Jim Coda Nature Photography

November 17, 2010Uncategorized

Bald Eagle, Alaska

Photo of a bald eage resting on the broken branch of a dead tree. — Rest Stop

The annual Bald Eagle Festival in Haines, Alaska, was held last weekend. I meant to post this photo to recognize the festival a few days ago. However, problems in getting a new work station running threw me off track. A data drive failed almost immediately and, on top of that, the Windows 7 operating system was corrupted. Hopefully, it will be smooth sailing from now on. The new computer is much faster than the old one and the new 24″ EIZO monitor is a big improvement over the old monitor.

October 19, 2010Uncategorized

Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

A coyote at Point Reyes stares at the photographer. — Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

I spotted this coyote on my last visit to Point Reyes. Until I saw him, it had been quite a while since I last saw one there.

October 18, 2010Uncategorized

Bobcat, Marin County, California

A bobcat crosses a rancher's field. — Bobcat, Marin County, California

I spotted this bobcat on the way to Point Reyes earlier this month. It may be the same one I photographed in August.

September 15, 2010Uncategorized

Our Nation’s Symbol

Photo of a bald eagle about to take off. — Ready for Takeoff!

After I posted the photo of the three eagles on September 11 I thought of another photo I took a couple of years ago. To me, it epitomizes what a bald eagle should look like as our Nation’s symbol. I’m thankful that I’m not posting a photo of a turkey at this point.

September 11, 2010Uncategorized

In Memory of September 11, 2001

Photo of three bald eagles perched on a piece of driftwood. — Heads Bowed

In memory of the tragic events that occurred nine years ago. May nothing like that ever happen again.

September 9, 2010Uncategorized

Hummers Are Amazing

I find hummers to be amazing birds because of their size, speed and maneuverability. According to Hummingbird World, their nests are about the size of half of an English walnut shell. The outer part of their nests is made up of moss and plant fibers. Sometimes it is shingled with lichen. The rest is comprised of plant down and spider web material. Eggs measure one-half inch in length.

A female Anna's Hummingbird sits in nest. — Anna's Hummingbird in Nest, Point Reyes National Seashore

August 23, 2010Uncategorized

Birds In the Garden; Marin County California

Whenever the urge to go photographing hits me my first thought is where should I go? Recently, however, I started feeding song birds at home and I’ve been very pleased with how the birds have responded. Frequent visitors include goldfinches, titmice, nuthatches, chickadees, acorn woodpeckers, scrub jays, California quail etc. However, what has grabbed my attention most so far have been the hummingbirds. No feeder was necessary for them. My wife, Joan, is an avid gardener and one of her gardening goals has been to make the garden attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Here is an Anna’s hummingbird feeding on a penstemon flower.

Photo of an Anna's hummingbird feeding in a garden. — A Never-ending Quest for Nectar

I’ve spent several hours now observing and photographing them in our front garden and have been amazed at their territoriality and flying ability. They fly like miniature helicopters. Maybe I should say helicopters are a bit like gigantic hummers. I don’t think helicopters will ever get as maneuverable as hummers though. A hummer’s body shape also surprised me. I had assumed they were slim birds, but they are actually kind of “chunky” looking.