Santa Clara Dream Morning

Tuesday morning was a dream photo shoot for me at Santa Clara Photo Ranch west of Edinburg.  It was one of the few times I’ve photographed alone this year and the absence of human sounds was deafening.  It was obvious the critters appreciated the quiet time;  birds were everywhere.

The big EVENT of the morning began with a scream, then screams and more screams…the kind cats make when mating.  Around 8:00 AM, the chilling vocalizations started just 20 yards from my blind.  Knowing what it was, I quickly prepared the Canon 7d II and NEW 100-400 mm lens for action.  The first cat to appear was a large female that came within 20 feet of the blind before crouching for a long drink.

The cat was great; the new lens was great; the light overcast sky was great!  She paid no attention to the zip, zip, zip of the camera.  When she finally strolled away, a second kitty came in.  It was one of the prettiest bobcats I’ve even seen.  In the space of 5 minutes, both cats came and went.  It was a “hum-drum” morning after that.  Yep, there wasn’t much to do but photograph birds, green birds, red birds, orange birds, yellow birds, etc. , but somehow I muddled through.

Here are a few images from my big day at Santa Clara Photo Ranch:  Remember to click on an image to enlarge and sharpen it.

bobcat drinking
bobcat drinking

 

Bobcat, female with "ocelot" markings on side. Experts say one cat in twelve, on average, will have these reticulations in their fur.
Bobcat, female with “ocelot” markings on the side. Experts say one cat in twelve, on average, will have these reticulate patterns in their fur.

 

Bobcat # 2 at photo blind pond.
Bobcat # 2 at photo blind pond.

 

Bobcat pausing in front of photography blind.
Bobcat pausing in front of photography blind.

 

Audubon's Oriole landing
Audubon’s Oriole landing.

This oriole was missing a toe on its right foot.

Northern Cardinal and Pyrrhuloxia scolding
Northern Cardinal and Pyrrhuloxia sharing a perch.

This is “the year of the northern cardinal in south Texas”.  Significant numbers have moved into McAllen for the winter and that’s a rarity.

It has taken me years to get sharp flight shots of a golden-fronted woodpecker.
It has taken me years to get sharp flight shots of a golden-fronted woodpecker.  I got several this day.

 

Photo demonstrating who rules the feeding post.
Photo demonstrating who rules the feeding post.

 

Male golden-fronted woodpecker posing in mid-air.
Male golden-fronted woodpecker posing in mid-air.

 

Green jay can't decide who eats first.
Green jays can’t decide who eats first.

 

Pre-focusing just behind the perch can insure a sharp image with full wing spread...provided the shutter speed is high enough to stop those wings.
Pre-focusing just behind the perch can insure a sharp image provided the shutter speed is high enough to stop those fantastic yellow wings.

 

House sparrow has lowest rank at the feeding post.
Nobody told this house sparrow she has lowest rank at the feeding post.

 

Eight northern bobwhites lined up for their first drink of the day.
Eight northern bobwhites lined up for their first drink of the day.

The nature photography life is a sweet one on days like this.

Larry