Jim Coda Nature Photography

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 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.

April 14, 2011Uncategorized

Tule Elk in Velvet

A tule elk stands with antlers in velvet. — Tule elk with antlers in velvet, Point Reyes National Seashore

There are three things in the photo above that say it’s spring to me. The first thing is the flowers. The second is the change occurring in the elk’s coat from a warmer (longer), lighter-colored, winter coat to a cooler (shorter), darker, summer coat. The third thing is the early-stage growth of antlers.

During the winter season the Point Reyes tule elk shed their antlers. Almost immediately after shedding them they began growing new antlers. Under that velvet skin the antlers are engorged with blood. At this early stage you can easily see evidence of blood-rich tissue. Below is a cropped version of the above photo showing the blood-rich tissue.

Close-up of Tule elk in velvet

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 6, 2011Uncategorized

Mount Redoubt, Alaska

Photo of Mount Redoubt during an eruption. — Thar She Blows!

I took this photo in March of 2009 when I was driving back to Anchorage from Homer where I had been photographing bald eagles. Mount Redoubt erupted several times that month.

My trips to Alaska have always been for the purpose of photographing wildlife. Of course, Alaska is also well known for its beautiful landscapes. I’m feeling the need to go again — to photograph some of its great landscapes. If you’d like a print of this image you can order one by clicking 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 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.