Winter's Autumn

 

"Life is like a wheel. Sooner or later it always comes around

 to where you started again."

~Stephen King

2026 has gotten off to a devastating start. I had such hope for a bright future this year, but it's been one dark event after another, with no sign of letting up. I am riding the days, and pushing myself to do birding, but I struggle with having the energy and will to do so. But all is not bad, there is still some autumn happening here and there. Leaves in big piles, orange kitties, and Sandhill Crane preening against the backdrop of dried reeds, all make me heart smile, as autumn reminds me that it hasn't died, it is just merely sleeping.

The Belted Kingsher On This Side Of The Road

"Knowing birds is like being fluent in a foreign language, or adept with a musical instrument."

~Katheen Jamie Findings

Another slightly blurry photo of a bird, but for some reason, I really like it. It's a little vague in mood, and it's cold, but it appeals to the attempted artist in me. It was just beginning to get dark, so working with the lighting was a little difficult. The light on this side of the road was waning, the opposite side was blinding white, due to the small fields that were flooded for winter visitors like geese and certain migrating ducks. Belted Kingfishers are not known for their patience, so I had to decide fairly quickly, if the shot was worth the moment. In the end, my love for these birds decided for me! I got better shots, and I was happy with the other ones, so it all made for a good day!

Autumn Light, Winter Light...

 

“Come, little leaves," said the Wind one day, "Come to the meadows with me and play. Put on your dresses of red and gold; For Summer is past, and the days grow cold.” 

~George Cooper 

 

 

Light is really strange this time of year. A little bit of the waning gold of the Autumn sun, meets the clear white light of Winter in a fantastic hand off. Not only did the light at Yolo Bypass bring me happiness to see it play with the gold still left in the trees, but to my delight there was still some spider silk to be found just about everywhere I looked and the sun played with that too! The spiders from October and November, that flew in big strands across the sky, found a place to land, and has survived the cold and rain. The silk covered Yolo Bypass like spun sugar! And the best part is that under all those strands of silk, live some tiny spiders that will big spiders eventually, and my camera can't wait! Maybe I will meet another Boris one day!

Opportunity Storms

"Birds were created to record everything. 

They were not designed just to be beautiful jewels of the sky,

 but to serve as the eyes of heaven."

~Suzy Kassem

Rise Up And Salute The Sun: The Writings Of Suzy Kassem 

Last weekend, as I was chasing the storm around the Central Valley, I had lots of opportunities to photograph different subjects. Clouds. Cows. Light and dark shadows, and, of course, birds. I found two different species that stood out, the Savannah Sparrow, and a Red Tailed Hawk. Of the two, I think I enjoyed this bird the most. There were about 40 of them, all eating in, and around, some small bushes on the road to the Rancho Seca Recreational area, near the town of Herald, California. This little bird was in some bushes, facing the now closed, twin towers, of the Rancho Seco nuclear power plant. That particular site is one of my favorite destinations in the Central Valley, to do sunset photos, as well as, doing a little bird watching. Over time, for some reason, I have found the towers themselves, to be quite photogenic, and I have developed a fondness for them. Weird. I know! I am snot sure why I enjoy them so much, but they make me feel comfortable, and safe. Shrug. I have no idea why, but I thank God for it! I will take the inspiration and be grateful!

Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant

Rancho Seco Recreational Area

Herald, California

January 20th 2019

~Mood: Happy

~Me  :)