Great Blue Heron perched on the remnants of the Schooner Forrester with the Carquinez Strait in the background
Great Blue Heron perched on the remnants of the Schooner Forrester with the Carquinez Strait in the background
I have been passionate about photography ever since my high school days in Hillsboro, Oregon. Back then, it was all about sports and news events. These days, I love photographing birds in their environment. It's my passion in life.
Wildlife photography has helped me reconnect with nature. It has also made me appreciate life and all the beauty it has to offer.
Photo: Anna's Hummingbird on the Pickleweed Trail
To tell the story of birds in their natural habitat through my lens, and to help educate people on the importance of birds in our environment.
Photo: American Kestrel perched on a post at Pacheco Marsh
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is the largest and most widespread heron in North America, reaching up to 4.5 feet in height with a wingspan of up to 7 feet. These "statuesque" birds are common sights near almost any body of water, ranging from coastal marshes to urban park ponds. Quick Facts
Diet and Hunting Great Blue Herons are patient, opportunistic hunters that eat almost anything within striking distance.
Nesting and Behavior
Conservation Status Once hunted heavily for their plumes to decorate hats, Great Blue Herons have since recovered and are now a species of Least Concern. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to harm them or their nests.
Great Blue Heron doing a little fishin' at the Bill Nichols Pond in Radke Park.
A Great Blue Heron performing what is called "gular fluttering" on a hot, sunny day at Radke Park last summer.
Gular fluttering is used to release body heat by rapidly vibrating the moist membranes of the throat (gular area) while keeping the mouth open. It enables efficient evaporative cooling to manage high temperatures or stress without losing significant water or electrolytes.
This Great Blue Heron, we'll call her Hannah had fishing line and lure wrapped around her beak for over three weeks making it nearly impossible for her to eat. Now, nearly four months later, she is in perfect health. Hannah never gave up on working the line and lure off her beak and she succeeded. So cool! She still fishes near my boat every night at low tide.
I love my morning photo walks at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. Located just off the Carquinez Strait in Martinez, it is a hidden gem in the vast system of waterways in the California Delta. It is also a great place for birding, with a variety of birds year-round, including egrets, herons, ducks, sparrows, wrens, turkey vultures and osprey.
Photo: Golden-crowned Sparrows foraging for food in the meadows
Pacheco Marsh is the latest restoration and public access project from the John Muir Land Trust. It is a great place for a nice, peaceful walk along the marshlands of the Carquinez Strait. There are a variety of birds, including egrets, hawks, ducks, marsh wrens, finches, sparrows and White-tailed Kites.
Photo: Great Egrets squabbling for territory. The chase is on...
Part of the John Muir Land Trust, Mt. Wanda is a great place to explore nature and a cool place for birding. If you love Acorn Woodpeckers, this is definitely the place for you. They can be seen frequently, either in flight or hoarding acorns on one of the granary trees in the area. Their unique “waka-waka” calls can be heard quite often along the trail systems of Mt. Wanda.
Photo: Acorn Woodpecker on a granary tree