Jim Coda Nature Photography

March 18, 2011Uncategorized

Handsome Bobcat

I saw this bobcat for the first time a couple of days ago. He’s very well-marked. I’m used to seeing bobcats in Point Reyes National Seashore with little or no distinctive markings on the torso. This guy has very pronounced spots and stripes on his trunk. I think I’ll remember him as “Handsome Bob.” Unfortunately, Handsome Bob didn’t stop in the prettiest place. It looks like a badger has been through here shortly before Bob and really tore the place up. I saw a coyote stop here and hunt a couple of weeks ago. It must be (or was) a good spot for gophers and/or other rodents. Click here to purchase a print of this image.

March 17, 2011Uncategorized

Pack of Coyotes on the Hunt

Coyote Pack, Point Reyes National Seashore — Coyote Pack on Outcrop

I went out to Point Reyes yesterday afternoon. I saw four bobcats, although one was probably a double count. It’s hard to be sure. I saw no coyotes until the last hour of the day when I saw a pack of four. That’s the most I’ve ever seen there in a group. I think I saw three of these individuals a week ago in the same area. Unfortunately, when they got to this point they were too spread out to all be in the frame together. These two were in the lead. Are they the alpha pair? Click here to order a print of this image.

March 16, 2011Uncategorized

A Bobcat Moves Through a Grassy Field; Point Reyes National Seashore.

Photo of a bobcat walking across a field. — Bobcat on the Move

It is not unusual to see a bobcat at Point Reyes National Seashore. I have wondered how many there are in the Seashore. I don’t think anyone knows. Determining the bobcat population would be a lot harder than counting elk. Click here to purchase a print of this image.

March 8, 2011Uncategorized

Coyote At Sunset

Photo of a coyote stopping in a rancher's field at sunset. — Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

I photographed this coyote at sunset. For landscape photography, sunrise and sunset are the best of times. You go to the place you want to photograph and wait for that yellow, orange and/or red light. Sunrise and sunset are great times to photograph wildlife as well. Unfortunately, a wild animal is not always in front of you at sunrise or sunset. So, when you have an interesting animal to photograph at those times you are fortunate. That’s all it takes for me to consider the day a success.

March 4, 2011Uncategorized

Northern Harrier, Point Reyes National Seashore

A Northern Harrier finishes A snack. — Northern Harrier, Point Reyes National Seashore

I went out to Point Reyes yesterday for the afternoon. Unfortunately, the fog rolled in about an hour or two before sunset. That wiped out my hope of getting a good image of some animal lit by the setting sun. Fortunately, this male harrier allowed me to photograph him midday. He had just eaten a lizard and, shortly thereafter, decided there was no good reason to remain on the ground.

March 1, 2011Uncategorized

Portrait of a Coyote

A coyote contemplates its next move. — Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

I like head shots of animals, but I don’t have many because the animals are usually too far away and getting closer isn’t feasible. I spotted this coyote when it was hunting rodents about 50 to 75 yards from the road. I pulled over and started photographing it as it was “mousing.” I stayed inside my vehicle and it seemed oblivious of me. I knew that it was likely to get closer because of the contour of the land. It’s other choice was to go down a steep ravine and come up the other side. It kept working its way toward me. It came fairly close and then stopped to scratch itself. That’s when I tripped the shutter.

February 25, 2011Uncategorized

Kestrel Hunts in the Rain

A kestrel sits on a post during a rain shower. — Kestrel, Point Reyes National Seashore

This female kestrel has just finished a meal and is looking for another. I assume she has better places to roost when it is raining, but it had been raining for a long time and she probably needed to eat.