Natural History Photography Blog

Photographing Water Birds at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

admin — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 03:20:32 +0000

I have made several trips in the last few months to Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve in the city of Santee, east of San Diego, to photograph the birds there. In the winter there are many different waterfowl, the most appealing (to me) being the various species of ducks. Some are surprisingly tame for their species, such as the cinnamon teal, while others like the Northern shoveler remain as aloof as they are in other places. This string of lakes is a surprisingly nice sanctuary in a suburban area, great for fishing with the kids, walking the dog, picnicking or, obviously, photographing birds. These are some of my favorites recently. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Canada Geese in flight, Branta canadensis, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41481
Species: Canada goose, Branta canadensis
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Mallard in flight, Anas platyrhynchos, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41488
Species: Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Ring-necked duck, male, Aythya collaris, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41497
Species: Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon Teal in flight.
Image ID: 41459
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera.
Image ID: 41455
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera.
Image ID: 41456
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus.
Image ID: 41445
Species: Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Northern pintail, Anas acuta, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41482
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41483
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Ring-necked duck, male, Aythya collaris, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41485
Species: Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41486
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Double-crested cormorant in flight, Phalacrocorax auritus, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41489
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41490
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Mallard in flight, female, Anas platyrhynchos, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41492
Species: Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Ring-necked duck, male, Aythya collaris, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41494
Species: Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Mallard wing flap showing speculum, iridescent blue with white edges, Anas platyrhynchos, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41495
Species: Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41503
Species: Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus.
Image ID: 41442
Species: Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Northern Shoveler, female, Anas clypeata.
Image ID: 41446
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Northern Shoveler, male, Anas clypeata.
Image ID: 41439

Aerial Photos of Scott’s Head on the Island of Dominica

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:17:25 +0000

I was recently on the beautiful island of Dominica photographing sperm whales. Tracy meet me afterward and we spend a week relaxing at the south end of the island, snorkeling and enjoying the waterfalls and hot springs. I flew Superfly to get some images of Scott’s Head, the scenic south point of the island. It is actually part of the rim of an ancient volcanic caldera most of which is underwater. We stayed at Jungle Bay situated high on the bluff over the ocean and the small town of Soufriere, and enjoyed spectacular views each evening at dinner. Dominica was great and we are already planning a return. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Scotts Head aerial panoramic photo. Dominica is referred to as the Nature Island for its lush forests and spectacular terrain.
Image ID: 41476
Location: Dominica

Scotts Head aerial panoramic photo. Dominica is referred to as the Nature Island for its lush forests and spectacular terrain.
Image ID: 41475
Location: Dominica

Soufriere and Jungle Bay, aerial photo.
Image ID: 41479
Location: Dominica

A Surprise Winter Wildflower Bloom in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 23:44:36 +0000

The Winter of 2025/2026 brought a little surprise – a very nice wildflower bloom in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. When they occur – which is not every year — wildflower blooms in Anza Borrego typically peak in March. However, this year we had thick wildflowers blooming in mid-December and healthy plants still going strong at the end of January. I attribute this to a series of warm spells interspersed with a good amount of rain at just the right intervals. When sunlight and rains line up, the seeds say “Go!” and the bloom starts even if it is not the “normal” time. I found that the only really photographic swaths of flowers were found in the usual place (Coyote Canyon). These images were taken in December 2025 and again in February 2026. In case you are wondering, this is not a superbloom, just a bloom. Cheers and thanks for looking!

Winter Wildflowers Bloom in an Colorful Bouquet in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Dune evening primrose (white) is mixed with sand verbena (purple) near Henderson Canyon Road. Sunrise light barely illuminating the flowers.
Image ID: 41504
Species: Dune evening primrose, Oenothera deltoides

Winter Wildflowers Bloom in an Colorful Bouquet in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Dune evening primrose (white) is mixed with sand verbena (purple) near Henderson Canyon Road. Sunrise light barely illuminating the flowers.
Image ID: 41505
Species: Dune evening primrose, Oenothera deltoides

Winter Wildflowers Bloom in an Colorful Bouquet in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Dune evening primrose (white) is mixed with sand verbena (purple) near Henderson Canyon Road. Sunrise light barely illuminating the flowers.
Image ID: 41533
Species: Dune evening primrose, Oenothera deltoides

Natural History Photography – My Favorite Photos of 2025

admin — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 05:31:41 +0000

2025 presented Tracy and me with a variety of highs and lows — mostly highs. We travelled quite a bit with family and friends. I did a little more travel on my own beyond that. All of which was wonderful. However, hanging over everything this year was the passing of my father, Coleman Colla, in September after 89 years of life. He had a long successful career in aerospace and was active in his Los Angeles community. He had a keen intellect and was one of the very smartest people I have known. He lived a robust life full of family and friends, especially the last few decades. During the holidays he always found time to discuss with me my annual end-of-year favorite photos. I would relate to him backstories about the images, what I got lucky with and what I missed. He would ask how the pictures were made, how big the animals were and what I was feeling seeing them. Well Dad, here are my favorites … this is the first year I will miss sharing them with you.

This is the 19th year I have done an annual photography retrospective. My favorite images of the past year are below, roughly in chronological order. My goal for any one year is always to shoot 3-4 world-class images and 10-15 portfolio-quality images. If you like these feel free to check out previous years’ favorites as well: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007. Cheers and thanks for looking!

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Adult winter breeding plumage with yellow head, red throat and brown hindneck.
Image ID: 40806
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant Spreading Wings to Land on sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Image ID: 40813
Location: La Jolla, California

A California sea lions leap high out of the water, jumping clear of a wave while bodysurfing at Boomer Beach in La Jolla.
Image ID: 40835
Location: La Jolla, California

Extreme closeup view of a Western Grebe as it rushes, running across the water as part of an elaborate courtship behavior.
Image ID: 40845
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Two Western Grebes Walk on Water. Grebe rushing, a courtship behavior, happens when the birds slap the lake surface up to 20 times per second, literally running across the water.
Image ID: 40887
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Humpback whales bubblenet feeding in Southeast Alaska. Coordinated bubble-net feeding is a specialized cooperative feeding technique used by humpback whales, where a group of whales works together to trap fish or krill in a net of bubbles then lunge through to feed.
Image ID: 40921
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Sitka Sound, Alaska

Humpback Whale Raising Fluke Before Diving in Southeast Alaska.
Image ID: 40949
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Sitka Sound, Alaska

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) Offshore of San Diego.
Image ID: 40982
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Location: San Diego, California

Peregrine Falcon attacking brown pelican while in flight.
Image ID: 40985
Species: Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
Location: Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, California

Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, La Jolla.
Image ID: 41002
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

Tracy swimming alongside beautiful Dendronephthya soft corals displaying incredible color on a Fijian coral reef. Soft corals swell when the current is running and extend outward to capture passing plankton and food.
Image ID: 41021
Species: Dendronephthya soft coral, Black sun coral, Dendronephthya, Tubastrea micrantha
Location: Vatu I Ra Passage, Bligh Waters, Viti Levu Island, Fiji

Tracy and Chironephthya soft corals on the wall of Mount Mutiny, a spectacular deepwater sea mount in the Bligh Waters of Fiji.
Image ID: 41022
Species: Chironephthya soft coral, Chironephthya
Location: Vatu I Ra Passage, Bligh Waters, Viti Levu Island, Fiji

Photographer captures a spectacular display of Dendronephthya Soft Coral on the wall of the deepwater pinnacle Mount Mutiny in the Bligh Waters of Fiji.
Image ID: 41024
Species: Dendronephthya soft coral, Dendronephthya
Location: Fiji

Purple is the new Black. Anthias swarm around a huge purple sea fan gorgonian which lies perpendicular to prevailing currents so that it can capture plankton passing by. Gorgonians and Hard Corals on Tropical Coral Reef, Fiji Islands.
Image ID: 41026
Species: Gorgonian, Gorgonacea
Location: Namena Marine Reserve, Namena Island, Fiji

Tracy peers through a dense school of purple anthias fishes and sea fans in a natural coral arch at the dive site Kansas. Beautiful Fijian Coral Reef with a Mix of Hard and Colorful Soft Corals.
Image ID: 41035
Species: Anthias, Pseudanthias
Location: Namena Marine Reserve, Namena Island, Fiji

Aerial View of Namena Marine Reserve and Coral Reefs, Namena Island, Fiji.
Image ID: 41049
Location: Namena Marine Reserve, Namena Island, Fiji

Aerial View of the extensive coral reefs offshore of Rakiraki, Fiji Islands.
Image ID: 41083
Location: Viti Levu Island, Fiji

Portrait of an adult Southern Right Whale Underwater, Eubalaena australis, hovering over sand bottom on Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41175
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Portrait of Mother and Calf Southern Right Whales Underwater, Eubalaena australis, hovering over sand bottom on Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41183
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Closeup underwater view of a Southern right whale eyeball, Eubalaena australis. Whale lice can be seen clearly in the folds and crevices around the whales eye and lip groove. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41190
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Aerial photo of the Puerto Piramides headlands, part of Golfo Nuevo on Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41192
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Copulating Southern Right Whales, aerial photo. The male is upside down (belly up) and trying to copulate with the female who is also belly up and being evasive of the male. The female's calf is at lower right. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41234
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Aerial photo of white Southern Right Whale calf with its mother. The mother is gray in color, rather than dark black, since she was a white calf herself and gradually darkened to gray as she matured. About five per cent of southern right whales are born white due to a condition known as grey morphism and will gradually turn dark as they age. They are not albino (which is a complete lack of pigmentation). The white coloration is a recessive genetic trait and only lasts a few months. Typically white calves become much darker as they mature but will still be lighter than normal even as adults. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41260
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Humpback Whale Breaching near Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia.
Image ID: 41331
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Moorea, French Polynesia, France

Solitary inquisitive humpback whale underwater near the island of Moorea, French Polynesia.
Image ID: 41335
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Moorea, French Polynesia, France

Solitary inquisitive humpback whale underwater near the island of Moorea, French Polynesia.
Image ID: 41336
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Tahiti, French Polynesia, France

Humpback mother and calf swimming together underwater, Moorea Island, French Polynesia.
Image ID: 41341
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Moorea, French Polynesia, France

Aerial Panorama of the Barrier Reef around Moorea Island, French Polynesia. The outer reef slope is seen adjacent to deep blue oceanic water with white waves breaking against the reef edge. Next, a wide shallow reef flat occurs dotted with coral bommies. Inside of that, a shallow protected lagoon is formed against the island. Tall, rugged, eroded mountains are seen hinting at the age of the ancient volcano that originally formed the island and that is now sinking back down, leaving the encircling reef behind.
Image ID: 41358
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Moorea, French Polynesia, France

March 14, 2025, total lunar eclipse from my backyard

Iceland with Mom and her entire progeny, July

Iceland pony

Glacier visit, Iceland

Fiji in August, thank you Adriana and Naia!

Argentina in September, thank you Adriana, Hector, Kike and Jorge!

Moorea in October, thank you Pierre and Temana!

Bass Lake, October

Aerial Photos of Mating and Courtship Among Southern Right Whales at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 23:29:56 +0000

Each winter and spring, Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) gather along Argentina’s Península Valdés, particularly in the calm, protected waters of Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José. From about June through November, these gulfs serve as breeding and nursery grounds where adults, juveniles, and mothers with calves congregate. The whales are drawn by the region’s sheltered bays, which provide ideal conditions for mating, calving, and nursing before they return to feeding grounds farther south in summer.

Courtship is often dramatic and highly social. Groups of up to a dozen males—sometimes even more—will compete to mate with a single receptive female in what are known as surface-active groups. The males circle, nudge, roll, and attempt to position themselves alongside the female while she tries to control access by rolling onto her back or diving. There is no violent combat; rather, competition occurs through endurance, maneuvering, and persistence. The males’ genital anatomy plays a key role in this system—southern right whale males possess one of the largest penises in the animal kingdom, reaching about 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) in length. This size advantage likely evolved to improve sperm competition, since multiple males may mate with the same female within a short time.

Mating occurs at or just below the surface, often in brief but repeated encounters. Gestation lasts roughly one year, after which females give birth to a single calf, usually about 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) long at birth. Mothers remain with their calves for a full year of nursing before resuming breeding activities. Most females follow a three-year reproductive cycle: one year pregnant, one year nursing, and one resting or preparing to breed again. This rhythm, together with the whales’ strong site fidelity to Valdés Peninsula, makes the area one of the world’s most reliable and important breeding habitats for southern right whales.

