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<\/p>\nEarly yesterday morning I had a few minutes before I needed to run some errands so at the crack of dawn I visited the Jordan River. As soon as I got there I inadvertently flushed three California Quail, two females and a male. The two females landed on the ground where I couldn’t see them but…<\/p>\n
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the lone male landed in a tree where, with some creative maneuvering, I was able to get some pretty clear shots of him. He was mostly in shade with the sun behind him, so filtered light striking the back of his beak caused it to be outlined in white – kind of a different look.<\/p>\n
Usually when I photograph quail, they’re either on manicured lawn grass or they’re scurrying around in my vegetable garden, so this time I was pleased to get one in a more natural setting. Cluttered and shaded though it is.<\/p>\n
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The only pose variety he gave me was when he was looking down at the two female quail far below him. I suspect one of them was his mate.<\/p>\n
When I’m in the area of the river, I always check one of the ponds to see if the female Belted Kingfisher is back. I haven’t seen her since early January and I’ve missed her, like an old friend who has mysteriously disappeared from my life.<\/p>\n
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And by golly, this time I found her, although it was a near-miracle with so many of the leaves back on the trees. Unlike her, she wasn’t chattering at me and it was impossible to see her on her chosen fishing perches through all the leaves. I just happened to see her take flight in my peripheral vision (thanks to my “new eye”) and when she landed here I couldn’t see her again.<\/p>\n
But this time I knew where she was and by using some creative driving techniques, I was able to maneuver to a spot where I had a clear view of her. I only got a few shots that looked exactly like this one before she took off away from me.<\/p>\n
No action shots and no interesting poses but I was still grinning all the way home, delighted to have her back.<\/p>\n
Ron<\/p>\n
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Finding an old feathered friend again, after four months of disappointment.<\/p>\n