Belmont Pier Pirates

So I tell my wife they are having Pirate days at Belmont Pier this weekend and that I was thinking about heading out there to check it out and get some shots.  After almost talking myself out of going she talked me right back into going.  So I packed my gear and headed out.  Wasn't sure what to expect, but I when armed with my 300 f/2.8 and ready to shoot.

 

I spent a couple of hours walking around enjoying the Pirates and boobs.  You all know you can't have pirates without boobs :).

 

Enjoy the shots. 

 

Bolsa Chica Wetlands

With evenings home alone I can't help but have a strong desire to get out and enjoy an evening out in the wetlands.  The thing I've come to learn is you just never know what the wetlands will present to you and this evening was no different.

 

I've started walking along the central foot path since the Snowy Whites and Reddish Egrets have been fishing along the path way.  So why should this evening be any different.

 

The tide was in and the water was pretty still, even though they were a little out of my reach, I did take a few shots of the skimmers along the reflected water.  This one shot has a heavy crop, but it gives you an idea on what I was watching.

 

In the below two shots shows a tern attempting to steal a fish the cormorant just caught.  In the second shot you can see the cormorant with his prize.

 



 

Just a nice clear shot of the cormorant.

 

Have you ever had one of the days where you just have to sneeze, well in the first shot you'll see a snowy white all dolled up and ready to hit the wetlands, but in the second shot you'll have what happens after a strong sneeze.  Oh well, he can always go for the rebel look.

 



 

As the sun begins to set you can see the golden glow in the following shots and how can I pass up the opportunity to get some silhouetted sunset shots.

Bolsa Chica Wetlands - Reddish Egret

Had another great evening in the wetlands.

When I get in t he car and leave the house I never know what the wetlands will bring me.  Its always an adventure to see what presents itself as I start my walk about.  And this evening was not different.  I normally walk the path along Pacific Coast Highway to the middle section of the wetlands, but this time I decided to walk along the northern path and I'm glad I did.  There wasn't one, but two reddish egrets fishing just on the opposite side of the northern pathway.  Not only are they very elusive in the area, but they appear to fish differently than the snowy whites that frequent the area.  These reddish egrets were approx the same size as the snowy whites (herons), but unlike the snowy whites who tend to move slowly and then quickly attack when fishing, these reddish egrets were giving chase and jumping / flying as they did so to catch their fish.  It was rather entertaining to watch them.  In addition to their fishing method they had a very intense look with head feathers fluffed while giving chase.

So the first 9 pictures of this post will only be of the reddish egret.

Once you get past those you'll see some of the usual suspects of the wetlands - the terns and a couple skimmers.  Oh and I managed to get a few shots of a great white catching some fish.

Enjoy.