Mother and calf southern right whales are seen here as part of a larger courtship group, with adult males interested in mating with the mother. The calf has no choice but to stay by her mother's side during the courting activities.
Image ID: 38381
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Copulating Southern Right Whales, aerial photo. The male is upside down (belly up) and trying to copulate with the female who is also belly up and being evasive of the male. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41185
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Aerial photo of Eight Southern Right Whales in a large Courtship / Mating Group at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. Eubalaena australis. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41187
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Courting group of southern right whales, aerial photo. Mating may occur as a result of this courting and social behavior. The white whale seen here is a serious player named El Copulador (the copulator) and is often seen in mating and courting groups of southern right whales at Peninsula Valdes. His light coloration is an indication that he was a white calf, but he did not darken as he aged in the way most white southern right whale calves do.
Image ID: 38356
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Mating pair of Southern Right Whales, aerial photo. In this photo, the male is grasping the female with one of his pectoral fins as a prelude to copulation. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41197
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Copulating Southern Right Whales, aerial photo. The female is in the middle. The male at bottom is copulating with her, while the second male at top is trying to do so as well. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41212
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Copulating Pair of Southern Right Whales, aerial photo.The male is at left, female at right, and the female's calf at upper right. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41219
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Five southern right whales in courtship group, aerial photo, Eubalaena australis, Argentina.
Image ID: 35969
Species: Southern right whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Courting group of southern right whales, aerial photo. Mating may occur as a result of this courting and social behavior.
Image ID: 38299
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Copulating Southern Right Whales, aerial photo. The male is upside down (belly up) and trying to copulate with the female who is also belly up and being evasive of the male. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41266
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Aerial photo of Courtship / Mating Group of Southern Right Whales at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. Eubalaena australis. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41267
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Mating pair of Southern Right Whales, aerial photo. In this photo, the male is grasping the female with one of his pectoral fins as a prelude to copulation. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41297
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Aerial photo of Courtship / Mating Group of Southern Right Whales at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. Eubalaena australis. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41324
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Aerial Photos of the Coral Reefs of Fiji

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:23:56 +0000

Beneath Fiji’s clear waters lies a vibrant maze of coral reefs built by tiny coral polyps. Hard corals, also known as stony corals, act as reef architects secreting calcium carbonate skeletons that fuse into massive limestone frameworks over centuries. Intertwined with these sturdy builders are soft corals, flexible flower-like organisms that sway with the currents and give Fiji its nickname “Soft Coral Capital of the World.” Soft corals don’t build the reef’s hard structure, but they adorn it with brilliant hues of pink, purple, and orange, creating a living garden. Together, Fiji’s hard and soft corals form a rich underwater ecosystem – essentially a rainforest of the sea teeming with life.

Fiji’s reefs bustle with marine life of every shape and color. Bright reef fish such as clownfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish weave through coral branches, while smaller creatures like crabs, shrimp, and sea stars hide in crevices and giant clams nestle within the reef. Larger animals like reef sharks, rays, and sea turtles patrol these coral gardens, all relying on the reef for food and shelter. Every species plays a part in this underwater community – for instance, herbivores like parrotfish and turtles graze on algae that might otherwise smother the corals. This entire ecosystem depends on just the right conditions. Corals need warm, clear water around 23–29°C (73–84°F), bright sunlight, and unpolluted seas to thrive.

Unfortunately, this spectacular ecosystem now faces serious threats from climate change, which is driving ocean temperatures upward and pushing corals beyond their comfort zone. Even a slight temperature rise can cause corals to bleach – in this stressed state they expel the symbiotic algae that feed them and turn ghostly white. Bleached corals are weak and may die if the heat persists – a fate already witnessed in Fiji’s reefs during recent marine heatwaves. Adding to the danger, the ocean is becoming more acidic due to higher carbon dioxide levels, which weakens corals’ ability to rebuild their skeletons. If ocean temperatures continue to rise unchecked, Fiji’s coral reefs could deteriorate dramatically – losing their vibrant corals along with the multitudes of fish and other creatures that depend on them. Protecting these reefs will require urgent global action to curb climate change, so that Fiji’s underwater paradise can endure for generations to come.

Aerial View of Namena Marine Reserve and Coral Reefs, Namena Island, Fiji.
Image ID: 34680
Location: Namena Marine Reserve, Namena Island, Fiji

Aerial View of Coral Reefs around Wakaya Island, Fiji.
Image ID: 41030
Location: Wakaya Island, Lomaiviti Archipelago, Fiji

Aerial View of the extensive coral reefs offshore of Rakiraki, Fiji Islands.
Image ID: 41041
Location: Viti Levu Island, Fiji

Aerial View of Vatu-i-Ra Coral Seascape, Fiji.
Image ID: 34681
Location: Vatu I Ra Passage, Bligh Waters, Viti Levu Island, Fiji

Aerial View of Vatu-i-Ra Coral Seascape, Fiji.
Image ID: 34688
Location: Vatu I Ra Passage, Gau Island, Lomaiviti Archipelago, Fiji

Aerial View of Namena Marine Reserve and Coral Reefs, Namena Island, Fiji.
Image ID: 41049
Location: Namena Marine Reserve, Namena Island, Fiji

Aerial View of the extensive coral reefs offshore of Rakiraki, Fiji Islands.
Image ID: 41083
Location: Viti Levu Island, Fiji

Aerial View of Namena Marine Reserve and Coral Reefs, Namena Island, Fiji.
Image ID: 34693
Location: Namena Marine Reserve, Namena Island, Fiji

Aerial view of Mount Mutiny, a spectacular deepwater coral bommie in the Bligh Waters of Fiji.
Image ID: 41138
Location: Vatu I Ra Passage, Bligh Waters, Viti Levu Island, Fiji

Southern Right Whales on the Peninsula Valdes, Argentina, 2025

admin — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 22:46:56 +0000

I made another visit to Peninsula Valdes, on the southern coast of Argentina, to photograph Southern Right Whales in September. I spent 16 days there with 9 of them on the water. We had pretty good weather and didn’t miss any of our scheduled water days but did have to use some weather days at times. The whales were superb as always. Indeed, while whale counts of recent years have been about 1500 along the Peninsula Valdes coast, this year there were over 2400! That uptick in census is very intriguing and while each of us had ideas about what might be driving it we will have to wait until the research community has assembled their data for the year before concluding what might have driving the large increase in numbers.

Every year is different. This year we had several intense courtship groups, more whale copulation than I think I have seen in the past, and quite a few sessions of prolonged breaching. As far as underwater photographs go, I wanted to produce images that are different than what I have made in the past but was unsure ahead of time how to do that. Once in Puerto Piramides though I realized the water this year would dictate the strategy: focus only on the most inquisitive whales. Southern right whales are remarkable in their willingness to be in close proximity to boats and divers. They are usually (but not always!) about as docile and gentle in the water as an animal of that size — 55′ long (17 m) and 85 ton (80,000 kg) — can be. So provided it was safe I held my ground and let the animals come close both at the surface and on the bottom. That’s really no different than in the past but this year I was more conscious about it. I’m happy with the images, a small selection of which I’ve included below. (To see all of this years images click here.) I was trying for variety.

As always I am deeply indebted to Hector Casin who, as representive of the Government of Argentina as well as a senior ranger in the park of Peninsula Valdes, oversaw all of our activities, offered seasoned advice about the whales and weather, and helped us in countless ways to be successful. Adriana Basques, who handles all the logistics, planning and team building, once again put together a superb group of photographers with a very international flavor this year: China, Brazil, Mexico, the United States and of course the crew in Argentina. As he has in the past, Jorge Perversi captained our boat at all times and proved instrumental in selecting which whales to focus upon among the many we would see each day. Renzo Natale of of Goos Ballenas (diving services) handled dive safety and was of great help both in water and on the boat, an exhausting feat given the cold weather and even colder water. I was fortunate to be with such a special group of people who shared of love of whales and a desire to produce compelling images of them.

Breaching Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis, Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41176
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

South American Tern in flight, Sterna hirundinacea, Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes, Chubut, Argentina. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41189
Species: South American Tern, Sterna hirundinacea
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Portrait of an adult Southern Right Whale Underwater, Eubalaena australis, hovering over sand bottom on Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41177
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Breaching Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis, Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41178
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Southern right whale underwater, Eubalaena australis, in Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41179
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Aerial photo of white Southern Right Whale calf with its mother. The mother is gray in color, rather than dark black, since she was a white calf herself and gradually darkened to gray as she matured. About five per cent of southern right whales are born white due to a condition known as grey morphism and will gradually turn dark as they age. They are not albino (which is a complete lack of pigmentation). The white coloration is a recessive genetic trait and only lasts a few months. Typically white calves become much darker as they mature but will still be lighter than normal even as adults. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41180
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Aerial photo of Southern Right Whale Mother and Calf. Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41181
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Southern right whale calf underwater, Eubalaena australis. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41184
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Southern Right Whale with fluke raised out of the water with the famous "pyramid" of Puerto Piramides in the distance. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41188
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Mating pair of Southern Right Whales, aerial photo. In this photo, the male is grasping the female with one of his pectoral fins as a prelude to copulation. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41196
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Mother and calf southern right whales underwater. The calf swims close to its mother but, if the mother is accepting, the calf will be allowed to come close to the photographer and check him out. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41199
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

Breaching Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis, Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Image ID: 41202
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

2025 Song of the Humpback Whale, Recorded Underwater in French Polynesia

admin — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 01:21:20 +0000

I was able to spend time again this fall on the island of Moorea, near Tahiti in French Polynesia, to observe humpback whales. While photography was the main objective, I was on the lookout for opportunities to record whalesong as well. As in 2024, I am indebted to Pierre Serreli for his guidance and help in the water with the whales as well as Captain Temana for his excellent boat handling and assistance. We were hampered by high winds many days but Pierre and Temana worked hard to find our own water and with patience we found plenty of cooperative and interested whales including several singers.

Since the worldwide humpback whalesong evolves from year to year it is worth recording the song for posterity each season. We had good success with 2024’s Humpback Whale Song but I was hopeful we could record an even cleaner rendition this year. I am neither a sound engineer nor particularly knowledgeable about underwater acoustics. I simply want to obtain a clear, accurate and lengthy record I can share with the world. Finding ideal conditions to record humpback whalesong is challenging: solitude is necessary (so that noise from passing boats does not disturb the whale or the recording) as is agreeable weather. We don’t really need clean water since the objective is not to photograph the whale but it is nice to be able to at least see the whale as it hovers in the water column singing. However, finding a singer is the principal challenge since they tend to be solitary and are always underwater for long periods of time. We had a fantastic singer on our first day this season but high winds and swell meant the hydrophone was not stationary in the water so there was some noise in the recording. Later in the week we found a cooperative singer in relatively calm water with no one else around and I made the recording I was hoping for over the course of about 90 minutes. I made some tweaks from my in-water technique of last year and I think the resulting recording this year has a better signal-to-noise ratio and virtually no splashing or swimming noises. This recording captures the greater part of three successive song cycles, with some repeated patterns clearly evident if you listen to the entirety of it. There are many interesting passages but I think my favorite begins about 08:17 – check it out! (The same passage is repeated almost perfectly at 23:40.)

Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Phillip Colla · Song of the Humpback Whale, Recorded Live Underwater in French Polynesia in 2025

Below is what a section of the song looks like. Some of the patterns become very recognizable when viewed in software such as Audacity rather than heard. The colorful tracks are a view of the frequency spectrum (which I don’t find particularly useful) while the purple tracks below each spectrum are the waveforms. In this case, at the passage starting about 08:05, we see a transition from “burps” (of which there are five or six, each followed by a small sound) into two long series of rapid “chirps”. There is a small amount of island reverb between the chirp passages.

Tracy and Phil Go Diving on the Nai’a

admin — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 22:48:05 +0000

Tracy and a lush display of anthias fishes and Dendronephthya soft corals all energized by a strong current. Perfect Fiji.

It had been a long time since Tracy and I were SCUBA diving together and I had not been on the wonderful Nai’a liveaboard boat in Fiji for a few years. So when our friend Adriana invited us to join her group for a Nai’a 10-day we jumped at the chance, mostly so that I would have a chance to dive with my better half after way too long. Adriana’s was a very fun and diverse group from China, Brazil, the UK and the US plus Emry of whom nobody is sure what country he is in these days. Tracy is more selective about her diving than me avoiding cold water, poor visibility and subpar boats or resorts. But she was keenly aware the Nai’a is perhaps my favorite liveaboard anywhere in the world. Island-hopping all-star dive locations in Fiji after no tropical diving in a while sounded pretty good to both of us. We locked in the dates on our calendar two years out and this past August off we went. A flight to Nadi and a drive to the Rakiraki peninsula let us spend a few days at Volivoli warming up and getting used to the time change. At Volivoli we dove the Vatu-i-ra reefs one day but the boats were constrained to reefs closer to shore by wind the second day. The resort itself was quite comfortable with great staff, fast boats and delicious food. Lots of Aussies as one would imagine. I plan to stay there again, especially now that Wananavu is no more making Volivoli the only game in town if you want to reach the spectacular Vatu-i-ra reefs.

Our dinner view from Volivoli.

One of the locals.

Sunrise from our lanai looking out from the Rakiraki peninsula.

Setting up the dive boats after breakfast. We’d be diving in 30-60 minutes.

Rakiraki Peninsula, with Volivoli and one of its boats front and center.

Reefs near Rakiraki Peninsula.

Hard corals near Volivoli.

