Matt's Glorious Raptors at the Festival of the Cranes

A highlight of our trips to the Festival of the Cranes is a morning outing with Matthew Mitchell and his glorious raptors. Stunning aerial displays, close-up fly-bys and portrait views of his falcons and hawks are offered. Matt is a consummate host--sharing his knowledge, experience and joy.

Aplomado Falcon

Harris's Hawk

Gyr-Peregrine Falcon

Aplomado Falcon

Harris's hawk on my left-hand!

Thank you Matt--See you next time...

Notes.

Links:  Festival of the Cranes   Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

           Bosque del Apache NWR   Photo from our earlier trips to the Festival of the Cranes

Camera Info: Photos taken with Canon 7D with EF 100 - 400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS; Olympus O-EM5
                   with Lumix G Vario 12-35/f2.8.

The photo of the Harris's hawk on my left-hand was taken with the Olympus in my right-hand. At first, the Harris's wasn't quite sure what to make of the camera (probably the protruding lens), but quickly ignored it. This last photo was taken by Judy Todd with her trusty Canon S95.

Three Cameras: Endevor's Queen Mary Fly-Over

Shoreline Aquatic Park, Long Beach

Photos by Mark, Matt and Dan

September 21, 2012

Note. 
Camera Info: Canon 20D (EF 28 -135 mm); Olympus OM-D5 (Lumix GXV 12-35 mm), and Canon 7D (EF 100 - 400)

Dragon Boat Deconstruction

Portland Oregon

September 2012

Notes.  
Links:  Dragon Boat    Portland Dragon Boat Race
Camera info: Olympus OM-D E-M5 with 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 and 20 mm f/1.7

Two Broads with Brushes: The Hanging

 

Note. Directions to the Huntington Beach Library
Camera: Olympus OM-D 5 with M. Zuiko 12-50 mm 1:3.5-6.3

Fly-outs, Fly-ups, and Fly-ins...

The Festival of the Cranes, at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (New Mexico), is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this November. The Bosque is spectacular and the Festival a wonderful event--we look forward to our return visit...

We rise early for "fly-out." The Sandhill Cranes are often found with their feet frozen in ponds.

During the day the Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese graze and Snow Geese "fly-ups" occur.

Judy with one of falconer Mattthew Mitchell's raptors and a Harris close-up...

At "fly-in" the evening skies are filled with Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese--a magnificent sight...

Photo info. Pictures taken with various Canon Cameras including Elan II e, 60D, 20D, 7D; with EF 100-400 IS L.

Foodie note. Check out Frank & Lupe's El Sombrero and the Buckhorn Tavern (winner of a green chili cheese burger "throw-down" with Bobby Flay).

 

Puffin Stories

Seward 2012

Judy loves puffins! At the Alaska SeaLife Center she reveled in her close encounter...

Judy and Christina feeding puffins...

Horned Puffin

Tufted Puffin

Horned Puffin

Tufted Puffin

St. Paul Island 2000

Snapping photos at the SeaLife Center was fun, but can't compare with combing cliffs on St Paul Island for photo opportunities.

While on my photo excursion, Judy had a bluff to herself over looking the Berring Sea (until barked at by an Arctic Fox).

Notes.

2012 Camera: Canon 7D with EF 17-55 f/2.8

2000 Camera: Canon EOS Elan //s (Film) with EF 100-400 IS L

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

We had great weather for the four-hour boat trip from Seward to the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

Humbacks

Orcas

We had Cabin #1!

Front porch view

Night-shot from our back-deck

Bald Eagles and Voles...

Eagle nest about 200 yards from
the Lodge; adults perched nearby

A Vole was our neighbor (off our back deck)

We kayaked to Aialik Glacier...

It was an easy 3 miles to the glacier

The trip back was up a bit more challenging;
lots of ice and against the current

Pedersen Glacier (view from the Lodge)

Judy, Christina and Matt canoed to the glacier on our last day
(while I lounged in the Lodge)

Notes. 

Cameras: Canon 7D & 20D; EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 and EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS

Matt "daily" photo posts on his Life's Wake blog and Judy posted a web album collection.