To say 2023 ended better than 2022 isn’t saying much. 2022 ended with fog. Laura, Marlene and I went up to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge where we found zero visibility. We thought it might lift in an hour or two, so we went out to lunch at the only place open in Willows on Christmas Day. It didn’t help!
So 2023 proved to be slightly better with overcast weather. So Laura, Ray and I went up to the refuge. Yes, it was better, but still no sunshine. This was a true test of the 18-300 mm Tamron lens. It worked well.










The birds weren’t too happy either. We didn’t see eagles, but there were lots of turkey vultures. Stay tuned for the weather in 2024!
You got a nice set of shots despite the overcast. I especially like the geese on the water & the two photos of the Merlin. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mike!
LikeLiked by 1 person
wonderful photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Wayne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful photos Anne. It might be time to get a real camera again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photos turned out great, so I guess the lens passed the test? I was there last Sat and it was dark, overcast, not many birds.
LikeLike
Thanks Alessandra! There weren’t many on Christmas Day either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely cracking photos, whatever the weather!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Margaret! Thanks to the wonders of Topaz, they turned out well. Taking out all the noise helped a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful images Anne, the low light makes them very atmospheric 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Xenia! Atmospheric is definitely the correct word here!! I hope 2024 is great for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne, you got great shots, overcast can be good for photography in my humble opinion – and these bird captures prove it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ritva! Your opinion is greatly appreciated and not humble at all.
LikeLike
beautiful photographs despite the weather! Happy new year, Anne! Cheers to 2024!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Yanti! I think weather is what we make of it. Happy New Year to you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous photos, Anne. Never mind the gloom, the egrets positively glow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tish! Egrets are great. You can see them from a distance and they typically stand still for long periods of time. Best yet, they hang out near the road!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much to be said for accommodating subjects 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic photos, Anne. I hope you had fun despite the chilly weather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tracy! I like photographing in the fog. It would have been great if some fog had been on the ground. It wasn’t chilly at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love fog too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, gorgeous shots despite the clouds. Happy New Year, Anne!
LikeLike
Thanks Terri! And Happy New Year to you and too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful bird shots Anne, proving you don’t need good weather to get good photos! In fact, the overcast light may well have helped some of these, with no harsh shadows to have to deal with.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sarah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great captures! Happy new year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Rebecca! Happy New Year to you also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful bird captures, Anne! Love your lens, too. 🙂
BTW, I clicked your gravatar, it didn’t take me your site. I got here by search you through the Reader.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy! Another WP flub. I’ll check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You captured some good images. I especially liked the ones where the eyes have it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Marlene!
LikeLike
These are gorgeous photos 😀 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Cee!
LikeLiked by 1 person
For a gloomy day, you got some gorgeous shots! I like ’em!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks N!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a beautiful gallery, Anne.
LikeLike
Thanks Rupali!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The lens performed well and you captured some nice images. I saw a Rosette Spoonbill yesterday but didn’t have my camera in the car. I grabbed a callphone pic and tried to crop (to no avail), I’m going back to the same pond today with the right gear. Wish me luck that he will still be there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Suzanne! I’m hoping the Spoonbill was still there and looking forward to seeing your picture. Just remember, the best camera is our memory!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spectacular birds Anne, I loved every one of them, especially the raptors. Maybe the cloudy day was your friend – no glare and perfect detail!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tina! Cloud cover and Topaz–my friends!
LikeLike
These are amazing captures. 😊
LikeLike