Soft corals and anthias come to life even with a little current, near Volivoli.

After four days at Volivoli it was time to return to Nadi and board the Nai’a. Soon our hosts Chris and Clau and the incredible crew had us on our way. We woke up the next morning to begin nine great days of diving the best spots in the Bligh Waters. Tracy was mostly looking for different tropical fishes, coral types and critters while I was photographing the reef scenery as usual. We had a little wind but it did not impede our diving or crossings. We managed a full three days at Vatu-i-ra, two at Namena and one at the seamounts so in my estimation the trip was a resounding success!

Nai’a anchored at Namena Island.

Nai’a anchored at Mount Mutiny, a deepwater sea mount famous for incredible displays of Chironephthya soft corals.

Nai’a anchored at E-6, another deepwater sea mount known for its large swim-through grotto replete with huge gorgonians.

Tracy and Chironephthya soft corals on Mount Mutiny.

Tracy and Chironephthya and Dendronephthya soft corals on Mount Mutiny.

Clark at Mount Mutiny.

Adriana at Mount Mutiny.

Tracy at Mount Mutiny.

I forced myself to work with a single focal length for the entire trip, something I used to do 30 years ago with a Nikonos but rarely do any more. So 15mm was it for me for this trip. I briefly thought about setting up with 3 or 4 strobes as several photographers I admire do to better light the reef. But I have not been shooting underwater much this year and after considering how I would need to seek out fast-moving water for fish explosions I decided to keep the strobe count down to a modest two. I do not bring a computer on dive trips or review my images beyond a check on the camera’s LCD – a little risky perhaps since its hard to know if I am making any systematic mistakes. But I’m not distracted from hanging out with friends, swapping dive stories or having second dessert. So, the computer stayed home and I made double sure not to misplace any of my un-backed-up memory cards. It worked out.

Some of the cameras.

One of Chris’ excellent site maps.

Nitrox log.

Nai’a at Namena Island.

Nai’a anchored to dive Namena Marine Reserve.

Namena Marine Reserve.

Huge and oddly shaped Dendronephthya cluster at Namena Marine Reserve.

Tracy peering through a swarm of anthias at one of the Kansas arches, Namena Marine Reserve.

Sea fan and anthias swarm, Namena Marine Reserve.

Sunset on the Nai’a, Namena Island

Wakaya Island.

Dendronephthya soft coral, Wakaya Island.

Sea fans and anthias, Wakaya Island.

Reef manta ray, Wakaya Island.

Dendronephthya and anthias, Wakaya Island.

Emry editing images.

Greg and Chris pondering dive site details.

Nai’a anchored amid Vatu-i-ra reef complex.

Tracy diving Vatu-i-ra.

Sea-fan-scape, Vatu-i-ra.

Dendronephthya soft coral, Vatu-i-ra.

Anthias explosion, Vatu-i-ra.

Soft coral study, Vatu-i-ra.

Hard coral study, Vatu-i-ra.

Coleman Park Colla (1935-2025), Obituary

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:00:35 +0000

The family of Coleman Park Colla wishes to announce his passing on September 3, 2025.

Coleman was born on December 24, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Stanley Albert Colla and Alice Adele Colla. He spent his childhood in Oakmont (now Haverford), Pennsylvania, where his grandparents and cousins lived nearby, and enjoyed summer months on the New Jersey shore with them. In 1949, his family moved to London, England, where his father’s company was helping with post-war reconstruction.

Upon returning to the United States in 1950, his family relocated to Buffalo, New York, where Coleman enrolled at the Nichols School. He excelled in school, particularly in math and science, and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1954. In his junior year, he was initiated into the secret society, Amun Ra. After high school, Coleman followed in his father’s footsteps by entering Dartmouth College, where he majored in Engineering. He joined the Theta Delta Chi fraternity and was elected president of it in his senior year. He was also elected to Casque and Gauntlet, a senior honor society. He graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with the Class of 1958.

While at Dartmouth, Coleman nurtured his love of the outdoors by joining the Dartmouth Outing Club, the oldest such collegiate organization in the country. As an upperclassman, he led freshman trips that introduced new students to Dartmouth’s outdoor surroundings, and he helped lead the building of Winter Carnival snow sculptures in the center of campus.

Coleman undertook a fifth year at Dartmouth during which he earned an MS in electrical engineering and was, again, the top student in his class. Upon graduating, Coleman drove across the country with a classmate to accept his first full-time job at Hughes Aircraft in California.

In 1961, Coleman married Leslie Collins, a native of Pasadena who had gone to Smith College. Coleman and Leslie lived together briefly in Orange County before moving to Los Angeles in 1962 to pursue a job opportunity at IBM. Soon thereafter, they relocated to Pasadena and gave birth to Phillip, the first of their children. Another son, Elliott, followed in 1965, and a daughter, Ashley, in 1970.

Coleman left IBM to join Standard Computer, a start-up company in Orange County and the family relocated to Newport Beach in 1967. After Standard Computer closed in 1970, Coleman worked at other companies before accepting a position at Rockwell International, where he worked almost continuously for the next three decades. Along the way, Coleman earned an MBA from Cal State Fullerton.

Coleman and Leslie divorced in 1981. In 1986, Coleman married Nadine Antin Rubin and later converted to Judaism, which he embraced wholeheartedly. Together, Coleman and Nadine lived in Studio City and Westlake Village before settling down in Park La Brea, the post-war Wilshire District development where Coleman and Nadine flourished. There, Coleman volunteered at a local Jewish food bank, attended services at a local synagogue, managed the community garden for the housing project, and published a delightful blog known as Coleman’s Mental Meanderings. Coleman was a voracious reader, an aficionado of Yiddish, and fan of the New York Yankees. He loved movies, listening to the sound of rain, and sharing meals with friends and family. He was also a serious student of the Torah, and attended multiple weekly drashes taught by Los Angeles’s most learned rabbis.

Coleman was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Nadine Antin-Colla; his three children and their spouses (Phillip and Tracy Colla, Elliott Colla and Nadia Mahdi, and Ashley and Neil Hafer); three stepsons, a spouse, and a partner, Adam Rubin, Matthew Rubin and Amy Kane, and Daniel Rubin and Christina Ioannou; as well as ten grandchildren (Amanda, Sarah, Chelsea, Lindsey, Zoey, Clara, Lina, Elior, Na’amah, and Asa). He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Judith Colla, and his cousin, Ada Claire King.

Coleman is interred at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills.

Authored by Stan Colla, brother of Coleman, of Hanover, New Hampshire and Elliott Colla, son of Coleman, of Washington, D.C.

When Clark’s Grebes and Western Grebes Walk on Water – The Courtship Behavior of Rushing Grebes

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:33:43 +0000

I am making a concerted effort this spring to photograph the rushing behavior of Clark’s Grebes (Aechmophorus clarkii) and Western Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis). I have seen plenty of grebes “walking on water” (rushing) as part of their elaborate array of courtship behaviors and have wanted to produce really top quality images of this spectacular behavior. In particular, this year I am trying to make uncropped** highly-detailed images of fully upright grebes rushing side-by-side perfectly lit by sun at my back as well as in silhouette with the sun illuminating all the droplets of water from behind. I want good images illustrating the “dip-shaking” and “ratchet-pointing” behaviors the bird pairs usually exhibit in association with rushing. And I want top-quality images of mixed-species rushes in which a Western Grebe and a Clark’s Grebe pair off and rush together even though they are technically different species (albeit quite similar and occasionally interbreeding).

**I will add that one of the challenges here is self-imposed: I do not crop my images much. This is a disadvantage if I compare my images to others as much bird photography is cropped severely in order to make the subject large in the frame. I have a different approach and prefer to produce richly detailed high-resolution images suitable for big printing or display. Severe cropping also lessens the publication potential of the image, not a concern to most photographers in this day of dwindling magazine and calendar markets but I still pursue editorial publication of my work and have to keep that in mind. The result is that I need to hand-hold a giant lens on a small boat and wait for those occasions, sometimes few, when the behavior for which I am looking occurs close enough to my boat that it fills the frame of the camera naturally.

Extreme closeup view of a Western Grebe as it rushes, running across the water as part of an elaborate courtship behavior.
Image ID: 40841
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

When grebes “walk on water” it is known as “rushing”. Roughly speaking (I am not a bird expert or wildlife biologist), rushing among grebes is a courtship behavior, observed early in a breeding season when solitary grebes are seeking a mate as well as between established nesting pairs as the season continues. My belief is that there is a competitive element to it as if two grebes are attempting to impress one another or prove their prowess to a prospective mate while competing with a group of courting candidates. When grebes rush, they typically first meet and execute “dip-shaking” and/or “ratchet-pointing”. Both of these behaviors occur with the birds facing one another, sometimes so close that their beaks nearly touch. Dip-shaking involves one bird dipping its beak or head into the water then lifting it out of the water and shaking it, throwing water about. One bird observes the other dip-shaking, then the roles are reversed. Ratchet-pointing involves both birds assuming a very low posture in the water, pointing their beaks at one another and appearing to look each other in the eye, perhaps raising their crests and often emitting a ratchet-like vocalization. Several rounds of dip-shaking and ratchet-pointing may occur, each lasting a few seconds. It seems to me the birds are communicating something and in the process deciding whether they will rush or not.

Clark's Grebes Dip Shaking, a courtship behavior in which the grebes face each other and alternate dipping their beaks in the water and shaking their head, tossing water into the air. Coupled with ratchet-pointing, several rounds of dip-shaking are often an immediate precursor to rushing.
Image ID: 40888
Species: Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Clark's Grebes Ratchet Pointing, a courtship behavior in which the grebes assume a low facing position in the water, point beaks at one another and emit a ratchet-like sound. Coupled with dip-shaking, several rounds of ratchet pointing is often an immediate precursor to rushing.
Image ID: 40891
Species: Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Western Grebes Ratchet Pointing, a courtship behavior in which the grebes assume a low facing position in the water, point beaks at one another and emit a ratchet-like sound. Coupled with dip-shaking, several rounds of ratchet pointing is often an immediate precursor to rushing.
Image ID: 40893
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

The prelude behaviors of ratchet-pointing and dip-shaking serve as “tells” that a rush may be imminent. Rushing doesn’t always occur — sometimes the birds simply pair off and swim calmly away after ratchet-pointing. But when they do rush, it usually follows some incarnation of those two prelude activities. When they suddenly erupt from the water into a rush, they synchronously propel themselves forward and up with an extremely rapid beat of their webbed feet, up to 20 beats per second. Side-by-side they run across the water for as long as 6-7 seconds and 60 feet (20m) before settling back down into the water.

One can watch grebes and will surely, eventually, learn to hear the vocalizations and spot ratchet-pointing and dip-shaking. I am however rather slow when it comes to birds so I sought help, spending several mornings out on the lakes near my home in San Diego over the past few years with Brian Caldwell. Brian is a skilled and fun professional guide and photographer who lives near Lake Hodges and has been studying the natural history of these grebes for many years. He is also highly knowledgable about the environmental issues, especially the topic of water use in San Diego’s reservoirs, a surprisingly complex subject, that impact the grebes and their ability to nest and rear young. If you want to photograph these birds and have never done so, Brian can improve your odds of success immensely. In addition to leaning on Brian’s guiding, I have spent quite a few mornings alone in a small boat looking for glassy water, good early light and courting birds in an effort to produce good images. It’s a tranquil way to start the day. Here are some of my favorites of this year’s efforts. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Two Western Grebes in a Spectacular Rush Across the Surface of Lake Wohlford. Rushing is a courtship behavior among grebes and requires the aquatic birds to step as rapidly as 20 beats per second to walk across water in this way. Simply amazing.
Image ID: 40866
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Clark's Grebes rushing side by side, a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic birds literally run on the surface of the water while slapping their feet up to 20 times per second.
Image ID: 40842
Species: Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

An unusual mixed-species pair of grebes rushing, Western Grebe on left and Clark's Grebe on right. In this spectacular courtship behavior, the grebes beat their feet so rapidly they literally run over the surface of the water.
Image ID: 40848
Species: Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Western Grebe Rushing, Running Across Water.
Image ID: 40844
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Two Western Grebes Walk on Water, Rushing, Backlit by the Rising Sun. Grebe rushing, a courtship behavior, happens when the birds slap the lake surface up to 20 times per second, literally running across the water.
Image ID: 40890
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

