Jan. 1st California Takes

[gil]

Looked like the 2008 birding year started great. Afternoon of January 1st when the wife and I decided to go to our favorite walking trail/birding reserve to take out some weight taken during the holidays. The hawk was the 1st bird taken for 2008 and it perched just 20-25 feet in front of us. Even with many walkers stopping and giving notice, stayed perched for 2-3 minutes. Taken with the Sony A700 + Bigma, all hand held and jpg. Cropped and some PP.
enjoy,
gil

Not sure whether a sharp-shinned hawk. I was against the sun. Pulled out some shadow details during PP.


One of the two usable BIFs luckily caught during take off when I was not training my lens on it. Not great but an unusual angle for me.


American Coot


Female Northern Shoveller

[Lydia Robledo]

Wow! You surely started the New Year with a bang! Superb shots. I love those details showing the feather patterns and color of the hawk + beautiful captures of the ducks in motion. Galing, Gil. I hope to bird and butterfly watch with you again this year. telyd

[mantarey]

Great timing on the second pic, you caught the jump.

[Romy Ocon]

Beautiful raptor, nice timing on the flyers, and love the creamy bokeh on the 3rd and 4th, Gil!

Romy

[Martin Alvendia]

Beautiful! I esp liked the Coot!

[Bobby Kintanar]

Can't decide which one I like best ... all of 'em! :-)

[Bob Kaufman]

Great shots, Gil! I agree that the hawk is a Sharp-shinned. What a way to start the new year!

[Reyno Rosete]

You're off to a good start Gil...very nicely captured images indeed !!!