birds – Slow Shutter Speed

Posted on May 17, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 41 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #349: The First Thing I Thought Of

I know I’m not first to tell you the great news that Beth of Wandering Dawgs has joined the Lens Artists Challenge team. She’s been a long-time participant and has done a lot of travelling. I’m sure she will be giving us exciting challenges. In other not so great news, Patti will be on hiatus until November. She broke both her wrists and has a difficult time typing or holding a camera. We wish her a speedy recovery.

In this week’s challenge, Tina wants our immediate reaction to a picture we are about to take, or it can be the first thing we think about a photo from our archives. She’d like us to concentrate on humor–yes we can all use some of that these days. So here’s my attempt.

Orangutans at the zoo are so entertaining. I’m sure they think we are too!

A lion’s yawn can seem awfully menacing.

**Why did you wake me up?? You know I get cranky!**

Birds offer a different type of humor.

Someone left a hat behind.

And what does the bull say to the cowboy at the rodeo?

**If I told you once, I’ve told you twice. GET OFF MY BACK!!!**

We do need humor these days. Thanks Tina! I’m looking forward to see more from all of you. When you post your pictures, be sure to link back to Tina’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Last week we found peace with Egidio’s challenge on Serenity. I’m presenting the challenge next week so who knows what will happen! In the meantime, stay healthy and live in gratitude.

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Anne Sandler · 37 Comments

A Christmas Day Ritual: Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

I’ve gotten behind again, so it’s catch up time. Laura and I have a tradition of going to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on Christmas Day. You would be surprised at how many cars are visiting the refuge on Christmas Day!

The weather was perfect. The fog burned off and the sun sort of came out. At least there was enough contrast for my camera and lens (Which only extends to 300 mm.) to get birds in focus. Here’s a sampling.

I’m not a true bird photographer, but I do like my yearly jaunt with Laura. Take care everyone!

Posted on June 30, 2024June 30, 2024 by Anne Sandler · 58 Comments

Lens-Artists Challenge #306: Habitat

My disclaimer: I’m really not a wildlife photographer because I don’t have a lens with extraordinary reach, and I’m not fast to react. But, isn’t there always a “but,” I do enjoy going out to our local wildlife areas a couple times a year. Usually, I get lucky and come home with a few good pictures.

So for Tina’s Habitat challenge, I’m sharing some pictures taken at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and Gray Lodge Wildlife areas. I usually tag along with my friend Laura who is a true and great wildlife photographer.

You never know what you’re going to see when you visit these wildlife areas. And, it’s hit or miss. I enjoy these outings and their challenges anyway.

So enjoy these pictures which are mostly from the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.

There is a funny story behind the eagle image: To photograph this eagle, I had to climb through Laura’s sunroof (waist high). Now you know why the eagle is looking a me with a surprised stare!

Thanks Tina for prompting this wonderful journey back in time. When you respond, please remember to link to Tina’s post and use the Lens-Artist tag in the reader. And thank you Egidio for another educational challenge. Now I’m seeing rectangles everywhere!

While the Lens-Artists team takes some time off during July, we have amazing guest hosts to lead our challenge:

July 13: Leanne of Leanne Cole explores TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

July 20: Elizabeth of Albatz Travel Adventures leads us with PAIRS

July 27: PR of Flights of the Soul presents BALCONIES

Patti will be back to lead our challenge on August 3rd. Until then stay safe and healthy.

Posted on March 16, 2022March 16, 2022 by Anne Sandler · 14 Comments

Oh no, birds again: Yolo Bypass Wildlife area

Let’s hope you see more birds once I get my new Fuji 100 – 400 mm lens. To do most wildlife photography, I’ve been using my Nikon D7100 and an old metal F/4 300 mm prime lens. It was almost impossible for me to hold until Ray made me a short monopod that helps hold the camera and lens steady. The other problem is the Nikon itself. It’s not very good in low light. So photographing in cloudy and overcast days was difficult.

So, I finally decided to try the Fuji lens which I hope is lighter. It’s coming tomorrow. Meanwhile, Laura and I recently went to our local wildlife area in Yolo County, just across from Old Sacramento. The Yolo Bypass is a favorite for local photographers.

I was lucky to get a series of a great egret hunting for what ended up being a cricket, beetle or some other bug.

There were also some other birds.

And then two cormorants.

Get ready and fly.

I’m not sure what bird this is but….

And here are some landscapes taken with my Fuji.

Now, I’m anxious to test out my new lens, but we will have to wait!

Posted on May 11, 2021May 11, 2021 by Anne Sandler · 14 Comments

A Visit to Lodi: Micke Grove Park & the Deshmesh Sikh Temple

About an hour south of Sacramento is a municipal park that houses a Japanese Garden and a small zoo. Of course we, Ray, Richard and I, had to go visit Lodi and Micke Grove Park. This park is part of the San Joaquin County park system and home to a Fun Town for children, zoo, Japanese Garden, small lake, golf course, softball fields, water play features, horseshoe pits, museum and children’s playgrounds. We walked the garden and zoo.

The garden was small but beautiful. However, it was either in super sunshine or dark shade. In retrospect, bracketing would have been what to do, but I didn’t take my tripod. Here are some images. I liked the water reflections.

Next we went about a block to the zoo. It was a lot smaller than our Sacramento Zoo, the enclosures were thicker so we couldn’t have the fencing disappear, but it was interesting.

Some of the birds.

They did have a snow leopard.

