January 18 through 22^nd 2016
 

In late January the Brown Pelicans, Double-crested and Brandt's cormorants, and Heermann's Gulls will be in breeding plumage. These are all wonderfully beautiful birds this time of year. The red throats of the pelicans, the emerald eyes and white crests of the cormorants with their blue mouths all make for some great images.  There is also a lot of opportunity for birds-in-flight photography on this workshop between the pelicans, gulls, cormorants ,herons, egrets, and shorebirds constantly  flying by.  

We go to more places then other groups which gives us added opportunities to explore and photograph more birds (shorebirds, gulls, skimmers, herons, ducks, corvids, egrets, grebes, a few raptors, over 40 species are possible).

More information here.

Postcard info: (From upper left to bottom right)
Brown Pelican in breding plumage, Little Blue Heron in evening light, Brown Pelican preening, Heermann's Gull in breeding plumage, Snowy Plover, Western Grebe, Peregrine Falcon with Rock Pigeon breakfast, Marbled Godwit, seal pup.
 

NEW !    
SONORA DESERT, BIRDS of SE ARIZONA PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
 

Four and a half days of bird photography, three and a half based in Green Valley and one based out of Tucson. There will 10 morning and afternoon/evening shooting sessions. The workshop starts in the afternoon of April 25th and ends in early evening on the 29th in Tucson. The first half-day photo session we will photograph in Madera Canyon looking for Mexican Jays, Acorn Woodpeckers, and other canyon birds.  The three and a half days in Green Valley will provide six photography sessions with desert birds and multi-flash setups for hummingbirds. There are six hummingbird species, and more than thirty other desert bird species possible. For over fifteen years my parents lived in Tucson, i've birded and photographed all over SE Arizona and these few days will be packed with some exciting photography opportunities.  

The workshop is limited to four, so if you're interested give me a call: 206-730-6925. This workshop isn't listed on the website yet, as a newsletter subscriber you get the first chance at this new workshop!

Postcard info:
Green-tailed Towhee, Gambel's Quail, Northern Cardinal, Verdin, Northern Cardinal, Greater Roadrunner.

 

Fall Migration on the Washington Coast
 

Fall Migration of Shorebirds actually begins in July or even late June.  The best time to be on the Washington Coast for returning shorebirds is late August. While many adult shorebirds migrate south in July and early August, juveniles migrate in late August through September even October.  It's during this juvenile shorebird migration that many rare birds can be found on the Washington Coast or just about anywhere.  A slight malfunction in their migratory navigational systems might send them south down the Pacific Flyway instead of the  Central Flyway or it might send them down the Eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean versus the Western or Asian edge of the Pacific Ocean.  Below are a few of the shorebirds I photographed on the North Jetty of Ocean Shores in late August.
 

A juvenile Black Turnstone calling.  1/160 of a second, f/7.1 ISO 400 at an effective focal lenght of 840 mm (600f/4 lens with a 1.4 Extender)

Another  juvenile Black Turnstone in early morning light.  

Another  juvenile Black Turnstone in early morning light.  1/100 of a second, f/6.3, and ISO 250  effective focal length 840 mm (600mm f/4 lens and a 1.4 Extender)

A juvenile Wandering Tattler resting and  trying ot keep one foot warm or save a little heat/energy.  1/200 of a second, f/6.3 and  ISO 250 effective focal length 840 mm (600 f/4 lens and  a 1.4 Extender)

A juvenile Surfbird 1/200 of a second, f/7.1 at ISO 400 effective focal length 840 mm (600 mm f/4 lens with a 1.4 Extended)

A couple of Sanderlings out of place on the rocks feasting on barnacles instead of chasing waves on the sandy beach.  1/160 of a second, f/6.3 and  ISO 250 with an effective focal lenght of 840 mm (600 mm f/4 lens and a 1.4 Extender)

Photography Workshops
 Small groups, fun places and cool birds!

Here's what's happening in the next several months.