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Canon EOS-1V Camera
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| Some of my most memorable photographs are featured in this section, along with photo tips and the story behind the making of each photograph. I hope these images inspire you to go out and experience your own memorable moments. |
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Canon EOS-1V Camera
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| However, our best photographs are sometimes made close to home because of
familiarity with weather and seasonal factors, lighting, wildlife behavior, ability to
refine our techniques, or simply because the odds are increased with repeat visits. My
latest Featured Photos were made very close to home. Palo Alto Baylands is a Nature Preserve that protects the largest tract of undisturbed wetlands remaining in San Francisco Bay. It's home to a large number of coastal bird species -- including Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets that nest and raise their young each Spring. My home is about thirty minutes away (if rush hour is avoided) and I have enjoyed photographing these birds the past seven seasons. They nest in salt marshes adjacent to the walking trail and parking lot, and are quite habituated to the proximity of human observers. One behavior that is always fun to observe and photograph is the brooding of young chicks. Compared to other birds Stilt and Avocet chicks are quite independent, and capable of foraging for themselves from the moment they're hatched. Every fifteen minutes or so, very young chicks would
get wet and cold, and squeeze under the folded wings of squatting adult birds to warm up
before continuing their forage. As the chicks get older they require fewer brooding
sessions during the day. The first week after hatching (usually the second week of May)
is, therefore, the best time to photograph young chicks and brooding behavior.
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