An unusual mixed-species pair of grebes rushing, Western Grebe on right and Clark's Grebe on left. In this spectacular courtship behavior, the grebes beat their feet so rapidly they literally run over the surface of the water.
Image ID: 40849
Species: Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Hook the Western Grebe with a fishing hook embedded in the back side of his head, Lake Wohlford.
Image ID: 40852
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Two Western Grebes Walk on Water. Grebe rushing, a courtship behavior, happens when the birds slap the lake surface up to 20 times per second, literally running across the water.
Image ID: 40892
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Western Grebes rushing across Lake Wohlford, exhibiting a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic birds literally run across the surface of the water while their feet hit the water up to 20 times per second.
Image ID: 40859
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Western Grebes rushing across Lake Wohlford, exhibiting a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic birds literally run across the surface of the water while their feet hit the water up to 20 times per second.
Image ID: 40843
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Courting Western Grebes.
Image ID: 40895
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Clark's Grebe on Lake Wohlford.
Image ID: 40850
Species: Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Western Grebes rushing across Lake Wohlford, exhibiting a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic birds literally run across the surface of the water while their feet hit the water up to 20 times per second.
Image ID: 40853
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Hook the Western Grebe with a fishing hook embedded in the back side of his head, Lake Wohlford.
Image ID: 40856
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Courting Clark's Grebes on Lake Wohlford.
Image ID: 40858
Species: Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Two Western Grebes Walk on Water. Grebe rushing, a courtship behavior, happens when the birds slap the lake surface up to 20 times per second, literally running across the water.
Image ID: 40894
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Courting Clark's Grebes on Lake Wohlford.
Image ID: 40864
Species: Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Clark's Grebes rushing side by side, a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic birds literally run on the surface of the water while slapping their feet up to 20 times per second.
Image ID: 40911
Species: Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Two Rushing Western Grebes Walk on Water. Grebe rushing, a courtship behavior, happens when the birds slap the lake surface up to 20 times per second, literally running across the water.
Image ID: 40912
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

Two Rushing Western Grebes Walk on Water. Grebe rushing, a courtship behavior, happens when the birds slap the lake surface up to 20 times per second, literally running across the water.
Image ID: 40913
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

An unusual mixed-species pair of grebes rushing, Western Grebe on right and Clark's Grebe on left. In this spectacular courtship behavior, the grebes beat their feet so rapidly they literally run over the surface of the water.
Image ID: 40914
Species: Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California

California Brown Pelicans in La Jolla, November through January

admin — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:15:24 +0000

Again this winter I used La Jolla’s California race of brown pelicans as a subject on which to practice through the winter while I am not diving or otherwise photographing. I am still using the same gear as last winter: Sony A-1 with 600/4 and 200-600 lenses. For the usual reason – no crowds – I had great luck in November through the end of December. I was alone on Goldfish Point at sunrise most of the time and able to photograph from the lower shelf surrounded by perched birds which is really the best spot for point-blank flight images. Other photographers started showing up around Christmas and groups appeared in January, and at those times the opportunities change as the pelicans sometimes respond by moving to other perches. Not always, but it happens. I shift to photographing sea lions surfing in January anyway. Below are some of my keeper images of California brown pelicans from the last few months. Probably my favorite among them is the bright-yellow-necked head throwing pelican. I have a lot of great head throw images but one with such a brilliant yellow gular pouch is different and hard to get because a yellow throat instead of red on an otherwise classic breeding plumage pelican is atypical. I have heard such a bird referred to as a “yellow morph” but I have also been scolded for the term because of the genetic implications of “morph” so now I call it a “phase”. I’m not a biologist or avian expert or even what a real bird photographer would consider a real bird photographer, I just like the yellow and have to call it something. I was also pleased to get another braking flight, seen below with wings fully outstretched and coming straight down the axis of the lens, complete with a clearly visible research ID band on both legs. I submitted the band sighting of course. If you like these, I have lots of past articles about La Jolla brown pelicans as well as a somewhat dated but still meaningful summary of how to photograph brown pelicans in La Jolla if you have never been there. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Adult winter mating plumage with yellow head, red throat and brown hindneck.
Image ID: 40806
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A Perfect Yellow Phase Brown Pelican Head Throw with Distant Ocean in Background, bending over backwards, stretching its neck and gular pouch. Note the winter breeding plumage except with bright yellow throat instead of the more typical red, yellow head, pink skin around the eye, brown hind neck with some white neck side detail, gray breast and body.
Image ID: 40809
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A Perfect Brown Pelican Head Throw with Distant Ocean in Background, bending over backwards, stretching its neck and gular pouch. Note the winter breeding plumage, yellow head, red and olive throat, pink skin around the eye, brown hind neck with some white neck side detail, gray breast and body.
Image ID: 40794
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brown pelican soaring in flight with wings fully outstretched. The wingspan of the brown pelican is over 7 feet wide. The California race of the brown pelican holds endangered species status.
Image ID: 40776
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Adult winter mating plumage with yellow head, red throat and brown hindneck.
Image ID: 40788
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Subadult / juvenile plumage.
Image ID: 40789
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Adult winter mating plumage with yellow head, red throat and brown hindneck.
Image ID: 40795
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

Research ID band on the left leg of a California Brown Pelican. A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Adult winter mating plumage with yellow head, red throat and brown hindneck.
Image ID: 40797
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

Yellow phase California brown pelican preening, cleaning its feathers after foraging on the ocean, with distinctive winter breeding plumage with distinctive dark brown nape, yellow head feathers. Note the unusual yellow gular throat pouch.
Image ID: 40804
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Subadult / juvenile plumage.
Image ID: 40805
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

California brown pelicans socializing and clapping each other with their large beaks, on cliffs over the Pacific Ocean in San Diego.
Image ID: 40808
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

Adult California brown pelican in winter non-breeding plumage. This pelican already displays the red and olive throat and white and yellow head feathers of an adult winter brown pelican but is lacking the brown neck.
Image ID: 40778
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Adult winter mating plumage with yellow head, red throat and brown hindneck.
Image ID: 40780
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brown pelican soaring in flight with wings fully outstretched. The wingspan of the brown pelican is over 7 feet wide. The California race of the brown pelican holds endangered species status.
Image ID: 40783
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Adult winter mating plumage with yellow head, red throat and brown hindneck.
Image ID: 40786
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

California brown pelican breeding plumage portrait, with brown hind neck, yellow head and bright red throat.
Image ID: 40792
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Adult winter mating plumage with yellow head, red throat and brown hindneck.
Image ID: 40796
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

California brown pelican breeding plumage portrait, with brown hind neck, yellow head and bright red throat.
Image ID: 40802
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

California brown pelicans socializing and clapping each other with their large beaks, on cliffs over the Pacific Ocean in San Diego.
Image ID: 40810
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Brown Pelican flying over the Pacific Ocean, spreads its large wings wide to slow down as it slows to land on seacliffs in La Jolla. Subadult / juvenile plumage.
Image ID: 40777
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

2024 Song of the Humpback Whale and Remembering Doctor Dan

admin — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 03:01:10 +0000

While in Moorea watching whales Tracy and I were fortunate to spend several hours listening to humpback whale song. I experienced whale song many times in Hawaii although that was 20+ years ago so the experience was no longer fresh in my mind. Tracy had heard whalesong as well but only through the hull of our research boat. Humpback whale singers are always male and usually alone. Since our efforts in those days were focused on groups of humpbacks, gathering data about their socialization, we did not spend much time looking for or observing singers. But we did encounter them throughout the season and if the timing made sense we would do our best to ID the singer and record the song. Other researchers were devoted to studying whale song and would use dedicated hydrophones, but our efforts relied mostly on the hydrophones on our video cameras.

I have Pierre Serreli to thank for finding ideal conditions for us to observe a singer in Moorea. Pierre is a talented, passionate and experienced captain and guide on Moorea. I really like his philosophy about whale watching and the well-being of the whales, and I’ll be joining him again next year. Each day we went away from other boats to find “our own water”. The downside to this is that we might miss seeing whales that others were already with, but we were comfortable with that since we had an entire week devoted and modest goals. The upside is that if we did find whales we would be alone. When recording sound underwater being far from other boats is a huge benefit: since sound carries so well underwater, any other boats in the area will add noise to the whalesong.

While we were not really looking for him, it was not hard to find our singer since he remained in one area all week. We encountered him on three different days. The first day the audio I recorded was just ok but I realized that with a simple change the audio would improve greatly. When we found the singer again the next day we decided to simply float in the water near him, listen patiently and try to obtain as clear a recording as possible using our new approach. Captain Temana moved the boat away so that we had no noise other than a little splashing of waves. This singer was as good as I have ever experienced. He was loud, clear, moved little during his song and would pay Tracy, Pierre and me a visit to check us out each time he surfaced. I felt his song as much as heard it: my fins vibrated, I felt a drumming sensation in my chest and the hair on my arms stood on end. His song transitioned to a staccato sound in the minute before he would surface, a recognizable pattern that enabled us to know when the song was cycling over again and he was about to come up for a breath.

Dr. Dan R. Salden, the founder and driving force of the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation for 30+ years, was fondly known as “Doctor Dan” among the Lahaina whale research community. He was a friend, mentor and someone from whom I learned a great deal. He invited me to join his team and contribute to his research by obtaining video and images of competitive groups of whales in order to identify the focal animals (female, primary escort, principal challenging escort(s), peripheral whales) and thus assign roles to the fluke IDs we obtained with topside cameras. Dan’s invitation profoundly changed the course of my life. During the 10 years I worked with him I witnessed many incredible social situations among humpbacks, things few people get to see even from a boat not to mention at close range in the water. I was challenged physically to put myself in the best position to record what was happening. I was challenged mentally to figure out who was whom among the whales with often fleeting views in fast-moving situations. I have never felt more alive than when in the presence of a large humpback competitive group and I have Dan Salden to thank for that. Dan passed away in 2012.

Fast forward to 2024. Meeting our singer in Moorea and having the opportunity to listen intently to his song was moving and brought back memories of my time on the water with friends studying whales near Lahaina with Dan in his element driving the boat or photographing flukes. It seemed natural to name our singer “Doctor Dan” in honor of my old friend and mentor. Below is a 38-minute selection of recordings we made of “Doctor Dan” in September 2024, near Moorea, French Polynesia. One of it’s most intriguing aspects is that the song can be clearly heard echoing off the island, something I don’t remember hearing in Maui but I imagine is common and simply depends on the bathymetry of the area. Try listening to the passages starting at about 2:00 or 24:25. If you are bona fide researcher and would like copies of the original sound files, please contact me by email and I can send them to you . The recording is also available on Soundcloud: Song of the Humpback Whale in Moorea, French Polynesia, September 2024

Phillip Colla · Song of the Humpback Whale, Recorded Underwater in Tahiti, 2024

"Docter Dan", a solitary male South Pacific humpback whale underwater, surfacing to breath between episodes of singing, Moorea, French Polynesia.
Image ID: 40665
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Moorea, French Polynesia, France

Natural History Photography – My Favorite Photos of 2024

admin — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:27 +0000

2024 brought very little diving around Southern California but instead surprised us with an array of new experiences and photo subjects. We managed to check off several bucket list items as well as a cross-town move and a cross-country road trip with a puppy. Locally, I did a little diving at Catalina and the usual fall dives with sea lion pups in the Coronado Islands. As for large animals: Tracy and I spent many seasons in the 90s working with humpback whales in Hawaii but at that time she was on the permit only for topside work and could not enter the water, so we finally fixed that in September in warm Polynesian waters. For good measure we added a week in Baja with the friendly gray whales (the photos are unremarkable and none made this year’s list). Over the summer we sold one home and bought another – the latter needing considerably more work than we planned — so I did not spend as much time hiking in the mountains or diving over the summer as hoped but those places will be there next year. I took a quick trip to Florida in the spring to try my hand at bird photography, had a good time and learned a lot for next time. Lastly, while I have dived many of the islands along both sides of Baja California from the border south to Clipperton over the past 36 years, I had yet to visit those in the northern Sea of Cortez. That has now been remedied after a week in the Midriff Islands.

This is the 18th year I have done an annual photography retrospective. My favorite images of the past year are below, roughly in chronological order. Click each image to go big. My goal for any one year is always to shoot 3-4 world-class images and 10-15 portfolio-quality images. If you like these feel free to check out previous years’ favorites as well: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007. Cheers and thanks for looking!

