Jim Coda Nature Photography

April 26, 2011Uncategorized

Tule Elk Bulls Sparring with their Hooves, Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of two tule elk bulls fighting with their hooves. — Tule Elk Boxing, Point Reyes National Seashore

These two bulls were sparring with their hooves because their antlers obviously aren’t ready for fighting. This photo was taken yesterday near Pierce Point Ranch just as the sun was setting. Chrysler was there shooting commercials for several of its cars and trucks. It occupied the Pierce Point Ranch parking lot, the McClure’s Beach parking lot, and the east side of the road leading to the ranch. It looked like a movie set. They may be out there today as well.

This photo was underexposed about one and a half stops because the mode dial on my Canon 7D got moved inadvertently from AV to manual. This happens too easily and frequently. Canon now offers to fix this problem for a fee. I don’t know why Canon hasn’t always made the prosumer cameras so that the mode dial can’t be changed inadvertently. You shouldn’t have to send in your camera to prevent this from happening.

April 25, 2011Uncategorized

A View of San Francisco and More

Photo of Angel Island, Alcatraz Island and San Francisco from the City of Tiburon. — View of Angel Island, Alcatraz and San Francisco from Tiburon

There is a hill in Tiburon that is a nice place to photograph San Francisco from. You not only get San Francisco, but Alcatraz Island, Angel Island and a piece of Tiburon itself.

April 23, 2011Uncategorized

Red-winged Blackbird

I like and enjoy seeing all wild birds. Okay, I’ll admit that I like some more than others. Take today’s photo for example. It’s not a bald eagle. It’s not a peregrine falcon. It’s not a great gray owl. It’s a red-winged blackbird. Still, I was happy to have the opportunity it gave me to photograph it and to try to create an attractive image.

April 20, 2011Uncategorized

Fort Cronkhite, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Photo of old Army buildings and Rodeo Beach at what was once Fort Cronkhite. — Old Fort Cronkhite

This is a view of Fort Cronkhite from a ridge to the south of it. Fort Cronkhite was completed just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The wood-framed buildings were considered “temporary” and housed barracks, mess halls, kitchens etc. They’re still very serviceable. The western portion of Fort Cronkhite has been preserved as an historic landmark. A portion of Rodeo Lagoon is visible between the beach and the buildings.

April 20, 2011Uncategorized

Northern Harrier Asks: “Are you finished?” Pt. Reyes National Seashore

Photo of a male northern harrier. — What are YOU looking at?

This male northern harrier looks like he’s getting fed up with something — maybe me. Birds seem to look that way sometimes. It reminds me of the mad duck image I posted here. Maybe it’s more like: “Oh no, not you again.” It’s funny, herbivores often look like they are smiling. See my post on the bison calf below. Also, the cow elk here. Carnivores seem to have more of a poker face, but even with them I’ve seen what looked like a smile. I’m thinking of this one wolf that seemed to be smiling. See this link. Of course, I should mention the always-smiling porpoises and dolphins. And then there are the chimpanzees who not only smile, but laugh. Maybe I need to spend more time doing landscape photography.

April 19, 2011Uncategorized

Blacktail Buck in Velvet, Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of blacktail buck in tall grass. — Blacktail Buck in Tall Grass

This is one of two Columbia blacktail bucks I saw at Point Reyes yesterday. They were feeding in this tall grass. It’s just a matter of time until this lush grass dies and turns brown. I’m not sure how his ear got split, but I’m assuming it got caught between his horn and that of another while fighting. Ouch. His coat has changed, or is changing, into the darker summer color.

April 18, 2011Uncategorized

Happy Red Dog

A very young bison calf enjoys a run. — Bison Calf, Yellowstone National Park

This bison calf looks like it is smiling as it runs off some pent-up energy. Bison are the first of the ungulates to give birth in Yellowstone. Bison management in Yellowstone is difficult and controversial. Some of them migrate north out of the park in winter looking for forage. That puts ts them in the crosshairs of the State of Montana which feels the brucellosis some of them carry will infect livestock. The most common management solution is to shoot them.