Jim Coda Nature Photography

April 9, 2011Uncategorized

Poster Boy

A bobcat sits by a gopher hole. — Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore

One thing I like about photographing during the winter at Point Reyes is the lush greens in the ranching areas. The rainy season is just about over and it will be just be a matter of time before the greens turn to browns. I was fortunate to see and photograph this male bobcat several times this winter. He was almost always on lush, green grass. I’d like to tell him I’m grateful for that. I haven’t seen him lately. I hope he’s OK. If you’d like a print of this image click here.

A while back I decided to do a series of posters featuring birds of Western North America. They are carried by the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Novato. Recently, I decided to do one featuring the wildlife of Marin County which is the county I live in just north of San Francisco. I started off with the idea of just doing mammals, but that has grown to include birds of Marin. The posters are for sale now at the Viewpoints Gallery in Point Reyes Station. That little town is located near the entrance to Point Reyes National Seashore. They are also available at Fabulous Framers in Novato and will soon be available at Wild Birds Unlimited in Novato. As it has turned out, most of the subjects were photographed in Point Reyes National Seashore. Here is a sample of what the posters look like. My favorite bobcat is my poster boy for this sample.

Poster with a bobcat as the photo. — Bobcat Poster

April 3, 2011Uncategorized

A Great Blue Heron Grabs a Crayfish.

Just down the street from my house is an agricultural field. In the winter part of it floods. It drains into a large wetland which is connected to San Francisco Bay. It attracts herons, egrets and ducks. A couple of days ago a great blue heron was hunting there. I stopped and watched to see what it would catch. I expected it to catch small fish. To my surprise it caught several crayfish. It will soon dry up. If you would like to purchase a print of this image click here.

March 31, 2011Uncategorized

Coyote in Gopherville

A coyote walks through a green field. — Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

This coyote was photographed hunting gophers on ranch land in Point Reyes National Seashore. The ranch lands provide good habitat for gophers. A healthy population of gophers (and other rodents) means a good food supply for predators that feed on gophers, such as coyotes, bobcats and badgers. When I drive through these lands, most other drivers are intent on getting by me and getting to their destinations as quickly as possible. They seem oblivious to the wildlife they pass by. If you would like to purchase a print of this image click here.

March 30, 2011Uncategorized

Portrait of a Bobcat; Point Reyes National Seashore

Sitting in the Sun

I saw this bobcat about a month ago. He was sitting in a field enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun. He looks like he may have been daydreaming. Do bobcats daydream? If you would like to purchase a print of this image click here.

March 28, 2011Uncategorized

Great Blue Heron Nesting Ritual; Venice, Florida

Photo of a pair of great blue herons going through nesting riutal. — Great Blue Herons in Nesting Ritual

March is a great month to photograph birds nesting. This photo was taken five years ago this month at the Venice Rookery in Venice, Florida. It’s famous for photo opportunities of wading birds nesting. Nest building is a joint effort for the great blue herons. The male brings in a twig and the female accepts it as the photo depicts. When she takes it the male leaves and returns shortly thereafter with another twig and the whole ritual of passing the twig is repeated.

If you go to Florida to photograph wading birds at this time of year you should put the Venice Rookery on your itinerary. To purchase a print of this image click here.

February 9, 2011Uncategorized

Two Bull Elk Fight

Two Tule elk bulls get ready to fight. — Two Bull Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore

January 28, 20011. Two bull elk face each other before a post-rut sparring session.

Two bull elk fight. — Two Bulls Fight for Dominance; Point Reyes National Seashore

They went at it for quite a while. There was a winner and I think they’ll each remember that. There won’t be much more fighting now because the bulls are dropping their antlers. However, come the next rut these two will probably go at it again.

January 30, 2011Uncategorized

Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California

A bobcat rests in a field. — Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore

A bobcat takes a rest in a field. I’ve been seeing a lot of bobcats and coyotes at Point Reyes lately. I saw a bobcat and three coyotes last Friday. I saw this guy the previous visit. Don’t recall what else I saw that day, but I have photos of a coyote from then. I often see things, but don’t get a chance to photograph the animal so what I’ve photographed isn’t a good record of what I saw on any given day. When I started going out to Point Reyes somewhat regularly beginning last summer I didn’t see as many bobcats or coyotes as I’m seeing now. I don’t know if it’s luck lately or that I’m getting better at spotting them. Probably both, but with emphasis on the luck side of the equation.