Endangered Brown Pelican Flying with Wings Spread Ready to Land. The brown pelican's wingspan can reach 7 feet.
Image ID: 40096
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant flying with wings spread wide as it slows to land at its nest on ocean cliffs.
Image ID: 40131
Species: Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion surfing in a wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40232
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Whimbrel Foraging Amidst Spring Wildflowers on Coast Walk, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40256
Species: Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Location: La Jolla, California

Spring Wildflowers Bloom in an Colorful Bouquet in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Dune evening primrose (white) is mixed with sand verbena (purple) near Henderson Canyon Road, Spring 2024. Sunrise light barely illuminating the flowers.
Image ID: 40271
Species: Dune evening primrose, Sand verbena, Oenothera deltoides, Abronia villosa
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Starfish Sea Star Detail, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40332
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Isla Angel de la Guarda at Sunset, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40335
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

SCUBA Divers at Night, Isla de la Guarda Island, aerial photo, Sea of Cortez. Dive boat Rocio del Mar is seen in the distance. Night diving is scary so I stay on the big boat and fly my drone.
Image ID: 40372
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Two Divers in Huge Cavern, San Pedro Martir Island, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40389
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Black Coral on Rocky Reef, Unidentified species, isla San Pedro Martir, Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40411
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea, Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40475
Species: Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions surfing in a wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40488
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Peregrine Falcon in flight, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Image ID: 40506
Species: Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
Location: Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, California

The bright orange garibaldi fish, California's state marine fish.
Image ID: 40512
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: Catalina Island, California

Giant kelpfish in underwater kelp forest, Catalina Island.
Image ID: 40523
Species: Giant kelpfish, Heterostichus rostratus
Location: Catalina Island, California

Juvenile garibaldi, vibrant spots distinguish it from pure orange adult form.
Image ID: 40527
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: Catalina Island, California

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight, Platalea ajaja, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40537
Species: Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

Wood Stork in flight, Mycteria americana.
Image ID: 40562
Species: Wood Stork, Mycteria americana
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Sanderling, Calidris alba, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40574
Species: Sanderling, Calidris alba
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Burrowing owl, Cape Coral, Florida, subspecies Athene cunicularia floridana. This 10-inch-tall burrowing owl is standing beside its burrow. These burrows are usually created by squirrels, prairie dogs, or other rodents and even turtles, and only rarely dug by the owl itself.
Image ID: 40585
Species: Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia floridana, Athene cunicularia
Location: Cape Coral, Florida

Aerial photo of blue whale near San Diego. This enormous blue whale glides at the surface of the ocean, resting and breathing before it dives to feed on subsurface krill.
Image ID: 40611
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Location: San Diego, California

Pacific Harbor Seal at Children's Pool with La Jolla in the background.
Image ID: 40697
Location: La Jolla, California

Pacific harbor seal in shallow water, on sand at the edge of the sea.
Image ID: 40699
Location: La Jolla, California

A mother California sea lion and her pup, underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey.
Image ID: 40729
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting.
Image ID: 40738
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

A mother California sea lion (right) and her pup (left), underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey.
Image ID: 40739
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Pacific Harbor Seal Hauled on on Rocks at low tide, La Jolla's Children's Pool.
Image ID: 40754
Location: La Jolla, California

Huge California Sea Lion Male Underwater, a bull, patrolling his breeding harem and territory, Coronado Islands, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the bony bump on his head that distinguishes adult male sea lions, is clearly seen.
Image ID: 40761
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Barrier Reef around Moorea Island, French Polynesia. Cook's Bay to the left, Opunohu Bay to the right. The outer reef slope is seen adjacent to deep blue oceanic water with white waves breaking against the reef edge. Next, a wide shallow reef flat occurs dotted with coral bommies. Inside of that, a shallow protected lagoon is formed against the island. Tall, rugged, eroded mountains are seen hinting at the age of the ancient volcano that originally formed the island and that is now sinking back down, leaving the encircling reef behind.
Image ID: 40673
Location: Moorea, French Polynesia, France

Inquisitive Calf South Pacific Humpback Whale Underwater, Moorea, French Polynesia.
Image ID: 40638
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Moorea, French Polynesia, France

South Pacific Humpback Whales Underwater, Moorea, French Polynesia. A short-finned pilot whale photo-bombs.
Image ID: 40655
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Moorea, French Polynesia, France

Gray whale calf, San Ignacio Lagoon

Dog paddling, Bass Lake, California

Diving Islas San Lorenzo in Baja California’s Midriff Islands, Mexico

admin — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:42 +0000

After two days diving the waters around Isla San Pedro Martir, the Rocio del Mar departed with an overnight passage to a small group of islands to our northwest, Islas San Lorenzo. We spent only one day diving here, so I did not get to know the area as well as the islands earlier in the trip. I decided to spend the entire day photographing critters with my closeup lens; I rarely do this and it was a nice change of pace to slow down and look closely for little creatures. One dive in a particular provided an explosion of Flabellinopsis iodinea nudibranchs, hundreds of them everywhere. I can’t imagine that is a typical situation; there must have been some sort of reproduction event happening. Or, maybe it is always like this. Regardless, while I see this species in California it was nice to see such a profusion of them, including very large ones. I did not see any sea lions or large schools of fish here, but did encounter a nice variety of typical small Sea of Cortez reef fishes. All in all, it was a nice location to spend our final day of SCUBA diving for this trip. See also part 1: Diving Isla Angel de la Guarda and part 2:Diving Isla San Pedro Martir. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Invertebrate detail on rocky reef, Isla San Lorenzo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40430
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Unidentified Reef Fish, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40431
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Mexican hogfish, female coloration, Islas San Lorenzo, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40432
Species: Mexican hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Lizard Triplefin Blenny, Crocodilichthys gracilis, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40435
Species: Lizard Triplefin Blenny, Crocodilichthys gracilis
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Aerial photo of Islas San Lorenzo in the Sea of Cortez. San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park is a national park of Mexico located on San Lorenzo Island part of an archipelago in the Gulf of California off the eastern coast of Baja California. The San Lorenzo Archipelago is considered one of the most important ecological areas of the Gulf of California. The Island and surrounding areas are part of a rich ecosystem comprised by a grand variety of flora and marine fauna. This area is protected by the Mexican federal government Norma Oficial Mexicana because of its importance as a habitat for several endangered species.
Image ID: 40436
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Aerial photo of Islas San Lorenzo in the Sea of Cortez. San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park is a national park of Mexico located on San Lorenzo Island part of an archipelago in the Gulf of California off the eastern coast of Baja California. The San Lorenzo Archipelago is considered one of the most important ecological areas of the Gulf of California. The Island and surrounding areas are part of a rich ecosystem comprised by a grand variety of flora and marine fauna. This area is protected by the Mexican federal government Norma Oficial Mexicana because of its importance as a habitat for several endangered species.
Image ID: 40441
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Barspot Cardinalfish, Apogon retrosell, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40442
Species: Barspot Cardinalfish, Apogon retrosell
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Acanthemblemaria crockeri, Brown-cheek barnacle-blenny, Islas San Lorenzo, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40444
Species: Brown-cheek barnacle-blenny, Acanthemblemaria crockeri
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Speckeled Flatworm, Pseudoceros bajae, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40448
Species: Speckeled Flatworm, Pseudoceros bajae
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Marine flatworm, Pseudoceros sp., Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40449
Species: Pseudoceros sp
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Lizard Triplefin Blenny, Crocodilichthys gracilis, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40452
Species: Lizard Triplefin Blenny, Crocodilichthys gracilis
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Sacoglossan nudibranch Elysia diomedea, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40453
Species: Elysia diomedea
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Aerial photo of Islas San Lorenzo in the Sea of Cortez. San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park is a national park of Mexico located on San Lorenzo Island part of an archipelago in the Gulf of California off the eastern coast of Baja California. The San Lorenzo Archipelago is considered one of the most important ecological areas of the Gulf of California. The Island and surrounding areas are part of a rich ecosystem comprised by a grand variety of flora and marine fauna. This area is protected by the Mexican federal government Norma Oficial Mexicana because of its importance as a habitat for several endangered species.
Image ID: 40457
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Blue-and-yellow chromis, Chromis limbaughi, Islas San Lorenzo, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40460
Species: Connie's damsel, Chromis limbaughi
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Marine flatworm, Pseudoceros sp., Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40462
Species: Pseudoceros sp
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea, Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40469
Species: Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea, Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40471
Species: Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Diving Isla San Pedro Martir in Baja California’s Midriff Islands, Mexico

admin — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 01:49:44 +0000

After two days diving Isla Angel de la Guarda, we made an overnight crossing to Isla San Pedro Martir, a spectacular and remote island in the middle of the Sea of Cortez. Isla San Pedro Martir is a critical habitat for sea birds, and indeed the island is covered in such thick bird guano that it was, long ago, a penal colony where ill-fated prisoners harvested guano as a fertilizer, often dying from hardship and exposure while carrying out their sentence. Wikipedia has a succinct description of the island’s unique position in the ecosystem of the Sea of Cortez:

The island and its marine life are, since 2002, part of the San Pedro Martir Biosphere Reserve, and is regarded as a natural laboratory of adaptive evolution, similar to that of the Galápagos Islands. It is home to 292 species of fauna and flora (both land-based and aquatic), with 42 species protected by Mexican law, and 30 listed on the Red List of Threatened Species. San Pedro Martir is also unique in the area for its year-round quantity of birds. The island is the only island in the area with a perpetually swirling cloud of sea birds. This is because the water around the island, has some of the most successful marine productivity in the world, resulting in incredible densities of small-pelagic fish, such as anchovies and sardines, in comparison to other regions of the world. This attracts both seabirds and whales to its waters. Isla San Pedro is regarded as one of the most significant bird sanctuaries in the Sea of Cortes.

We dove near a small colony of sea lions, and a few came to see us, but for the most part they were standoffish. For me, the diving was highlighted by many species of gorgonians and, most especially, enormous expanses of dense “black coral” carpeting sheer walls that would drop out of sight into the depths below. I spent most of my time seeking out the best patches of black coral. It is reasonably common to find black coral in the Sea of Cortez but I have never seen it in such profusion anywhere in the world, it was really striking. I was also impressed with the forest of cardon cactus carpeting the top of the island. Cheers, and thanks for looking! See also part 1: Diving Isla Angel de la Guarda and part 3:Diving Islas San Lorenzo

California Sea Lion, San Pedro Martir Island, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40375
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Gorgonians on Lush Rocky Reef, San Pedro Martir Island, Sea of Cortez. Gorgonians are colonial filter feeders, spreading their branches into the currents flowing over the reef in order to gather passing bits of food.
Image ID: 40377
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Isla San Pedro Martir at sunset with extensive forest of Cardon Cactus seen on the summit ridge of the island, aerial photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. San Pedro Martir Island and its marine life are, since 2002, part of the San Pedro Martir Biosphere Reserve, and is regarded as a natural laboratory of adaptive evolution, similar to that of the Galapagos Islands. It is home to 292 species of fauna and flora (both land-based and aquatic), with 42 species protected by Mexican law, and 30 listed on the Red List of Threatened Species. San Pedro Martir is also unique in the area for its year-round quantity of birds. The island is the only island in the area with a perpetually swirling cloud of sea birds. This is because the water around the island, has some of the most successful marine productivity in the world.
Image ID: 40397
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Extensive Forest of Cardon Cactus on the Summit Ridge of San Pedro Martir Island, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. The island and its marine life are, since 2002, part of the San Pedro Martir Biosphere Reserve, and is regarded as a natural laboratory of adaptive evolution, similar to that of the Galapagos Islands. It is home to 292 species of fauna and flora (both land-based and aquatic), with 42 species protected by Mexican law, and 30 listed on the Red List of Threatened Species. San Pedro Martir is also unique in the area for its year-round quantity of birds. The island is the only island in the area with a perpetually swirling cloud of sea birds. This is because the water around the island, has some of the most successful marine productivity in the world.
Image ID: 40386
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Two Divers in Huge Cavern, San Pedro Martir Island, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40389
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Black Coral and Gorgonians on Rocky Reef, San Pedro Martir Island, Mexico.
Image ID: 40390
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Black Coral and Gorgonians on Rocky Reef, San Pedro Martir Island, Mexico.
Image ID: 40392
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Black Coral on Rocky Reef, Unidentified species, Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40393
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

California Sea Lion, San Pedro Martir Island, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40395
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Rugged Terrain of Isla San Pedro Martir, Sea of Cortez. Aerial photo. The large bird population deposits enormous quantities of guano on the island, resulting in the white appearance of the island contrasted with sparse vegetation. In the late 19th and early 20th century guano was heavily mined off the island and shipped as far as Europe for use as fertilizer. San Pedro Martir is seldom visited, having near vertical sides leaving only questionable fair weather anchorages in two locations. Landing access was possible near a small isthmus in the southeast of the island, but is now forbidden. In 2005, the island was classified along with 244 others as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and included in the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California.
Image ID: 40401
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Black Coral on Rocky Reef, Unidentified species, isla San Pedro Martir, Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40411
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Gorgonians on Lush Rocky Reef, San Pedro Martir Island, Sea of Cortez. Gorgonians are colonial filter feeders, spreading their branches into the currents flowing over the reef in order to gather passing bits of food.
Image ID: 40415
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Pink Sponges Encrusting Rocky Reef alongside various species of algae and gorgonians, San Pedro Martir Island, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40417
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Offshore Islets of San Pedro Martir Island, Sea of Cortez. Small rocky islets around the larger Midriff Islands in the Sea of Cortez offer some of the best diving in the Sea of Cortez with a rich variety of invertebrate and fish life.
Image ID: 40423
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Black Coral on Rocky Reef, Unidentified species, isla San Pedro Martir, Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40426
Location: Isla San Pedro Martir, Sonora, Mexico

Diving Isla Angel de la Guarda in Baja California’s Midriff Islands, Mexico

admin — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:49:29 +0000

Midriffs Trip part 1 of 3: In July I spent a week diving the Midriff Islands in the Northern part of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). I had never been to these islands and had wanted to see them for decades to go along with the many other Mexican Pacific islands I have dived over the years. The diving was very good. I was especially impressed at the variety and number of nudibranchs several of which are seen below. After driving down from Phoenix (no flights!) we departed Puerto Penasco (“Rocky Point”) on the liveaboard dive vessel Rocio Del Mar. The Rocio Del Mar has been operating in the northern Sea of Cortez (as well as the south, and the Revillagigedos) for many years, and they know the dive spots and islands well. The boat is large with lots of deck space, delicious and generous meals, a smooth easy ride, capable pangas and one of the best and friendliest crews I have met. The crew took great care of us. I was lucky enough to have my own stateroom which really made me feel spoiled. I really enjoyed waking up before dawn each day and enjoying the sunrise from the top deck with a cup of tea and my camera.

