Before the rain

I decided to work a half day yesterday and head out to the wildlife preserve in the afternoon. Honestly I have not had a day off in three weeks, been working weekends getting ready for my virtual show. So I was due. Supposed to pour and I might not not have another chance for a while.

Every time I go out and get to enjoy an evening there I realize it is the best time of day. The longer the better. Even beats the sunrise.

Was cool and I kept a jacket on. Got a nice walk in. I called the ranger before I left and he told me that certain roads were closed including the Walker Ponds. I made due.

I shot and juggled three lenses. I wish that I could afford another camera body but I can't and want to wait for a D850 successor in any case.

So every turn found me having to swap a lens.

It is like that sometimes.

Loved the warm evening light.

I made a dumb move that I didn't realize until now as I process the pictures. Had the exposure compensation down a stop all day. Easily fixed but rookie move nonetheless.

Sat in my car and watched a male harrier stalk its prey against a lovely cirrus sky for a while.

The views of San Jacinto and Gorgonio are pretty spectacular right now.

And I never made contact with another human all day.

Sort of how I like it.

I did see a large flock of cattle egrets. Notice their brown brow.

Here is a snowy egret for comparison.

A stately bird in the evening light.

On this shot I didn't have a chance to adjust my speed to my customary 1/2500th of a second for birds in flight. I shot at 1/800th. Soft if you are a pixel peeper but still acceptable. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

A red shouldered hawk hiding in the trees.

Some northern shovelers coming in for a landing.

Wednesdays and Saturdays are duck hunting days. Somebody left a decoy.

Loggerhead Shrike

I didn't get a good shot but this is the back end of a female vermilion flycatcher. I saw the male last time. They are both beautiful.

I saw a lovely and well fed feral cat hunting yesterday, also a first for me there.

And that is all I got for now. Back to work!