After leaving the park, we had lunch and then went to visit the Deshmesh Sikh Temple which we happen to spot on our way to the park. They were very courteous and let us inside with our cameras.

It was a fun day in Lodi. There is more to Micke Grove Park to see though. We just might be back!

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Anne Sandler · 16 Comments

Lens-Artists Challenge #137: Soft

When I hear the word “soft” in photography terms, right away my mind goes to a beautiful bokeh background. This week’s challenge from Ann Christine is on things soft. She gave many examples on how we can interpret this challenge, but I’ll stick with the pleasing muted backgrounds.

Flowers with a bokeh background was the first type of shooting I wanted to learn when I started photography.

But then I started thinking that animals can also have a bokeh background too.

Let’s see what else I can find.

There are some very small daffodils outside my front door. If it wasn’t so windy, I’d go out and shoot them for inclusion in this post. Thank you Ann Christine!

Posted on May 28, 2019 by Anne Sandler · 11 Comments

Wildlife? Mather Lake

Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you expected like our May outing to Mather Lake in Sacramento County. We expected the typical wildlife that we’re used to finding there, but we only found swans and fishermen! But, we’ve learned to make the best with what we get.

I was there with my Tuesday group, and we walked as far as we could around the lake. I was carrying my Nikon D7100 and my F/4, 300 mm lens. I do need to go back to using two cameras. I also need to get to the gym so I can do it! This left me sort of handicapped for landscape or wide focus shots. I made my Fitbit happy by taking some extra steps backing up to get a good compostion. While I like the results from my 300 prime lens, it is limiting,

Sometimes, when you’re not busy shooting, you experience the most outstanding interaction between birds. A swan was protecting his mate and his cygnets from a goose. The interchange was hilarous. Too bad I couldn’t catch it. My lens was too long and my reflexes too slow!

Take a look at what I saw that morning!

A fisherman who holds his rod.
This fisherman had two rods with bells on them just in case he fell asleep!
A goose and goslings.
Momma swan and cygnets.
The cygnets.
Mom’s getting a drink?
No rod needed for this swan!
A red winged black bird.
Two kayaks were on the lake.
A crackle.
Thistle.
California poppy.

Posted on September 5, 2018September 5, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

Zoo at 140 mm: The Sacramento Zoo

For the past year, or more, I’ve used my F4/300 lens when going to the Sacramento Zoo. While it’s great for getting through cages and shooting the big cats, etc. up close, I’d have to stand a block away to get a whole giraffe in the shot. So, when Marlene, Linda and I went to the zoo recently, I decided to use my 18 – 140 mm lens. No close ups for me that day!

It was a great experience. I concentrated on the ducks, ducklings, and othe small animals that were not caged (just behind enclosures). It was a totally different zoo experience. My gear was lighter to carry, and I didn’t get as tired.

I’m not giving up on that great heavy F4/300 lens. It does a wonderful job at getting through the cages and showing the detail on the animals. Maybe when I get back to the gym, I’ll have the upper body strength to carry two cameras.

I hope you enjoy this zoo experience!

I think this is one of the young flamingos. His feathers aren’t so orange.

I’ve never been able to get this type of shot.

Okay, this is typical. I just couldn’t resist it.

This Comb Duck is resting.

Up and at it.

I think this is a young Wood Duck or a female.

This duckling is so cute!

I call this one Blue Eyes. I’ve never been able to get through his enclosure without showing the fence.

This White-Handed Gibbon says “Let me out!”

I could get the entire Orangutan in the shot.

Or get up closer.

And watch him eat lettuce.

Finally a Red Panda that got off a branch!

Now for the giraffes.

My that tale tastes good.

Sometimes the tongue gets stuff stuck on the tip.

He finally got the entire piece in his mouth.

The march!

Somehow I got this Jaguar. I’ve had a difficult time getting him with the long lens! Opportunity and timing!

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Betwixt and between: Yolo Bypass

We’re still not moved yet. I can’t say this is the worst move we ever made because the move to this house was equally traumatic. Moving is about the most emotional change you go through. There’s sadness about leaving a home you loved and happiness about building a life in another. Right now, I do feel betwixt and between. Richard and I talk about “home” and have to qualify which one!

In the meantime, I’m able to go on photo outings. This blog is about Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (also known as the Vic Fazio Wildlife Area). I was there a month ago, but each time is different. On this trip, the hunting area was open so Laura and I drove through it. We saw more wildlife than on the regular driving route. Maybe they knew they were safe at the time!

Right now, photography gets me away from a house that’s missing furniture, a house that’s being painted and floors being put in, and the stress of it all. I did pack my camera cases, but not my cameras and gear. Yes, for me photography is great therapy for the moving blues!

Here’s the latest from the Yolo Bypass. Again, my bird book is packed, so no captions!

Posted on January 26, 2018January 26, 2018 by Anne Sandler · 8 Comments

Freedom: Sacramento Zoo

Eureka! I can finally handhold my camera and F/4 300mm lens. This is great because putting it on a monopod was difficult to carry around the zoo, which I love to visit. I was using the monopod because the weight from the sling was too much for my shoulder. So the grandma came up with an idea. I would carry my camera like I would a baby and keep most of the weight off my shoulder!

It worked. At a recent visit to the Sacramento Zoo, I was able to support the camera and lens without hurting my shoulder. I was also able to focus and keep the camera/lens steady. The only problem is the difficulty shooting a giraffe with the 300mm! So, I brought along my tiny point and shoot camera.

I’m finally free of the monopod. Here are some of my captured results.