We left Puerto Penasco and motored overnight in calm seas and arrived at the Isla Angel de la Guarda (“Guardian Angel Island”) at sunrise the following day to begin two full days of dives at the northernmost island of the Midriffs. The water was in the 70s and my 5/3 wetsuit was good. I focused my attention on the nudibranchs, small reef fishes, and gorgonians and large expanses of black coral. My favorite keeper shots of the first two days of the trip are below. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

See also part 2:Diving Isla San Pedro Martir and part 3: Diving Islas San Lorenzo

The blue-spotted jawfish is a species of jawfish native to the Gulf of California. It is an inhabitant of reefs where it is found in large colonies at depths of around 12 metres. This species hides in its burrow at night, completely sealing the entrance. Every morning, it rebuilds the burrow entrance.
Image ID: 40315
Species: Blue-Spotted Jawfish, Opistognathus rosenblatti
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Marcus' aeolid sea slug or nudibranch, Coryphellina marcusorum, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40317
Species: Marcus' aeolid, Coryphellina marcusorum
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea, Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40323
Species: Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Isla Angel de la Guarda, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40327
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Isla Angel de la Guarda, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. This offshore pinnacle near Isla de la Guarda island offers spectacular underwater scenery along with a slew of nudibranchs. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40328
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Gorgonian Polyps, Detail. Gorgonians are colonial animals that extend branches of polyps into currents that flow over the reef in order to capture passing bits of food.
Image ID: 40329
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Starfish Sea Star Detail, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40331
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Mexican hogfish, female coloration, Isla de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40333
Species: Mexican hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Cardon Cactus grow on Isla Angel de la Guarda at Sunset, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40337
Species: Cardon cactus, Elephant cactus, Pachycereus pringlei
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Blue-and-yellow chromis admist Black Coral, Chromis limbaughi, Islas San Lorenzo, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40341
Species: Connie's damsel, Chromis limbaughi
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico

Mexican hogfish, female coloration, Isla de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40342
Species: Mexican hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Cortez Angelfish, Pomacanthus zonipectus, Isla Angel de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40343
Species: Cortez Angelfish, Pomacanthus zonipectus
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Barberfish, Black-Nosed Butterflyfish, Johnrandallia nigrirostris, Isla de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40344
Species: Barberfish, Johnrandallia nigrirostris
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Gorgonians and Juvenile Mexican Hogfish on Lush Rocky Reef, Isla de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40349
Species: Mexican hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Cortez Angelfish, Pomacanthus zonipectus, Isla Angel de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40352
Species: Cortez Angelfish, Pomacanthus zonipectus
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Lizard Triplefin Blenny, Crocodilichthys gracilis, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40354
Species: Lizard Triplefin Blenny, Crocodilichthys gracilis
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Tambja abdere nudibranch, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40355
Species: Concealed Tambja Nudibranch, Tambja abdere
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Norris' Chromodorid, Felimida norrisi, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40356
Species: Norris' Chromodorid, Felimida norrisi
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Glossodoris sedna nudibranch, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40357
Species: Red-Tipped Sea Goddess, Glossodoris sedna, Chromolaichma sedna
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Tambja eliora nudibranch, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40362
Species: Blue-Striped Nudibranch, Tambja eliora
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Tambja abdere nudibranch, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40363
Species: Concealed Tambja Nudibranch, Tambja abdere
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Blue-banded goby in the Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40364
Species: Bluebanded goby, Lythrypnus dalli
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Dive boat Rocio del Mar anchored at Isla Angel de la Guarda at Sunset, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40366
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Dive boat Rocio del Mar anchored at Isla Angel de la Guarda at Sunset, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40370
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico

Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Fall 2024

admin — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 04:00:54 +0000

I managed several trips in October and November to the Coronado Islands, in northern Baja California just south of San Diego, to dive with California Sea Lion pups (Zalophus californianus) at the “Lobster Shack” rookery. I try to visit each fall when the combination of dive conditions and sea lion pup behavior is at its best. The sea lions were exceptional this year, really great. It looks to me like they have thrived since June when the pups were born. Water quality was not the best, and it was a struggle to find pockets of clean water in which to make pictures. But the sheer numbers of inquisitive pups, along with several tolerant bulls, made up for it with a dozen or so really fun dives. This is a sampling of my favorite keeper images from October and November. You’ll notice several depict purple algae on the rocks: one of my favorite spots features a broad, flat shallow patch of this picturesque algae where the pups play with small cobblestones and a bull patrols overhead. On a calm day at high tide it’s almost like a big aquarium and I’ll spend two hours at a time there if I can. If you like these, here are posts of the same sea lion colony in previous years. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40766
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions swimming underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40680
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40681
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions swimming underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40685
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting.
Image ID: 40723
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting.
Image ID: 40724
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California Sea Lions and Underwater Photographer Celia Kujala at the Coronado Islands, Mexico.
Image ID: 40726
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions swimming underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40727
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

A mother California sea lion (bottom) and her pup (top), underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey.
Image ID: 40732
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion laying on pink marine algae and eyeing the photographer, Coronado Islands, Mexico.
Image ID: 40733
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion laying on pink marine algae and eyeing the photographer, Coronado Islands, Mexico.
Image ID: 40735
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Huge California Sea Lion Male Underwater, a bull, patrolling his breeding harem and territory, Coronado Islands, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the bony bump on his head that distinguishes adult male sea lions, is clearly seen.
Image ID: 40737
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

A beautiful golden-brown female California Sea Lion at the Coronado Islands, posing on a carpet of purple marine algae, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40740
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California Sea Lions at Play Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Pups spend much of their time playing with one another in the water, strengthening their swimming skills and mock jousting.
Image ID: 40755
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion pup with open mouth inspecting the dome port on my underwater camera, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40757
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Two male California sea lions mock joust and fight underwater, not yet full grown, they are learning how to contend with one another when they become bulls and gather their own harems of females. Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40760
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater inspects my glove by gently mouthing it. This is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old. Sea lions are tactile creatures and learn about objects and their surroundings by biting on them. Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40767
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40770
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40684
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion laying on pink marine algae and eyeing the photographer, Coronado Islands, Mexico.
Image ID: 40730
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Huge California Sea Lion Male Underwater, a bull, patrolling his breeding harem and territory, Coronado Islands, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the bony bump on his head that distinguishes adult male sea lions, is clearly seen.
Image ID: 40734
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Young California sea lion pup playing with a stone underwater, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40742
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Inquisitive young California sea lion underwater, this is a pup-of-the-year born in June and only about five months old, Coronado Islands near San Diego, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40773
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

North Coronado Island, Mexico, southern point and keyhole looking north, clouds hugging the top of the island, San Diego in the distance, aerial photograph.
Image ID: 40775
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Middle Coronado Island, aerial photo, Middle Rocks (Middle Grounds) and South Coronado Island in the distance.
Image ID: 40745
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

South Coronado Island, viewed from the south, with Middle Island and North Island in the distance.
Image ID: 40748
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Burrowing Owls in Cape Coral, Florida

admin — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 02:09:44 +0000

Two things appear to abound in Cape Coral, a gulf coast town not far south of Fort Myers: retirees in golf cars and burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia floridana) . The former inhabit the bungalows that line the streets and canals. The latter inhabit burrows in yards, along street medians, in parks and libraries – basically everywhere. I decided to make the drive down to Cape Coral in order to see these small owls for myself. I got in touch with a few friends who were able to give me advice about where to best locate some nests. Advice in hand, I scouted out some spots, figured out which owls seemed to be most tolerant of people and hand good sight lines for sunset light, and then went back to the few I guessed would be best in the late afternoon. I then laid down on the ground and waited. Soon they would pop up and I was able to make some portraits. I should mention this is a situation for the longest lens you have. I used 840mm. I just don’t want to spook these little guys. The greater the distance to the owl the more comfortable the owl is likely to be with your presence which is the only way to get any photographs. Also, a longer lens allows for a narrower and usually more defocused background.

Burrowing owl, Cape Coral, Florida, subspecies Athene cunicularia floridana. This 10-inch-tall burrowing owl is standing beside its burrow. These burrows are usually created by squirrels, prairie dogs, or other rodents and even turtles, and only rarely dug by the owl itself.
Image ID: 40587
Species: Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia floridana, Athene cunicularia
Location: Cape Coral, Florida

Burrowing owl, Cape Coral, Florida, subspecies Athene cunicularia floridana. This 10-inch-tall burrowing owl is standing beside its burrow. These burrows are usually created by squirrels, prairie dogs, or other rodents and even turtles, and only rarely dug by the owl itself.
Image ID: 40588
Species: Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia floridana, Athene cunicularia
Location: Cape Coral, Florida

A Morning Photographing Birds at Fort De Soto Park, Florida

admin — Mon, 13 May 2024 22:53:17 +0000

I decided to squeeze in a morning photographing shore birds at Fort De Soto Park, south of St. Petersburg. I got there as the gates opened just after sunrise and made my way to North Beach. There were a lot of shore birds, none of which I had much luck with. I decided to just walk the shoreline and get familiar with the bird activity, and enjoy the beautiful white sand and cool breeze. Some folks were shelling and probably finding some nice shells. This spot seemed to be one that would yield good images with repeat visits once one has learned the pulse of the bird life. Fort De Soto is considered one of the Florida’s nicest beaches and I can see why. I’ll definitely be back. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Greater Yellowlegs at sunrise, Tringa melanoleuca, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40568
Species: Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40572
Species: Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Sanderling, Calidris alba, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40574
Species: Sanderling, Calidris alba
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Laughing Gull, Leucophaeus atricilla, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40575
Species: Laughing Gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40576
Species: Ruddy Turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Snowy Plover, Charadrius nivosus, with three Identification bands, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40570
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Unidentified Shorebird, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40571
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Laughing Gull, Leucophaeus atricilla, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40573
Species: Laughing Gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens, hunting fish by spreading its wings and creating a shadow in the water around its legs, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40580
Species: Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Osprey in Flight with Fish Prey, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40581
Species: Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Osprey, Fort De Soto, Florida.
Image ID: 40583
Species: Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Location: Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Wood Storks and Egrets at the Harley Davidson Rookery

admin — Sun, 12 May 2024 18:55:52 +0000

While I was in the Tampa area to photograph Roseate Spoonbills at the Alafia Banks, I made a couple side trips to see the bird activity at the Harley Davidson rookery. This is a cool spot, behind the Harley Davidson store with a couple large trees situated in the middle of a small pond providing great nesting territory. The most prevalent species I saw were Wood Stork, Blue Heron, White Egret and Anhinga. Nobody was around and I could sit in the shade with my rolled tacos and enjoy the activity of birds arriving with nesting material, preening and socializing with their chicks. I will definitely return to this rookery if I visit Tampa in March again. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Great egret, White Egret, Ardea alba, Florida.
Image ID: 40561
Species: Great egret, Ardea alba
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Wood Stork in flight carrying nesting material, Mycteria americana.
Image ID: 40566
Species: Wood Stork, Mycteria americana
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Wood Stork, mated pair courting at the nest, Mycteria americana.
Image ID: 40555
Species: Wood Stork, Mycteria americana
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Wood Stork in flight, Mycteria americana.
Image ID: 40562
Species: Wood Stork, Mycteria americana
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Wood Stork, Mycteria americana.
Image ID: 40557
Species: Wood Stork, Mycteria americana
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Double-Crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus, Florida.
Image ID: 40563
Species: Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Great Blue Heron.
Image ID: 40564
Species: Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Great egret, White Egret, Ardea alba, Florida.
Image ID: 40565
Species: Great egret, Ardea alba
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Wood Stork in flight carrying nesting material, Mycteria americana.
Image ID: 40567
Species: Wood Stork, Mycteria americana
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Great egret, White Egret, Ardea alba, Florida.
Image ID: 40556
Species: Great egret, Ardea alba
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Wood Stork, mated pair courting at the nest, Mycteria americana.
Image ID: 40558
Species: Wood Stork, Mycteria americana
Location: Harley Davidson Rookery, Brandon, Florida

Roseate Spoonbills at Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary in Florida

admin — Sun, 12 May 2024 00:19:41 +0000

In March I spent some time in Florida to practice my bird photography. It was a fun and productive trip. In my experience, Florida has such a wealth of avian life that the photography is like shooting fish in a barrel. That is not to say my photographs are world class, since it’s true that incredible bird photographers make Florida their home and produce amazing images. But I was able to locate and make images that I am happy with of all the species I had on my want list and had a fun, relaxing time driving around doing it.

