excited whenever it rained? We would sneak out running around and jumping in the puddles until our parents dragged us back in the house?  They always would say that the rain would make us sick, and until today I have had a perpetual feeling that they are not telling the truth..  Back then who cares what f/5.6 means, give me a break, I couldn’t even count past five. Oh those were the days.. But those days are gone. Most of us are very good kids now. Whenever it rains we […]

READ MORE

Global Warming Grebes

0 comments
Nov 25 2015
Looking pretty..

Like other shorebirds, Western grebes do not go by the human calendar or clock to tell them when to start their new family. They merely go by their instinct relying on the weather cycle. Based on human calendar, the breeding season typically starts around April through end of July and by late August through October. During these period, you can find the adult pairs carrying their young(s) on their back. Perhaps due to the global warming, there are more than a dozen of both Western and Clark’s grebes being seen with their courting behavior as late as the week before […]

READ MORE

Bald Eagles of Conowingo Dam

0 comments
Nov 17 2015
Conowingo DamIncoming Baldie..Bald Eagle - Juvy

It was yet another fun, exciting, and productive out-of-state trip.  Firstly, let’s start with credit where credit is due. As usual, our organizer Thinh Bui did not disappoint us by executing his very thorough planning skills.  Not only can this guy shoot and produce jaw-dropping images, but most importantly he would ensure everyone goes home with a smiling face while letting him take care of all the nitty gritty stuffs.  Salute!  OK, that should be enough.. I hope.  We were also blessed to be surrounded by great company on this trip not to mention great food that we chugged down […]

READ MORE

Birds of Ardenwood Historic Farm

0 comments
Sep 19 2015

Ardenwood farm was originally owned by the George and Clara Peterson family from the 1850s. It was turned over to the City of Fremont on 1978, and the East Bay Regional Park District has operated the property as a fully functioning, turn-of-the-last-century farm since 1985. A visit here is a journey back to the time of the 1850s Patterson Ranch–a prosperous, 19th-century country estate with a beautiful Victorian mansion and elaborate Victorian Gardens. The farm still grows the same kind of produce for the last 100 years. Visitors can buy fresh produce at the small stand on the left side of the […]

READ MORE
Flag Counter