My first stop was to spend a few days trying to photograph Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) at the Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary near Tampa. Roseate Spoonbills are some of the most incredibly-colored birds in the world. Seeing them in flight in good light is a real treat. The Florida Audobon Society has a nice description of the Alafia Bank:

Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Sanctuary is leased from and managed in collaboration with The Mosiac Company and Port Tampa Bay. The Alafia Bank (Bird Island to the east; Sunken Island to the west) is a Critical Wildlife Area as designated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Located in Hillsborough Bay at the mouth of the Alafia River, these two human-made islands were formed from spoil material when a channel into the Alafia River was dredged in the late 1920s. The islands were immediately important as bird nesting sites for gulls, terns, and skimmers. As shrubs and trees replaced low-lying vegetation, nesting herons, egrets, ibis, and later pelicans moved from the historic nesting site at Green Key. Each year, up to 18,000 nesting pairs of 16 to 20 species of birds nest on the Alafia Bank, making it one of the largest colonies in Florida and one of the most diverse colonies in the continental United States. Both islands and the surrounding water buffer are closed to public access year-round.

I used 840mm of lens (600 + 1.4) and at times probably could have used a little more. The island is off limits and one must wade in waist deep water a fair distance from the birds, so the longer the lens one uses there the better. I will be returning to pursue more Roseate Spoonbill photos next winter but am not sure that my next trip will include Alafia Bank. It was nice to finally visit the islands after having heard about them so many times but the photography was not quite what I hoped for. Maybe one more visit is called for, just to see if I have better luck. Who knows? Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight, Platalea ajaja, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40537
Species: Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight, Platalea ajaja, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40542
Species: Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight, Platalea ajaja, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40548
Species: Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight, Platalea ajaja, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40539
Species: Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

White Ibis in flight, Eudocimus albus, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40545
Species: White Ibis, Eudocimus albus
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight, Platalea ajaja, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40550
Species: Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight, Platalea ajaja, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40535
Species: Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight, Platalea ajaja, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40534
Species: Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

Brown pelican landing on water, Alafia Banks, Florida.
Image ID: 40544
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: Alafia Banks Critical Wildlife Area, Tampa, Florida

Surfing Sea Lions of La Jolla, Winter 2024

admin — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 20:42:26 +0000

I have a long term project photographing bodysurfing sea lions. As usual, the winter season afforded me a few good opportunities to photograph the California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) bodysurfing waves at Boomer Beach near La Jolla Cove. In addition, there were unfortunately a few individuals on the point who were suffering from entanglement with fishing line or from laceration, probably caused by boat propellor (since the wound appears to be too clean on the edges for a shark attack). These are some of the better sea lions I made over the last few months. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

California Sea Lions Surfing Waves at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40278
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Image ID: 40486
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Sea Lion Surfing a Big Wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40279
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Sea Lion Surfing a Big Wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40280
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California Sea Lions Surfing Waves at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40281
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Sea Lion Surfing a Big Wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40282
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California Sea Lion Resting in the Sun, on rocky reef.
Image ID: 40487
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California Sea Lions Resting in the Sun, on rocky reef.
Image ID: 40490
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Image ID: 40493
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion entangled in fishing line, deep laceration around neck, Point La Jolla.
Image ID: 40495
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion surfing in a wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40497
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Sea Lion Surfing a Big Wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40283
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lions surfing in a wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40491
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion surfing in a wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40496
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion surfing in a wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40500
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Sea Lion Surfing a Big Wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40289
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California Sea Lions Surfing Waves at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40290
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

A California Sea Lion Surfing a Big Wave at La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
Image ID: 40291
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

The Year of the Desert Lily: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Wildflowers in Spring 2024

admin — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 17:03:03 +0000

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park occasionally has exceptional spring wildflower blooms. 2024 was one of those years, it was a nice, fairly typical bloom and not a Superbloom. The last Superbloom we had in Anza-Borrego was in 2017. (And no, 2019 was not a superbloom). But the 2024 bloom in Anza-Borrego did have one interesting distinguishing characteristic: widespread and robust blooms of Desert Lilies (Hesperocallis undulata). I have never seen so many at one time. Desert Lilies usually occur in rather sparse displays, but in 2024 I visited regions of the State Park where they could be found every few feet for as far as the eye could see. I set out to find the largest I could find, and indeed found one plant that had over 50 flowers most of which were in some stage of bloom. It was at least two feet high, more like a bush than a flower. Here are some of my favorite images from the nice bloom that occurred in Anza Borrego Desert State Park in 2024. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Desert Lily Blooming in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. While the Desert Lily is typically an uncommon or rare flower, in Spring 2024 it was present in enormous numbers. 2024 was the Year of the Desert Lily.
Image ID: 40293
Species: Desert Lily, Hesperocallis undulata
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Spring Wildflowers Bloom in an Colorful Bouquet in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Dune evening primrose (white) is mixed with sand verbena (purple) and desert sunflower (yellow) near Henderson Canyon Road, Spring 2024.
Image ID: 40294
Species: Dune evening primrose, Desert Sunflower, Oenothera deltoides, Geraea canescens
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Desert Lily Blooming in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. While the Desert Lily is typically an uncommon or rare flower, in Spring 2024 it was present in enormous numbers. 2024 was the Year of the Desert Lily.
Image ID: 40295
Species: Desert Lily, Hesperocallis undulata
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Desert Sunflower Blooming at Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Spring 2024.
Image ID: 40296
Species: Desert Sunflower, Geraea canescens
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Dune Evening Primrose with Dew Drops, Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
Image ID: 40297
Species: Dune evening primrose, Oenothera deltoides
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Spring Wildflowers Bloom in an Colorful Bouquet in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Dune evening primrose (white) is mixed with sand verbena (purple) near Henderson Canyon Road, Spring 2024.
Image ID: 40298
Species: Dune evening primrose, Oenothera deltoides
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Spring Wildflowers Bloom in an Colorful Bouquet in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Dune evening primrose (white) is mixed with sand verbena (purple) near Henderson Canyon Road, Spring 2024.
Image ID: 40299
Species: Sand verbena, Abronia villosa
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Spring Wildflowers Bloom in an Colorful Bouquet in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Dune evening primrose (white) is mixed with sand verbena (purple) near Henderson Canyon Road, Spring 2024.
Image ID: 40303
Species: Sand verbena, Abronia villosa
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Desert Lily Blooming in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. While the Desert Lily is typically an uncommon or rare flower, in Spring 2024 it was present in enormous numbers. 2024 was the Year of the Desert Lily.
Image ID: 40304
Species: Desert Lily, Hesperocallis undulata
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Desert Lily Blooming in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. While the Desert Lily is typically an uncommon or rare flower, in Spring 2024 it was present in enormous numbers. 2024 was the Year of the Desert Lily.
Image ID: 40305
Species: Desert Lily, Hesperocallis undulata
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Desert Sunflower Blooming Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
Image ID: 40308
Species: Desert Sunflower, Geraea canescens
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California

Warblers, Whimbrels and Hummingbirds on the Coast Walk in La Jolla

admin — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:15:23 +0000

I recently acquired a 600mm lens which I plan to use with 1.4x teleconverter often, probably for birds much of the time I suspect, and have been out practicing with it. The combination is too long for pelicans and sea lions, so I have been seeking smaller subjects. This time of year the Coast Walk in La Jolla is a great place for hummingbirds, and lately I have seen a few warblers there as well. These small birds are damn hard to photograph as they move around erratically, so its good practice. Here are a few favorites I shot recently, most with teleconverter (effective 840/5.6). Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Whimbrel Foraging Amidst Spring Wildflowers on Coast Walk, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40256
Species: Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Location: La Jolla, California

Orange-Crowned Warbler Amid Spring Flowers, Coast Trail, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40243
Species: Orange-Crowned Warbler, Leiothlypis celata
Location: La Jolla, California

Orange-Crowned Warbler Amid Spring Flowers, Coast Trail, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40249
Species: Orange-Crowned Warbler, Leiothlypis celata
Location: La Jolla, California

A perfect Brown Pelican Head Throw with Distant Ocean in Background, bending backwards, stretching its neck and gular pouch, winter adult breeding plumage coloration.
Image ID: 40252
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

Rufous Hummingbird Brilliant Gorget Display While Perched, Coast Walk, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40260
Species: Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
Location: La Jolla, California

Orange-Crowned Warbler Amid Spring Flowers, Coast Trail, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40250
Species: Orange-Crowned Warbler, Leiothlypis celata
Location: La Jolla, California

Audobon's Yellow-Rumped Warbler in Flowering Aloe, Coast Walk, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40255
Species: Audobons Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Setophaga audoboni
Location: La Jolla, California

Whimbrel Foraging Amidst Spring Wildflowers on Coast Walk, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40258
Species: Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Location: La Jolla, California

Rufous Hummingbird with Open Beak Perched on Branch, Coast Walk, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40266
Species: Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
Location: La Jolla, California

Rufous Hummingbird Brilliant Gorget Display While Perched, Coast Walk, La Jolla.
Image ID: 40263
Species: Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
Location: La Jolla, California

Finding Leafy Sea Dragons at Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia

admin — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:22:14 +0000

While cruising around South Australia and Kangaroo Island, we stopped at a couple jetties. I think of a jetty as a breakwater formed of large bolders or rocks, but in Australia a jetty can be a wharf or pier. The jetties we visited are both famous for hosting a wide variety of sea life including the Leafy Sea Dragon (Phycodurus eques). I honestly had not given much thought to these creatures in planning for the trip, in fact I did not even bring a macro lens (life is too short to shoot macro). But after a few days on the boat it was clear that I was the lone exception: everyone else had leafy sea dragons high on their list of subjects to see firsthand. Merry and Phil even flew to Adelaide a few days early and made several leafy dives to ensure they succeeded in finding them. Our first jetty stop was to the Edithburgh Jetty on the west side of the St. Vincent Gulf. The conditions sucked: it was rainy, windy and the water visibility was about 2′. My back was giving me trouble so I didn’t dive at all that day, and the timing was lucky since everyone else said I didn’t miss anything. The captain had a feeling we would have better protection from the wind in Rapid Bay, on the southeastern side of the gulf, so we made an overnight crossing. And indeed the conditions were gorgeous. We had blue skies, warm air and pretty clean water for two days. Two of the M/V Rodney Fox crew even drove down from Adelaide to meet us. They had been diving the Rapid Bay Jetty a lot recently and knew where the leafy sea dragons were spending their time, so we had that advantage. Each day we made a couple long dives in about 30′-40′ of water. We did not have to make the swim from shore to the end of the jetty, instead getting shuttled in a zodiac from our very comfortable accommodations on the big boat to the end of the jetty. Super easy ride, then plop into the water and drop down amid the jetty pilings. The pilings are covered with life, so much that I could see spending several more days diving Rapid Bay simply for the other creatures inhabiting the pier. But for the two days I had, I decided to make finding leafy sea dragons on my own (no help from crew) a goal and pretty much ignored all the other creatures around me. I hovered over the bottom, barely moving, just staring at patches of kelp. The leafies were initially tough to find since they mimic the kelp so well. Eventually I got the hang of it. The idea is to find a blade of kelp the moves differently than the actual kelp, and there’s your sea dragon. Rapid Bay was a relaxing and enjoyable few days and I hope to get back there again sometime to check out all the other life on the jetty. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

The leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) is found on the southern and western coasts of Australia. Its extravagent appendages serve only for camoflage, since it has a nearly-invisible dorsal fin that propels it slowly through the water. The leafy sea dragon is the marine emblem of South Australia.
Image ID: 39137
Species: Leafy seadragon, Phycodurus eques
Location: Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia

Rapid Bay Jetty Aerial Photo, South Australia. The now-derelict jetty (wharf, pier) at Rapid Bay is famous for great SCUBA diving, including opportunities to see leafy sea dragons.
Image ID: 39210
Location: Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia

Rapid Bay Jetty Underwater Photo, South Australia.
Image ID: 39219
Location: Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia

The leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) is found on the southern and western coasts of Australia. Its extravagent appendages serve only for camoflage, since it has a nearly-invisible dorsal fin that propels it slowly through the water. The leafy sea dragon is the marine emblem of South Australia.
Image ID: 39357
Species: Leafy seadragon, Phycodurus eques
Location: Rapid Bay Jetty, South Australia

Wildlife Portrait Photography on Point La Jolla; Year-Round Closure Makes This a Thing of the Past

admin — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 16:51:29 +0000

For many years I photographed wildlife on Point La Jolla, usually at sunrise. I’m referring to the flat tabletop reef below the walkway to the west of La Jolla Cove. That was a prime ocean entry for divers, spearfishermen and bodysurfers (I used it for 30+ years to access the kelp beds). It also offered a perfect low angle to photograph various seabirds and California sea lions with a beautiful ocean background. With a proper telephoto lens it was child’s play to make compelling portraits in warm, flat sunrise light at the subject’s eye level. That latter point is most important: one really wants to be on the subject’s eye level to create a personal connection with the subject. My approach was to use the longest lens I had (generally 500mm or more) and stand way back from the animals, relying on the compression of the long focal length to make the subject pop off a defocused blue ocean backdrop. The long lens ensured I did not disturb the animals as I was 100′ or more away from them, not moving nor making any sound. I was typically the only person photographing and the sea lions and birds would go about their business. Making portraits was easy. Check out this unique image that could only be created from the vantage point of Alligator Head by friend and pinniped photographer Celia Kujala.

As the population of California sea lions occupying Point La Jolla increased over the past 10 years, and more and more births were taking place there in June, serious problems arose for the sea lions. Tourists with little understanding of how sensitive pinnipeds are to disturbance would encroach on their space, often literally touching them while trying to take selfies with them. Most disturbing were the many instances where a young pup, perhaps just hours old, would be separated from its panicked mother by people who came too close. Some of these pups died, either due to stress or because they were abandoned by their mothers and eventually starved, all in the name of someone’s Instagram selfie.

A seasonal May-October closure of the reef flat (the area below the public walkway and wall) was implemented in 2022 specifically to protect sea lion pups and mothers, and the closure was extended to year-round in 2023. As a result, more sea lions are now occupying the point than ever before — typically hundreds — and often large gatherings of California brown pelicans and royal terns are on the point as well. But the angles for photography are no good because one is shooting down on the subject as opposed to at eye level, at least compared to what we used to have in the past. While the closure is a shame for those who have long accessed the ocean at Alligator Head, given that so many tourists could not resist getting up close to the sea lions something had to be done to protect them. It’s a requirement of the MMPA, among other things. Giving up access to the point is a necessary cost to ensure the mothers and pups, who need as long as a year to be weaned, can remain as undisturbed as possible in a very busy and populous beach area.

Aerial Panoramic Photo of Point La Jolla at sunset, La Jolla and Mount Soledad. People enjoying the sunset on the sea wall looking at sea lions on the rocks. La Jolla Cove is at middle left. The Point, aka Alligator Head, is in the foreground with Boomer Beach at lower right. Ellen Browning Scripps Park is the large grass lawn, and the Children’s Pool where the harbor seal colony is located is at the extreme right. Click it to go big.

Here are some of my favorite portraits, created out on Point La Jolla in years past. The lighting was always perfect with the sunrise directly behind me, making for beautifully lit animals often with a catchlight in their eyes. Images like these of the sea lions are no longer possible in La Jolla, and are now more difficult for the terns. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Double side-eye from two young California sea lions resting on a reef in La Jolla.
Image ID: 34273
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38946
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38669
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lions, La Jolla.
Image ID: 34275
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Royal tern, winter adult phase.
Image ID: 37723
Species: Royal Tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

Sunrise Portrait of California Sea Lion at La Jolla Cove on the Point La Jolla Reef.
Image ID: 40190
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion hauled out on rocks beside the ocean.
Image ID: 19934
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, La Jolla. California sea lion in the background.
Image ID: 38955
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

Royal Tern in flight, breaking waves and surf in the background, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38948
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

Sunrise Portrait of California Sea Lion at La Jolla Cove on the Point La Jolla Reef.
Image ID: 40191
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

California Sea Lion pup playing on top of its resting mother, La Jolla, California.
Image ID: 40199
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap.
Image ID: 40207
Species: Royal Tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion, La Jolla.
Image ID: 34301
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Royal tern, winter adult phase.
Image ID: 37721
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lion perched on reef at La Jolla Cove in San Diego with large wave breaking in the background.
Image ID: 40203
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap.
Image ID: 40208
Species: Royal Tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

California sea lions, hauled out on rocks beside the ocean, resting in the sun.
Image ID: 22279
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Royal Tern, La Jolla.
Image ID: 30405
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima, Thalasseus maximus
Location: La Jolla, California

Sunrise Portrait of California Sea Lion at La Jolla Cove on the Point La Jolla Reef.
Image ID: 40192
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

Sea Lion Colony at La Jolla Cove in San Diego with Pacific Ocean Backdrop.
Image ID: 40193
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California

La Jolla Pelicans in Late January and Early February

admin — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 18:55:14 +0000

The Pelicans in La Jolla were fantastic in December and early January but have been spotty for me since. One reason is that the wave action died down. Large waves make for great seabird photography since the water movement pushes the birds higher up on the cliffs and also fosters large groups repeatedly taking off, banking and landing. Another reason is the now year-round closure of Point La Jolla. Because tourists are no longer walking all over the Point La Jolla many more seabirds and sea lions are occupying it. The closure has given the pelicans another flat, relatively protected space to settle down, and at times now Goldfish Point will be devoid of pelicans and cormorants while Point La Jolla will be full. The photography angles at Point La Jolla are inferior to Goldfish Point because it is much more difficult to create a pleasing out-of-focus blue ocean background at Point La Jolla. Yes, it can be done but it is more difficult. We also had some rain that keep my camera inactive. Some folks photograph in the rain. I prefer warm early morning light and just wait for those days.

Here are a handful of my favorite seabirds shots from late January and early February. Some of them are cluttered in the same vein as my earlier group of cluttered compositions that, while compositionally dense, are somehow appealing (at least to me) because they hint at the other birds around the focal animal. I like the variations of winter plumage in January: some of the birds have white heads (no yellow!) and the breeding hind neck (brown) while others have a yellow-orange pouch rather than the bright red (is it just a faded red, or some kind of morph?). A few of these were shot at Point La Jolla while I was occupied with body surfing sea lions at La Jolla Cove but most were at Goldfish Point. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Brown pelican flying while entangled in plastic bag wrapped around its neck. I believe the pelican probably became entangled in the bag by mistaking the floating plastic for food and diving on it, spearing it in such a way that the bag has lodged around the pelican's neck.
Image ID: 40093
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

California Brown Pelican Flying in Front of a Big Wave in La Jolla.
Image ID: 40098
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

Brown Pelican in Flight Approaching Crowded Ocean Cliffs to Land.
Image ID: 40103
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

Brown Pelican Carry Nesting Material as it Flies over the Ocean.
Image ID: 40122
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

Brown Pelican Flying with Wings Spread Wide in Front of a Whitewash Ocean.
Image ID: 40101
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

Brown pelican in flight, spreading wings wide to slow in anticipation of landing on seacliffs.
Image ID: 40231
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brown Pelican Flying with Wings Spread Wide in Front of a Whitewash Ocean.
Image ID: 40107
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

Endangered Brown Pelican flying over crowded ocean cliff looking for a place to land.
Image ID: 40117
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

Brown Pelican in Flight Approaching Crowded Ocean Cliffs to Land.
Image ID: 40129
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

I consider January the best month to observe brown pelicans in their winter plumage. There are many with breeding colors, so much variation. It is easy to find perfect ones to frame up against the ocean with perfect portrait light.

Perfect California brown pelican breeding plumage portrait, with brown hind neck, yellow head and bright red throat, perched on rock over the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla.
Image ID: 40240
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

White headed morph of a California brown pelican in breeding plumage portrait, with brown hind neck and bright red throat but lacking yellow head.
Image ID: 40111
Species: Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

California Brown Pelican claps its jaws mandibles, sometimes rapidly several times, perhaps to dislodge debris or simply because its fun and feels good. This is not the same as the "yawn" that precedes a head throw. Adult winter breeding plumage with brown hind-neck.
Image ID: 40239
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Location: La Jolla, California

California brown pelican breeding plumage portrait, with brown hind neck, yellow head and bright red throat.
Image ID: 40112
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

California brown pelican breeding plumage portrait, with brown hind neck, yellow head but with a yellow-orange throat instead of red.
Image ID: 40113
Species: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis californicus, Pelecanus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California

Hite Crossing Bridge over the Colorado River, Utah

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 01:25:20 +0000

The Hite Crossing Bridge lies in the spectacular middle of nowhere, spanning the Colorado River in southern Utah near the north end of Lake Powell. It is the only crossing of the Colorado River on a 295 mile stretch (110 miles north at Moab and 185 miles south at Glen Canyon are the nearest bridges).

Here the Colorado River flows west. The snow-capped Henry Mountains are seen in the distance with many shades of sandstone as far as the eye can see. Built in 1966, the Hite Crossing Bridge was named for the earlier Hite Crossing, a ford on the Colorado River built by Cass Hite, a late 1800’s prospector that was for many years the only way across the river. Whenever I drive from Mexico Hat to Hanksville on scenic, lonely and beautiful Highway 95, I make a stop at the Hite Crossing Bridge and if the weather is nice will fly my drone for a photo. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) Courtship and Nesting on Seacliffs in La Jolla, California

admin — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 17:51:07 +0000

Late January and early February is an ideal time to see Brandt’s Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) practicing their courtship behaviors and building nests in preparation for egg laying in a few weeks. We had some storm activity in January which washed away most nests, but the cormorants have been rebuilding nests and establishing mated pairs since. We now have a week or on-and-off rain so I took a look back through some of the images I’ve made and here are some favorites. Hard to capture is the landing sequence of an incoming cormorant as it approaches its nest, and particularly so to include nesting material in the bird’s beak. I still have some work to do but have a few of those I like. Soon the eggs will appear and then the ugly chicks. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, Courtship Display, Breeding Plumage with blue throat and white pin-feathers, La Jolla. Skypointing is an interesting courtship behavior that many birds practice. Among Brandt's Cormorants the male performs this, likely as a way of attracting a mate to the nest he has built by showing off his striking blue throat. He tips his head backward showing off his striking blue throat, and partially raises his wings. Seen here on seacliffs above the ocean.
Image ID: 36801
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus

Mated pair of Brandt's Cormorants tend to the nest they have built on sea cliffs. Note the colors they assume during mating season: striking blue gular pouch (throat) along with faint blue-green iridescence in their plumage.
Image ID: 40130
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant Spreading Wings to Land on sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Image ID: 40084
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant In Flight Carrying Nesting Material in its Beak.
Image ID: 40132
Species: Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, Courtship Display, Breeding Plumage with blue throat and a few white pin-feathers, La Jolla. Skypointing is an interesting courtship behavior that many birds practice. Among Brandt's Cormorants the male performs this, likely as a way of attracting a mate to the nest he has built by showing off his striking blue throat. He tips his head backward showing off his striking blue throat, and partially raises his wings. Seen here on seacliffs above the ocean.
Image ID: 40133
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Mated pair of Brandt's Cormorants tend to the nest they have built on sea cliffs. Note the colors they assume during mating season: striking blue gular pouch (throat) along with faint blue-green iridescence in their plumage.
Image ID: 40135
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant Spreading Wings to Land on sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Image ID: 40085
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant portrait in shade with ocean in the background. Its striking blue eyes and gular pouch (throat) can be seen, along with thin white feathers on its checks and shoulders. A bit of fluff is on its beak after it has been preening its feathers.
Image ID: 40137
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant carrying nesting material to its nest.
Image ID: 40139
Species: Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

A Brandt's Cormorant tends to its built on sea cliffs. Note the colors it assumes during mating season: striking blue gular pouch (throat) along with faint blue-green iridescence in its plumage.
Image ID: 40140
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, Courtship Display, Breeding Plumage with blue throat and white pin-feathers, La Jolla. Skypointing is an interesting courtship behavior that many birds practice. Among Brandt's Cormorants the male performs this, likely as a way of attracting a mate to the nest he has built by showing off his striking blue throat. He tips his head backward showing off his striking blue throat, and partially raises his wings. Seen here on seacliffs above the ocean, where the fading light of late afternoon just illuminates his head and wings.
Image ID: 40142
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Mated pair of Brandt's Cormorants tend to the nest they have built on sea cliffs. Note the colors they assume during mating season: striking blue gular pouch (throat) along with some blue-green iridescence in their plumage.
Image ID: 40144
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, Courtship Display, Breeding Plumage with blue throat and white pin-feathers, La Jolla. Skypointing is an interesting courtship behavior that many birds practice. Among Brandt's Cormorants the male performs this, likely as a way of attracting a mate to the nest he has built by showing off his striking blue throat. He tips his head backward showing off his striking blue throat, and partially raises his wings. Seen here on seacliffs above the ocean.
Image ID: 40145
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant carrying nesting material to its nest.
Image ID: 40146
Species: Brandt's Cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, Courtship Display, Breeding Plumage with blue throat and white pin-feathers, La Jolla. Skypointing is an interesting courtship behavior that many birds practice. Among Brandt's Cormorants the male performs this, likely as a way of attracting a mate to the nest he has built by showing off his striking blue throat. He tips his head backward showing off his striking blue throat, and partially raises his wings. Seen here on seacliffs above the ocean.
Image ID: 40150
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California

Brandt's Cormorant portrait in shade with ocean in the background. Its striking blue eyes and throat can be seen, along with thin white feathers on its checks and shoulders. A bit of fluff is on its beak after it has been preening its feathers.
Image ID: 40151
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California